What's new

2025/2026 NWC Officers

Board members
Julie Coari Co-Secretary; Barbara Radovich, Treasurer; Darlene Conklé, President; Barb Brannon, Co-Vice President; and Sherri Kuntz, Co-Secretary; Not pictured: Deb Bitney, Co-Vice President

2025/2026 Luncheon Dates to Mark on Your Calendar

September 11, 2025
October 9, 2025
December 11, 2025
February 12, 2026
March 12, 2026
April 9, 2026
May 14, 2026
June 11, 2026

Note: The Board in February voted to have eight (8) luncheons instead of ten (10) for the incoming year due to the difficulty of finding venues that meet our parameters. Our previous November and January luncheons traditionally have had low attendance.

Hence, there will be no Newcomers luncheons in November 2025 and January 2026.

New groups

This newsletter wasn't published in July and August. During those summer months, a few new groups were formed: You can read about the Canasta group by tapping the Games button above. The Ladies Cooking Class already met in July and we have photos—tap the Social button above. The new Women's Discussion Group can also be found by tapping the Social button.

For the new Bagels and Books group, tap the Books button above. Tap the Marketplace button for our new newsletter section of member announcements.

The SeniorNet group is meeting for the first time in September. Tap the Social button and scroll down.

NWC Recommended Service Providers

NWC Will be updating our service list of people who can help us at home and provide care for ourselves and our pets. Please click this button to provide your input on people/businesses you have personally used and would recommend to other NWC members:

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September Luncheon

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Simone Coker-Kamna

Simone Coker-Kamna, the Executive Director of Hunger Fighters Oregon, will be the guest speaker at the September luncheon at the Chart House. She will provide an update on how the pantry, with the support of the Newcomers Club, has continued to impact those in need in our community. She'll highlight the programs they've worked on, who they served, and provide a look ahead, sharing plans for the future.

If you wish to bring a donation to the September Luncheon for Hunger Fighters, they really need paper grocery bags with handles, reusable grocery bags, canned goods (soup, canned fruit, beans, canned veggies) or breakfast foods (cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, etc). Monetary donations allow them to buy additional food items needed in the pantry.

VENUE

Chart House
5700 SW Terwilliger Blvd
Portland, OR 97239
503-246-6963

No self parking; complimentary valet parking (optional tipping).

SCHEDULE

11:30 am Social Hour
12:00 am Lunch
1:00 pm Speaker
2:00 pm Event Ends

Please do not arrive early.

MENU CHOICES

  1. Chicken Cobb Salad - Tossed mixed greens, blue cheese dressing, bacon, avocado, tomatoes & eggs
  2. Bistro Veggie Burger - Grilled beyond burger, iceberg lettuce, tomato, onion & pickles, served with skinny fries
  3. Prime Rib French Dip - Monterey jack, horseradish cream, caramelized onions & au jus, served with skinny fries
  4. Crunchy Noodle Seared Ahi Salad - Seared peppered ahi, crunchy rice noodles, iceberg lettuce, cabbage slaw, avocado & kim chi dressing
  5. Diner Cheese Burger - Grilled, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions pickles & diner sauce, served with skinny fries
  6. Fish Tacos - Cajun spiced, cabbage, monterey jack, pico de gallo, ranch dressing & warm tortillas, served with skinny fries

Coffee, Decaf Coffee, Tea & Soda is included.

Dessert: Cheesecake with strawberry sauce

COST

$30 per person, including gratuity

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT

You must register by noon on Friday, September 5. No exceptions.

To register, and indicate whether you are bringing a guest, click or tap this button:

You may pay online by clicking or tapping this button or you may bring a check made payable to Newcomers Welcome Club.

If you need to cancel, contact or ASAP.

If no one can take your reservation, you are responsible for the cost of the lunch.

