Finding Friends--Social Events for Mid-Lifers (PDX Suburbs)

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.

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

REGISTRATION IS A 2-STEP PROCESS
1. I appreciate knowing you're interested -- please RSVP'ing here on MeetUp, and
2. most importantly, register with the West Linn Library here: https://calendly.com/wlpl-adult-services/speed-friending-at-the-west-linn-public-library-summer?month=2025-05 (choose the date, then time, & input your info.)
The Library will manage the real, full, "official" registration list, including sending out reminder notices.

WHY
Making new friends isn’t always easy – back in school we mixed and mingled with a variety of potential chums 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! Come find your people, your tribe, you troop.

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

The focus is on meeting people, 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, though not necessarily with a 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, or orientation, 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.

These events have consistently brought out shy / introverted / "Highly Sensitive" folks (as well as those who are, perhaps, more socially outgoing but looking for more meaningful conversation and connections) -- all are pleasantly surprised how easy and enjoyable the events are.

Attendees consistently rave about feeling welcome and most 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!

The idea is to attend additional Speed-FRIENDING or "MEET'CHA THERE" events to keep meeting new people, and follow up with folks on your own time as well to get to know one another better. So, 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 meeting’s over, or schedule your own get together at another time.

**Safety Note: 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.

Also registering here on MeetUp:
--helps gauge interest
--keeps you informed of additional upcoming events (i.e., social activities not held at the library), and
--gives you the opportunity to chat online with others members.
Note that the library is also promoting these events; not all attendees are included in the MeetUp RSVP list (i.e., there will likely be more people attendee than it appears here 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-summer?month=2025-05

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

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.

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