Resurgence of Community

Filed by Dotsie Bregel

There’s something going on in and around Baltimore that is encouraging.

Communities and small towns are getting together for nothing but fun and I’m embracing it. Little Italy and Federal Hill are offering weekend family movies.

Bring a blanket, a couple chairs, a picnic and watch healthy, family movies with friends and strangers. If you don’t like movies, how about a block party with live music? Hunt Valley, Towson and Belvedere Square give you three Friday night options. Come as you are, bring loved ones, eat, drink, dance in the streets, see old friends and make new ones. The atmosphere is electric. Everyone is smiling and having fun.

I’ve also noticed that all the new construction for restaurant and retail is no longer for huge multi-floor malls. Now they’re building rather large complexes that are open air with a common meeting place and/or food court that’s central for people to build community called town centers. There are fountains, fire pits, statues of children, comfy benches, gardens, awnings to protect you from the sun, and sections of chairs for people to congregate by being in the great outdoors instead of cooped up inside. Gosh, there are even kid’s clubs sponsored by retailers with activities for the children. I am lovin’ it.

My prayer is that we’ve noticed our need for one another. Maybe we’re also recognizing that fresh air is so much better than all the recycled air in area malls. Perhaps we’re going back to the main street feeling of small town America where people embraced one another and became more involved with their neighbors. All I can tell you is that whenever I’ve attended these gatherings, they are packed. You have to get there early to get good seating. I’m tickeled by this. Please tell me. Is this going on in your city or small town, and if so, what are some of the activities you’re witnessing?

Dotsie Bregel is the founder of the National Association of Baby Boomer Women, www.nabbw.com, and Boomer Women Speak, www.boomerwomenspeak.com, a key site on all search engines for “baby boomer women.” She has been mentioned in Time magazine, the Los Angeles Times and AARP Bulletin among dozens of newspapers across the nation. She is on the editorial board of me* magazine and writes book reviews for boomer magazine. She frequently does radio interviews and has appeared on The Early Show (CBS) with Dave Price.

She can be contacted at dots@boomerwomenspeak.com or 1-877-bboomer.