The upcoming luncheon will be held in the Community Meeting Room,
which is located on the lower level of the Lakewood Theater on State Street in Lake Oswego.
We are excited to welcome Steve Knox, the Executive Producer, as our special guest
for this event. Mr. Knox will share his insights into the history of the Lakewood Theater,
provide information about upcoming shows, and discuss the coordination and
cooperation required to bring a production to the stage.
In addition to his presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a couple of
songs from Funny Girl, sung by Melissa Gail, one of the talented artists
featured in the play when it opens in April. To top it all off, attendees will be invited to
participate in an exclusive backstage tour.
This event is a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the vibrant cultural
hub that Lakewood Theater represents for Lake Oswego and the surrounding
communities.
Don’t miss this special event! Mark your calendars for February 12, and we look forward
to seeing you there.
Schedule
11:00
Social time and Shop at the Re-Runs Store
12:00
Lunch is served
12:45
Entertainment Program begins
2:00
Event Ends
Venue
Lakewood Center for the Arts
368 South State Street
Lake Oswego, Oregon
Free parking available behind the Lakewood Center.
Deli Sandwich Buffet
Lunch will be served by upscale caterer Pearl Catering. You can choose from Roasted Turkey Breast, Garlic Roast Beef, and Crisp Veggie deli sandwiches when you register. They come with a mixed greens salad with crisp vegetables and choice of dressing, and assorted sodas and sparkling waters. Plus, dessert is a Valentine's treat.
Cost
$39.00 each. Includes gratuity.
Registration
You must register by Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 5:00 pm.
To register, and indicate whether you are bringing a guest, click or tap this button:
Payment
You may pay online by clicking or tapping this button or you may bring a check made payable to Newcomers Welcome Club.
Cancellation
If you need to cancel, contact Nancy Jacobson (503-422-1694) or Merryl Sawicki (503-381-4194) ASAP. If no one can take your reservation, you are responsible for
the cost of the lunch.
Coming in March
Our March luncheon will highlight Portland author Ruth Wariner, author of the book
The Sound of Gravel. It is a fascinating autobiography of her life in a polygamist
family and her eventual escape. You may enjoy her presentation even more if you do read
the book. Please bring questions to the March luncheon as the author will be very happy to
answer them.
The book is available in paperback and audiobook. Check with your public library, your
local bookstore, and Amazon.
The NWC board will be relaunching the “Service List” to its members. This will have a list of service
providers that our members have used previously. It can be anything from house cleaning, home
renovations, lawn care, facials, catering, etc Please click the button below to add your input by February 28.
After we have sufficient input, the list will be available via a link in the newsletter and the online
NWC directory. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Martinez.
I am so thrilled that we can introduce the Lakewood Center for the Arts to our members. The Center is truly
a hidden jewel nestled in the heart of downtown Lake Oswego.
When we lived north of Seattle, there was a wonderful small theater just 15 minutes from home. It offered
outstanding live productions, which meant we never had to travel all the way to Seattle to enjoy quality
performances. I remember thinking how much I would miss that experience after moving away.
What we did not realize upon first arriving in Lake Oswego was that this community also boasts a vibrant
theater scene. The Lakewood Center hosts performances featuring talented actors from both in and out of state,
with some coming from as far as Broadway in New York. It is a wonderful resource for lovers of the arts, right
here in our own neighborhood.
The February luncheon will be held at the Lakewood Center with a catered lunch by Pearl Catering and ample
parking is available in the rear of the center.
We will learn about the history of the theatre and more surprises. Since the doors open at 11:00 a.m. We
will have the opportunity to visit Re-Runs (Consignment Gift & Thrift Shop) on the second level and time to
socialize too. Please come and learn more about what the center offers. Thanks to Alicia and Sandy for
coordinating this fun program.
Election and Appointment Process
The Club's election and appointment process officially begins in February each year. This is an important
opportunity for members to get involved in shaping the future of our organization.
All members are eligible to participate in a Board position. Everyone is encouraged to join fully in club
activities and initiatives. Check your new 2026 Directory. The list of board positions is on pages four to six.
Activity Groups are listed on pages nine and ten.
Explore activities that interest you, reach out to an activity leader or any board member, and let them know
if you are interested in serving. This is a wonderful way to make new friends and contribute to our Club.
Our support for Hunger Fighters runs through 30 June, and it is time to for us to
identify the charity we will support for 2026-2027. In April, the Philanthropy Committee will
propose three charities for consideration to the Board and, if approved, the names and
descriptions of the three charities will be sent to all NWC members for their vote. The
charity with the most votes will receive all the donations we collect from 1 July 2026 - 30
June 2027.
