September Luncheon

The luncheon will be on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at the Chart House. It will feature a presentation by Simone Coker-Kamna, Executive Director, Hunger Fighters Oregon.

Simone is the Executive Director of Hunger Fighters Oregon, which started in 2014 as an after-school club at Lake Oswego Junior High. Since then, the non-profit company has raised enough food and money to provide 10,000 meals to people in need.

Hunger Fighters Oregon currently operates a food pantry at 4 Monroe Parkway, Suite A. This food pantry distributes basic food and hygiene items to families and individuals in the Lake Oswego community.

If you wish to bring a donation to the September Luncheon for Hunger Fighters, we will be collecting paper grocery bags, 12-count egg cartons(empty), diapers and personal care items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and deodorant.

The luncheon will be held at:

Chart House
5700 SW Terwilliger Blvd
Portland, OR 97239

Schedule

Register

When you're finished registering, you'll receive a confirmation via email (check your spam folder). Now you have to pay. That's the second step below.

Cost is $32.00

...or you may bring a check made payable to Newcomers Welcome Club.

Dues are due by September 15

Renewing your membership by September 15th will ensure you don't miss out on our events and activities. You'll appear in the directory and receive the newsletter. It's the best 45 dollars you will spend this year!

To renew by credit/debit card, click or touch this payment link:

To renew by mail, send a check to:

Newcomers Welcome Club
PO Box 593
Lake Oswego, OR 97034-0065

President’s Message

I hope you have had a relaxing, healthy, and memorable summer. If you are a long-time member, get ready for the continuation of great times with our vibrant and ever-expanding Club! If you are a new member—get ready—new friends and experiences are right around the corner!

I urge you to consider a few things this year. Check out our monthly luncheons! Our incredible team of Brenda and Lisa will continue the tradition of finding us tasty venues with programs of interest found by Ann and Lark. We know reservations will be smooth sailing with Joan, Sarah, and Merryl at the helm.

Want to join a book club? Get some exercise? Attend an evening social? Visit incredible wineries? Play games? Get involved in philanthropy? Join a lunch group? The possibilities are endless! Perhaps you have an idea for a new activity. Let Barbra and Nancy know; they will help you get going with a new group.

Please don’t forget to attend Coffee and Conversation this year. It's a once-a-month opportunity to share your experiences in the Club, meet new and prospective members, and catch up with your friends. Many board members attend each month and would love to see you there!

Last year, many of you filled out a survey asking your opinion on various aspects of the Club. The board is looking at the responses with great interest, always wanting to make sure we understand the thoughts of our membership.

This Board of Directors is made up of people who are interested in keeping the Club on track socially and financially. It is early in our year, but never too early to think about joining the board in the future. The friends and memories you will make will balance the time and energy you will put into keeping our Club as great as it is.

I am very excited about partnering with Hunger Fighters this year. At the luncheon, we will all learn more about them and how we can help their mission.

I hope to meet all our new members at some of these activities soon!

Best wishes,

Sandy

New members

Anne Peterson from Redwood, CA
Barb Buchan from Dallas, OR
Bev Castino from Seattle, WA
Gailyn Johnson from the area
Jami White from the area
Joan Seitz from Roseburg, OR
Joyce Porter from Redwood, CA
Mary Frese from Bend, OR
Pat Wittenberg from Salem, OR
Pam Pall from Avila Beach, CA
Tricia Wood from Jacksonville, OR
Wayne Mercado from Fairfax, VA

September birthdays

Philanthropy Committee News

The Philanthropy Committee continued to meet over the summer to begin planning our activities for the year, and we have some fun things in the works already. We look forward to working with Hunger Fighters Oregon (HFO), the charity club members selected for 2024-2025. Last month, members of the philanthropy committee met with HFO’s Executive Director, Simone Coker-Kamna, at the organization’s food pantry in Lake Oswego for a tour and to discuss ways we can support their mission.

Simone will be the guest speaker at the NWC September luncheon at the Chart House. We will all learn more about the organization and ways we can support its mission to include volunteer opportunities at the food pantry for club members. Our first donation opportunity for HFO is an easy one. If you attend the September luncheon, please bring paper grocery bags or empty 12-count egg cartons to donate. These items are essential to food pantry operations.

We look forward to the Tapas and Trivia Fiesta fundraiser, held at Dan and Judy Meyer’s home in West Linn, a gorgeous venue with expansive outdoor and indoor dining space, and ample parking. There's also a beautiful view of Mt. Hood, weather permitting. We will establish a wait list if more than 36 people are interested in attending.

