Thursday, September 01, 2005

September Message from the President

Greetings Newcomers!
Wow! Summer is almost over and you know what that means. Another year full of Newcomer activities and socials is about to begin. The new executive and conveners are busy as ever planning the Club’s 05-06 season! What a good time to open your own monthly planners and jot down some important dates.

There is one activity planned before the first meeting that is pretty important for the Community Volunteers. The Relay for Life is scheduled for the 10th of September and our Club always makes an effort to support this Cancer Society fundraiser. Contact Jaime for information regarding this event.

The annual kick-off evening social is scheduled for the 19th of September, 7.30 P.M. at the Galleria Enteak Design Studio on LeMarchant and Long‘s Hill intersection near the fire station. Come join all the members who have been away for the summer, some new ladies, and the new executive who are eager to present all our ideas for the year. Please make it a priority to contact any newcomers to the area so they might attend this meeting. It is the one meeting in the year that explains all the interest groups and happenings of our Club!

At this time, I heard through the grapevine that some different and exciting interest groups were forming. I have an idea for a monthly welcome coffee that will bridge the mid-point between monthly socials, that might attract interest from both old timers and new, newcomers as well. I also hope we can get a group started that tours art galleries, and other places of interest, and to provide feedback to the Signal, so when our visitors arrive, we know good places to take them…..
I have been brainstorming all summer! If YOU have an idea for an interest group, don’t hesitate to contact Mary-Ellen before the kick-off meeting so she can instruct you how to get started!

Helen and Pia have worked hard to publish the Signal as a handy reminder of all the important “stuff” that our Club is doing! Please do yourself a favor and read it every month! It is very well written and sooooo informative! Thanks, ladies for publishing such a great newsletter.

So, as the summer comes to a close, the kids get back into a routine, and the sweaters come out of the closets, it is time to get on the bandwagon and join our many members who have so much to offer. Get involved with an interest group, join the executive, write a piece for the Signal, anything, just do it! Remember a smile and a hearty hello go very far to make someone feel welcome. It is my duty this year to see that the Newcomers Club of St. John’s thrives as the best place in town to feel at home.

Peggy Taylor,


September Interest Groups

Book Notes
When: September 13th at 9:30
Where: Gaye's home
Book: The Queen's Fool
by Philippa Gregory

Co-conveners:
Mary
Roberta

June's Review
Our June book was Rockbound by Frank Parker Day, the winner of 2005 CBC's Canada Reads competition. The story takes place around the turn of the century on a tiny island off the coast of Nova Scotia. Day tells the story through David Jung, a boy who was outcast on a nearby island. The story begins as David journeys back to Rockbound to claim what is rightfully his. Here we encounter Uriah Jung, David's uncle and self-proclaimed lord of Rockbound. Day tells the story in dialect, which can make it hard to read at first, but all agreed it brought the characters to life. Day succeeds in developing an array of characters that weave an interesting tale of fishing and fishermen in the Maritimes. Our group rated the book an 8 out of 10. Some of the comments were: "I would recommend it", "character development exceptional", "language brought home a feeling of remoteness, uniqueness", "really liked it".

Thank you to Connie for hosting our May meeting and taking us to her favourite fish & chips restaurant afterwards

COUPLES ACTIVITY
Golf at The Wilds
Saturday September 17th
Convener: Andrea
We are nearing the end of August and that means the Newcomer golf weekend is just around the corner. This is a couple’s activity so you and your spouse, partner or friend are invited to a golf weekend at the Wilds. Beginner golfers are most welcome as this is a “fun” day. On Saturday September 17th, I have reserved 4 tee times starting at 12:35 for 16 people, as well as 8 carts. We have a dinner reservation for 6:30 and 6 rooms booked for those who would like to spend the night. Golf for 6 couples starts at 9:05 on Sunday morning. If you are interested in any or all of the weekends activities please let me know as soon as possible so I can finalize numbers with The Wilds. A great time was had by all last year and I hope to fill all the spots so give it some thought

GET TOGETHER CRAFTS
Thursday mornings 9-noon ,
starting September 8th
Sobeys’ Community Room
Topsail Road

Convener Needed

This is an informal group that meets weekly and works on individual projects. Throughout the year, if there is interest some members of the group will get together and coordinate a group project. Anyone is welcome to join in or just come along for coffee, a chat and some inspiration. Please note that in order for this group to continue, a convener is needed. Contact Mary-Ellen, 2nd vice, if you have questions or would be interested in convening.

