Am I A Good Neighbor?

  Engaged Neighbor Program - St Charles Our guest presenter will be University of Missouri Extension Community Development Specialist David Burton who is at the forefront of a national movement recognizing the importance of neighbors in community development. He aims to encourage the development of engaged neighbor relationships, foster healthy neighborhoods, develop grassroots leaders, and fund neighborhood connectors in under-served communities. Burton recently completed “state of neighboring” study shows a majority of Missourians rate two traits as tops for good neighbors: respects my privacy (70%) and is quiet (65%). That same study shows less than 20% of Missourians take proactive steps, 25% know none of their neighbors’ names, and 40% do not see engagement with neighbors as needed. We think it is more important to become an engaged neighbor than a “good” one.  During this training, Burton will explain the process of becoming an engaged neighbor, explore why that is important for

  June 20, 2023 Deana Tucker Dothage On Saturday, during a visit to A1 Nails & Salon in Warrenton, I carried in a packet of Engaged Neighbor material to share with the business owners/friends.   The wife/owner was with a customer. Towards the end of my nail session, the wife & her customer took a break from talking. I asked if I could share information about the Engaged Neighbor program. They kindly agreed. After listening to the details, the customer said, “I love that idea.” She mentioned that her new husband and she had moved into Warrenton recently but didn’t know many of their new neighbors. She told me where their home was. My response was, “You are my neighbor!! I live around the corner from you.”  What a coincidence!  We all laughed and discussed what a small world it is, when you meet a random stranger that turns out to be your neighbor.  We talked about our respective careers, where she and her husband grew up, and more. When asked if she and her husband liked to fi

WHAT HAPPENED TO ME WHILE SITTING ON MY FRONT PORCH June 2023 Deana Tucker Dothage This week I’ve worked from my home office, more specifically my front porch. A few days ago, two ladies walked by my house multiple times. They were knocking it out of the park for getting steps in. Eventually, one of them walked by again, but alone. I commented on how many steps she must have accomplished. She looks at me and says, “I know you!” I did not recognize her but went to the street to learn more. Turns out, she and I have two mutual friends, who sadly, have passed away. We discussed how we each had met the father & son and how important they were to both of us. We laughed and we cried. We agreed to keep in touch with the intent to get to know each other. Each day I’ve seen her walk by, we wave.  She texted me a picture of one of our friends. What a sweet gesture. A simple yet significant act of kindness and compassion. By taking the time to sit outside during my home office time, I had the

  FATHER’S DAY AND NEIGHBORING June 2023 Deana Tucker Dothage   Deana Tucker, Seibert Tucker When I was a young child, my dad lived on a lake in Illinois. He spent most of his time with my brothers when he was not at work. I was with them on weekends, holidays and summer weeks, some of the happiest times of my life. We were outside grilling, shooting soda cans, riding motorcycles, hiking, selecting Christmas trees, playing with the dog, and my favorites, boating and fishing. When I was 13, a drunk driver hit our dad head on, while traveling across an Illinois bridge. It was so devastating to my brothers and me. A destructive loss that has cost us more than one can imagine. What does this have to do with neighboring? My next door and nearby neighbors in St. Charles surrounded me with kindness and friendship. My neighbors took care of me, which also helped my mother tremendously.  These neighbors were my friends. Their siblings and parents included me in family events and

ACTS OF GOOD NEIGHBORS ON MY STREET  June 2023 Deana Tucker Dothage In 2002, an acquaintance invited me to bring my toddler to her house for Halloween. That is how I found the street we have lived on the past 19 years. Her act of kindness wasn’t her last and has been indicative of acts of kindness from other neighbors.  Below are some examples.     During our move in and soon after, two older couples across the street came to visit and invited us to the fall block party which was in the yard next to mine.     Another neighbor brought a huge chocolate chip cookie. My son has loved her ever since. On Halloween for many years, she invited my son over for a bag with his name on it.     Within a day of moving in, we met the young child across the street who became my son’s closest friend. They are still friends.     In the winter, three men on our street went out every snowy morning to blow off the snow from every driveway on the street (16 houses).     My mother has endured som

  GETTING TO KNOW MY NEIGHBORS June 2023 Deana Tucker Dothage Buckhorn Court has been my home for 19 years. We have babies through age 95 who live here. People move out, move in and some lived their last days in homes on this street. My son and one of his closest friends were raised here. My neighborhood is green! Lots of trees and well-maintained landscaped yards. There is a pond in the backyard on both sides of our street. It’s a joy to wake up and look out the windows, to sit on the deck or front porch. As my involvement in the Engaged Neighbor increased by delivering programs about being a good neighbor and getting to know your neighbors, it occurred to me that I could be a better neighbor. Gathering printed materials about Engaged Neighbor events, newsletters, Good Neighbor Week and Engaged Neighbor St. Charles (8/29/2023) to distribute on my street was easy. Putting pen to paper, I composed a letter of introduction that starts with “Let’s get to know each other.” One reques