Would you like to get involved with Philanthropy Committee activities? You don’t need to be on the committee to participate. We also need volunteers to help us with fundraising activities, projects, and luncheon raffle baskets. I anticipate we will also conduct food collections for Hunger Fighters this year. If you would like to become involved in the Philanthropy Committee, please let Barb know. We will keep a list of volunteers and reach out as opportunities arise. It is a fun group!

Sunshine cards

Send a little sunshine to someone, in the form of a card. Email Nancy Jacobson their name, address, and why they need a bit of cheering up.

LO Adult Community Center

Thank you to all the generous members who have signed up to serve lunch each month. We do not need additional volunteers at this time but feel free to contact Sally with questions or to be added to a reserve list. We set up and serve lunch on the 4th Monday from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm at:

Contact Sally Roach.

Welcome to Newcomers Activities

We are an inclusive group of women and men that have formed a vibrant community and welcome new and old members to join in our many offerings. If you would like to see a new activity offered, come forward and we will work with you to make it happen by arranging co-facilitators and mentoring. It’s fun to co-create and a great way to make friends who enjoy the same activities as you. From our recent survey, participants would like:

• a gourmet dinner club
• an intermediate bridge group
• travel companions - an opportunity to connect with like-minded travelers and destinations
• travel experiences and recommendations
• cribbage
• an outdoor cooking class

Let’s work together to make these new activities happen. Contact Barbra Crumley or Nancy O'Neill

the Book Nook

Book Nook meets on the second Monday of each month. Please contact Lynn Pappas if you'd like to join.

Date/Time:  Monday, September 9, 2024 at 10:00 AM to noon

Book/Author: Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel by Shelby Van Pelt

RSVP to Paula Glauber.

New Book Group Forming

We are in the process of creating another Book Club. If interested, please contact Barbra Crumley.

From Memories to Memoir

Memoir is a slice of life. We have all lived, so we are all potential memoirists. Everyone has stories. We have had childhoods, careers, moves, families, travel, pets, hobbies, interests, and yes, even tragedy and drama. We have those old photos begging to be wrapped in a context so later generations can appreciate them. Maybe this is the year you say, “I’ll make a start.”

If your stories are nagging at you, now is your opportunity. I am eager to start our story-telling sessions again.

If you are interested, please contact Linda Morris. We need about 8 people to make this group viable.

Bridge Lessons

"If you still think you want to learn bridge in a relaxing and fun way. Sign up for my bridge lessons." Tuesdays, 11 am to 1pm: or Wednesday, 11 am to 1pm or 1 to 3pm. The lessons will be held at my house.

I have had some response but we need 4 to sign up.

Please call or text your interest to Alyce Grissom.

Bunco #1

This group meets in the afternoon and is managed by Sherry Kuntz

Date/Time: Thursday, September 19, 2024, begins at 12:00 noon

The Bunco group will meet at the home of Lynne Saphir. If you are unable to attend, please contact Lynne Saphir with the name of your sub.

Bunco #2

This group meets in the evening on the second Wednesday of the month and is managed by Paula Sorensen.

Date/Time: Wednesday, September 11, at 7:00 pm

Host: Pat Rooney

RSVP to Pat.

Dominoes and Dinner

We have a new group activity for 6, 7, or 8 people with a casual dinner and a game of Mexican Train Dominoes afterward. The host provides a simple entree, and participants bring an appetizer, salad, or dessert. Think burgers or baked potatoes with the fixins or tacos/burritos or (you get the idea). Double 12 Domino games with easy instructions and a few twists to challenge us to pull the fun and laughter into the evening.

Games will be held on the first Saturday of the month. Future hosts need a 6-foot table and a dominoes game (Amazon). Please email Cindy Lindstrom with interest and/or questions.

Mah Jongg

American Mah Jongg is a tile game loosely based on the original Chinese version. Players use the tiles to make hands, chosen from an official card that changes annually. We play at 1:00 pm on the first four Mondays of the month.

September 9 - Susan Muhm and Cheryl Robins

September 16 - Linda Morris

September 23 - Pat Filip

Contact Cheryl Robins or Susan Muhm

Coffee & Conversation

Enjoy getting to know other Newcomers in a small group setting. You’ll meet current members who will share their experiences and find out about the different activities.

We meet on the 4th Friday of the month at 10:00 a.m., at various locations. Mark your calendar for September 27th.

New, prospective, and longtime members are welcome. Please email Darlene Conklé by September 20th if you wish to receive an invitation and location where we will be meeting. Any questions, contact Darlene Conklé or Karol Burke.

