We love experiencing all four seasons, and fall is especially beautiful. Growing up in San Francisco, I did not experience the
changing seasons the way I do now, so I especially enjoy watching the colors change each autumn, and winters are not as extreme as when I
lived in Boston.
Thanksgiving has always been a special time for our family. Our daughters and their families look forward to being together, and
cooking, playing games, and sharing traditions make the holiday meaningful.
Since we do not have extended family nearby, our celebrations have usually been limited to our immediate family, which now includes
our grandchildren. To make the holiday even more memorable, we have sometimes rented a cabin on Mount Hood and brought the turkey, all
the fixings, and even the dogs along with us. When it snowed, we could spend the next day sledding down the mountain. Sunriver was
another favorite destination for Thanksgiving gatherings.
One of the greatest joys now is watching our grandchildren grow older and become part of the Thanksgiving preparations. I especially
love seeing my grandsons eager to learn how to make their grandfather's special stuffing. It is wonderful to watch family traditions
being passed down to the next generation.
Wishing you all a very happy Thanksgiving, wherever you may be celebrating.
Next month brings another special opportunity for us to come together and celebrate the holiday season. The NWC Board and Philanthropy
Committee, along with fellow members, are planning a festive Holiday Luncheon featuring our annual Holiday Boutique.
Enjoy a delicious lunch on December 10th at the Hilton Garden Inn while browsing a variety of unique gifts and holiday treasures
available for purchase. The event will also feature a special performance by West Linn High School’s Fresh Pitch A Cappella Choir, whose
talented voices are sure to get us into the holiday spirit.
Mark your calendar for December 10th and join us for an afternoon of fellowship, shopping, entertainment, and holiday
cheer. We look forward to celebrating the season with you!
Our annual Holiday Boutique and Bake Sale will take place at the December 10th Luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn, Clackamas.
The Boutique & Bake Sale is one of our main fundraisers for the year, and all proceeds go to Project 48.
For the Boutique, we are looking for club members and outside vendors to sell their creations at the event. If you or someone you
know makes craft items, jewelry, sculpture, pottery, fabric goods, etc., and would like to take part, please let us know as soon as
possible to reserve space. We invite those who sell art and handicrafts at the Boutique to donate a portion of their sales.
We also need cakes, cookies, breads, pies, candies, and other delicious treats for our Bake Sale. While several bakers and candy
makers have already committed to bringing goodies to the Bake Sale, we still have room for more! One hundred percent (100%) of Bake Sale
proceeds are donated to Project 48.
We have limited space, so call, text, or email me to contribute to either the Boutique or Bake Sale.
What do you get when you combine a gorgeous summer evening,
stunning lake views, great food, Mai Tais, and a group of people
ready to have fun? One unforgettable Luau Fundraiser!
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect—not too hot, not
too cold…just right! Sixty-two guests gathered at the beautiful
home of Pam and Dennis Pall, where their two back decks
provided a spectacular view of Oswego Lake.
Our island-themed evening featured a delicious three-course
buffet, plenty of laughter, and, of course, Mai Tais flowing freely!
Adding even more aloha spirit to the evening was a wonderful
local hula group, invited by Philanthropy Committee member
Belinda Trzyzewski. Their performance was so infectious that
several guests couldn’t resist getting up and joining in. Who knew
we had so many budding hula stars among us?
Fun, Friends & Fundraising
The evening wasn’t just a party—it was a very successful
fundraiser for Project 48. In fact, it was our largest and most
successful evening fundraiser in many years, raising an
impressive $4,330 in net proceeds!
That total included $600 raised through our 50/50 “Heads or Tails”
game. Congratulations to our lucky winner, Patti Hale, who won
$300—and then made the evening even more special by
generously donating her entire winnings back to Project 48. Now
that’s a winning spirit!
Tap this photo to see all Luau photos
A Big Mahalo to Our Amazing Team
A successful event like this doesn’t happen without a lot of
creativity, energy, and behind-the-scenes work. We are incredibly
fortunate to have such a talented and dedicated Philanthropy
Committee.
This year, six of our committee members are also serving on the
Board: Marie Abara, Darlene Conklé, Julie Coari, Belinda
Trzyzewski, Sherry Kuntz, and me. Rounding out our fabulous
team are Pam Pall, Claire Vaeth, and Sarah York.
As the saying goes, busy people make time for what is important
to them—and giving back and serving others is clearly important
to this group.
We also owe a special thank-you to Lisa Barnes, who
transformed the party space with her beautiful decorations and
treated us to a delicious Margarita Mocktail, and to Cheryl
Robins, who kept everything running smoothly at check-in.
Mahalo, Everyone!
From the gorgeous setting and island-inspired food to the hula
dancing, laughter, and generosity, the Luau was truly a night to
remember.
Mahalo to our wonderful guests, our generous donors, our terrific
volunteers, and especially our fabulous Philanthropy team! Your
enthusiasm and generosity made this evening a tremendous
success—and helped make an important difference for Project
48.
