And branding can be a powerful way to turn a one-time gathering into a ritual, Parker said. “When something has a name, it becomes easier to remember, talk about and return to,” she said.

Neighborhood gatherings don’t need to be big to be meaningful. Whether it’s knocking on one neighbor’s door or leaving a note ...

Strib Voices publishes a mix of commentary online and in print each day. To contribute, click here. ••• Cheersto Scott Mayer, ...