Finding Friends (for PDX Mid-Lifers)

Sat, Nov 8 · 12:00 PST

MEET'CHA THERE!--Victorian Crafts (Finish Projects / Program Finale), FREE

Barclay House, 719 Center Street ,, Oregon City, OR, US

Throughout 2025, the Barclay House in OrCity, which is next door to and part of the McLoughlin House Unit of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, is offering a different Victorian Craft event on the 2nd Sat. of each month through Nov.

DEETS:

• No cost (donations are welcome)
• All materials provided along with instruction
• The events start at Noon; instruction takes about an hour with tours available after your project is done
• Located on-site within a historic home from the Victorian area
• Walk-ins will be accommodated if possible but the organizers ask for RSVP to assure ample materials
• More info: www.mcloughlinhouse.org/programs-and-events/victorian-crafts-series

WANT TO GO?
STEP 1: Hit the red attend button on MeetUp; if I know you're coming I'll try to watch for you there

STEP 2: Then ALSO contact the Barley House directly to reserve your seat: mcloughlinmemorial@gmail.com

STEP 3: Show up and have fun!

I plan to attend most, if not all, of these monthly events.
'Hope to see you there,
-Jo / Finding Friends Group Organizer

Sun, Nov 9 · 13:00 PST

Singles' Mingle WALK-&-TALK for Mid-Lifers

Mary S. Young Park, 19900 Willamette Drive, West Linn, OR, US

Let’s walk, talk, and connect — one step at a time…

• Why: You’re seeking friendship, a mindful approach to dating, or good company
• Who: Those in their 40s–60s looking for genuine connection & thoughtful convos
• Where: Mary S. Young Park (2nd parking lot near restrooms & dog run)
• What: 1 continuous loop back to the parking lot (no turning back once we start)
• When: 1PM sharp (arrive early to park and use the restroom)
• Rain or Shine: Dress for the weather

***

🚫 WHAT IT’S NOT

• ❌ Not another hike club, or just a stroll in a park
• ❌ Not a workout (we’ve selected a flat trail and will keep a very chill pace)
• ❌ Not about steps, miles, cardio, or fitness goals, but connection & conversation
• ❌ Not a pickup scene (some will be Single-&-Looking, others not!)
• ❌ Not an awkward singles mixer (6 different activities to engage you!)

Read on to appreciate the concept behind this event!

***

WHAT TO EXPECT

• ✅ A structured, guided experience
• ✅ Start and end as a group (including intros and easy icebreakers)
• ✅ Walk-&-Talk in small, rotating groups (aiming to talk to as many people as possible)
• ✅ Optional conversation prompts (designed to drive conversation deep)
• ✅ Some discussion prompts will draw from this month's featured book: Untethered Soul*.* Check it out ahead of time to enhance your own experience. You don't have to read the whole book; there's a brief summary video here (6 mins.)

Imagine: Fresh air, new faces, a leisurely stroll, and soulful discussions in a beautiful wooded park!

***

COME IF YOU
…enjoy deep, thought-provoking conversation and are looking for others who enjoy the same -- be they potential new friends or potential partners.
You’re welcome if you are:

• Open, curious, and kind
• Straight, gay, bi, cis, trans (all identities welcome)
• Good with light structure and interested in practicing being fully present with others
• Seeking real connection, be it platonic or romantic, friendship or love
• And interested in going deep, beyond small talk or typical “tell me about yourself” Qs

***

🔔 IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• We leave on time at 1PM – if you’re more than a few mins. late, you’ll miss us!
• It’s one a full loop back to the parking lot – no dropping out midway
• All identities welcome; hurtful and harmful behavior is not – stay grounded and kind
• Others may come for different reasons –(dating, friendship, good conversation...)– respect and maturity expected
• MeetUp messages sent the day-of may not reach us – plan ahead!
• We’ll meet you in the 2nd / larger parking lot wearing bright yellow vests

***

💛 WHY WE DO THIS
This isn’t just about finding your person or posse – it's an opportunity to open up and live with intention. When we show up authentically, and are willing to be vulnerable, magic happens!

You may or may not find a potential date or your next bestie at any particular Walk-&-Talk event...

But you will have the opportunity to practice and enjoy a lil’ socializing and solid conversation with the PNW’s natural beauty as a shared backdrop.

***

COME JOIN US
…for a fun single-mingle with others in their 40s–60s looking for something real, be it romantic or platonic.