September Calendar

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat SEP 1 SEP 2 Weekly Walkers SEP 3 Saunterers Memoirs SEP 4 Board meeting LOACC SEP 5 Bocce RSVP for Luncheon SEP 6 Divas SEP 7 SEP 8 Mah Jongg Book Nook SEP 9 Weekly Walkers Mens Bkfs Divas SEP 10 Saunterers Bunco 2 SEP 11 Luncheon SEP 12 Bocce* SEP 13 SEP 14 SEP 15 Mah Jongg Tea, Cookies Good Book Membership Dues are due SEP 16 Weekly Walkers SEP 17 Saunterers Bunco 2 Memoirs SEP 18 Bunco 1 SeniorNet SEP 19 Bocce* RSVP for Coffee Bagels Books SEP 20 Saturday Night Social SEP 21 Wine Enthusiasts SEP 22 Mah Jongg LOACC SEP 23 Weekly Walkers Mens Bkfs SEP 24 Saunterers Canasta SEP 25 SEP 26 Bocce* Coffee & Conversation SEP 27 SEP 28 SEP 29 Mah Jongg SEP 30 Weekly Walkers

* depending on the weather

Newcomer's events are also available in a list format via: EZ-Cal

Leadership

President’s Message

by , NWC President

Darlene Conklin

Dear Members,

I hope that all of you have had a safe and wonderful summer. Autumn is just around the corner and as the days grow shorter, we find ourselves at the threshold of a “new year” for our Newcomers Welcome Club. I am both honored and delighted to be taking over the helm of this fine organization.

Our club has always been a beacon for those seeking friendship, connection, and support in a new community. Newcomers Clubs have been a life saver for me in the various communities we lived in. As we embark on this next chapter, I am deeply committed to continuing our tradition of creating a warm and welcoming environment—a true support network for making friends and helping others feel at home.

We have an incredible board, comprised of both new and familiar faces. Their dedication, creativity, and enthusiasm inspire me, and together, I am confident we will build on the strong foundation laid by those who came before us.

Our charity for this year is Hunger Fighters. Hunger Fighters Oregon is a small food pantry located in Lake Oswego dedicated to providing food and essential household items at no cost to those in need. This is the second year the club is sponsoring this exceptional charity and where some of our members routinely volunteer.

In the coming months, we look forward to offering a variety of programs, gatherings, and activities designed to foster new friendships and celebrate the rich diversity that makes our club so special. Whether you are new to our group or a long-time member, your presence and participation are what make our club thrive. We will continue to invite prospective members to Coffee & Conversation to meet current members and learn more about the Club.

Please remember that your dues are to be paid by September 15th for your name to appear in the Directory. The annual fee continues to be $45 - such a bargain for all that you receive in return. Thank you for entrusting me with this role. Let us move forward together with optimism, compassion, and a shared spirit of community.

Warmly,
Darlene Conklé
President, Newcomers Welcome Club

Hunger Fighters thank you

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The club has received a thank you note for the generous contributions we've made to Hunger Fighters:

thank you note
thank you note

A Global Foodie Fest!

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Our Global Foodie Fest fundraiser was a tremendous success, and I am delighted to report that the we raised over $2630 for Hunger Fighters Oregon. And we all had so much fun! We had all the ingredients for a successful party: beautiful weather, beautiful location and bountiful food. And, of course, the most important ingredient - enthusiastic guests that brought the laughter and energy. We were delighted that several very new members to the Club were there, and many guests, both new and not-so-new, commented they look forward to our next extravaganza. And there will be one. But for now, the Philanthropy Committee, and all who helped us, need time to relax and recover from all that fun!

Click the photo below to see more photos from the Global Foodie Fest.

photo

Special thanks to Dan and Judy Meyer who hosted the event and worked with the committee on coordination, set-up and clean-up. And much more. We so appreciate your generosity! I loved the Trivia Game, and know Deborah and Harold Linke worked hard to come up with those questions. Seventy questions. And they were hard. But they made for great collaboration, and teams came up with answers both correct and creative. If only we were allowed to ask Siri for help! Enthusiastic applause for our talented Trivia quizmaster, Dennis Pall. He was a terrific game-show host.

The Philanthropy team worked for months on the event and although not all members could attend attend, three prepared and delivered food for the party. One dropped her offering on the way to the airport! What dedication! Our creative team of cooks for international delicacies and treats: Connie Bettencourt, Barb Brannon, Vickie Gasiorowski, Sherry Kuntz, Karin Lukins, Susan Muhm, Pam Pall, Laura Wallan and Sarah York.  Laura Wallan, a long-time NWC, is a former chef and although not on the Philanthropy Committee, she prepared a delicious entree for the event.

