The Good Neighbor News
February 2025
COOKIES AND COMMUNITY
Do you enjoy baking? Making a batch of cookies and sharing with your neighbors is a simple way to show you care.
Here’s an easy Snickerdoodle Cookie recipe that you could bake and share with your neighbors this weekend…
“Super Easy Snickerdoodles”
Preheat oven to 375°F for a non-stick cookie sheet
Cream 1/2 cup butter
Add 3/4 cup sugar and mix.
Sift 1 & 1/4 cups flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking powder into the mixture.
Add 1 egg and mix well.
In a separate bowl, mix 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon for the topping.
Shape the dough into walnut size balls and roll in topping mixture. (If your dough is too sticky, put it in the freezer for roughly 15 minutes or until firm enough to handle.)
Place about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 8 - 10 minutes
"Sometimes me think what is love, and then me think love is what last cookie is for. Me give up the last cookie for you." - Cookie Monster
PASTA POTLUCK NEIGHBOR GATHERING
A festive neighbor gathering idea is to host a “pasta potluck.”
Prepare a big pot of pasta noodles and invite your neighbors to bring the other ingredients to add to the pot, such as…
spaghetti sauce or alfredo sauce
chicken or ground beef
sun dried tomatoes
fresh shredded basil
shredded mozzarella
grated parmesan
Enjoy getting to know your neighbors better over a delicious pot of pasta and a glass of red wine!
MORE NEIGHBOR GATHERING IDEAS…
DINNER, DESSERT AND DOMINOES: Invite a neighbor over for dinner and play a round of dominoes afterwards while you enjoy dessert.
TOASTS AND TV TALK: Invite a neighbor over for a glass of champagne and chat about the best tv shows you’ve watched lately.
PIZZA ON THE PATIO: Ask a neighbor to join you for a slice or two of pizza and conversation on your patio.
SET ONE “GOOD NEIGHBOR GOAL” A MONTH
Setting one simple “good neighbor goal” a month can have a big impact on building a friendly community on your street.
Small gestures with big impact could include baking cookies for a neighbor, inviting a neighbor to join you for dinner at a nearby restaurant, or hosting a potluck neighbor gathering.
Write your goal down and post it on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror until it is accomplished!
“The happiest people I know are people who don’t even think about being happy. They just think about being good neighbors, good people. And then happiness sort of sneaks in the back window while they are busy doing good.”- Harold Kushner
COOKIES AND COMMUNITY
Do you enjoy baking? Making a batch of cookies and sharing with your neighbors is a simple way to show you care.
Here’s an easy Snickerdoodle Cookie recipe that you could bake and share with your neighbors this weekend…
“Super Easy Snickerdoodles”
Preheat oven to 375°F for a non-stick cookie sheet
Cream 1/2 cup butter
Add 3/4 cup sugar and mix.
Sift 1 & 1/4 cups flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking powder into the mixture.
Add 1 egg and mix well.
In a separate bowl, mix 1 tablespoon sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon for the topping.
Shape the dough into walnut size balls and roll in topping mixture. (If your dough is too sticky, put it in the freezer for roughly 15 minutes or until firm enough to handle.)
Place about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 8 - 10 minutes
"Sometimes me think what is love, and then me think love is what last cookie is for. Me give up the last cookie for you." - Cookie Monster
PASTA POTLUCK NEIGHBOR GATHERING
A festive neighbor gathering idea is to host a “pasta potluck.”
Prepare a big pot of pasta noodles and invite your neighbors to bring the other ingredients to add to the pot, such as…
spaghetti sauce or alfredo sauce
chicken or ground beef
sun dried tomatoes
fresh shredded basil
shredded mozzarella
grated parmesan
Enjoy getting to know your neighbors better over a delicious pot of pasta and a glass of red wine!
MORE NEIGHBOR GATHERING IDEAS…
DINNER, DESSERT AND DOMINOES: Invite a neighbor over for dinner and play a round of dominoes afterwards while you enjoy dessert.
TOASTS AND TV TALK: Invite a neighbor over for a glass of champagne and chat about the best tv shows you’ve watched lately.
PIZZA ON THE PATIO: Ask a neighbor to join you for a slice or two of pizza and conversation on your patio.
SET ONE “GOOD NEIGHBOR GOAL” A MONTH
Setting one simple “good neighbor goal” a month can have a big impact on building a friendly community on your street.
Small gestures with big impact could include baking cookies for a neighbor, inviting a neighbor to join you for dinner at a nearby restaurant, or hosting a potluck neighbor gathering.
Write your goal down and post it on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror until it is accomplished!
“The happiest people I know are people who don’t even think about being happy. They just think about being good neighbors, good people. And then happiness sort of sneaks in the back window while they are busy doing good.”- Harold Kushner