What a great summer it was for us, and I hope also for you. While I enjoy each season, I can truly say Fall is my favorite. I enjoy the cooler weather, the changing colors and the shorter days. Like the squirrels in my yard, I am gathering books, canning fruit, and gathering projects in preparation for the hibernation season of winter.

I have been reading a few articles on friendship. Recently the US Surgeon general warned that we are in the midst of a national loneliness epidemic and that 12% of Americans stated in a poll that they have no close friends. Another article I read talked about not only the importance of "strong" friendships but also "weak" friendships. These are the people that you connect with on a frequent basis for a brief period of time, like the grocery store clerk. It seems according to research that these weaker or casual friendships are just as necessary for our happiness as our "strong" ones are. I encourage each of you to look for ways to increase your casual friendships as well as be that casual friend for someone else. So that by waving to our neighbor as they walk their dog past our house, chatting with the barista at our favorite coffeeshop, and smiling at people in the isle of the grocery store we will increase a sense of connectedness and decrease loneliness.

Hey everybody! I just wanted to tell you about our "back there care" alley cleanup event in September. With the help of a Neighborhood Grant, we were able to get a dumpster for the neighbors on 3300 blocks of Logan, Pennsylvania and Pearl to dispose of alley waste such as weeds, dirt, tree branches and small chunks of concrete. We even had some help from the police department in the form of Crystal the public relations person and officer Billy. A huge thanks to everyone who helped make our alleys cleaner and safer.

Greeting to all the neighbors of Old Town/Hawthorn and happy Spring! While I am a big fan of Winter and do a happy dance every time it snows, I do also feel a stirring inside me at the longer days and the sight of the buds on my Chokecherry tree. This time of year has me making to do lists for the yard as well as trips to Goodwill from my bouts of Spring cleaning. So as to get you in the community spirit here are some events to get on to your calendar.

Run Club is held the first and third Thursday at 6pm. We start and end at Sunroom Brewery. The route is different each time but is 3 miles in length. Tracy Csavina is the hostess.

Neighborhood Nights as mentioned above is a great way to gather with neighbors you know as well as meet new ones while visiting the different parks in our city. As a former nanny, I have visited most of the playgrounds and can say we have some wonderful places to bring the kiddos. There are food trucks and music at these events so bring your blanket and appetite.

Fall 2022

Meet Rhonda Willcox, the neighborhood group leader in Old Town/Rose/Hawthorn Neighborhood

How long have you lived in Englewood?

20+ years

Why is neighboring important to you?

I grew up in a small town in Iowa and believe knowing my neighbors is a necessity.

What do you love about your neighborhood?

The willingness to lend a hand when needed and the enjoyment of gathering together. We have celebrated everything from Chinese New Year to Shrove Tuesday.

How has your neighborhood changed over the years?

less single family dwellings and more multifamily units. Still as many friendly faces and dogs walking their humans.