What Makes for a Happy Life? 

by Pam Rempe | Sep 17, 2024 | Getting to Know Your Neighbors, Neighborhood Well-being

Some of the things we think will make us happy, or ought to make us happy… actually don’t, at least not in the long term. Things like lots of money, a promotion at work, more travel, more possessions, an ideal appearance, and other ways that people sometimes measure a...

Neighbor Wanted: Only Those with Soft Skills Need Apply

by Pam Rempe | Aug 14, 2024 | Discover the Gifts, Neighborhood Well-being, Pursue the Common Good

Neighbor Wanted!  Soft skills preferred: Dependable and empathetic problem solver. Team player. All other skills: optional.  If this flyer was posted in your community, would you qualify?  In our post-pandemic, hybrid, AI work-world, soft skills matter...

Trust in Your Neighbors Could Benefit Your Health and America

by Pam Rempe | Jul 30, 2024 | Getting to Know Your Neighbors, Neighborhood Well-being

Here is an easy way to improve your health: trust your neighbors. A 2011 study from the University of Missouri showed that increasing trust in neighbors is associated with better self-reported health.  “I examined the idea of ‘relative position,’ or where one...

Little Free Libraries Have a Unique Neighborhood Goal

by Jennifer Prophete | May 13, 2024 | Neighborhood Well-being

As the son of a retired librarian, I know the humble book remains a powerful tool for education, enlightenment, and entertainment. In this digital age, a good book can show us what community and friendship mean and how to be the best neighbors or...

How My Dog Helped Me be a Better Neighbor

by Jonathan Carone | May 1, 2024 | Getting to Know Your Neighbors, Neighborhood Well-being

I’m a cat person. When I was growing up, my family had both dogs and cats, but I’ve always preferred cats. When I grew up, I married a man who also loves cats, and our children are cat-lovers, as well.    But we had a dog once, a really...

Be Up Front About It

by Jonathan Carone | Apr 17, 2024 | Getting to Know Your Neighbors, Imagine the Possibilities, Neighborhood Well-being

What’s going on in your front yard?   If your answer is along the lines of “It looks nice, but I never spend time there” or “I’m keeping my grass alive, and that’s about it,” then now may be a good time to rethink what you do with that semi-public,...