Thank you to Brenda Henderson for designing the beautiful flower arrangements, to Lisa Tsukomoto for the colorful international-flag decor and to Darlene Conkle for signs, name tags, plasticware, assignments and much more. And thank you Dennis and Pam Pall, for bringing and assembling a tent to provide shade for tables on the lawn. So many also helped with toting and lifting! If I have forgotten anyone, I blame “post-party brain”…or perhaps it was the Sangria?

Trivia contest winners Trivia contest winners - Megan Koepsell, Phil Lukens, Ed Sawicki, Irene Strahm, Steve and Patti Hale

Hope to see you at the next fundraiser! Until then, wishing you a "flamboyance of Flamingos" (Yes, that was one of the tougher trivia questions).

Editor's note: There are websites where you can practice your trivia for the next Newcomer's trivia contest. Here's one of them: The Baby Boomer eMuseum. Look for the “Baby Boomer Trivia Quiz” link.

Welcome to Newcomers Activities

by Barbra Crumley (barbracrumley@gmail.com, 925-785-1142) and

activity groups

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. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Is there an activity you would like to see in our club? Let us know. We will work with you to make it happen including arranging for a co-leader and mentoring. Some of our newest groups include Canasta, Ladies Cooking Class and a Women's Discussion Group.

LO Adult Community Center

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If you enjoy volunteering, please contact Sally Roach to serve lunch at the community center located at 505 G Ave, Lake Oswego. We serve lunch on the 4th Monday of each month from 11:00 am to 1:15 pm, and we'll be doing this during the summer months as well. We set tables, serve lunch, and clean up. Volunteers receive a delicious, free lunch! We are a very flexible group so it’s not necessary to serve every month.

Board meetings

Board meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month. Please contact our new President, Darlene Conkle, if you are interested in attending a board meeting.

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Our members

New members

chick hatching from egg

We welcome our new members:

  • Cassandra Given and Dale Fellow from Lake Oswego, OR
  • Mary Dean moved from Portland, OR
  • Claire Lynskey moved from London, UK
  • Matt Welsch and Lori Craig moved from Kihei, HI
  • Megan Koepsell moved from Highlands, CO
  • Patti and Steve Hale moved from San Antonio, TX
  • Rani Kotha moved from Seattle, WA
  • Charlotte Bushnell moved from Salem, OR
  • Andrea Cabral moved from Eugene, OR
  • John Gould and Judy Robertson moved from Portland.

September birthdays

Happy birthday balloons
Click the above title for a list of birthdays

Sunshine cards

by sunshine card

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

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Travel

NWC Travelers

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NWC Travelers now has photos of Patagonia (Chile and Argentina).

This is a photo album for NWC members who have traveled to interesting places. If you have photos or short videos, send them and their captions to us.

On the NWC Travelers page, you'll see links to webcams around the world that allow you to see live video of places you might want to travel to.

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Social

Ladies Cooking Class

by and

The first Cooking Class was held on July 31 at the home of Pamela Pall. It was a resounding success! Everyone who participated brought home a delicious pan of Foccacia.

Our next class will be in October. Look in next month's newsletter for more details.

Please note: There may be a charge to attend (to offset the cost for the ingredients provided by the host).

Click or tap this photo to see all the photos from the first Cooking Class.

NWC Cooking Class

Women's Discussion Group

womens discussion

Engage, Inspire, and Explore… A group discussion is a structured exchange of ideas among participants aimed at sharing insights and perspectives. The most engaging discussions often touch on themes that are relevant in everyday life: education, technology, history, current events, ethics, diversity. The group will offer suggestions for prospective topics.

If you’re interested please contact for details.

Coffee & Conversation

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coffee cup

Enjoy getting to know other members in a small group setting. Prospective, new members and current members are cordially invited to coffee to hear more about the Newcomers Welcome Club.

We will meet on the fourth Friday of every month at 10:00 am, at various locations. Mark your calendars for September 26th.

Please email Birgit Woodward by September 19th, if you wish to receive an invitation and location where we will be meeting.

Saturday Night Social

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wine glasses

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 and your own beverage that is not shared.

