- RetireHub
- Posts
- Hosting Potluck Traditions: Food as the Foundation for Friendship
Hosting Potluck Traditions: Food as the Foundation for Friendship
Trivia: What mineral gives amethyst its purple color?
RetireHub
February 15, 2026
In partnership with
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Sunday newsletter is here!
Top Deals From Around The Web
We find the best daily online deals so you don’t have to!
🧶 27% OFF – Caydo Automatic iCord Knitting Machine Pro (Electric Hands-Free Yarn Knitter)
Create beautiful knitted cords in minutes with this electric iCord knitting machine from Caydo. Designed for fast, hands-free crafting, it makes it easy to produce decorative cords for flowers, accessories, DIY gifts, and creative projects of all kinds. A fun and thoughtful tool for anyone who loves fiber crafts.
👂 30% OFF – Bebird Earsight Plus Smart Ear Cleaning Camera Tool
This innovative ear-care tool combines gentle cleaning with a built-in camera so you can see what you’re doing in real time through an app. Designed for safe, careful use, it offers a modern way to support personal hygiene and comfort at home. A unique gadget for anyone who appreciates practical wellness tools with a high-tech twist.
💧 18% OFF – Leominor Rechargeable Water Flosser (Professional Dental Irrigator)
Upgrade your oral care routine with this cordless, waterproof water flosser designed to help clean between teeth and along the gumline. With multiple pressure settings and a rechargeable design, it’s ideal for daily use at home or while traveling. A refreshing, easy-to-use option for anyone looking to support healthier gums and a brighter smile.
Want even more deals? Signup for RetireHub Premium (risk-free for 30 days) and get the best deals from across the web.
This Is How Winter Is Supposed to Taste 🍸✨
Winter doesn’t have to feel heavy or indulgent in ways that don’t serve you. It’s a season to slow down, feel grounded, and still savor the ritual of a beautiful drink. Enter Vesper, Pique’s newest release—and my favorite upgrade to winter sipping.
Pique is known for blending ancient botanicals with modern science to create elevated wellness essentials, and Vesper is no exception. This non-alcoholic, adaptogenic aperitif delivers the relaxed, social glow of a cocktail—without alcohol or the next-day regret.
It’s what I reach for when I want something special in my glass on a cold evening. Each sip feels celebratory and calming, with a gentle mood lift, relaxed body, and clear, present mind. No haze. No sleep disruption. Just smooth, grounded ease.
Crafted with L-theanine, lemon balm, gentian root, damiana, and elderflower, Vesper is sparkling, tart, and beautifully herbaceous—truly crave-worthy.
Winter isn’t about cutting back. It’s about choosing what feels good. And Vesper makes every pour feel like a yes.
What We’re Reading
Get these e-book deals before they’re gone.
 | By: Becki Willis Twenty-five years after three college boys vanished while filming a documentary about the haunting legend of The Flaming Woman on Knob Mountain, a dying witness comes forward claiming he saw them murdered. When he is found dead, the women of Intuitive Investigations believe the cases are linked and pursue the truth, even without official authority. With the help of a mysterious “Bone Witcher” who can locate hidden graves, they uncover proof of murder — and step onto a dangerous trail toward the killer. |
Want the best free e-books delivered daily? Signup for RetireHub Premium (risk-free for 30 days) and get the best deals from across the web.
On this day in 1965, Canada officially adopted its red-and-white Maple Leaf flag as the national flag for the first time.
Have you heard? RetireHub Premium officially has a new look and TONS of new features. A few of our favorites?
Daily games (like Solitaire, Snake, Tetris, and more!)
More trivia! (See how you stack up against other RH members)
Medicare Classes!
Plus? Join today and be automatically entered for a chance to win a FREE National Parks Lifetime Pass!
Hosting Potluck Traditions: Food as the Foundation for Friendship
There’s something deeply comforting about a potluck. It’s more than just a meal — it’s a gathering of stories, traditions, and shared care. For generations, potlucks have been one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to bring people together, especially in neighborhoods, churches, community groups, and family circles.
At its heart, a potluck is built on generosity. No one person has to do all the work, and everyone contributes something — whether it’s a homemade casserole, a bakery treat, or even a favorite store-bought salad. The beauty isn’t in perfection. It’s in participation.
Potlucks also create a wonderful sense of belonging. When you bring a dish to share, you’re offering a piece of yourself. Maybe it’s your mother’s famous potato salad, a soup you’ve perfected over the years, or a dessert that always reminds you of holidays past. Food has a way of carrying memories, and sharing it can spark conversations that go far beyond the dinner table.
