I like all four seasons, but fall has always been my favorite.

The changing leaves are beautiful. I feel more comfortable outside because I don’t turn into a sweaty mess, and I don’t have to bundle up from head to toe. There is an abundance of football, chili, and apple cider.

Autumn just makes me happy.

With all the negativity in the world, let’s make this fall about bringing people together in positive ways. This column is about the many ways to bring people together to enjoy the season.

But it isn’t about bringing your usual crew together. My suggestion, take it or leave it, is to invite people to participate in the following activities whom you wouldn’t usually invite out. Maybe neighbors you say hello to but don’t spend time with, coworkers you see daily but never outside of the office, or family you have but don’t make it a point to see very often.

Enjoying the activities together without discussing politics, past disagreements, stressful topics, politics, or politics is a great way to spend time, make stronger connections, and see people in the moment, enjoying life. We could all use more of that. Following are some ideas.

∫ Fall comes with a lot of yardwork. Do yardwork in a group for someone who cannot do it on their own. Be sure to spend some time jumping in the pile of leaves or using the leaves to stuff those fun pumpkin bags.

∫ If you are a hunter, take someone hunting who has never gone but might like to experience it.

∫ Explore the colors. Take a drive together to see the colors around the rural countryside and along the shore of Lake Huron. Take a walk down a dirt road or a bike ride down one of the many bike paths. Notice the variety of colors that exist this time of the year.

∫There is still plenty of season left to kayak or canoe. This time of year is especially nice for floating the river because of the colorful leaves and wildlife.

∫Host a neighborhood cookout, complete with a game of flag football, Frisbee, or horseshoes.

∫ Walk through the neighborhoods looking for the Halloween or fall-themed decorations. Put fall or Halloween decorations in your own yard. Visit a pumpkin patch with friends or grab extra pumpkins and corn husks that you can offer your neighbors for their yards.

∫ Organize a neighborhood chili cookoff. End the day with a bonfire. S’mores aren’t just for summertime, and they go well with cider, in my opinion.

∫ Bake fall- or Halloween-themed treats and have friends over to decorate them and watch football or decorate the treats yourself and deliver them to family and friends.

∫ Host a pumpkin-carving party or neighborhood carving contest. Roast the seeds with different flavors and let everyone decide which they like best.

∫ Visit a cider mill where you can take a wagon ride, choose pumpkins and pick apples, and enjoy fresh donuts, among other treats. Bring treats back to share or invite others to join you and your family.

∫ Find a corn maze to get lost in.

∫ Host a scarecrow-stuffing party or organize a scarecrow display throughout your neighborhood. Make it a friendly contest, or just for fun.

There are so many ways to bring people together for fun, laughter, excitement, and positivity in the fall. And to do it without becoming a sweaty mess, and without having to shake melting snow from your clothing is even better.

Use the beauty, crispness, and happiness of the fall season to bring people together for one of the many falltime activities. Keep serious discussions out of it and just be with your friends, neighbors, relatives and even strangers.

To me, the crisp air, crisp apples, and beautiful colors set the stage for growth of valuable, respectful, and meaningful relationships. Something our world could use a whole lot more of.

Jackie Krawczak is president/CEO of the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce. Her column runs biweekly on Thursdays. Follow Jackie on Twitter @jkrawczak.