On a late-summer evening in Littleton (~42,000 population), about 3,400 residents—roughly 7 % of the city—turned out for a communal dinner event organized along the city’s main street. Rather than being a protest, political forum or branded marketing event, this gathering was simply people coming together: tables stretching down Main Street, conversations about everyday life – parks, schools, health, neighborhood roots. The event was coordinated by 54 community organizations, many local businesses, and hundreds of volunteers. The author frames this not just as a nice dinner, but as a marker of what he calls “local civilization” — the idea that communities can rebuild meaningful connection and social infrastructure by focusing on in-person interaction, trust, and shared identity rather than just digital networks or national institutions. He notes that in many U.S. communities, people feel little connection to neighbors (for example, only ~16 % say they feel “very connected” to the...

  In a world where people are more digitally connected than ever, loneliness continues to grow as a silent struggle affecting people of all ages.  Amber Allen, a human development and family science specialist with the University of Missouri Extension, is determined to change that trend. Through her work in human development and social connection, she emphasizes the importance of relationships in overcoming loneliness and building stronger, healthier neighborhoods. "People hear the word loneliness and think it’s going to be a gray rain cloud," Allen said during a presentation on Neighboring 101 in March of 2021. "But today, I want to talk about how to make the sun shine in your neighborhood by forming real social connections." Understanding Loneliness and Social Isolation Allen explained that loneliness and social isolation, though related, are not the same. "Loneliness is the feeling of being alone, regardless of the amount of social contact," she...