By Jan Landon
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

When you come to a program at the Center for Continuous Learning (CCL) at Tallgrass Creek, be prepared to meet new friends and new neighbors. There is always a lot of chattering going on. Not everyone is good at striking up conversations, but there are ways to make it easier.

“Sit down at a table where there’s a number of other people and introduce yourself,” suggests Mark Meisenheimer, community relations manager at Tallgrass Creek. “Offer a friendly handshake. Find a able where there’s a  number of other people and just say hello.”

Tips to break the ice
Most people enjoy being asked questions about themselves. Here are a few to get a conversation started at the next Center for Continuous Learning class. “Why did this program interest you?” and “Have you been to any Center for Continuous Learning programs before this?”

“Where are you from?” “Do you have any children and grandchildren?” “What do you do for a living?”

“Are you a Priority List member? Have you reserved an apartment, or is this your first visit here?”

“Why did you decide on Tallgrass Creek?”

“What apartment did you reserve?” and “Why did you pick that one?”

“What kind of hobbies do you have?” “What is your favorite [fill in the blank—book, TV show, movie]? “Do you have a favorite restaurant in this area?”

“It sure is [fill in the blank—hot, cold, rainy, dry] for this time of year, isn’t it?”

“Will you be coming to the next CCL program?” Meisenheimer says, “If you are willing to reach out to someone else they’re going to reach back. These are the people who are going to be your neighbors.”

Center for Continuous Learning offers a class for every taste