The September Saturday Social is on September 20, 2025, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm and is hosted by Sharon and Ivor Samson. Please RSVP to Sharon at her phone.

Photos from the August Saturday Social

Friendship Luncheons

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Friendship Luncheon

Newcomers Friendship Lunch Groups met mid-August at Carol Jo Bays’ house in Lake Oswego for an all-members-and-prospects pot luck. It was fun to reconnect with familiar faces, and to make new acquaintances. The ongoing monthly lunch groups offer the opportunity to develop new and lasting friendships in a quieter setting, perfect for conversation. The format is for the same six to eight ladies to meet monthly, rotating homes (or co-hosting if space it tight). Each hostess prepares a casual meal for the group (or selects a restaurant at which to meet, each paying for her own lunch). Groups set their own meeting day so that members can mark their calendars ahead.

These smaller lunch gatherings are ideal for getting to know one another better, and new groups are forming all the time.

Please contact us if you wish to join in the fun!

Single Dining Divas

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spoon and fork

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 interested in joining our fun group for home-hosted potluck meals, please contact me, Sharon Harvey.

Wine Enthusiasts

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Vinyard with Mt Hood in background

Our September Wine Tasting will be on Sunday, Sept 21st at Left Coast Winery near Salem at Noon. 5 Wines for $20 and options for food will also be available.

Email me to make a reservation and I will confirm that you are on my list.

Cheers,

Joanne Nowak

SeniorNet

Seniornet

We're finally launching SeniorNet to help you with your technology challenges, and to help keep you safe on the Internet. Our first get together will be on Thursday, September 18 at 7:00 pm. Visit the Seniornet page for details.

WashCo Fun

Washington County Fun in Beaverton and Hillsboro

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WashCo Fun

WashCo Fun is a coed group for all members of LONWC, and the spouses of WashCo Fun members. Our activities in Washington County include an event, and a meal, at an area restaurant. To join and participate in future activities contact Joyce Porter. Your Welcome letter will upcoming WashCo Fun activities, an optional preference Questionnaire, and a list of fellow WashCo members. In July, WashCo Fun launched a Canasta activity that is now a NewComers event. Upcoming WashCo Fun events include Bingo and Wine in September at a local winery, an Indigenous People’s dance event in October, and a holiday theater performance in December.

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Books

I, Libertine cover

In early 1956, a radio personality and his audience convinced the book publishing industry that a book that didn't exist was a best seller. Read and listen to the incredible story of I, Libertine.

Reading Between the Wines

by Barbra Crumley (925-785-1142, barbracrumley@gmail.com)

grapes and wine

We enjoy reading novels, memoirs, biographies, historical fiction, and history as we gather with a glass of wine and a bite to eat and discuss the book of the month.

Bagels and Books

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Bagels and Books is Newcomers newest daytime book club. We read novels and historical fiction and gather to nosh and discuss the book. Meetings are held the third Friday of each month from 11:00-1:00. Members take turns hosting, selecting books, and leading the discussion. If you are interested in joining, contact Lynn Chazin.

Tea, Cookies, and a Good Book

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Tea, cookies, and a good book

At our September 15th book club meeting, we will be discussing the Seed Keeper, a Novel by Diane Wilson. Our book club meets the third Monday of each month from 1:30-3:00pm at a member’s home. The hostess provides refreshments and a brief synopsis of the author’s background and is also responsible for leading the discussion. The book club is currently full; there is a waiting list. If you are interested in joining, please email Anne Dantzig at dantzighome2@yahoo.com to be added to the list.

From Memories to Memoir

and

From Memories to Memoir

Memoir is really anything that impacts your life. We all have life stories. Each session we hear family memories, humor, poetry, musings and more. We don’t teach writing. We just read our stories and actively listen to others.

Our group meets by zoom on the 1 st and 3 rd Wednesday of the month from 10 to noon. Each week, members share a 5-7 minute piece followed by positive feedback from the group.

September meetings are September 3 and 17. Members will get a link a couple of days before.

If you are interested in joining the group, or would like more information, please contact Linda Morris or Carol Jo Bays.

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Games

Bunco Afternoon #1

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floating dice

The Bunco #1 group meets every third Thursday, and is facilitated by Sherry Kuntz.

