Bethany-area residents Dawn and Mark Anderson have tapped into an innovative way to connect neighbors and others throughout the Beaverton area who are interested in an active lifestyle. They have created a Meetup.com group called Beaverton Fun, Fitness Friends, and anyone over 45 can join.

Since the group started in May, about 60 people have signed up to meet for gatherings such as hikes, trips to the farmers market, concerts, theater performances and more. The Andersons would like to see many more join.

“It’s really fun to meet people who have the same interests you do, and who also live nearby,” said Dawn Anderson, who with her husband, Mark, has done all of the organizing so far. That includes the more than 30 events currently listed on the group’s calendar. She says she expects that as the group grows and more residents join, others will also want to take an active role in organizing.

Dawn Anderson said the group is open to singles as well as couples who live in the Beaverton area. All she asks is that those wanting to participate share a photo of themselves on the group page so others will recognize them when they arrive for an event. Visit www.meetup.com/Beaverton-Fun-Fitness-Friends for more information.

–Cindy Hudson