New 'DI Connect' social group creates community for residents 55+
Outgoing and funny, Daniel Island resident Gail Trezza struck up a conversation at a Bocce Ball tournament one day. She and her husband were looking for opportunities to network and make friends with folks “about our age.” Immediately, she says, she discovered that others were in search of the same.
“My husband and I are recent retirees from New Jersey,” said Trezza. “Like many Daniel Island residents, we are enjoying all that the island has to offer along with South Carolina’s beautiful weather.”
“However, the general consensus that day was that it was difficult to meet other residents in our season in life in a casual setting during the day or early evening for some good conversation,” continued Trezza.
So she decided to meet with Danielle Hermann of the Daniel Island Property Owners Association to discuss forming a group and the idea for “DI Connect” was born. The women decided on a scheduled day and time that would afford anyone interested in meeting other retirees or “just people with extra time on their hands” the opportunity to connect.
“Danielle was so pleasant and very supportive of helping build new communities on the island,” said Trezza. “It was Danielle who came up with the name of ‘DI Connect: people connecting with people!’”
Currently, the group meets every third Friday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Crow’s Nest at Edgefield Park Pool in Smythe Park.
Chicago-area native Anita Koszyk moved to the island two years ago with her husband, Andy. Both recent retirees, they say they wanted to participate in all that island life has to offer, from nature to meeting new faces.
“We came to this group a few times, told stories and laughed with other folks. It’s a great place to share good ideas and new resources,” Anita explained as she thumbed through a pamphlet from the College of Charleston’s Center for Creative Retirement. Other members were reading the same booklet and said they were deciding which events looked interesting and which they would attend.
“There are so many transplants here on the island and so many interesting people, it’s great to have a place to gather,” said Andy. “We often find we have mutual friends, mutual connections. Or we make plans for a game of pickle ball. It’s a lot of fun.”
Although membership is currently small, Trezza said it is growing quickly with events like “Oktoberfest” held on Friday, Oct. 20. Each member brought a dish, libations and a good story or two.
Among the Oktoberfest meeting attendees were Daniel Island residents who hailed from New England, the Midwest and the West Coast.
“With people moving here from far away, I’ve found that people want to branch out, make new friends and participate in the community,” said Andy.
Several attendees agreed they learned about opportunities to explore Charleston through their “DI Connect” conversations.
Walter Olson said he recently helped organize a tour of the State Ports Authority shipping terminal after sharing with the group what he had learned about the port facility from a Daniel Island Library presentation.
“We talked about the presentation at ‘DI Connect’ then decided to take a trip there to educate ourselves,” explained Olson. “It was a fascinating afternoon to explore how the huge shipping hub that operates so close to our island has a huge effect on our economy and community. I enjoyed taking the tour with other DI residents and discussing it afterward.”
Trezza stressed that the new group is always open to new participants.
“DI Connect is open to anyone who wants to meet new people and have good conversation,” she said. “We make it a point to make attendees feel comfortable upon their very first visit. We zeroed in on ‘over 55’ residents so that they know there is a definitive place where they may meet other residents their age, but some members haven’t yet reached that point!”
“Our goal right now is to make available a casual, friendly atmosphere to gather and get to know people,” Trezza continued.
The group is in its infancy, but members say that friendships have already been made as they learn each other’s histories.
As the membership grows with people from diverse backgrounds, Trezza said she sees one definite common shared value: “Next on our agenda?” she said enthusiastically. “Ideas for how to help give back to our community.”
For more information on DI Connect, email Danielle Hermann at danielle.hermann@ dicommunity.org.