How to Stay Socially Connected in Pottawatomie County This Summer
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Originally published in the July 2026 issue of Shawnee Outlook
Look, we hear you. Oklahoma summers are basically an argument for staying inside and making the A/C your BFF. But here's the thing: people who get out and stay socially active tend to be healthier, happier, and report a better quality of life across the board.
That’s because staying socially connected is just as foundational to your health as eating your greens and getting your sweat on. The U.S. Surgeon General even made it official in 2023, declaring loneliness a public health concern — with risks comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Fifteen.
Pottawatomie County's Community Health Needs Assessment confirmed it's a problem close to home too, with 42% of residents saying they don’t feel connected to their community. That same report, though, surfaced over 120 ideas for fixing that. And turns out, Pottawatomie County has plenty of ways to get plugged in.
Get Moving with Good Company
Research shows people who exercise with others stick with it longer, push harder, and actually enjoy it more. Good thing Pottawatomie County has more trails, parks, pools, courts, and lakes than you can shake a stick at. The activity almost doesn't matter. Nor does your expertise level. Getting out the door and into the same space as people who are glad you showed up? That's the real win.
Show Up For Someone Else
Checking on a neighbor, helping a buddy move, dropping off a meal for a sick family member. Some of the smallest acts pack an outsized impact. Community Renewal of Pottawatomie County has built their entire model around this idea — that intentional, neighbor-to-neighbor relationships are what actually strengthen a community from the inside out. Volunteering works the same way. Ask any regular volunteer why they keep coming back and they'll say the same thing: it's the people. If you’re looking to get plugged in here in Pottawatomie County, local food pantries, schools, nonprofits, hospitals, and community events are always looking for helping hands.
Mix the Generations
Whether you're hanging with the grandkids or befriending the older regular at your favorite diner, spending time with different ages is good for everyone. According to AARP, adults with close intergenerational friendships report boosted emotional support, stronger overall wellbeing, and less feelings of isolation. Younger people gain perspective and a mentor they didn't know they needed. Just ask the retiree and the twenty-something who discovered they're evenly matched on the pickleball court or the kid whose grandpa just baited his first hook. Walls come down, stories get shared, and everybody feels a little less alone.
Eat Together
There's a reason every culture on earth built its traditions around a table. Food is the original icebreaker. Whether it's a church potluck, a backyard barbecue, a tailgate, or just two coworkers grabbing lunch, sharing a meal brings people together and gets us talking. Know someone who eats alone most nights? Invite them to the cookout. An extra plate costs you little, but could be a lifeline to the right person. From food trucks to farmers markets and coffee shops that already know your order, filling your belly with friends is a great way to fill your cup.
Get Your Head in the Game
Few things get people off the couch and into the same room quite like sports and live entertainment. Rec leagues, pickup basketball games in the park, and even cheering on your kids little league baseball game is one of the fastest ways to keep your social circle strong — and growing. A familiar face on the field or in the stands has a way of becoming an actual friend by the final inning.
Find Your People at Church
Faith communities came up in nearly every focus group of the CHNA as one of the primary ways residents feel connected — and it makes sense. A congregation gives you somewhere to be on a regular basis and a net of people who notice when you're not there. Whether you're already a regular in the pews or looking for the right fit, the Shawnee area has a church community on nearly every corner, ready to welcome you with open arms.
Put Local Events on Your Calendar
Pottawatomie County always has something going on, and community events are one of the best places to socially connect. The International Finals Youth Rodeo (July 12-17), FireLake Fire Flight Balloon Festival (August 7-8), Pottawatomie County Free Fair (September 9-12), Pedal Palooza (September 19), Worksite Wellbeing Summit (September 24), and Tecumseh Frontier Days (September 26) are all coming up. So make sure you’re there too! You never know who you might run into.
Now Get Out There!
At the end of the day, the how doesn’t matter much. Actually doing the connecting does. This summer, Pogo is making it easy with the Gather & Go Challenge — made possible alongside our Social Connection & Active Lifestyle Committee, led by Brandon Dyer of Community Renewal of Pottawatomie County and Mindy Mew-Palmer of Vyve Broadband. Team up with your family and friends, log your steps, and take on social prompts designed to get you out of your comfort zone and plugged back into your community. The top two steppers will take home $100 cash. Scan the QR code to sign up!
