When New Marlborough neighbors Kenzie Fields and Oleander Stone decided to launch a monthly Sunday potluck in early February, they had no idea if the concept would catch on. But by March, the gathering had doubled in size and included a healthy cross-section of the community — introverts and extroverts of all ages, genders, and interests. People came early to mingle during the “coffee hour” and stayed for the after-dinner “activity hour” — in this case, presentations by two gardeners from the community, who shared their innovative techniques with a rapt crowd.
The idea for the suppers was an outgrowth of ongoing conversations between the two organizers and their partners about the need for more community connections, especially during the long winter months. They wanted to keep things simple, but more importantly, they wanted to offer something that anyone — and everyone — could take part in. Stone had been inspired by a 2023 documentary, called Join or Die, based on social scientist R…