Friendship Lunches

In June, CoChairs Carol Jo Bays and Lissa Willis hosted a potluck Friendship Lunch, “picnic-style,” for all the (nine) participating groups, and the turnout was gratifying! Thirty-plus members brought delectables to Carol Jo’s home and enjoyed the camaraderie, indoors and out.

Currently, the tenth group is forming and should launch this autumn. Contact Carol Jo Bays or Lissa Willis.

Men’s Breakfast Group

The Men’s Breakfast Group meets on alternate Tuesdays at 9 a.m. at Biscuits on Mercantile Drive in Lake Oswego. It is a time for camaraderie, good food, and just catching up.

Contact Dave Hull to be added to the email list. You'll be reminded with email a few days before.

Men’s Discussion Group

The next meeting is on September 17. The topic is Polarization. For more information, contact Marc Bond via email.

Saturday Night Social

This monthly Saturday evening social is an opportunity for newcomers, their spouses, and single members to meet other members in the warmth and comfort of a member's home. Please bring an appetizer to share & your own beverage that is not shared.

If you'd like to host a social, contact Merryl Sawicki

The September social is on September 21, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and hosted by Janet and Michael Levin

RSVP to Janet Levin.

Singles Dining Divas

Singles Dining Divas

The Single Dining Divas have two events each month.  Each dinner is hosted by a Diva member in their home. One of the monthly dinners is hosted on the second Tuesday of each month, and the second is designated by the host.  That designated host Diva chooses from Brunch, Lunch or Dinner as their preference, as well as the date. All of our Diva members take turns hosting the monthly gatherings in their homes and should be able to accommodate at least 10 people. The host sets the menu and provides the entree; guests bring the side dishes, desserts, and beverages designated by the host.

If you are a single Diva and are interested in joining our fun group for home-hosted potluck meals, contact Sharon Harvey.

Wine Enthusiasts

The busiest months in the wine making business are approaching starting in Sept and into October, so what an exciting time to visit a vineyard.

On Sunday, Sept 22nd from 2 to 4pm we will drive out to Dundee and arrive at Holloran Vineyard Wines, where we will take a walk in the vineyard and/or witness the production in action. From the tasting room, you will see two vineyards planted in the 1970’s, some of the oldest vines in the Willamette Valley.

Following, we will taste a mixed flight of 5 red and white wines for $25 (which will be waived with a 3 bottle purchase). There will be food options to order if you wish.

A special “salud” to Carrie Kaufman, a long time Wine Enthusiast with our group, for making this happen for all of us.

This will be a private event for all of us, from a couple who moved to OR in 1999 when they purchased an old vineyard in Dundee from the 1970’s, and a piece of land in West Linn that had an old horse barn which they converted into a winery. Fast forward to now, they grow wine using organic & biodynamic farming methods at their vineyards in Dundee and in the Eola-Amity Hills, and make wine in Dundee where we will visit & taste. This is a small production operation, allowing them to pay attention to detail for their traditional style of winemaking.

Come and enjoy "Crush" in action by emailing me your reservation.

Cheers,

Joanne

Contact Joanne Nowak

Bocce Ball

Each Friday* afternoon in the summer we meet at Foothills Park in Lake Oswego at 3:00 for an hour and a half of Bocce followed by Happy Hour. It is a great time to meet with friends and enjoy a bit of friendly competition. A sign-up email goes out every Tuesday evening for the following Friday. A Thursday email will disclose teams and the playing schedule.

* September 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th

Contact Dave Hull or Carole Hull.

Frequent Walkers

Get Fit! Join in with frequent walkers in getting a little more fit. We walk at least 5 days a week for about an hour each time in the L.O., West Linn, Tualatin, and Tigard areas.

Contact Sher Ireland.

Weekly Walkers

The weekly walkers meet on Tuesdays at 9:00 am and walk for one hour. During the summer and in clear weather, we walk in various parks; in the winter and cold and wet weather, we walk in the Washington Square Mall. If you wish to join us, contact Sherry Kuntz.

Undaunted Saunterers

The ‘Undaunted Saunterers’ is a men's walking group that walks every Wednesday between 8:30 and 9:30. Members take turns finding walking destinations, leading the walks, and arranging for a congenial lunch spot. Examples of our closer-in walks include along the Tualatin River in old West Linn, the Portland inner harbor, George Rogers Park, and Foothills riverfront trails. In the summer, we also go into the Columbia River Gorge and the Mt. Hood area.

Contact Perry Esterson.

October Newsletter Deadline

The deadline for submissions to the October Newsletter is Friday, September 20.

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