More than just a motto, this phrase for years has been the guiding light of the Lake
Oswego Newcomers Welcome Club. What better way to get to know the people in your
new home than to team up with them in support of our community?
Heart to Heart Launches Their First Volunteer Events
The volunteer group enjoyed fulfilling two events for Family Promise in November. The first event
involved putting together art & craft kits for all age groups so that the resident children will have
fun things to do during their school vacations this holiday season. The second event was just as
enjoyable decorating their dining room for Thanksgiving dinner for the staff who work for Family
Promise.
On December 12th, we supported the Elks Club in Tualatin organizing toy and food distribution
to families for the Christmas holiday.
If you are interested in joining the group for future volunteer events, please contact us.
Merryl and Ed at Hunger Fighters
NWC Service List
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 January 15.
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 at smartnezzz@yahoo.com.
The December luncheon was a delightful way to mark the beginning of
the holiday season. Members enjoyed browsing and discovering unique
gifts offered by our dedicated vendors, making the event so festive. A
number of these vendors generously donated 100% of their sales proceeds
to Hunger Fighters, demonstrating the spirit of giving.
Following a lovely meal, attendees were treated to a special “Sweet
Ending”—a wonderful selection of cookies baked by Barbara Brannon, Mary
Chancellor, Darlene Conklé, Sherry Kuntz, and Beth Rice. A heartfelt
thank you goes out to these members.
We especially enjoyed the Lakeridge High School Carolers' performance
of holiday songs and dance.
I would like to extend special recognition to Belinda and Dave
Trzyzewski for their outstanding dedication and effort in organizing our
luncheons. Their hard work contributed to the success and enjoyment of
our gatherings. As new members, they stepped right into something
they’ve never done before. Thank you sincerely.
This fundraiser was a remarkable success in supporting Hunger
Fighters. For more detailed information, please refer to the
Philanthropy Report prepared by Barb Brannon.
Please note there will not be a luncheon scheduled for January. We
encourage you to set a date to have coffee with a new friend you’ve made
through Newcomers.
Our next luncheon will take place in February. We look forward to
welcoming everyone back for another enjoyable gathering and program.
We now have two hundred members in the club and yes, this requires a
lot of organization. To familiarize yourself with the leadership team
that helps make everything run seamlessly, please refer to your new
Directory starting on page 6. There, you will find the names and titles
of each of our directors, giving you the opportunity to know who to
contact for any questions or suggestions you may have.
Recently, I heard a saying that truly resonated with me: “Find your
gift and share it.” This sentiment has become increasingly evident
within our Club, as members generously share their unique talents and
skills. Whether it’s cooking, organizing, decorating, accounting, or
computer expertise, Maj Jongg, Bunco, and Canasta, everyone contributes
in meaningful ways.
It has been wonderful to witness everyone coming together, using
their strengths to help our Club run smoothly and successfully. The
spirit of giving enriches our community and highlights the value of
working together toward common goals. I look forward to seeing what our
new members can share. We need you too!
The Holiday Boutique and Bake Sale at December’s Luncheon was a great success!
Shoppers were enthusiastic and sales were brisk. We raised $3668.00 for Hunger
Fighters - I believe that is a new record for the event.
Our Boutique area in the newly-remodeled Hilton Garden Inn was much larger than
before with plenty of room for all our vendors, Bake-Sale Tables and displays for our
silent auction. This year three vendors donated 100 percent of their sales: Jani
Lockwood and club members Christine Chapman and Mary Hurst. Other vendors also
contributed generously from their proceeds: Barbra Crumley, John Vaeth (Claire’s
husband), June Dung-Lee, Susan Slovacek, Robin Henry and Paola Corredor. Thank
you all for your generosity and giving us wonderful holiday shopping opportunities!
Our Bake-Sale tables were overflowing with abundant treats - sweet and savory baked
goods, candy, cookies and also treats for canines! Huge thanks to our very talented
bakers: Connie Bettencourt, Diana Bower, Brenda Henderson, Sherry Kuntz, Pam Pall,
Kathy Papachristopoulos, Jan Schmidt, Jami White, Barb Brannon and “The Cookie
Crew” ( Lisa Tsukomoto-Barnes, Darlene Conkle, Sarah Martinez, Beth Rice, Cheryl
Robins, and Leiko Washington).
Thank you also to all who donated items for silent auction: The Cookie Crew, Nicoletta’s
Table, The Lakewood theater, Andy Papachristopoulos, “Tea, Cookies and a Good
Book” book club and Barb Brannon. Our Silent Auction Winners were: Heather Wiswall,
Elisa Chacin and Claire Vaeth.
As we look ahead in 2026, I know we will have many events and activities that will be
fun and also benefit our designated charity. Our efforts on behalf of Hunger Fighters
Oregon continue through June 30, 2026, at which time we will begin fundraising for a
charity selected for 2026-2027.
