Bruce and Katie Eicher, owners of Wilsonville Diamond, met in the jewelry business in 1999 working for a large chain company.
When the local fine jeweler closed shop, it gave Bruce opportunity to open his Wilsonville location. Now Bruce and Katie are 17 years running
with loads of first hand experience and information to share.
Bruce’s areas of expertise include ring sizing, jewelry repair, appraisals, full custom design, bridal rings, fine diamond and gem fashions,
silver designers, estate jewelry consignment, gold buying, and all other aspects of the jewelry business.
He works closely with an independent gemologist, appraiser, two master gold smiths who repair and create along with Bruce.
He will speak about such interesting topics as estate inheritance, buying and co-signing along with restyling old pieces into new, more modern
pieces. He will explain the care and maintenance of your jewelry, especially diamonds. If time allows, Bruce may be able to examine some of your
jewelry!
The program includes the Installation of Officers and Directors.
Schedule
11:30
Social/Start Hour
12:00
Lunch
1:00
Program begins
2:00
Event Ends
Venue
Charthouse
5700 SW Terwilliger Blvd
Portland OR 97239
No self parking - complimentary valet, optional tipping
Crunchy Noodle Seared Ahi Salad ahi tuna seared, crunchy rice noodles, iceberg lettuce and cabbage slaw, avocado, kim chee dressing
Prime Rib French Dip Monterey Jack cheese, caramelized onions, horseradish cream, au jus
Desert is cheesecake. Includes coffee, tea, iced tea, and soda. Cash bar.
Cost
$32.00 each. Includes gratuity.
Registration (Step1)
You must register by Friday, June 5, 2026 at 12:00pm.
Payment (Step 2)
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.
As my first year serving as President draws to a close, I am struck by how quickly the time has passed. This experience has been both
rewarding and memorable, thanks in large part to the resolute and talented men and women who make up our board. Thanks also to the membership who
have consistently shown their support by attending luncheons and participating in our events.
Over the past year, we have introduced new activities, and fundraising efforts have been particularly successful. Notably, we raised $10,500
for Hunger Fighters, a testament to the generosity and commitment of our members. I would like to express my appreciation to the Philanthropy
Committee for their hard work and dedication. Their efforts, including assembling raffle baskets, have played a crucial role in making our
fundraising fun and effective. Committee members: Barb Brannon, Chair; Marie Abara, Connie Bettencourt, Diana Bower, Julie Coari, Wendy Dubois,
Sherry Kuntz, Karin Lukins, Nancy O’Neill, Pam Pall, Kiki Spiro, Belinda Trzyzewski, and Sarah York.
The votes are in, and I am pleased to announce our charity for 2026-2027 is Project 48 (reaches youth in foster care ages 7 to 23, refer to
Philanthropy Report.)
A heartfelt THANK YOU to those who are leaving the Board: Barbara Radovich, who has served as our Treasurer for six
years; Sandy Esterson, who has served in many positions, including President; Linn Vehling, PR, who immersed us into the
social media world; Cheryl Robins served as Eblast Coordinator and New Members; Merryl Sawicki, Reservations; Mary
Chancellor who helped reinstate Heart to Heart. Deb Bitney, Dave and Belinda Trzyzewski, Sue Moore, and Cynthia Rothstein,
who all jumped in their first year as members to serve the Club. All amazing people who have assisted in making our club
successful.
This will be our last newsletter until September. Please check with your Activity Leader to see if your group will continue during the summer.
There will be no luncheons in July or August. Note: July and August birthdays will be included in the online June newsletter. We will resume full
activities in September. Have a wonderful summer!
Warmly,
Darlene Conklé
NWC President
2026-2027 Board
by Darlene Conklé
Installation of officers and directors will be held at the June Luncheon.
