Left to right: Barb Souther, Pat Nash, Jan Mudra, Gary Leo Weyrauch, Marilyn Zimmerman and Jim Twyman. Photo: Chris Emeott
Social club brings connection to seniors seeking companionship.
Members of the Single Mingle Club joined for all kinds of reasons—some hoped to meet new friends; others were looking for adventure or simply a chance to connect. What they found was a welcoming group that made Mondays something to look forward to.
Launched by the Edina Senior Center in 2014, the social club is for single seniors, offering regular events designed to bring people together. The club currently has nearly 100 members aged 60 to 90-plus with around 20 participants at each event. There is no cost to join, but participants must sign a waiver and cover their own costs.
Marilyn Zimmerman organizes the biweekly events. “I have made good friends,” she says. One of those friends is Jan Mudra, who joined after her divorce, looking to “change things up.” At her first event, a happy hour, she found herself intrigued and kept coming back. Before long, a fellow member convinced her to take her first cruise. Six years later, she has a regular travel companion and a lifelong friend. “It’s a great group—especially for people who find themselves a little lost,” she says.
Jim Twyman was already an active member of the senior center and enjoyed spending time with friends when he heard about the Single Mingle Club. He joined as soon as it began and was excited for the opportunity to meet new people and try something different. “I wanted to be involved,” he says. Every meeting was an event to look forward to whether it was dinner, a dance, a movie or a walk. “I made many friends during that time,” he says.
It was the regular walks that convinced Barb Souther to join. She organizes the weekly walks, which take place at 10:45 a.m. on Fridays. In the winter, participants cruise the Galleria for exercise while walks often take place around Centennial Lakes in warmer weather. The small group usually gets a couple of miles in before treating themselves to lunch. They are always looking for more walkers to join them. “I love adding people to our group,” Souther says.
Zimmerman encourages those interested in joining to contact her for more information. “It’s a lonely experience as you get older,” she says.
“It’s good to get out and be with other people,” Mudra says. “It may not be the answer, but it’s a good starting point.”
Avoid Online Scams
If in-person gatherings aren’t your style, there are ways for seniors to meet online. Whether in person or on the web, seniors should be cautious to avoid scams. Jay Haapala, associate state director of community engagement for American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Minnesota, says online scams are among the costliest. While these scams target people of all ages, older adults often lose more money. “Many times, they start as friendly interactions,” Haapala says. “Scammers use fake profiles on dating sites, social media and game apps.”
Some scammers use artificial intelligence to automate interactions, spending months building trust before asking for money—often through gifts or fabricated emergencies. Others lure victims with fake investment websites. “Countless victims deposit cash into fake websites that appear to show their investment growing. But when it’s time to withdraw, the money is long gone,” he says.
Protect Yourself
- Be cautious. It is very easy for anyone to be an imposter online. Voices and videos can be faked in real time.
- Scammers move quickly. You’re the kindest, most wonderful person they have ever met, and they want to get married!
- Stay on the website. Dating websites utilize security measures. Scammers want to communicate outside of the platform where interactions are not monitored. They use messaging services like WhatsApp or send texts and emails.
- Check that picture. If you have a photo, use a reverse image search in your browser to see if it is associated with other profiles.
- Don’t send money. This goes for someone you haven’t met in person.
If You Are a Victim of a Scam:
- Notify the dating or social media site.
- Report scammers to local law enforcement and the state attorney general.
- Contact the FTC or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
- Seek support from trained fraud specialists through the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline 877.908.3360.
Single Mingle Club: 952.855.3465; mzimm09@comcast.net; edinamn.gov