GOLF GANG
Convener:
Marie

We’re hoping to golf all of September, October and November, but we’ll take it a week at a time. I will be back into the swing of things starting this month so I should have tee times to e-mail the golf gang each Tuesday.

Meanwhile, I trust you are booking some tee times and phoning each other to get in as many games as you can before snow flies!

Friday Adventure Touring Group
Also known as the Walkie-Talkie-Munchie Group. This is not a Newcomers’ interest group, but open to anyone who wishes to take part. It is a wonderful way to get to know
St .John’s and the surrounding areas. The group meets every Friday morning at 10 a.m. in the lobby of the Holiday Inn, Portugal Cove Road, next to the kiosk. If you are interested, please, mail Elizabeth (see newsletter)

Community Volunteers
Co-Conveners:
Ann
Jaime

The Community Volunteers is off to a flying start with their first event on September 10, the Relay for Life. This event is a fundraiser for the cancer society and consists of a 12 hour relay (Saturday 7pm to Sunday 7am) of walking around the Field House track. A great excuse to catch up with friends and stay up all night! We are still looking for team members, so far we have 6 members in our team and are looking for 6 more. Interested? Let Ann or Jaime know! For more detail you can visit the website www.cancer.ca and our team is called The Newcomers’ Club of St. John’s; if you do not want to participate on our team but still want to donate, you can do this on the website as well.

We will also continue our bi-weekly cooking for the Naomi Centre; this involves preparing a meal with a fellow newcomer for approximately 12 girls from a centre for girls at risk. The meal service is very much appreciated by the girls and the staff of the Naomi Centre and it is a great way to contribute to the St. John’s community. Our first date is for September 19, for the following weeks we will have a sign-up sheet at our first meeting. Call Ann or Jaime of you are interested in helping out or need some more information on this.

Our first meeting of the Community volunteers is on September Wednesday, September 28 at 10:00 am at Ann's house. Hope to see you there!

Tennis anyone?
Conveners:
Sandi
Roberta

If you are interested in playing social tennis with the Newcomers group, we play weekly on Friday mornings.

When? Meet us Fridays at 9am for a warm-up, playing or lesson from 9:30-10:30.
Usually we have a coffee after our session
Where? Greenbelt Tennis Club 114 Newtown Road

All level of players are welcome. There are court fees and membership issues that are still being negotiated,
so for more information contact either of us.


Thank You

Special thanks go to Marie and Millie for auditing the club's financial books this summer. You did a great job.

A big Thank You goes to each and everyone of the outgoing executive as well. You did a wonderful job in making the Newcomers' Club a great group to meet new friends and to make St.John's feel like home.



Farewells


We say our farewells to Susan C., Stephanie M., Lisbeth O., Cathy H. Cheryl C., Susan B., Tanja B. and Tina M.. We will miss you. We wish you the best of luck for a new start, wherever you may go.

Announcements

Interest Groups

Some of our interest groups will not start until October. So watch out for more information in the coming newsletter. As well conveners are needed for the Hiking, Crafts and Couples activity groups. Please, think about becoming a convener.

New Interest Group “Hi Tea”
Hi Tea will meet monthly at 1:00 after lunch on the first Wednesdays. Convened by Peggy . The first meeting will be held at Peggy's home, on October 5,hosted by the executive, and will serve as the Welcome Coffee for the newest and potential members.Mark your calendars now as this "meet and greet" will be a good place toget to know someone new! AGM The National Newcomers Council of Canada will host the annual General Meeting Saturday, October 22, in Truro, Nova Scotia. Anyone interested for further details contact Peggy.

AGM
The National Newcomers Council of Canada will host the annual General Meeting Saturday, October 22, in Truro, Nova Scotia. Anyone interested for further details contact Peggy.