Fifty-two-year-old Randy Pullman hasn't been in a steady relationship for over a year now.
When a friend told him about Single's Mingle Steveston a year ago, he was intrigued.
Divorced, Pullman was looking to make new friends.
"It's a great way to get out and meet other singles without any expectations," he said to the News while enjoying a bite to eat in Steveston's Charthouse Restaurant.
"I have formed some really nice friendships, it's really comfortable.
"If there's a spark with someone but the other person doesn't feel the same, it's not awkward because you can move on right away."
Besides attending the monthly gettogethers, Pullman said Steveston is a great little village, offering lots of opportunities to keep life interesting for singles.
Steveston has lots of good secondhand bookstores, more than a dozen coffee houses, culturally diverse restaurants and a waterfront boardwalk perfect for a stroll or to buy fresh seafood right from the fishermen's boats.
When it comes to a nightlife, Pullman said, "There's always a good crowd at the Buck & Ear pub and live music."
"There's also Gudrun, and I often eat at the Charthouse - look at the views, the best in town."
A single herself, June Miller founded Single's Mingle in Steveston in April 2010.
"I felt there was a need for a fun and comfortable place to go, where singles can meet," she said, adding she targets those from 40 to over 60 years old.
"Many people attend just to get out, socialize and find friends to do activities with.
"It is a great way to meet new friends, network for business or pleasure, and maybe meet that special someone."
Miller, divorced herself with two grown sons, tried online dating and found it depressingly difficult.
"The Single's Mingle events are completely relaxed, with no pressure and it's just fun to get together with other middleage singles in Steveston," Miller said. "It's like being at a cocktail party except everyone is single."
There's even a group of longtime friends who call themselves the Steveston gang. They can often be found watching a hockey game or enjoying a sunset at either the Blue Canoe Waterfront Restaurant, Mandalay Lounge and Steakhouse or at just about any waterfront restaurant. "The group is getting bigger and bigger and normally someone just texts or sends an email to say where people are meeting and whoever shows up, shows up," added Miller.
"There's no reason to feel lonely in Steveston."
Lorraine Wilson agrees.
Widowed for 12 years and having dated over this time, Wilson said there is so much to do in a small town setting like Steveston.
"Steveston offers a real connection with the community and people," said Wilson. "I can walk into the village and spontaneously meet a friend or two and end up going for lunch or dinner.
"I always end up running into someone I know - I love that."
She especially enjoys long walks or a good cycle on the dyke at Garry Point Park and "catching some of the most awesome sunsets anywhere."
Wilson does a lot of her shopping in Steveston as well: fresh flowers at Super Grocer or Prickly Pear, meat at Herringers and breads from Steveston Bakery.
Wilson is also part of the Steveston gang.
"It's a great singles group that I'm really connected to," said Wilson. "I have lots of male friends who help me around my house or who I can go out to dinner with - without any expectations other than warm friendship."
The only complaint all three singles have is that past 10 or 11 p.m. at night, Steveston becomes a sleepy ghost town.
"It's really amazing, except for the pub, often you can walk Moncton Street and there's absolutely no one around," Pullman said.
The next Single's Mingle is Saturday, April 21 at the Charthouse Restaurant, Tickets are $30 and include appetizers and either a glass of wine or beer. For information visit www.harmonymillermanagement.com.
