EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – The idea for Flamingo Fridays started several years ago, when Lisa Walter’s husband worked in construction in Gladstone. He noticed the neighbors seemed close-knit, familiar and friendly with one another. He inquired about this phenomenon and learned they have “Flamingo Fridays.” Two cheap pink flamingos are placed on both sides of a driveway, and all the neighbors bring their lawn chairs and their own drinks to hang out, spending time chatting and getting to know those who live nearby. “When my husband told me about it, I thought, ‘That’s a great idea. We should do that in our neighborhood,’” Walter stated. “I immediately purchased flamingos on Amazon, recruited some help to make and hand out flyers, and voila – Flamingo Friday was born.” The neighbors meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Friday during the summer months in Westwood Hills, usually on Pierson Avenue or Virginia Road. “Our number of...