Episode 50

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Published on:

24th Mar 2026

Meet Your Neighbor... Ruth Ann Gardner

This week on the Meet Your Neighbor Podcast, I have the pleasure of sitting down with Ruth Ann Gardner, a woman whose life is a masterclass in commitment, growth, and never slowing down.

Ruth Ann was a proud military wife for 10 years and shared an incredible 67-year marriage, a true testament to partnership and resilience. But her story doesn’t stop there. She discovered tennis later in life and didn’t just pick it up, she excelled. A natural on the court, Ruth Ann went on to work and play alongside Billie Jean King and even coached tennis at the collegiate level.

And just when most people would consider taking it easy, Ruth Ann took on a whole new challenge earning her master’s degree at 73 years old.

This is one of those conversations that reminds you it’s never too late to learn something new, chase your passions, and keep pushing forward.

And stories like Ruth Ann’s are exactly why I do this podcast, sharing the incredible people who make Westbrook Village such a special place. Real estate is how I support it, so if you’ve ever thought about buying or selling here or know someone who would love this community, I’d love to help.







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About the Podcast

Meet Your Neighbor
Realtor Steve Podcast
Meet Your Neighbor is a storytelling podcast that brings neighbors together through conversation. Everyone has a story, and this is your chance to share yours—or hear the incredible journeys of those living around you. From career paths and hometown roots to life’s biggest adventures and toughest challenges, each episode dives into the experiences that make every neighbor unique. Whether you’re listening for inspiration, connection, or just a great story, Meet Your Neighbor is where the voices of the community come to life.

About your host

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steve merila

Steve Merila — Host, Meet Your Neighbor
As Realtor Steve, I’ve learned that real estate is about more than houses — it’s about people, stories, and the connections that make a community feel like home. That belief inspired Meet Your Neighbor, a podcast where I sit down with the incredible residents of Westbrook Village to share their journeys, passions, and what brought them here.
Each episode is a genuine, easygoing conversation — like chatting over coffee with a friend — that reminds us how special this community truly is. My goal is simple: to help people connect, feel seen, and celebrate the amazing neighbors who make Westbrook Village one of a kind.