Heart to Heart is an inclusive group of men and women who meet monthly to support a non-profit organization in
the Portland area. We choose organizations that need group enthusiasm to tackle projects their staff can’t handle due to
workload or time constraints. Our projects include decorating, assembling, sorting, or organizing donations.
We have been busy decorating for Fall and Halloween at Ronald McDonald House and Family Promise.
Tap the photo to see all Heart2Heart photos
Interested in volunteering? Contact Pat or Nancy for more information or to sign up.
On November 7th, several Newcomers will participate in Home Is Where the Art Is, a fundraiser for the Family Promise homeless
shelter in Tigard. This show/sale will feature 20 artisans, dozens of food artisans, and 6 sets of music, including Tom May, a
well-known folk singer who has played with Gordon Lightfoot.
The event will take place November 7 from 9:30-2:30 at Lake Grove Presbyterian Church, 4040 Sunset Dr., Lake Oswego. Pick up some
gifts and goodies at great prices!
Newcomers is comprised of dynamic groups of men and women who have formed a vibrant
community for socializing and philanthropy. We welcome new and existing members to
participate in the many activities. We strive to have a variety of groups so that everyone can find
an activity that suits their interest and availability. There are some new groups being added to the
organization so we encourage you to review their details and consider adding your name to their
participation list!
We are always interested in expanding the offering of activities, so let us know if you have an
idea for a new group. We will get an understanding of your vision for the group and identifying
the co-leaders and then coordinate getting the information announced to the organization in an
upcoming newsletter.
We are available for questions about all the various activities, so please don’t hesitate to reach
out to us!
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. The next board meeting is November 5, 2026 at the Cascade Summit Community Center in West Linn.
Board meetings are open to members. Simply notify the president in advance that you wish to attend.
Members
Do you know someone who might like to join NWC?
Please direct potential members to contact us and we will forward a letter describing the organization and descriptions of the activities. Contact Birgit
Woodward at birgitwoodward@gmail.com, Lisa Reiser at reiser5@icloud.com, or
Gerry Alt at gerialt58@gmail.com.
New members
by Birgit Woodward, Gerry Alt, Lisa Reiser
Welcome new members.
Valerie Banarie from Charlotte, NC
Peg Ferrier from Carmel, IN
Linda Graves from Portland, OR
Stephanie McCann from New York, NY
Elaine Mohn-Brown from Denver, CO
Tammy Montgomery from Portland, OR
Jodi Rosenthal from Lawrence, NJ
Jaqueline Zawada from Tampa, FL
November 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.
Travel and Photos
Photo Album
by Ed Sawicki
The NWC photo album has photos of the well-attended Luau, the September Luncheon, the Saturday Social, and Bocce.
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
by 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 Travelers photo album.
Douro River bridge at night
If you have photos or short videos of your travels, send them and their captions to me.
If you love to cook and share innovative cooking techniques or favorite recipes with
other talented cooks in a positive, fun environment, this may be the group for you! The
Gourmet Gals will meet every month or so at a member's home for a hands-on cooking
experience or demonstration.
On Wednesday, November 18th, Kathy Papachristopoulos will show us how to make
Baklava, a pastry dessert made of filo dough and layered with nuts and honey. The
class limit is 8, costs $10/person and will be held at Pamela Pall’s home from 1:00-3:00
pm.
Come join us as we enjoy the camaraderie of cooking together and eating our creations.
Contact Pamela for more information.
SeniorNet
by Ed Sawicki
I've been building a family tree website for a few years and that involves improving the quality of old photos, some over 100 years old. I use a
variety of software to process photos, and this includes using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Recently, I used AI to combine the photos of four women when they were about 8-years-old. One woman was this age in 1882. The other three women were
that age in 1912, 1968, and 2008. Here's the result.
Tap this photo to read the article
Read the SeniorNet article to see what I did, and what you can do too.
If you want to share knowledge and improve your BBQ skills, please join me at our first meeting on Sunday, November 8th from 2 to 4pm.
Bring your calendar and the beverage of your choice. We’ll rotate hosting. Limited to 10 members.
The first meeting will focus on pork (ribs), including making my special rubs, and tips about BBQ equipment. We will taste BBQ ribs, and
you will take home the dry rub you make, along with instructions on how best to use it. At future meetings, each member will share their
knowledge of BBQ equipment and their favorite recipe.
This group meets every other month with the host providing the main course, and guests bringing appetizers, salad, side dishes, and dessert.
The next dinner is November 15 at 6pm. The first group is formed. If you’re interested in joining the next group please contact Susan.
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.
This month (due to the Thanksgiving Holiday) we will meet on the third Friday at 10:00 am, at a location to be determined closer to the date.
Please mark your calendars for Friday, November 20.
Please email Birgit Woodward by Monday, November 16, 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. You bring an appetizer to share and your own beverage (wine is typical) that is not shared.
We're scheduling the Socials for 2027. If you'd like to host one at your home, please contact Merryl.
Tap this photo to see all Saturday Night Social photos
Women's Discussion Group
by 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 meets on the second Friday of each month at 10 a.m. at Sharon Samson’s home in Lake Oswego.
