The May 14 luncheon will feature Joyce Brizendine, a renowned handwriting expert,
who will offer fascinating insights into the personalities and behaviors of several First
Ladies. Drawing on graphoanalysis—which examines the size, slant, and spacing of
handwriting—she reveals how subtle differences in script can reflect unique traits and
tendencies. This intriguing topic invites us to consider new perspectives and think
beyond conventional boundaries, promising an engaging and thought-provoking
presentation.
Schedule
11:30
Social
12:00
Lunch is served
1:00
Program begins
2:00
Event Ends
Venue
Margarita Factory
10350 SW Greenburg Road
Tigard, Oregon
Menu Choices
Chicken Fajitas delivered on a sizzling skillet with onions and bell peppers. Topped with queso fresco, green and red pickled onions. Served with rice and beans, and your choice of warm or flour tortillas. Garnished with red peppers, cabbage, guacamole, and sour cream.
Taco Salad with ground beef, then filled with spanish rice, refried beans, lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes. Served with guacamole and sour cream.
Baja Grilled Fish Street Tacos topped with cabbage, avocado, cucumber, pineapple pico de gallo and zesty cilantro mayo. Served with flour tortillas with fresh limes and habanero salsa.
Shrimp Fajitas delivered on a sizzling skillet with onions and bell peppers. Topped with queso fresco, green and red pickled onions. Served with rice and beans, and your choice of warm or flour tortillas. Garnished with red peppers, cabbage, guacamole, and sour cream.
Coffee, decaf coffee, iced tea, and soda is included.
Cost
$32.00 each. Includes gratuity.
Registration
You must register by Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 5:00pm.
Payment
You may pay with a credit or debit card 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.
Wow! That is all I can say! We had a record number of seventy members attending the April Luncheon and Fashion Show at
the Willamette Valley Country Club. It was a beautiful day with perfect weather. You could feel the excitement of members eager to
catch up with each other. The fashion show was so much fun for models and spectators. Judy VanDeGraff and her assistant,
Ann, from Pig’ments Boutique put on an entertaining show with the latest fashions.
We may have also broken a record by collecting over $600 in raffle money. Thank you to everyone for supporting Hunger
Fighters, our chosen charity this year. Special thanks to the Wine Enthusiasts for donating the basket, which was
thoughtfully arranged by Mary Costa and Sandy Shaner.
Of course, luncheons don’t just happen. It involves many hands to coordinate an event. Thanks to David and Belinda
Trzyzewski, Alicia Rossini, Sandy Esterson, Nancy Jacobson, Merryl Sawicki, Sarah Martinez, and Barbara Radovich for their
hard work. It also involves the full board, each taking a piece to bring us all together.
Working with the current Board has been truly a positive experience, as their dedication and teamwork is much
appreciated. Each member brings unique strengths, and together their efforts ensure that everything runs smoothly and
efficiently. The sense of camaraderie and mutual support within the Board is something I value deeply, and I am grateful
for the opportunity to work alongside such devoted individuals.
Coming up this month we will be voting for the 2026/2027 Board. We deeply appreciate our seasoned members who continue
to offer their experience, and we look forward to welcoming new members willing to join in with their innovative ideas.
With the election of officers and directors, we will also hold a vote to choose the charity our organization will
sponsor in the coming year. Your participation in these decisions is essential, so please remember to cast your vote.
Happy Spring!
2026-2027 NWC Nominating Committee - Update
The Nominating Committee has compiled the slate of nominee/volunteers for the Elected and Non-elected Board positions. The
non-elected Directors appointees have been approved by the Board at the April Board meeting. The elected officers will be voted
on by the general membership in May via an Eblast ballot.
We are pleased to share an announcement from the Lakewood Center for the Arts regarding the upcoming Festival of the Arts, scheduled for
June. This event offers a wonderful opportunity for community involvement. Many of our members have generously volunteered in previous
years, and we encourage everyone to contribute their time and support once again, if possible.