We're so looking forward to this, and are excited to meet / see you!
-Jo & Shannon, event organizers

PS: No kids / No soliciting / No weird vibes

Wed, Nov 19 · 18:00 PST

MEET'CHA THERE!--Hump Day Hobbies =)

Location not specified yet

NOTE: DO NOT REGISTER HERE
RSVP's are turned off here on this Finding Friends event page; you'll be waitlisted and miss important notices such as address & directions!

You can find the Original EVENT Page here:
https://www.meetup.com/hump-day-hobbies/events
...for Full Details & to RSVP.

COME NURTURE YOUR SOUL & FURTHER YOUR PROJECT
Join my other MeetUp group -- Hump Day Hobbies -- for an evening of light, friendly socializing and personal hobby / crafting. It's like a quilting bee... but not necessarily quilting and, despite stereotypes, this is not just for the ladies. =)

'Hope to see you there,
-Jo

MeetUp GROUP Page:
https://www.meetup.com/hump-day-hobbies-or-city-w-linn-l-oswego/

Thu, Nov 20 · 16:00 PST

Speed-FRIENDING @ W.Linn Library

West Linn Public Library, 1595 Burns St, West Linn, OR, US

Come find your people, your tribe, you troop.

REGISTRATION IS A 2-STEP PROCESS
1. Please RSVP here on MeetUp,
2. and most importantly, because the West Linn Library will manage the real, full, "official" registration list, please also register here: https://calendly.com/wlpl-adult-services/speed-friending-at-the-west-linn-public-library?month=2025-11 (choose the date, then time, & input your info.)

WHY
Making new friends isn’t always easy – back in school we mixed and mingled with a variety of potential chums, all in the same stage of life, all the time. If your job puts you in touch with a lot of people perhaps you still do, but that’s not the case for many gig workers, entrepreneurs, empty nesters, retirees, and others.
If:

• now feels like the time to meet new people and forge new friendships, and
• you’d like to take a purposeful approach, but
• you aren’t sure where to start, or how to get beyond polite small talk,

…then let’s give this a try!

WHO
Mid-life locals interested in meeting potential pals. You'll meet new people every time you come out!

The focus is on meeting new peeps, enjoying conversation, and potentially forging new friendships so, please, no youngins and no soliciting.

West Linn, Oregon City, and Lake Oswego are the focus; that said, you do not have to live or work in these communities to participate. All who are willing and able to be kind, respectful, and good-natured are welcome.

WHAT
The idea is something akin to Speed-DATING, sans the romantic intention.

The event consists of short, structured conversations with different people. We’ll set the stage first with a couple easy warm up ice breakers that have proven quite successful at getting folks engaged right off the bat. Within minutes you’ll quickly find common ground, and begin to get to know others around the room.

In addition to those brief opening exercises, there'll be optional conversation starter prompts. We’ll pair up (regardless of gender, orientation, or status, unlike a dating event) to visit one-on-one for a few minutes, then switch partners and chat with someone new for a few minutes, and so on. We wrap up with a few minutes of group sharing at the end.

WHO ATTENDS?
These events have consistently brought out shy, introverted, and / or "Highly Sensitive" folks -- though that is expressed in many different ways! A lot admit to having to force themselves to stretch their comfort zones and come out, but then being amazed by how much fun they have once they're there!

Those who are, perhaps, more socially outgoing but looking for more meaningful conversation and connections also turn out to these events.

Folks are pleasantly surprised how easy and enjoyable the events are. They rave about feeling welcome, and surprised to find it much less "painful" than they expected.

THEN WHAT?...
During the event, if and as you connect with others over shared interests, you’re encouraged to exchange contact info.** You might continue chatting over coffee or drinks when the event over, or schedule your own get together at another time.

Once you've attended one Speed-FRIENDING event, come back again and / or attend "MEET'CHA THERE" events posted to this group to keep meeting new people.

And, at the same time, follow up with those you exchanged contact info. with to get to know each another better.

**SAFETY
Registrants are not vetted. Only share what you’re comfortable with in each instance. For example, you might share your first name vs. your full name, or offer to communicate by email vs. phone, etc.

COST
None

RSVP
To guarantee a seat at the event, be sure to RSVP with the library.

Please also register here on MeetUp to:
--help me gauge interest
--keep you informed of additional upcoming events, including notice of next month's Speed-FRIENDING event, as well as other social activities not held at the library

Note that the library is also promoting these events; not all attendees are included in the RSVP list shown on MeetUp.

Those who choose not to register at all, may drop by and see if there’s room to join in; however, priority will be given to those who've registered with the library.

To claim a seat go to
https://calendly.com/wlpl-adult-services/speed-friending-at-the-west-linn-public-library?month=2025-11

I'm so looking forward to this and am excited to meet / see you!
-Jo / Finding Friends group organizer