When we put a notice in the Times a few weeks back that we were holding two community meetings to solicit ideas and develop content for the weeklies, we had no idea what to expect.

We could have had a couple people show up, or on an optimistic note perhaps 10. Imagine our surprise, then, when we had about 20 people show up in Groton and another 15 or so in New London.

And the feedback and excitement were wonderful, with several writers already coming forward to add more local content to the community newspapers — and more content likely on the way.

Robert F. Welt has started writing some remembrances and stories about current events. J.W. “Bill” Sheehan also has begun contributing columns. We thank them and wish them well.

Others have come forward to offer to write about architecture, history, senior issues, vegan cooking and many other potential topics. We look forward to sharing some of these efforts down the road.

The idea is to spur some examples of “citizen journalism,” as exemplified in stories we already have publishing under the heading Kindness in Real Life, in which we try to highlight good work going on in the community.

From here, I hope to develop a schedule of community meetings in which I or members of the Times staff get together regularly at coffeehouses or other gathering spots to gain insights on community issues and develop new ways to cover interesting happenings around town.

More on that when we solidify meeting places and times, but the idea would be to have a public feedback session once every couple months in at least one of the towns tied to each of our eight editions. If you have suggestions for places to meet in your town, please send them to me at l.howard@theday.com.

Meanwhile, keep those submissions coming. We love anything involving local history, and we strongly encourage sending us photos of things you have seen around town that need some explaining. We will print the photos and ask readers to contribute their own insights if we can’t track down the answers ourselves.

Has your child won an award at school or on the playing field? Please let us know, and include a photo. Maybe you just got a promotion or recently retired. Again, we would love to inform your friends and neighbors.

Feel free as always to send us tips on interesting people to profile or items that need coverage. We value your insights and ideas, so feel free to email or call me at 860-701-4356.

Lee Howard is The Day’s community editor.