Dear Cheryl: We moved into a great neighborhood 10 years ago. The neighbors were all wonderful. We held block parties, went out for group dinners and helped one another through illness and loss. My problem began two years ago when one of our neighbor families ceased all communication with us. They won't acknowledge our presence and we don't know why. When we walk outside, they go inside.

I've tried calling, but they don't answer the phone. Their children are rude to us, and our children and other children in the neighborhood model their behavior. The neighborliness has cooled considerably all around. Everyone is cordial, but they're not as friendly as before. And the family is still friendly with everyone else. I find it very frustrating to be so blatantly shunned. My husband says to ignore them, but it hurts nonetheless. — Neighbor with Cooties

Dear Neighbor with Cooties: Pay a visit, in person, to the neighbors you were closest to before all this started. Pick a time when she is home alone. Ask her what's wrong. If she tries to be evasive, tell her you know something has happened and you want to fix it. Tell her that if you or your husband or your kids have done or said something to offend anyone, you want to make it right. Hopefully she'll open up.

Dear Cheryl: Tom and I dated in college, and then dated casually for a few years after that. Then we split and Tom married someone else. I meet my husband Yale a few years later. Tom and I remained friends, and he was even at our wedding. He didn't live in our town, but he visited and stayed with us sometimes over the years. Yale and Tom would have a few beers together. They considered themselves friends.

A few years ago, I found out that Yale was placing ads on the internet. We split up, and our divorce was final last year. We've remained on friendly terms.

After my divorce was final, Tom and I hooked up. And, well, after numerous phone conversations, and long weeks and weekends together, we've decided to see if we can make this thing work. We want to move in together, either in my town or his. Yale doesn't know, even though he and Tom talk every now and then on the phone.

I want to stay on friendly terms with Yale, and so does Tom. So the question is, how do we tell him what's been going on? Do we just tell him that after 20 years we're going to try a romantic relationship again? Most of my friends say it's none of Yale's business, and I feel that way most of the time. But I also feel that it's disrespectful not to tell him. — Want to do the Right Thing

Dear WTDTRT: Tell Yale that you and Tom have decided to live together. Period. He's a big boy, he can figure out the rest himself. He doesn't need a minute-by-minute description of what's been going on, but he does need to know about it. It's just common courtesy.

Got a problem? Send it, along with your questions and rants to cheryllavinrapp@gmail.com. And check out my e-book, "Dear Cheryl: Advice from Tales from the Front."