ELECTED OFFICERS
President
Darlene Conklé
Vice president
Barbara Brannon
Treasurer
Linda Armstrong
Co-Treasurer
Marie Abara
Secretary
Sherry Kuntz
Co-Secretary
Julie Coari
NON-ELECTED OFFICERS
Activities
Lisa Grenier
Activities
Megan Koepsell
Directory
Linda Armstrong
Eblast Coordinator
Barbra Crumley
Eblast Coordinator
Nancy Kearsley
Heart to Heart
Nancy O'Neill
Heart to Heart
Pat Rooney
Mail Coordinator
Julie Coari
Mail Coordinator
Lisa Grenier
New Members
Birgit Woodward
New Members
Gerry Alt
New Members
Lisa Reiser
Newsletter
Ed Sawicki
Newsletter
Gayle Saxton
Philanthropy
Barb Brannon
Philanthropy
Marie Abara
Programs
Alicia Rossini
Programs
Karol Burke
Publicity
Beth Rice
Reservations
Nancy Jacobson
Reservations
Sharon Golub
Reservations
Sarah Martinez
Restaurants
Lynn Pappas
Restaurants
Ann Billig
Web Master
Gary Crumley
Reminders
by Darlene Conklé
Membership renewal is on July 1. Membership dues remain at $45.00.
Please check your online contact information to be sure it is correct. Any changes should be sent
to the webmaster, Gary Crumley, doctorcums.newcomers@gmail.com
If you no longer need a printed copy of the newsletter, please let Gary know.
When you dispose of your old directory, please be sure to shred it.
If you are interested in a new activity, contact the Actiivty Leader directly.
LO Festival of the Arts
by Darlene Conklé
The Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts, on June 26, 27, and 28, is seeking volunteers to be greeters at George Rogers Park. Come be our friendly
face of the festival! It’s fun and easy and a great way to enjoy art and our gorgeous June weather. Simply send a brief text or email to Sheri
Richards, the volunteer coordinator, with your preference of day/time and she will confirm it back to you.
The results are in! With 48% of 56 votes, Project 48 has been selected by our members as our
charity for 2026–2027.
Project 48 supports youth in foster care by providing essential items, life skills classes, and
meaningful connections during critical transition periods—whether they are moving between
foster homes or preparing for independent living. Our fundraising efforts will begin benefiting
Project 48 on July 1, 2026.
More information about volunteer opportunities will be shared in the September newsletter. We
also look forward to welcoming a Project 48 representative as a guest speaker at a monthly
luncheon this fall.
Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser a Great Success!
Our Cinco de Mayo fundraiser on Saturday was a tremendous success! We raised a total of
$3,900 for Hunger Fighters through ticket sales, a 50/50 game, and a generous donation from a
couple who were unable to attend.
This event would not have been possible without our incredible volunteer team—more than a
dozen individuals who contributed food, wine, margarita fixings, beer, décor, and supplies, and
who helped with setup, decorating, and cleanup. While many were Philanthropy Committee
members, we were grateful for additional volunteers who stepped in to help.
Abundant thanks go to Marie Abara, Connie Bettencourt, Julie Coari, Darlene Conklé, Wendy
Dubois, Brenda Gilman, Sherry Kuntz, Karin Lukins, Sarah Martinez, Pam and Dennis Pall,
Beth Rice, Cheryl Robins, Kiki Spiro, Belinda Trzyzewski, Lisa Tsukamoto-Barnes, and Sarah York.
We are an inclusive group of women and men who 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, The
Cooking Club, and a Women's Discussion Group.
Heart to Heart is an inclusive group of men and women who enjoy getting together once a month to be part of a project for a non-profit
organization in the Portland area. We like to pick an organization each month that needs group enthusiasm to tackle projects that their
limited staff doesn’t have time for. Our projects might include decorating or assembling, sorting, and organizing donations. If you are
interested in learning more about our group or would like to sign up to be a volunteer, contact either Mary Chancellor or Nancy O’Neill.
For May, a group of us organized a checkout system by age group for the children’s library at Family Promise in Tualatin. We will have
one more event in June for the club year. We will start up again in September.
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
fourth Monday from 11:00am to 1:30pm at 505 G Avenue, Lake Oswego.
Monthly NWC board meetings are held on the first Thursday, at 10:00am, at the Lake Oswego Adult
Community Center.
Board meetings are open to members. Simply notify the president in advance that you wish to attend.
