I have been in the same circuit since I was 2. That means that most of the 1000 or so in the circuit know me to some extent.
In my "later" days as a witness I kept a very limited close circle of friends. But I'm still fairly well known. Not "popular" but recognizable.
My mother has recieved a lot of gifts recently (candles, a blanket, cards, candy) and tons of phone calls.
So word is spreading, and thats good.
And if the hall is getting plagued with phone calls (which I hope it is) then that's even better.
In my former congregation, their was a wife who had an unbelieving husband she dragged around a lot. He was very nice, cooked a hell of a pizza, and was smart enough not to join anything. He respects his wife's views, but he sticks to his own.
He and his wife came into my work the other evening. The wife kept her distance, but the husband came ovr and gave me a huge hug.
pissed her off.
good.