The highly anticipated Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts on June 26, 27, and 28 is excited to announce this year’s featured exhibit
title: "Wild and Luscious." It is presented by the Oregon Botanical Artists and Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists and will be a vibrant
celebration of art, earth, and the flavors that sustain us. It will explore the fascinating world of "Wild Ancestors" through
high-detail botanical paintings of heirloom plants and wild foods.
The festival is seeking volunteers to come be a part of the fun! Shifts are 2-3 hours and are a great way to meet new friends and
engage in the community. There are positions at George Rogers Park and at the Lakewood Center throughout the Friday, Saturday and Sunday
of the festival.
Greeters - Park & Lakewood
Beer & Wine Tent - Park
Booth Sitting - Park
Open Show Express Tent - Lakewood
Docents - Lakewood
Simply email, text or call Sheri Richards, the festival volunteer coordinator at sheri.richards@gmail.com,
or 503-970-5858 to indicate you are interested. She will email you back with all of the positions, days, and time slots that are available and you decide what works
best for you.
It is time to choose the charity Newcomers Club will sponsor for 2026-2027. The Board
has approved three candidates: Good Neighbor Center, Neighborhood House and
Project 48. Here is a brief description of each:
Good Neighbor Center: Mission is to help families experiencing housing insecurity by
providing shelter, resources, and support for lasting stability. They operate a 54-bed
emergency homeless shelter for families with children, where there is access to a case
manager who assists with permanent housing, securing employment and accessing
community resources. Website: gncnw.org
Neighborhood House: Mission is to connect neighbors, build community and improve
lives. Services include a free food market and food distribution, early education via
Head Start, school-based after school child care, housing assistance for low income
and houseless clients, small business support through free training/resources and a
senior center. Website: nhpdx.com
Project 48: Mission is to support youth in foster care by providing essential items, life
skills classes and meaningful connections during times they are transitioning between
foster families or leaving care for independent living. Website: p48nw.org
An e-blast with a ballot featuring these charities will be sent to all club members on Mon,
April 20 and voting will end Sun, May 4. The results will be announced at the May
luncheon. The charity that receives the most votes will receive donations from our
fundraising for a one-year term, beginning July 1.
Our Cinco de Mayo Party, a fundraiser for Hunger Fighters, is on Sat, May 2, from
4:30pm-7:30pm at Windward Apartments Club Room, 130 A Ave in Lake Oswego.
Tickets are $65 per person and the last day to sign up is Monday April 27. Eat, drink
and be merry while supporting a very good cause! You are welcome to bring a guest to
this event.
If you have previously contacted me to express interest in attending, please still register
now so we can accurately track all the attendees.
Just like our monthly lunches, there are two steps to join this event. Register first then
pay.
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 staffs don’t have time for. Our projects might include decorating or assembling,
sorting and organizing donations. If you are interested in finding out more about our group or would like to sign up to be
a volunteer contact either Mary Chancellor or Nancy O’Neill.
In April we had the opportunity to volunteer for two organizations. On April
16, we volunteered at Ronald McDonald House and prepared and
packaged breakfast burritos to put in their grab & go refrigerator for the
guests that are staying there. On April 23rd we volunteered at Family
Promise where we planted flowers in the planters around the facility as a
way to brighten up the environment.
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.
New members
by Lynn Pappas and Sue Moore
We welcome our new members:
Matt Stiefel and Jean Henderson moved from San Rafael, California
Elizabeth "Liz" Sinclair and Tom Monroe moved from Portland
Gayle and Richard Israel moved from Camas, Washington
Beth and Terry Rice moved from San Jose, CA
Luisa Tassan and Richard DeWaele moved from Wilmington, NC
May 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.
NWC History
Ed Sawicki
Thanks to Darlene Conklé and Cynthia Rothstein for helping me collect and organize 103 past newsletters, dating back to November 2014.
For now, you can access them by going to the NWC landing page (Lonwc.com) and tapping the All button under Newsletters.
Since these newsletters contain the personal information of members, past and present, they are password-protected.
The username and password is the same as those sent to you every month when the newsletter is announced.
I found this club history interesting reading. Some of the things tried and done in past years might be useful if resurrected.
Photo Album
Ed Sawicki
The NWC photo album has photos of the April Luncheon and Fashion Show at the Willamette Valley Country Club in Canby.
