‘Open House’ Opens Neighbourhood Opportunities


‘Open House’ Opens Neighbourhood Opportunities


By Deron Hamel with files from Rishia Burke

When Neil MacDonald moved in with his sister Katie last year, the two hatched a grand idea to help Neil feel even more at home and part of the community.

The siblings, who are also close friends, organized an “open house” at their home and invited all their neighbours to stop by for a meet-and-greet event.

They got quite the turnout.

Neil and Katie say they sent invitations throughout their neighbourhood and about 30 people turned up.

“We decided to throw the open house because we knew we would have fun,” Neil says. “We wanted to get together, have some fun, have some food.”


Looking ahead, Neil and Katie say they want to host another neighbourhood get-together later this year when the weather is nice. Neil is envisioning a party with a carnival theme.

Between the introductions and the snacks there was lots of conversation and joking around, things Neil takes pride in doing well.

“I do mix and mingle,” he says.

Neil also used the occasion to collect donations for a Brantford food bank he supports, and guests happily obliged by bringing canned food.

Now that he’s met his neighbours, Neil says he feels more at home because he recognizes people and feels comfortable stopping and chatting with them if he’s out and about.

And there’s a sense of security that comes with knowing who his neighbours are, he says.

“(Plus), I like to see my neighbours,” Neil says.

There have been other perks that have resulted from the neighbourhood get-together, he notes.

There’s one neighbour who hired Neil to cut their grass during summer. When autumn arrived, Neil was hired by neighbours to collect and bag leaves from their lawns.

Another neighbour has a wood shop and has invited Neil over to use it. He took the neighbour up on the offer and made a wooden sword.

And, of course, there have been the times Neil has been invited into neighbours’ homes simply for social chit-chat.

Looking ahead, Neil and Katie say they want to host another neighbourhood get-together later this year when the weather is nice. Neil is envisioning a party with a carnival theme.

Asked what would be the best thing that could happen at this event, Neil smiles and doesn’t skip a beat with his reply.

“The dunk tank,” he says.

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