Social group for singles starts up again

LC Singles, a social group for area singles that first started in 2002, is active again, the club said in a news release.

Founder Anna L. Juarez, a former local attorney, first started the group 20 years ago “to make it easier for folks to make new friends,” the news release said.

Juarez taught a continuing education class at Doña Ana Community College called “Successfully Single,” and was told by her students that the theories she presented in class were good, but it was hard to meet new people.

Out of that first class, the group began meeting at a different restaurant every week at the same time that the class had been held.

Any area single, whether single, divorced or widowed, is welcome to join the group, the news release said, but must call or text Juarez at 575-642-2002 at least 48 hours before the next scheduled meeting so she can have an accurate head count for the restaurant.

The group’s next meeting is at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12 at Indulgence Bakery and Café, 2265 S. Main St.

There is no charge to attend the meeting, but participants must pay for their own meals and gratuity.

“I liked having meetings in a public place,” Juarez said. “It was then up to the individuals to decide whether or not to exchange additional contact information.”

The original group eventually started having parties in people’s homes and taking road trips to Deming, Ruidoso, Silver City, Truth or Consequences and Palomas, Chihuahua, Mexico, the news release said.

“It was great,” Juarez said. “We’d carpool and it gave folks familiar with those towns the opportunity to show others around.”

While the group targets singles, it is a social organization for people to make new friends and not just a way to “hook up” with someone, Juarez said.

“Friendship is the best basis for a romantic relationship,” she said. “The best thing about the group, for me, was how many people said that they came to the group hoping to find dates but that they wound up finding a best friend.”

The new 2022 version of the group will be a little different from the original group, whose members communicated through Yahoogroups, which no longer exists.

“This group will have general meetings, where any single or alumni, former group members who are now married, is welcome,” Juarez said. “I will also have dinners and parties for special-interest groups such as for people who love science fiction or want to discuss particular topics. Having just adopted a healthier lifestyle, I want to have a few meetings where we can discuss what we do to be healthy and share what we’ve learned with each other,” Juarez said.

For more information, contact Juarez at 575-642-2002 and Catholic_DOG@outlook.com.