The Bunco group will meet at the home of on September 18, 2025 at 12:00 noon. If you are unable to attend, please contact Kathy by email or by phone with the name of your sub.

Bunco #2

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

Date/Time: Wednesday, September 10, at 7:00 pm

Hostess:

RSVP to Pat.

Canasta

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Canasta cards

Join us to learn and play Canasta Hand Foot & Tush.

We will be playing this 5 Deck Canasta game called "Hand Foot & Tush" on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 12:30 pm starting August 27th. This is a fun game and easy to learn even if you have never played canasta before. The first game and training will be at Judith Davie's home in Beaverton. This game requires 4 to a table and there is room for 3 tables at this time.

Going forward, the Hostess will provide their home and drinks, the Co-Host will provide a light snack. Locations will rotate based on participant’s availability.

Please email Judith Davies if you are interested in playing. Judith will send you a copy of the rules and guidelines for you to print and bring with you to the first game.

Mah Jongg

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Mah Jongg tiles

Welcome to the NWC 2025/2026 Mah Jongg season! 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 will be an exception due to the Labor Day holiday on the 1st.

Sep 1  Labor Day holiday

Sep 8 

Sep 15 and

Sep 22

Sep 29

Hope to see you at a Mah Jongg table soon.

Cheryl and Susan

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Men's groups

Men’s Breakfast Group

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Men's breakfast plate

The Breakfast Group meets on alternate Tuesdays at 9:00am at Biscuits on Mercantile Drive in Lake Oswego. It is a time for camaraderie, good food, and just catching up. This month, the breakfasts are:

Sep 9
Sep 23

If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please email me. I will send out a email the Sunday morning before our next breakfast.

Men’s Discussion Group

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men's discussion

The Men's Discussion Group is coordinated entirely by email. For more information, contact Marc Bond via email.

Undaunted Saunterers

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hikers

The ‘Undaunted Saunterers’ walk every Wednesday with members taking turns to find walking destinations, leading the walks, and arranging for a congenial lunch spot. We will be enjoying the Spring and sunshine in Oregon.

Contact Gary Crumley for more information.

Sports and Walking

Frequent Walkers

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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.

Weekly Walkers

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footprints

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.

Bocce Ball

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Bocce balls

Bocce season will be ending sometime in September depending on the weather. We play every Friday at Foothills Park in Lake Oswego at 3:00pm followed by Happy Hour. An invite is sent out every Monday with teams being announced Thursday evening. Thanks to all for another great Bocce season.

Ladies of the Links–Golf

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Golf

The season opened with the first game at Sah-Hah-Lee Golf Course in Clackamas and the second at Summerfield in Tigard. We are a low-key, casual group of experienced recreational golfers who welcome all newcomers. Our group includes people who have played for a few years, but still consider themselves beginners and others who have played in leagues or for many years. We all enjoy being outside, exploring a variety of courses and the company of old and new friends.

If you're interested in learning more, contact Sarah York.

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Marketplace and more

MEMBERS may advertise garage sales, personal items for sale, give-away items, craft, or activity lessons, or wanted items (such as lodging, furniture, house-sitting.) Notices must be approved by the Board each month. The Club will not be responsible for any services. You may also advertise upcoming events members are participating in. Send items for publication to the Newsletter Editor, Ed Sawicki, ed.alcpress.com, for the online newsletter. Include photos when possible.

Fundraiser for Family Promise's Bridge to Home

Family Promise

Several members of Newcomers are involved in producing a fun event to benefit Family Promise, a past philanthropy partner for Newcomers. The event is called "Home is Where the Art Is" and will feature the work of 18 artisans for sale along with gourmet treats also for sale. There will be continuous music of various genres throughout the event as well. The fundraiser will held:

Saturday, November 1st
Place: Lake Grove Presbyterian Church, 4040 Sunset Dr., Lake Oswego
Time: 10:00am to 3:00pm

Newcomer Sher Ireland is the organizer. She felt the need to help after Family Promise had funding cuts. Newcomers Nancy Kearsley, Julie Coari, Patti Gratzkie, Sandy Esterson, and Cheryl Zents will all be helping with this effort. All newcomers are invited to attend, pick up some holiday gifts, and enjoy the music while supporting efforts to house homeless families.

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