Interest Groups January

Community Volunteers

Co-conveners: Jaime & Ann
Date: Wednesday, February 8th @ 10:00am
Venue: Jaime’s home
All welcome, call for directions and to confirm

The committee wishes to sincerely thank you for your kind donations to our “make Christmas for a needy family” project. With your generosity we were able to make a tremendous difference in this family’s holiday season. Outfits for each of the twins and pyjamas for the Mom, as well as body care pack and a large assortment of toys, books and other activities for the twins is a small outline of what your donations went to. Then with rounding out the delivery with groceries for Christmas dinner and some to get them into the New Year, we know this will make for a memorable year for this family. Thank you again ladies.

We talked about starting to sell second hand DVD and VHS tapes as well as the books at up coming monthly socials. As with the books, all donations greatly appreciated. This will start at the January social, space permitting. DVD’s will be sold for $3.00 and VHS for $2.00.

The Community Volunteers are hoping to make up a table at the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra’s Silver Ball. This helps to support the Symphony Goes To School programme. Tickets are $125.00 per person with a receipt for the charitable portion. This is a black tie optional ball with auction, followed by Billy and the Bruisers, a great local dance band. We have two couples already, and hope you join us. Call to sign up or to have questions answered.

Naomi Centre Supper Club:
January 9th. Gaye, Ann
January 23rd Volunteers needed
February 6th Volunteers needed


Book Notes

Co-Conveners: Mary & Roberta
Date: Tuesday, January 10th @ 9:30am
Venue: Peggy ’s home
Book: Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi

Our young adult book this month was Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. The book was very controversial when it was published in 1951 touching on such subjects as depression, impulsive spending, prostitution, homosexuality, drinking and vulgarity. The story is told through the main character, Holden Caulfield. Holden is a confused 16 year old who is trying to find his way to adulthood. After getting kicked out of his third boarding school, he heads home to New York City, but before going home he decides to spend 3 days in the city on his own. It’s during these three days that we get a glimpse of Holden in varied situations and his action/reaction to them.

Our group rated this book a 6.5 out of 10. One unanimous comment was that it was not a “page turner” story. Other comments were “actually enjoyed it more than I realized”, “didn’t get into it”, “liked it but found the language repetitive”, “didn’t enjoy it, found it tedious”, “kept reading waiting for the controversy”.

Thank you to June for hosting our meeting and to all the ladies for providing a delicious pot luck lunch.

Suggested Reading:
Tourist in the Yucatan – James McNay Brumfield
A Million Little Pieces – John Frey


Winter Walkers

Convener: Peggy

Winter Walkers will change days starting in January. We will meet on Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. at the MUN fieldhouse. Join us for a refreshing walk around the indoor, climate controlled track and watch those pounds just melt off! Parking off Elizabeth Ave. is free and it's only a twoney to get your dose of exercise! Come one, come all. Call Peggy T. for info.

Tuesday Toners

Convener: Peggy
Tuesday Toners: Is anyone interested in toning your flabby thighs? Sculpting your wiggly arms? Rounding your saggy bottom? How about your abs, do they need a bit of flattening? Well, some of the ladies have expressed an interest, so a new group is being planned. I think Jan 17th is a good starting point. Please contact Peggy T. She was a certified aerobics instructor in one of her previous lives, so can help you build a better body in no time! How's 9 a.m. sound?

Contact Peggy for details if you're interested.

Hi Tea

Date: Wednesday January 4th @ 1pm Venue: Basia’s home.
Everyone is welcome to join us for a cup of warm brew and to catch up on all that has been happening over the festive season. Pass along an invitation to a new neighbour/ friend to join us. (Invitation attached at back of newsletter).

Please let Basia know you are coming.


Couples’ Activities

Convener: Andrea

SPIRIT OF NEWFOUNDLAND DINNER THEATRE
Friday January 27th Majestic Theatre, 390 Duckworth “Are We There Yet?” is a musical comedy performed by the ever popular Spirit of Newfoundland. The shows title is taken from the opening scene that features mom, dad and two children on a road trip. What follows is a collection of musical numbers and vignettes, both comedic and poignant, about family…all sorts of families. The doors open at 6:30, show starts at 7:00 and the cost is $51.50 + HST per person. I have been to several of their shows and never been disappointed.
Please RSVP by Monday January 23rd so I can confirm numbers.



