The suggestions of joining groups is a good one. There are walking groups where you can be with people and the dynamic is such that you get to talk to different people over the course of the day.
Something like a knitting bee is not going to cut it IMNSHO.
The way walking clubs work in the UK is that they usually have one or two with cars willing to share the journey to the "interesting" location and share the fuel costs.
Mingle is the catch-word. Spread your net wide. Volunteer for a worthy charity, join a band/trio maybe. But most of all, don't be earnest, be interested and interesting.

the demographic can't be ignored. There are more older women than men and in their 50's that is certainly true. It may take time.