Am I A Good Neighbor?

 CHRISTMAS CHEER SPREAD BY NEIGHBORS, CHRISTMAS 2023 The weekend before Christmas, while in my driveway, I noticed some kids I did not recognize playing outside two doors from my house. Not long after entering my house, someone rang my doorbell. When I opened the door, I was greeted with smiles; the youngest child held out this note. Folded inside were two decorated rocks. 💖The two sets of cousins smiled as I thanked them for this perfect gift. I'm not sure who was happier, them or me. Their kindness to their grandparent's neighbor demonstrates what they are learning from their parents & grandparents.                     A little while later, my doorbell rang again. The same exceptional children delivered these Christmas rocks! They were quiet but smiling and wished me Merry Christmas. Their gift was a sweet act of kindness, a shining example of neighboring!!

  Pat and Deana, December 2023, spending time with Pat's family Pat and Deana at Sibley Hall, Lindenwood University December 2023, remembering the late 1970's. ,   Meeting a neighbor and investing time in getting to know them has the possibility of lasting a lifetime. The possibility of making a difference. 60 years ago, my mom, brothers, and I moved into old town St. Charles, Missouri. Soon, Pat and I met as our backyards were across the alley from one another. The 3-year age difference did not matter. Pat and I both had 3 siblings. We spent a lot of time at each other’s houses and got to know each other’s families. Our birthdays are 2 days apart. For many years, Pat’s mother invited me over for dinner on the day between our birthdays. She fixed my favorite meal, baked a cake, and gave me presents. Her parents were kind to me and always made me feel welcome. We had a lot of fun. Even when Pat was in high school, she never forgot me, her junior high school friend. We had adven...

  2024 Soldier's Christmas card project Register you and your neighbors to participate in a service project of MU Extension in St. Charles County You are invited to a card signing event. Our guests will sign & write a message on cards, honoring soldiers for their service. https://web.cvent.com/event/e3197221-bbf8-431b-9e44-a674d9c4d255/regProcessStep1 Donations of Christmas cards may be dropped off at MU Extension in St. Charles County, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters, MO, 63376. The cards will be shipped by Heroes Cares with care packages, in time to reach soldiers serving overseas on Christmas 2024. Please join us - a fun way to spend time together and share Christmas joy with our soldiers overseas. Spend a few minutes or a few hours! Options: 1. Sign Cards 2. Donate & Sign Cards 3. Donate Cards Cost:  Free Sessions (1 PM - 4PM) 2/25/24 3/24/24 4/28/24 Register For Event REGISTRATION  (opens in new window) Use Tab key to loop through the section below. Press Enter or...

  This blog is about a man who is passionate about preserving the environment. While visiting another state, he noticed a tree surrounded by bees. Bob decided to get cuttings and seeds from the tree. He planted the seeds and watched them grow into 12" tall saplings.  He contacted MU Extension in St. Charles County and asked that we do some research to determine if the trees were invasive because they are not native to Missouri. Our faculty and Master Gardeners researched the tree and determined it is not invasive and could thrive in Missouri.  Bob's hope is that wherever the "desert willow" tree is planted, bees will be attracted. To help make that happen, Bob donated two dozen saplings to the Extension Center and asked that they be shared with beekeepers and others interested in gardening.  Bob's act of neighboring demonstrates how kindness and sharing can preserve the environment.  As the world’s most important group of pollinators, bees are a crucial part of ...

MY DOG IS YOUR NEIGHBOR TOO Submitted by Amy BIG DOG Amy has a P erro de Presa Canario , a moderately large-sized molossoid. This is a BIG dog. One day the dog escaped. A neighbor who is terrified of this dog caught the dog and returned it by walking with it holding onto the collar. She could have easily retreated indoors, called Amy, called the police, or ignored the dog. This neighbor demonstrated rising above her own fears to engage in an act of kindness and neighboring. There have been other Maverick sightings in the neighborhood. Other neighbors call to tell her "Maverick" is here. Amy is thankful for their acts of kindness.  Submitted by Deana LITTLE DOG I have dog(s) that occasionally work their way out of their collars (not all of them at once).  When that happens, neighbors step in to help. One neighbor sends private messages to let me know that my dog is in her yard, or she sends her adult son to walk the dog 2 doors down to my home. Another neighbor opens his gara...

Neighboring takes effort, time, and planning. The effort will benefit both you and your community. Deana Dothage, an Extension Engagement Specialist with the University of Missouri Extension in St. Charles County, delivers a program that helps people learn how to become engaged neighbors. Deana's Engaged Neighbor presentation includes 30 minutes on the topic of neighboring and how it can help your family, your neighborhood, and your community and 15-30 minutes for Q & A. Location: 260 Brown Road, St. Peters, MO 63376 Attend in person or via Zoom. Register:   https://extension.missouri.edu/events/engaged-neighbor-1699892876 Join by Zoom:  https://umsystem.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUkcO-urzwpHN2_ulTgu5CQadbeGWSU9ZH8 To schedule an Engaged Neighbor presentation in your venue, contact Deana Dothage, at 636-970-3000. More about this event here > h ttps://www.facebook.com/events/676365564596726

  Take the time to reach out to your children, parents, family, friends, and your neighbors. Show them love! Spend time with them, for that is the greatest gift that we have to offer. Be attentive to their needs and help when you can.  It’s easy to get wrapped up in our work and our obligations. Step away when you can, to share your heart