We use the following guidelines in selecting a charity:
charity has a local presence and impact
charity is not already heavily supported by grants and major sponsors
charity is not disease-specific, such as Parkinson’s Disease or Diabetes.
If there are opportunities for members to volunteer with the charity,
that is a bonus.
These guidelines were developed to identify a charity that can really benefit from
our efforts and also have broad support from our members. Committee members have already identified
a few options for further exploration:
Neighborhood House
Rosehaven Day Shelter and Community Services
Morrison Child and Family Services
The Good Neighbor Center
a charity that supports those in foster care transitioning to independent living
Philanthropy Committee members research each charity proposed to
learn about their mission and impact, review their annual report and to
talk to a leadership team member. If you would like to propose a
charity for consideration, please forward the name and brief
description to Barb, brannonbarb@yahoo.com by March 1.
In 2025, we held three major fundraising events: an Afternoon Tea, the
Global Foodie Fest, and our Holiday Boutique and Bake Sale. They
were all very successful, and we raised a lot of money for Hunger
Fighters. We have started planning our fundraising events for 2026
and again hope for one in the Spring, another in early Fall,
and the December luncheon Boutique. This is a “developing story”
and stay tuned for more information in future newsletters.
At the February Luncheon at the Lakewood Theater, we will have our first mini fundraiser
for Hunger Fighters- a Valentine's Day raffle basket created by Nancy O’Neill.
We have two new members joining our committee this year, Kiki Spiro
and Julie Coari, and we are delighted to have them join the team. If
you would like to get involved, we can always use assistance for
events and other fundraising activities. Let me know if you would
be interested in helping!
Welcome to Newcomers Activities
Nancy O'Neill
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.
Help Wanted
Nancy O'Neill
Co-leads for Friendship Luncheons, Saturday Night Socials, & Single Dining Divas
Calling all new members! Newcomers strives to welcome and support all members by providing social
gatherings to meet and support each other. In order to make this happen, we need new leaders to coordinate
these activities. It is a great way to assimilate into the organization, and training and support are always
provided.
We encourage co-leadership because we understand our members have other commitments with family, travel,
personal time, etc. Partnership can share the load. Have you met someone in the club you’d like to get to
know better? Reach out and ask if they’ll partner with you. If you are interested, we have job descriptions
for your review that include the estimated time commitment.
A huge thanks to members who have been leading these activities for many years. Now it’s time for a
second string to help out and lead us into the future. If we do not have anyone to step up to help with
these activities, we will no longer be able to provide future new members a referral into these groups.
WE are successful because of YOU! Thanks for your consideration. If you are interested in helping out,
please contact Nancy.
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.
Monthly NWC board meetings are held on the first Thursday, at 10:00 am, at the Lake Oswego Adult
Community Center.
Board meetings are open to members. Simply notify the president in advance that you wish to attend.
New members
by Lynn Pappas
by Sue Moore
We welcome our new members:
June Lee from Portland
February birthdays
Click here for a list of birthdays
Sunshine cards
by Nancy Jacobson
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.
Photo Album
Ed Sawicki
Click or tap this photo collage to go to the NWC photo album.
The Heart2Heart crew organized clothing at the Ronald McDonald House on January 16.
Click or tap this photo to see all Heart2Heart photos.
Group leaders: Send your photos, with captions if possible, to Ed Sawicki. Please ensure that the people
in your photos are agreeable to having their photo in the Photo Album.
NWC Travelers
Ed Sawicki
NWC Travelers is a photo album for NWC members who have traveled
to interesting places. Click or tap this photo to visit the photo album.
National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kalaheo‑Lawai, Kauai
The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, Oregon is a close-to-home travel adventure for the family. Click or tap the video
for more Aquarium photos and videos.
School's open at the Oregon Coast Aquarium
If you have photos or short videos of your travels, send them and their captions to me.
On February 13th at noon we’re having a Valentine’s Day inspired offering of appetizers and desserts. This
is a no cost event. Each attendee will bring her homemade item with copies of the recipe to share and beverage
for herself.
We’re looking for members interested in teaching and/or hosting classes for the rest of the year.
Please contact Susan to join the February class or if you’d like to teach and/or host a future class.
Women's Discussion Group
Joan Seitz
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.
The group has co-leaders Sharon Samson and Joan Seitz. If you are interested in joining the group, please
contact Joan.