The group has co-leaders Sharon Samson and Joan Seitz. If you are interested in joining the group, please
contact Joan.
The Single Dining Divas group meets bimonthly for meals: the second Tuesday and the fourth Saturday.
Host responsibilities are rotating. The host Diva chooses between brunch, lunch, or dinner, and whether to host at home or a restaurant. For
home events, the host sets the menu and provides the entree; guests bring sides, desserts, and beverages. For restaurant events, the host makes
reservations, and each guest pays for their meal. The host decides the number of attendees.
Interested single Divas can join the group by contacting Teresa via email or filling out
this form.
Check out the photo from our October 24 Divas dinner in the photo album.
The Ladies Friendship Lunch Groups offer the opportunity for you to develop
new and lasting friendships in a quieter setting. There are currently twelve active groups, and
we are working on launching the thirteenth.
Our format is for 4-8 ladies to meet monthly, rotating homes. Each host prepares a casual meal or
selects a restaurant. If the group meets at a restaurant, each member pays for her own meal. Groups set their own meeting
day—for example, second Tuesdays of each month—so that members can keep those calendar dates clear.
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 Edisa or Cynthia when you wish to be part of
the fun.
Each month, our group tries to travel out to a vineyard, wine store, or sip wine in someone's home and enjoy the company of
others who are like minded with an interest in wine. We are part social, but also, we have an interest in hearing the fascinating
stories related to how the winery and wine came to be, along with sampling, sharing opinions, and learning new things
wine-related.
If you become a member of the Wine Enthusiasts, you will receive an official email invite from me to that month's wine
gathering. I do my best to send this out on Sunday mornings, about a month before the event. The dates and times vary depending
on the winery, but our tastings are always held on a Saturday or Sunday. I take reservations on a first-come, first-served basis,
so I encourage you to sign up ASAP.
We truly look forward to meeting you over a glass of Oregon wine.
If you're a NWC member and an author, please email me with details about your book(s).
The club has seven authors that I'm aware of. SeniorNet is planning one or more events related to
writing, publishing, and selling books.
This is the newest book club and we’re looking for more participants.
We enjoy reading fiction, historical fiction, history, mysteries, and
autobiographies. The meeting time is the 2nd Monday of the month
between 2-4 pm. Our next meeting is on November 9.
Please contact Edisa if you are interested in joining.
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.
The group is currently full. There is no meeting in November and December.
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.
On November 9th, we will be meeting to discuss The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. Our book club meets every second Monday from
1:30-3:00 pm at a member’s home. If you are interested in joining and would like to learn more about our book club, please contact Anne.
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. Fun and lively book discussions include all genres, suggested by each month's member host.
We will not be meeting in November but will meet in December for our Holiday Party and collection of used books to donate.
For more information on how to join, please contact Phyllis. We welcome new members to join us.
Our virtual Memoir Group currently does not have enough members to make it viable this year. I have canceled my zoom pro membership.
If you are a memoir writer bursting to share stories, please contact me. I will put you on a list and we’ll see if there is a way to move
forward either virtually or in-person.
The Bunco group will meet at the home of Patti Hale (hale.patti@gmail.com) on Thursday,
November 19, 2026 at 12:00 noon. If you are unable to attend, please contact Patti with the name of your sub.
The Bunco 2 group will meet at the home of Sarah Martinez on Wednesday, November 11 at 7:00pm. If you are unable to
attend, please notify Sarah with the name of your sub: smartnezzz@yahoo.com
We will be playing the Canasta game called "Hand Foot & Tush" every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 11:00 am. This month we
will play on November 11th. There is no game on the 25th because of Thanksgiving.
This is a fun game and easy to learn, even if you have never played Canasta before. The game requires 4 to a table and the hostess will
determine how many tables she can accommodate. The hostess will provide her 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 1:00 pm on the first four Mondays of the month, September through June.
The group is currently full
If you’re a mah jongg player at the beginner or intermediate level, then this group
is for you! This group plays on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 1:00 pm with
rotating hosts. Also, this group plays the American version using the current card.
On the first Tuesday of the month there will be a table dedicated for anyone (women
& men!) who has never played but is interested in learning the game. You will
need to bring the 2026 National Mah Jongg League, Inc. game card. We encourage
anyone who has considered learning to jump in!
We are also considering adding an evening session on the second and fourth Tuesday of the
month that would play at 6:30 pm. This session would need someone who is
willing to be the leader.
Email me if you would like to be added to the Tuesday afternoon participant list or if you are interested in participating in an
evening session.
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 November 3 and November 17.
If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please email me. I will send out an 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 Pacific Northwest.
Our golf season has come to a close for the year, thanks to all who participated!
We will begin again in May – with an informational meeting in early April. I will
send out notices in late Spring.
If you are not receiving my emails and would like to be included, please email
me and I will add you to the email list.
Hope to see you on the course next year!
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.
The Luau Party on September 27 was wonderful. Barb Brannon and the Philanthropy Committee crew, along with hosts Pamela and Dennis Pall,
did a great job. And all for a worthy cause.