For seniors, potlucks can be especially powerful. They provide a relaxed, welcoming way to stay socially connected without the pressure of formal entertaining. A potluck can be as simple as a few friends gathering in a living room or as lively as a community-wide celebration.
Hosting one doesn’t need to be complicated. Start small: invite a handful of neighbors or friends, suggest easy categories like “main dish,” “side,” or “dessert,” and focus on comfort rather than coordination. Adding little touches — like name cards for dishes or a chance for everyone to share why they brought what they did — can make the event even more personal.
Most importantly, potlucks remind us that friendship is built over time, often in ordinary moments. A shared meal, a warm laugh, a second helping — these are the quiet foundations of community.
In a world that can feel busy or disconnected, potluck traditions continue to offer something timeless: a seat at the table, and the reminder that we’re better together.
What’s your favorite part of a potluck gathering? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: Have you ever tried embroidery or hand stitching?
It’s clear that embroidery and hand stitching have a special place in many hearts. Nearly half of respondents say they still love to stitch from time to time, and another large group shared that they’ve tried it before, even if they feel a little rusty now. Only a small number are brand new to needlework, which shows just how timeless and familiar this hobby is for so many. Overall, these results suggest that stitching isn’t just a craft — it’s a comforting tradition people are excited to revisit, rediscover, and keep alive.
TOP COMMENTS
“I now have arthritis and I would LOVE to try it again with better hoops that I can handle.”
“I took Home Ec in high school, mostly to get close to the girls, but I learned how to sew. I already knew how to cook but learned more about it. I've mended some of my clothes over the years, no embroidery though.”
“Had not stitched in years. Then was asked to do a birth sampler. My eyes aren’t what they used to be and I’m having a hard time with the many similar colors. Thanks for this encouragement.”
“I had done embroidery for years. However I was struck with arthritis, my hands no longer allow me to work with needles. It's a loss for me, but I did enjoy it when I was doing it.”
“I also hand stitch the bindings on my quilts.”
“I also do machine sewing, knitting, crocheting and have been playing with watercolors. Actually, my rheumatologist strongly suggests doing this types of activities. Just like walking is good for your knees and hips, working with your hands is, truthfully, good for your hands. He does recommend taking breaks and using a tennis ball for hand exercises too. It is fun being a retired adult.”
“I used to do X-stitching awhile ago. Does anyone still do X-stitching or could use some books with assorted patterns?”
“I am currently learning Sashiko embroidery.”
“Stitch every day”
Tooth Decay in Older Adults: What Causes It and How to Prevent It
As we age, tooth decay doesn’t only affect children — adults, especially seniors, can be just as vulnerable due to factors like dry mouth, receding gums, medications, and changes in eating or hygiene habits. The article explains that slower saliva production and exposed root surfaces make older teeth more susceptible to cavities, and that early signs often include sensitivity, discoloration, or pain. To help prevent decay, it recommends good oral hygiene practices (brushing twice a day, daily flossing), staying hydrated, using fluoride products, regular dental check-ups, and being mindful of sugary or acidic foods that can weaken enamel — all simple steps that can protect a healthy smile well into later years.
Follow us on Social Media!
Join an online community thriving in retirement! Find us on:
Every day we post retirement tips, highlights from our newsletter so you can comment and discuss in the community, and some fun retirement-themed motivation!
Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Heart-happy
Meaning: Heart-happy means feeling warmly joyful, comforted, and emotionally uplifted — the kind of happiness that comes from meaningful moments, kindness, or connection.
In a sentence: “Spending time with my grandchildren and sharing stories always makes me feel truly heart-happy.”
Good News of the Day
California Nonprofit Saves 6,100 Acres of Sacred Land, Ending 10-Year Sand Mine Battle
A California nonprofit has purchased 6,100 acres of sacred land in Santa Clara County, finally bringing an end to a decade-long fight against a proposed sand and gravel mine that threatened the area’s cultural and spiritual heritage. The acquisition protects the land from development and opens the door for environmental studies and stewardship partnerships with the local Amah Mutsun tribal community — renewing hope for long-term conservation and respect for Native heritage. There’s potential for the site to become part of the county’s park system, joining other protected areas and preserving this once-contested landscape for future generations.
Other Publications We Like
Check out these other email newsletters we think you’ll enjoy!
RetireHub Trivia
Subscribe to RetireHub Premium to read the rest.
Become a paying subscriber of RetireHub Premium to get access to this post and other subscriber-only content.
Already a paying subscriber? Sign In.
A subscription gets you:
- • Trivia Competitions
- • Games
- • The best deals on travel, food, and more!
- • Free online classes
- • Free tech support
- • No ads