The process for selecting our next charity will begin this month and we welcome
suggestions from our club members. To be considered, charities should have a
significant local presence and impact in the community with opportunities for our
members to volunteer if they wish. We prefer charities that can really benefit from our
support and do not already enjoy large grants, corporate sponsorship, or are part of a
national organization. Please send your recommendations to me and we will research
them along with charities suggested by Philanthropy Committee members and the
Board of Directors. Our process involves looking at a charity’s impact on the
community, their financial structure including overhead versus support to those they
serve, their goals and future plans. We reach out to the charities’ leadership for this
information so the selection process takes time. We will have a slate of three or four
charities to put forth to Newcomers’ members for their vote in April 2026, and the charity
selected will be announced in the Newsletter.
Welcome to Newcomers Activities
by Barbra Crumley (barbracrumley@gmail.com, 925-785-1142) and
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.
Do you enjoy Friendship Luncheons?
by Nancy O'Neill
In order to continue to make them happen, we are in need of two new leaders to head up
this activity and facilitate new groups. It does not require a lot of time. We encourage
co-chairing so that it allows for backup and sharing of time. Carol Jo and Lissa have done a
great job the last three years and are ready to pass the baton. If you would like more
information or are willing to help out, please contact Nancy O’Neill.
Thank you,
Nancy
Help Wanted: 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 O'Neill
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
Monthly NWC board meetings are normally on the first Thursday, at 10am, located at the Lake Oswego Adult
Community Center. However, the January Board meeting is on January 8 for this month only.
Board meetings are open to members. Simply notify the president
(darlenec.nwc@gmail.com) in
advance that you wish to attend.
Our members
New members
We welcome our new members:
Lisa Vogel from Houston, TX
January 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.
Photos &Travel
Photo Album
by Ed Sawicki
Click or tap this photo to see the Book Nook Holiday brunch photos:
Click or tap this photo to see the photos from the December Luncheon:
Click or tap this photo to see the photos from the November Heart 2 Heart events:
The ladies of the Book It Forward book group sent in this photo:
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
by Ed Sawicki
NWC Travelers is a photo album for NWC members who have traveled
to interesting places. This month, Ed and Merryl Sawicki share some of
their photos and videos of their trip to Madeira and the Canary Islands.
Click or tap the photo to see more of their photos.
Funchal, Madeira at night
If you have photos or short videos of your travels, send them and their captions to me.
There is no class for January. If you’re interested in teaching a future class, please contact Susan.
Women's Discussion Group
by Sharon Samson
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 are interested in joining the group, please contact Sharon.
Start out your new Year and 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 meet on the fourth Friday of the month at 10:00 am, at a location to be determined closer to the
date. Please mark your calendars for Friday, January 23.
Please email Birgit Woodward by Monday, January 19, if you wish to receive an invitation and location
where we will be meeting.
Saturday Night Social
by 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.
However, we are changing our Saturday Social format for the month of January 2026 and starting the
New Year off with a twist. The Social will be on:
Saturday, January 17th from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Location: Baird's on B downtown, 485 2nd St, Lake Oswego
They have offered to reserve a portion of the dining area for us to partake in their Happy Hour. The
venue is casual, warm and cozy with great food and beverages at Happy Hour prices.
The limit: 25 persons
Please RSVP at your earliest convenience to Birgit and Scott Woodward: 626-590-1465 or
Birgitwoodward@gmail.com
Hosts Wanted: If you'd like to host a social at your house in 2026, there are openings for
May, October, and November. Please contact Merryl.
Welcome in the year 2026 with a new circle of friends. Join Friendship Luncheons.
Newcomers Welcome Club Friendship Luncheons offer the opportunity for you to develop new and lasting
friendships in a quieter setting. We are getting ready to launch our 11th active group.
Our format is for 4-8 ladies to meet monthly, 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 on an ongoing basis. 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.
Tis the season of celebrations which brings many of us to raising a glass of wine or a pint of
beer with family and friends. Inquiring minds want to know, which is healthier??
In general it has been shown that in moderation a glass of alcohol---be it beer, wine or a
shot of tequila--- that all of these help guard against heart disease, improve cholesterol
levels,even boost cognitive function. (moderation is the key word in all of this) However, if you
want some additional benefits you might be surprised to learn that beer comes out ahead of wine
and spirits. We have all heard that red wine contains the antioxidant resveratrol and
polyphenol, but you need to drink much more that a couple glasses a day to get the benefits.
According to a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, beer contains more B
vitamins, including folate, and niacin plus silicon which promotes better bone health. Beer in
moderation also seems to lower the risk of kidney stones in men, and it even contains a bit of
fiber. Keep in mind, beer does have more calories and carbs. With all that said, please drink
thoughtfully and practice a healthy lifestyle.
