PHOTO BY DAVE DICELLO

How do you make friends in Pittsburgh?

Our correspondent Ryan Rydzewski writes in our May magazine about the importance of building friendships as a way of staying connected and combating loneliness, a health risk highlighted by the former U.S. surgeon general. Although he points out that Pittsburgh has myriad groups, Meetups, church functions, sports leagues, game nights and more, finding your clan when you move to the Steel City as an adult can be a little more challenging than if you grew up here and still have your buddies from kindergarten.

This article, which begins on page 46, hit home with me. I moved to Pittsburgh in the late 1980s, but it took me a while to find my footing and a friendship circle outside of work. My love of running drew me to a small group of young parents who gathered every Sunday morning at 7; that was the only time we could break away from our hectic home and work responsibilities.

Most of our kids are now in their 20s or 30s, but we’ve continued to meet at this ungodly hour every Sunday. We gather at different spots around the city or suburban communities to explore new areas and to try out coffee shops. Many of us are now walking rather than running; a few have added bike outings to the mix. Years ago, six of us hopped on the Megabus to New York City for the sole purpose of running the loop around Central Park.

In addition to the health benefits of friendships, residents who have connections with others tend to be more engaged with our city. That’s what Dan Lampmann has found; in 2021, he started the Yinz Run Club, which draws scores of participants twice a week.

“The running is just a vehicle for building community,” he says. “And community is a vehicle for supporting a city.”

One of our other features (starting on page 27) takes you to Lake Erie Wine Country, which has expanded over the years to include 22 wineries stretching 53 miles between the Erie area into New York.

If you’re a wine enthusiast, this story might expand your knowledge about the offerings just 2-3 hours away. At one time, this region produced mostly grapes for Welch’s or Rieslings and ice wine. Thanks to climate change and other factors, a longer growing season is producing a much wider range of high-quality flavors. Many of these selections have won multiple wine awards.

With the uncertainty of on-again, off-again high tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on countries in the European Union, as well as on other U.S. wine-suppling countries like Australia, Argentina and Chile, it may be a good time to check out the wine offerings in a vibrant region that’s virtually in our backyard.