I think it is time we admit that communication tools rarely fix culture problems. People often assume that if participation is low, the answer is better technology. They need a new website. They need a Facebook page. They need an app. They need a newsletter. They need more followers. They need a better communication strategy. Sometimes that is true. But often the technology is simply revealing what already exists beneath the surface. If a neighborhood's social media page is dominated by complaints, arguments, accusations, and negativity, outsiders quickly learn something about the culture of that group. They learn that joining may not be enjoyable. They learn that volunteering may mean stepping into conflict. They learn that their ideas may be criticized more than celebrated. Every social media page tells a story. The question is: what story are you telling? When prospective members visit your page, do they see neighbors working together? Do they see community events, suc...

  Older adults are often described as “offline,” but the reality is more complicated. Many seniors do use technology, but others may struggle with cost, confidence, physical limitations, or preferences. The key is not choosing technology *or* personal relationships. It is using both wisely. Encourage low-tech neighboring. A phone call, handwritten note, porch visit, or regular check-in often means more than an app. Many older adults value consistency and personal attention over digital communication. Create neighborhood contact networks. Block captains, neighborhood associations, or volunteer teams can organize simple systems for checking on older residents during storms, illness, or extreme heat. Use “bridge people.” Grandchildren, neighbors, caregivers, librarians, and volunteers can help older adults access technology when needed while still maintaining personal relationships. Meet people where they already gather. Senior centers, churches, coffee shops, meal programs, barber...

  There is often skepticism around holidays that seem overly commercialized or artificially created. Days like National Donut Day or National Dog Day are  dismissed as “made-up holidays.” Yet these observances clearly have value, not only for businesses, but also for communities, relationships, and culture itself. One reason these themed days matter is because they influence behavior.  Businesses understand this well. A "holiday" creates a reason for people to pay attention, make purchases, participate in promotions, and join a shared social moment.  National Donut Day, for example, reliably increases donut sales and store traffic because companies build campaigns around it. Coffee shops, restaurants, pet stores, and retailers all use these “micro holidays” to create energy and attention that would not normally exist on an ordinary day. The interesting thing is that people often respond more strongly to occasions than to logic. A random Tuesday suddenly becomes “the ...

  What if improving your health could also help strengthen your neighborhood? This summer, University of Missouri Extension is inviting Missourians to participate in a statewide challenge called 100 Miles, 100 Days . The program is simple, free, flexible, and designed to help people become more active during the 100 days of summer. The challenge begins on June 16 and continues through September 24. Participants are encouraged to move in whatever way works best for them. Walking is certainly an option, but so are biking, dancing, swimming, strength training, paddling, gardening, and countless other activities that get people moving. The goal is not perfection. The goal is progress. Participants can track their activity throughout the summer, set personal goals, and even engage in friendly competition as counties across Missouri compare their collective miles and activity levels. Whether you are an experienced athlete or someone who simply wants to spend a little more time ou...

  SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Community development specialist and neighboring advocate David Burton has released a new book titled The Neighboring Playbook: Becoming America's Most Neighborly State , a practical guide designed to help communities strengthen relationships, reduce isolation, and build a stronger culture of belonging neighborhood by neighborhood. The book shares the story behind Missouri’s growing neighboring movement, including the development of Missouri Good Neighbor Week, the Engaged Neighbor Program, and community efforts that have encouraged thousands of acts of neighboring across the state. Burton serves as a community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension and has spent years researching and teaching the importance of social connection, civic engagement, and neighborhood relationships. His work has helped position Missouri as a national leader in neighboring initiatives and community connection efforts, and lead to programs like Neighboring 101 a...

  The New York Times column “Why Americans Are Afraid of Their Neighbors” (written by Jessica Grose and printed May 26, 2026) explored something many people feel but rarely stop to examine: Americans have slowly been taught to distrust strangers, including the people living right next door.   The article traces this fear back to the “stranger danger” campaigns of the 1980s, when highly publicized child abductions and sensationalized media coverage convinced many parents that danger was everywhere. I lived through "stranger danger" and remember those campaigns. The column makes an important point. While those fears were understandable, the messaging often exaggerated the actual risk. The article notes that missing child statistics were frequently misleading and that most harm to children does not come from strangers at all. Over time, however, the cultural lesson stuck: strangers are dangerous, neighbors are unknown, and safety comes from isolation rather than connection ...

  The recent WBUR interview with Vivek Murthy (former Surgeon General) centers on a growing crisis of loneliness and disconnection in modern life, especially as technology, social media, and polarized culture increasingly replace or weaken real human relationships.  Murthy argues that “staying human” requires intentionally protecting empathy, presence, service, and community. He warns that without effort, people may drift into lives mediated more by machines than by meaningful relationships.   You can read the original article here:  WBUR interview with Vivek Murthy . Or continue reading for my take-aways from the interview. Core summary Murthy says loneliness is not just an emotional problem. It is a public health issue linked to anxiety, depression, heart disease, dementia, and shorter lifespan.  He emphasizes that people today often mistake digital interaction for genuine connection, but “likes” and online attention provide only temporary gratification. Real ...

  Show-Me Neighborhood Art Month is officially underway across Missouri, and once again neighbors are using creativity to build connection, spark conversations, and turn ordinary spaces into places of belonging. This statewide project invites residents to create and display neighborhood art in front yards, businesses, parks, and public gathering places throughout the month. The result is not simply an art show. It becomes a reason for neighbors to slow down, walk around, talk to one another, and experience community in a different way. You can learn more about the project, register artwork, explore the statewide map, and vote for your favorite displays through the Show-Me Neighborhood Art Month website . Throughout the month, I will be highlighting different entries from around the state that capture the spirit of neighboring and community. This week’s featured display is titled Love Your Neighbor , created by local artist Janelle Patterson  and displayed at 3260 E. Seneca in ...

I often say that neighboring is not a microwave, it is a crockpot. It does not happen instantly like a microwave. Rather the key ingredient for neighboring is time. "Crockpot neighboring" is a fun way to describe how we can build friendships and help the people around us, one action at a time over a longer period of time. Just like a crockpot, where you put in a few ingredients and let them cook slowly, crockpot neighboring is about making small, kind gestures over time. These little acts can help create strong friendships and a closer community. What is Crockpot Neighboring? Crockpot neighboring is about taking small steps to get to know your neighbors and show you care. It’s like cooking a big meal in a crockpot. You don’t have to rush things or make huge efforts. Instead, you do little things that add up over time to make something great.  Just like how a slow-cooked stew becomes tasty and delicious after hours of simmering, your neighborhood can become a warm and friendly...