Pattie Little, Patty Spivey at their neighborhood Christmas Party.
Kathy and Tommy Prentice were also one of the first families to build in the subdivision. “I have lived in neighborhoods where I have not known my neighbors,” said Kathy. “When we were building this house, I was miserable. We had neighbors, but we weren’t social with them. It was just like being on another planet and I felt very isolated and alone.” Now a six-year resident of Country Club Estates, Kathy is building her second house in the subdivision. “It’s a great neighborhood,” she said. “We love and really enjoy each other.” Here, neighbors have become family. If a fire truck rolls up to a neighbor’s house, everyone checks on that neighbor to see if they can help. If a mother comes down with the
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flu, the neighbors help with the children. If someone goes out of town, the neighbors keep watch over the house. Plus, Carol added, one of your neighbors may know how to do a quick fix on your computer, or how to do a house project, or even agree to feed and walk your pet while you are away from home. The first neighborhood cookout was seven years ago and included a small group of about 40 people. “This event has grown to include over 100 people,” said Carol. Each year, on the Monday after Mother’s Day, the subdivision holds the cookout that includes all the families living there. “We meet in the mid-section of the neighborhood and cook hamburgers and hot dogs,” said Kathy. “Everybody brings a dish.” Kathy and Carol also participate in smaller groups. “We wanted to see each other more than once a year,” said Kathy, “so we formed the lady’s group and within the group formed a couple of smaller groups.” It’s a great opportunity to get to know everybody and to meet any new neighbors in the subdivision, Carol explained. “Smaller groups plan their own activities according to their interest.” About 20 women are in the smaller group, most enjoying their mid-lives. This group has been together a little over two years. At Easter, they host an Easter Egg Hunt. Close to Halloween, they “Boo” each other by making little ghosts cards that read: You’ve been booed. The ghost, along with a little gift bag of Halloween candy or some type of fall item is secretly placed on a neighbor’s porch. In turn, the neighbor being “Booed” displays the ghost on their front door or window. They, in turn, make up and deliver another ghost and gift bag to another neighbor. No one knows who slips the ghost and bag onto their porch, but the ghosts keep showing up until everyone has been booed! This past October, one of the ladies in the group hosted a chili night and everyone brought different types of chili. At the end of November, the group did a cookie swap. They also held a high tea, which may not appeal to everyone because it’s something from the past, but all who attended from ages 30 to 70 enjoyed it. “It’s good to have diversity in that way,” said Kathy, “and bring back some of the old into the new again.” The group meets annually for dinner to decide what type of event each is going to host and in what month. In the past, they have held a get-together every other month.