We invite you to connect with fellow members in a small group setting! Both prospective and current members are
warmly encouraged to join us for coffee and learn more about the Newcomers Welcome Club of Lake Oswego.
Join us on the fourth Friday of the month at 10:00 AM. The specific location will be announced closer to the date.
Be sure to mark your calendars for Friday, February 27th, 2026, for a wonderful morning of connection and community!
If you'd like to receive an invitation and details about the meeting location, please email Birgit Woodward by
Monday, February 23rd.
Saturday Night Social
Merryl Sawicki
The 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. The usual routine is to
bring an appetizer to share and your own beverage that is not shared.
This month's social is on February 21 at the home of Cindy Lindstrom. Please RSVP to Cindy at:
Newcomers Welcome Club Friendship Luncheons offer the opportunity for you to develop
new and lasting friendships in a quieter setting. There are eleven active groups with members
enjoying each other's company on a monthly basis.
Our format is for 4-8 ladies to meet, rotating homes. Each host prepares a casual meal or
selects a restaurant, with each member paying for her own meal. Groups set their own meeting
day, for example, second Tuesdays, so that members can keep those calendar dates clear.
Happily, there are many ways to socialize with Newcomers and these smaller gatherings are
perfect for getting to know each other better. Please contact me when you wish to be part of
the fun.
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 8 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.
The SDD group is currently searching for a new coordinator. If this position is of interest to you,
please contact Sharon Harvey.
February, another celebratory month with Valentines Day approaching. Many of us will be
dining out or "in" with a special meal and perhaps a glass of wine. What wine to choose that
will enhance the particular food we will be eating?? Do you care? Well if you do, or not, I
have some suggestions to increase your wine knowledge.
There are so many options to help to educate us about wine. I get most of my information
from the Internet and a few of my "go to" sites are the Wine Enthusiasts website. (of course)
The magazine was started in 1979 and my husband I subscribed to it for several year. We liked
the fact that it not only contained info the "best of" different varietal's but also: how
to taste, how to store, the best glasses to use and food pairings. Another favorite is the
"Vino Critic" which is a better site if you want specific food pairing options. I looked up
Italian food pairings for our Christmas Eve dinner that we hosted for our family and was blown
away by all the different options depending on what kind of Italian appetizers, entrees and
desserts we would be serving. Others are "Wine 101" and "wine for dummies" to just name a few.
If you want to be included in our Wine Enthusiasts group with NWC, let me know and I will add
you to my extensive list. If so, you will be "in the know" about what monthly tasting's are
coming up for our group.
Happy Valentines Day and Salud!!!
Joanne and Maria
SeniorNet
Ed Sawicki
SeniorNet helps keep you safe on the Internet and helps with your technological
challenges. Look for the recently-added article titled Youtube Fakes that warns you
about Youtube videos that have the voice and likeness of people you might trust, but the
video is a fake. It's not a real person in the video.
This month, there's a new article about ads on YouTube that trick you into thinking that your iPhone is low on storage.
An upcoming article on the various uses of QR codes, and how you can use them on
your phone or tablet.
Welcome to the new world of the Internet where trust is more difficult than ever.
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 list
upcoming WashCo Fun activities, an optional preference Questionnaire,
and a list of fellow WashCo members.
After a January hiatus, future activities include:
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 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. The group is
currently full.
Our next meeting is scheduled on February 9 at 1:30-3:00 pm. We will be discussing
Master Slave Husband Wife: A epic journey from slavery to freedom written by Ilyon Woo. If you
would like to learn more about our book club, please contact Anne to learn more about our
group.
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 first and third Wednesday of the month from 10:00 to noon.
Each week, members share a 5-7 minute piece followed by positive feedback from the
group.
February meetings are February 4 and 18. 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.
The Bunco group will meet at the home of Jeanie Baldwin on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at
12:00 noon. If you are unable to attend, please contact Jeanie with the name of your sub.
We will be playing this 5-deck Canasta game called "Hand Foot & Tush"
every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. This month's game is
on Wednesday, February 11 and February 25 at 11:00 am.
This is a fun game and easy to learn, even if you have never played Canasta before. This game
requires 4 to a table and the hostess will determine how many tables there are room for. The hostess
will provide their home and drinks.
Please email Judith Davies if you are interested in playing and would like to join our group.
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. Please contact
Cheryl or Susan if you have any questions or would like to be added to our group email list.
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:
February 10
February 24
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.
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 are looking forward
to the fall foliage and return of rain to the PNW.
Contact Gary Crumley for more information.
Frequent Walkers
by Sher Ireland
503-620-1500
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.
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.