Next board meeting will be August 6, 2026
New members
by Lynn Pappas and Sue Moore
We welcome our new members:
Virginia Rubin from San Carlos, CA
Diane Martin from Pasadena, CA
June, July, and August 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
The NWC photo album has photos of the May Luncheon and Cinco de Mayo Party.
Click or tap this photo collage to go to the NWC photo album.
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. This month, there are photos of Lahaina, Maui. Click or tap this photo to visit the photo album.
Lahaina burned banyan tree
If you have photos or short videos of your travels, send them and their captions to me.
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 10:00am. The specific location will be announced closer to the date.
Be sure to mark your calendars for June 26, 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, June 22.
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.
The June 20 Saturday Social is at the home of Pamela and Dennis Pall, a home with a spectacular view.
Check out the photos from the Social at their house last year.
Newcomers Welcome Club Friendship Luncheons offer you the opportunity to develop
new and lasting friendships in a quieter setting. There are eleven active groups, with members
enjoying each other's company each month.
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.
I love this quote by Benjamin Franklin, "Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried with fewer tensions and more
tolerance". So, if you wish to join us Wine Enthusiasts each month to explore the award-winning wine country of Oregon, please
contact me to get on my list of over 100 members.
Our next tasting will be on Saturday, June 6th. I will send an email with all the details for you to
consider; RSVP to me if it sounds doable for you.
Responding ASAP is important as space for our events is
always limited. Marla and I try to find places that can
accommodate around 30 people, which is a challenge.
Cheers, Joanne and Marla
SeniorNet
Ed Sawicki
SeniorNet helps keep you safe on the Internet and helps with your technological
challenges. Welcome to the new world of the Internet, where trust is more difficult than ever.
This month, there's an article on the various uses of QR codes and how you can use them on
your phone or tablet.
The last event for the 2025-2026 Club year was May 19. As the Leader is not renewing her membership in Lake Oswego Newcomers, no further
events are planned. Members of WashCo Fun have the option to lead and continue activities for the 2026-2027 Club Year.
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 relevant to everyday life: education, technology, history, current events,
ethics, and 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.
The Cooking Club has replaced the Ladies Cooking Classes with new cooking classes for men and women.
If you’re interested in teaching a class or hosting a homemade lunch or dinner please contact Susan.
We are planning a pizza class in July, a BBQ class in September, and a cookie exchange in December. Details to follow in future newsletters.
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. We meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 1:00 to 3:00.
We are currently full.
In Bagels and Books, we read novels and historical fiction and gather to nosh and discuss the book. Meetings are usually held the third Friday
of each month from 11:00-1:00. Members take turns hosting, selecting books, and leading the discussion.
At our next meeting on June 8, we will discuss the book entitled When Women Ruled the World written by Egyptologist Kara Cooney. Our monthly
meetings are on the second Monday of each month from 1:30 - 3:00 pm. A member of the group hosts the meeting. Please contact Anne
if you would like more information about our group.
Book It Forward meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 10:00am. We collect both new and used adult and children’s books to
donate during the holidays. Our fun and lively book discussions include all genres, suggested by each month's member host. For
more information on how to join, please contact Darlene Conklé.
The Bunco group will meet at the home of Lynne Saphir on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at
12:00 noon. If you are unable to attend, please contact Lynn 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, June 10 and June 24 at 11:00am.
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.
If you are a new player she will send you the rules and guidelines.
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 1:00pm 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:
June 2
June 16
June 30
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.
Spring begins the annual May-October Bocce season. Individuals and couples are cordially invited to register for a couple of hours of
Bocce ball play in Foothills Park on Friday afternoons, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
NO previous experience is necessary. Contact me to receive the weekly invitation to play.
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 9:00am 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.
Our golf season began in May and we plan to go through September or October (weather permitting). For those of you who are new
to Newcomers, we are a group of mostly women who meet weekly at various golf courses in the area to play 9 holes and meet
afterwards for coffee or lunch occasionally.
Skill levels range from beginners to "very good" and everything in between! Our main goal is to get to know each other and to
enjoy the beautiful PNW weather.
We play Friday mornings at various courses. If you would like to be on the email list for more information, please contact Sarah
York or Lisa Reiser.
