We Are Neighbors

Neighboring 101 is for more than just new homeowners or people new to community life. The ongoing program is for anyone wanting to improve their neighborhood or community as well as their personal life and health. Over 800 people across the United States are enrolled in this University of Missouri Extension class. Individuals who register can attend the monthly class via Zoom or access recordings of the previous classes. Class instructor and organizer David Burton, a community development specialist with MU Extension, says since the class began in late 2019, courses and videos have had over 12,000 views or attendees. "The guest speakers we have lined up for 2024 should inspire anyone interested in improving their community or neighborhood," said Burton. “In these classes, we will look at the science and art of neighboring by highlighting examples across the nation where it is being done well. Past guests have included neighborhood award winners, practitioners, authors,

The popular University of Missouri Extension “barn quilt class” is coming to Greene County on Saturday, Feb. 24. As a bonus, these quilts can be displayed as part of Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week planned for June 2024. But the first step is to take the barn quilt class. American barn quilts can be tracked back almost 300 years, to the arrival of immigrants from the central regions of Europe.  Decorating barns and farmsteads with colorful quilt squares peaked by the beginning of the 20th century and slowly gave way to different forms of paintings and advertisements.  Today, barn quilts have become popular again, and some communities have barn quilt trails. Greene County MU Extension offers this class to teach individuals how to make a barn quilt. The goal is to keep track of where barn quilts are placed in the community to create a barn quilt trail for residents and visitors to our community. Class participants will paint a two-foot by two-foot square of plywood with the quilt pattern o

  Two areas (see pictures with this post) in Owen Park, 441 N Bailey Ave, Republic, Missouri, are open for Commissioned Art Work and applications are being received now.  The approved art must be installed by June 1 as part of Show-Me Art in Neighborhoods Week. These installations should be able to withstand local weather conditions for a minimum of two weeks. Public art should be family-friendly and not be of a partisan or political nature. There is an option for art to remain in place longer. Artists are responsible for installation and for removal when needed, although permanent art is considered. Project proposals are due by March 15 to David Burton and should be submitted by email at burtond@missouri.edu . This proposal should show the plan or design in some way and explain the materials used and the artist's experience and ability to complete the project.  A committee, including representatives of the Parks Department, will make the final selections. Those selected will recei

  Has your community set a goal for how many block parities it will host this year? In Colorado Springs, the Mayor set a goal for 1,000 in one year! It is a valid goal for any community.  Some might say this is different from the business or purpose of city government. But those who say that are both missing the point and ignoring the research. A healthy community has residents that are civil and work out issues together. A healthy community has civically engaged residents who run for office and serve on boards (all of which support city functions). A health community has residents who are connected and building healthy neighborhoods that can resolve many of their own challenges without involving the city or requiring city services (like law enforcement). In the long run, a community of engaged neighbors saves the city resources. That improvement could all begin with a block party or neighbor social. Individuals running for elected office should consider this format too. Every candidat

  If you are planning a neighborhood get-together, perhaps a block party, or coffee social, fear is unnecessary. This should be an event that encourages connections and is easy to repeat! There is tremendous value in a small and short gathering of neighbors if a connection is made. Too often, big events become about entertainment, and connections do not happen. It is also okay to fail. If things do not turn out how you wanted, that probably means there are valuable lessons to learn and important changes to make before the next event. Either way, the goal is to keep moving forward and building connections among neighbors. Let’s talk about the steps involved in planning a neighborhood gathering. Step 1: Start By Finding a Co-Host When do things alone we sometimes go fast, but we will not go far. Discovering at least one other person to help with the event will help things go more smoothly. You will have the benefit of at least two creative minds. This also expands your connections. You g

  Peter Lovenheim writes in his book, "In the Neighborhood," about a tragedy that struck his suburban neighborhood and inspired his book.  There was a family down the street from him with two children. Both parents were physicians. One evening, the husband came home, shot and killed his wife, and then killed himself. The kids ran screaming into the night. Soon after, the kids moved to another part of town to live with their grandparents. "In effect, this family who had lived on my street for seven years effectively had vanished overnight," said Lovenheim during a Neighboring 101 class I hosted with him in 2023. "Besides absorbing the tragedy of it, I was struck by how little this calamity actually affected the neighborhood," said Lovenheim. "I didn't know them beyond a wave. And asking around, I found nobody else in the neighborhood knew this family well. I also learned that nobody actually knew each other well,. I asked myself, "Do I live in

  The list of podcasts that have featured the Engaged Neighbor Project or its creator, David Burton, community development specialist with MU Extension, continues to grow. Here are a few of those interviews that can be accessed online still. The newest ones are listed first. Celebrate Being a Neighbor Podcast and radio show on iHeart radio nationwide. Interview by Clink Gerlek,  Vice President Programming,  iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group - Springfield, MO. Listen to program here . Neighboring Holidays A Zoom class with Jennifer Prophete and David Burton about creating and celebrating neighboring holidays in Missouri and across the nation. YouTube Video here . Growing Small Towns Show David Burton was a guest on the nationally known "The Growing Small Towns Show" podcast this week. Epoxide 137. "The Neighborly Thing To Do with David Burton" can be heard on any podcast platform. Are You a Good Neighbor? Are you a good neighbor? This week on The REPMO Radio Podcast ,