DISCOVER WHITEHILLS

Sunday February 11th
Whitehills Resort, Clarenville

Get together with friends and enjoy the great outdoors. Whitehills offer downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Rentals and lesson are available so there are no excuses not to try something that may be new for you. The advantage of going with a crowd is that you should be able to find someone with the same level of experience. For this activity children are welcome as well as spouses.

Contact Andrea D.


Newcomers Tennis

Fridays 9-10.30 a.m.
Greenbelt Tennis Club
114 Newtown Road

Join us for some social tennis and a cup of coffee at Greenbelt Tennis Center, Newtown Road Never played? Haven’t played in years? Not a problem we can arrange a series of lessons for you. Interested?

Contact: Roberta


Beginners Bridge

Anyone interested in learning a great card game? Beware that it can be quite addictive! If interest is shown we could start in January, possibly on Wednesday mornings.

Call Vivian R. This would not be an interest group as such as Non-Newcomers might also take part.


Cross Country Skiing

Once the snow comes I have extra equipment for anyone who would like to try this wonderful sport. If you have your own equipment, would you be free to join me for a few invigorating runs?

Call Vivian R.


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. Just show up and explore!

Golf Gang

Golf in January?? Probably not, but we’ll be thinking about it and getting our physical selves in order with some practice at D’Angelo;s indoor driving range. We will also try to get a “stretch” morning going at one of our homes once a week to tweak our physical game. Watch for informative emails.

Marie H.


Pottery

Want to try something different in 2006?

The Craft Council Clay Studio offers a wide range of classes for adults and children who are interested in exploring the art of pottery and sculpture.

For more information call 753 2534 or email claystudio@craftcouncil.nf.ca or visit their website:

Craft Council

Film Group

Convenors: Basia & Karen
Time: Tuesday 17th Jan

Ladies please note a new time slot for our group due to popular demand we will trial afternoons of the third Tuesday in each month. Hopefully this suits people a whole lot better than the evenings and allows more members to indulge in being there! Our meeting place remains the same – at the Avalon cinemas, just near the top of the escalators. This will make our first meeting of the new year on Jan. 17th.

Please contact Basia or Karen if you plan to attend and for details of timing!


Bible Study

Convener: Marie H
Date: 9.30 a.m., Wednesday January 18th

What better way to start the year than to do a Bible study with our Wednesday morning group. Trudy Ivey has given us the idea for our new study. We will be looking at The Purpose Driven Life, one chapter at a time, expecting to discover a whole lot more about ourselves and the purpose of our faith. We are always hopeful that more of you will join us. Bring a Bible and an open mind along with a copy of The Purpose Driven Life ($9.95 at Costco).


Gardener’s Forum

Convener Karen
Time: Wednesday 11th Jan

Attention interested parties, there really is something to do about gardening at this time of the year - come to my house for a lunch! Plan to bring a favourite gardening book, photos of your past, present or dream garden, plans you may have drawn, catalogues, gadgets, best successes, hopes and other inspirations. Lunch will be on Wed 11th Jan., no prior gardening experience needed!
For more details and to RSVP, please contact Karen.


Get Together Crafts

Convener: Jaime

The Craft Group will start the New Year at a new location; the Sobeys at Merrymeeting Road will be the permanent location for the rest of the year. Our first meeting of the year is on January 5th, and we will continue to meet every Thursday morning from 9 – 12 am until June. We welcome everyone, take a craft or just come for a cup of coffee and a chat.

On January 19 and 26 we will be working our Iceberg fabric collage, Andrea D. will be our instructor. If you are interested in participating come and join us, no experience necessary! Just bring some sewing supplies such as scissors, pins and a sewing machine if you have one. Andrea will bring enough fabrics, and for a small fee you can use her supply. The example will be on display the first two Thursdays in January.