Click or tap this photo collage to go to the NWC photo album.
NWC Travelers
Ed Sawicki
NWC Travelers is a photo album for NWC members who have traveled to interesting places.
Recently, Edisa and Sarah traveled to Abu Simbel, Egypt and Nancy Sebel traveled to the Giza Plateau.
Lynn Pappas visited The Mission Inn in Riverside California, which is part hotel and part museum.
Click or tap this photo to visit the photo album.
Great Pyramid of Giza on the Giza plateau, Egypt
If you have photos or short videos of your travels, send them and their captions to me.
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.
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 Friday, May 22, 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, May 18.
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 May 16 at the home of Sherry Kuntz. Please RSVP to Sherry at:
The Cooking Club has replaced the Ladies Cooking Classes with new activities and we’re building a list of members who want to
participate so we can quickly communicate with you about events.
The redesigned Cooking Club is open to both men and women. We’ll offer lunches and dinners in which a member prepares and
shares the recipes; participants pay for the food and bring their own beverage. We’ll also offer afternoon appetizer and dessert
tastings in which participants bring homemade or store-bought food to share and their own beverage.
In addition, we look forward to having classes in which participants are taught how to make a dish and take their creation
home to enjoy.
We are looking for hosts for July and August. If you’re interested in being added to our list, attending the May dinner, or
hosting a future event, please contact Susan.
The Single Dining Divas is a group that get together bimonthly for a meal together. There are two events each
month, the second Tuesday and the fourth Saturday. The designated host Diva can choose from either Brunch, Lunch or
Dinner. Divas can opt to host in their homes or at a restaurant. For home events, the host sets the menu and provides
the entree; guests bring the side dishes, desserts and beverages designated by the host. For restaurant events, the
host makes the reservation for the group and each guest pays for their own meal. It is up to the host on the number of
people attending.
If you are a single Diva and interested in joining our fun group, please click on the link below, follow the options
and complete the requested information. The Single Dining Divas Coordinator will then contact you to confirm your
participation and add you to the distribution list. If you are a current Diva member and wish to sign-up for an event,
please click on the link below and follow the options. Dates will be removed from the sign-up list below as they are
taken.
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.
There is a place in the charming little town of Carlton that is a launch pad for new winemakers that allows them to gain
knowledge, collaborate with others on the staff about wine making, share the use of top of the line equipment to experiment
and hopefully craft a premium wine. It was an idea that came to fruition in 2002 when several people came up with the idea
and the Carlton Winemakers Studio was created and became the one only in the country that offered such a novel idea. Since
that time it has helped so so many wineries in Oregon grow to become award winning wineries especially in the Willamette
Valley.
We are planning a tasting there in May so stay tuned for an email from me in late April that will include all the details
and the official invite for you to RSVP.
Cheers
Joanne and Maria
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 how to send emails to a group in a secure way.
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.
In April, WashCo Fun enjoyed a Thai Brunch and Sound Bath in Beaverton.
In May, WashCo Fun will enjoy a BYO Lunch and Table Talk in Beaverton.
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 on the fourth Tuesday of each month.
The next meeting is on May 26 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.
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 on the third Friday of each month from
11:00-1:00pm. Members take turns hosting, selecting books, and leading the discussion. The group is
currently full.
At our May meeting on May 11, we will discuss The Broken Girls by Simone St. James. Our book club meetings are on the
second Monday of each month from 1:30-3:00 pm. If you would like more information about
our book club, please contact Anne at Dantzighone2@yahoo.com.
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.
In May, we will be meeting on May 18 (due to the holiday).
I'm new at leading a Book Club so hope to do better.
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.
The Memoir group has taken a hiatus until September when we plan to resume meeting online. If you are interested in
joining the group or would like more information, please contact Linda or Carol Jo.
The Bunco group will meet at the home of Patti Hale on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at
12:00 noon. If you are unable to attend, please contact Patti 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 May 13 and May 27 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 and would like to join our group.
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:
May 5
May 19
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 ‘Men's 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 9:00am 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 will begin in May and go through September or October (weather permitting) For those of you who are new to
Newcomer's, 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.