“Cheers, Salud, Prost, Salute, L'Chaim”
Joanne
SeniorNet
by 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.
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, WashCo Fun will resume with a visit to the
Pinball Museum and lunch, in February.
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.
We are beginning 2026 with a new meeting time for our book club. Starting January 12, we
will be meeting every SECOND Monday of the month from 1:30-3:00 pm. Our January meeting will be
devoted to selecting our reading books for the upcoming year and determining this year’s hosting
schedule. If you are interested in joining our book club, please contact Anne at
Dantzighome2@yahoo.com 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.
January meetings are January 7 and 21. 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 Pat Filip on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 12:00 noon. If
you are unable to attend, please contact Pat by email at pat.filip@yahoo.com or by phone at 503-656-9529 with the name of
your sub.
We will be playing this 5-deck Canasta game called "Hand Foot & Tush"
on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 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:
January 13 January 27
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.
We had a great discussion on Tuesday the 9th of December regarding ‘Free
Speech vs. Social Harm’. The conversation was varied and covered a lot of
ground. There were 15 people attending. And to celebrate the festive
season, we had a potluck, and everyone brought some great goodies.
Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
Prior to the discussion, we had some logistical issues to cover.
First, it seemed unanimous that everyone wanted the discussion to move
from quarterly to bi-monthly.
We also voted on our next topic, and the overwhelming choice was:
Nuclear Power vs. Climate trade-offs. More on that later.
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.
Walking & Sports
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.
January Calendar
Newcomer's events are also available in an alphabetized list format via:
Social & Classes
Ladies Cooking Class
by Susan Slovacek and Mary Costa maryctoo@comcast.net
There is no class for January. If you’re interested in teaching a future class, please contact Susan.
Women's Discussion Group
by Sharon Samson
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 are interested in joining the group, please contact Sharon.
Coffee & Conversation
by Birgit Woodward
birgitwoodward@gmail.com
Phone: 626-590-1465
Start out your new Year and 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 meet on the fourth Friday of the month at 10:00 am, at a location to be determined closer to the date. Please mark your calendars for Friday, January 23.
Please email Birgit Woodward by Monday, January 19, if you wish to receive an invitation and location where we will be meeting.
Saturday Night Social
by 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.
However, we are changing our Saturday Social format for the month of January 2026 and starting the New Year off with a twist. The Social will be on:
Saturday, January 17th from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Location: Baird's on B downtown, 485 2nd St, Lake Oswego
They have offered to reserve a portion of the dining area for us to partake in their Happy Hour. The venue is casual, warm and cozy with great food and beverages at Happy Hour prices.
The limit: 25 persons
Please RSVP at your earliest convenience to Birgit and Scott Woodward: 626-590-1465 or Birgitwoodward@gmail.com
Hosts Wanted: If you'd like to host a social at your house in 2026, there are openings for May, October, and November. Please contact Merryl.
Friendship Luncheons
by Carol Jo Bays
cjbays503@gmail.com 503-941-8646
Welcome in the year 2026 with a new circle of friends. Join Friendship Luncheons.
Newcomers Welcome Club Friendship Luncheons offer the opportunity for you to develop new and lasting friendships in a quieter setting. We are getting ready to launch our 11th active group.
Our format is for 4-8 ladies to meet monthly, 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 on an ongoing basis. Please contact me when you wish to be part of the fun.
Single Dining Divas
by Sharon Harvey
smharvey50@gmail.com
408-609-3430
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.
Wine Enthusiasts
by Joanne Nowak
nowakjzn@aol.com
503-655-4163
Tis the season of celebrations which brings many of us to raising a glass of wine or a pint of beer with family and friends. Inquiring minds want to know, which is healthier??
In general it has been shown that in moderation a glass of alcohol---be it beer, wine or a shot of tequila--- that all of these help guard against heart disease, improve cholesterol levels,even boost cognitive function. (moderation is the key word in all of this) However, if you want some additional benefits you might be surprised to learn that beer comes out ahead of wine and spirits. We have all heard that red wine contains the antioxidant resveratrol and polyphenol, but you need to drink much more that a couple glasses a day to get the benefits. According to a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, beer contains more B vitamins, including folate, and niacin plus silicon which promotes better bone health. Beer in moderation also seems to lower the risk of kidney stones in men, and it even contains a bit of fiber. Keep in mind, beer does have more calories and carbs. With all that said, please drink thoughtfully and practice a healthy lifestyle.
“Cheers, Salud, Prost, Salute, L'Chaim”
Joanne
SeniorNet
by 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.
Welcome to the new world of the Internet where trust is more difficult than ever.
Visit the SeniorNet page for details.
WashCo Fun
Washington County Fun in Beaverton and Hillsboro
by Joyce Porter
portjoy24@gmail.com
860-209-2060
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, WashCo Fun will resume with a visit to the Pinball Museum and lunch, in February.