Chocolate Party

Jaime and June came up with the scrumptious idea of a Chocolate Party to get some more chocolaty recipes for our newcomers' cookbook. We could sample heavenly ggod chocolate dishes and if you could not make it to yesterday's party, you can still get the cookbook with the recipes.







Our adorable baby visitors: William and Mathew

Book Notes

As we like keeping our little traditions, we wrapped up the Book Club for this year with a good discussion on a book that left us divided in our opinion. (Vikram Seth's: An Equal Music)

This meeting was Roberta's last time as Book Club convenor with us.
Thank you Roberta for being our convenor, faithfully sending us reminder emails for the next meeting and summing up our discussions !



We had a potluck lunch, which always turns out to be fabulous, which was followed by a book exchange of gently used books.



And June even had a surprise for us. These lovely bookmarks:



If any of you decides to join this informal and merry group, get ahead with September's book:

Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross

Some information about "Pope Joan" in Wikipedia and in the Encyclopedia Britannica

Thank you also to Andrea who kindly hosted our meeting and to Caroline who has agreed to take over as convenor.

Message From the President

My Dear Ladies,

It is mid May as I write this note. The daffodils are in full bloom, the tulips are ready to pop, and most lawns already have had their first mowing. It is Springtime in Newfoundland! That means my year as President of Newcomer's has come to a close.

By the time you read this a new President will have been chosen and plans for the 10th Anniversary year will have begun. It is hard to believe that Newcomers in Newfoundland is 10 years young! What a feeling it gives me to know that we have been a part of it! The success of the past 12 months is due primarily to the fantastic team of women with whom I have been honoured to share the leadership of our Club.

I want to thank YOU ALL for a job well done! It has been a VERY good year! I am especially grateful to you, Gaye who chose so many fun and informative Socials for all of us. I depended on your friendly and sensible self to carry us through. I am thankful to you, Mary-Ellen who faithfully managed our Interest Groups for the past two years. You came to the rescue many times when I got off track at meetings, and your friendship and support has meant so much to me.

Thanks, too, for those endless cups of coffee we shared. Heather, you came on board as Secretary after Mary left and made a huge contribution, and I will miss your enthusiasm. Good luck in your new home! We'll miss you. Maggie, I am happy that you enjoyed your job so much that you will continue to take on the Treasurer job again next year, kudos to you for a job well done! I owe a big thanks to Karen as well, for all the many hours of work you did in your role as Membership Chair. You, too, will tackle the role next year, and I know you'll do a great job again.

Caroline you've done a super job as Telephone Chair, and have been a true friend to me as well. Thanks for all the messages you sent to everyone this year, and thanks for offering to do it again! Big thanks go to Louise who helped get the word out to the public! Your efforts made a huge difference this year. I want to thank Ann and Jaime who selflessly supported a number of noble causes. Your teamwork has made a massive impact on the lives of many people in need for several years and that should be acknowledged. Good job ladies! Good luck in future endeavours!

Basia, thanks to you for providing us with surprises at every Social. Your thoughtful and creative spirit was particularly welcoming! I thank Helen and Pia for providing us with the most beautiful and informative newsletter in the whole world. Your dedication to publishing the Signal is second to none. Pia, the Blog Page you set up is a wonderful monument to our Club and I hope you will continue to use your talents in that regard. Helen, good luck in the future, enjoy your new home, and know you will be missed.

Finally, I want to thank June for all the support and guidance you have given me during this year. Your kindness and inspiration was greatly appreciated.

Thanks too for the support of the many faithful members. Without you we would have no Club. My congratulations to the 06-07 Executive. Good luck for the future. Thanks again to all for a very good year!

I am moving in a few weeks and after that I know I will miss St. John's and Newcomers and just hope that everyone will stay in touch as I move on. I have very warm feelings about all that I experienced while here in this wonderful place, and I wish to be able to visit in the future.

Peggy T.

Message From the Incoming President

When my husband first hinted of a move to St. John’s, I simply ignored him. When the talk became more persistent, I told him there was no way I was moving to Newfoundland. We compromised, and agreed to a 2-year temporary contract that guaranteed us a return move to Calgary. That was 6 years ago this month and I’m thankful for each and every day I’ve spent here.

The strong sense of community and the breathtaking ruggedness of this province have won me over but it’s the people and the friendships I have made that make this a truly great place. I had heard about the Newcomers’ club and waited patiently all summer for the first Newcomers Social in September.

The women I met were friendly, interesting and down to earth. I signed up for many of the interest groups and found my days were quickly filling up with a variety of activities. Through these groups I met women who shared the same interests, I learned about the community, made friends, and was able to try new things.

This is what Newcomers is really all about the friendships, sharing interests and support. I would like to thank the outgoing Executive and the Interest Group Conveners for their hard work this past year and welcome the incoming Executive for volunteering their time and energy for next year. I’m fortunate to be working with such a wonderful group of people. We should have no trouble making the upcoming year a positive, fun and rewarding experience for all Newcomer members.

To those who are moving on, good luck and best wishes. Everyone enjoy a safe and relaxing summer with family and friends. I hope to see many new faces in September along with all of our returning members. If you have any ideas or suggestions for next year or would like to volunteer in any way please give me a call or e-mail me.

Andrea D.
Incoming President

June 2006 Interest Groups

Community Volunteers
Co-conveners: Ann G. & Jaime

The last meeting for the community volunteers will be held on Wednesday, May 31 at 10:30am at Jaime Enachescu’s house, followed by a pot luck luncheon. There is still room to participate in our June events, Blind Date with a Star, Relay for Life and the Golf Tournament, details of these events are:

Blind Date with a Star – The annual fundraiser for The Learning Disabled Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, on June 13^th at 6:30 pm at the Fairmont. The cost is $100.00 per person with a tax receipt for at least $40.00. If you are interested, please call Jaime at 722-3947.

Relay for Life – This annual national event for the Cancer Society will be on June 3^rd from 7:00 pm to 7:00 am at the Field House in St. John’s. Come and join our team for lots of laughs, fun and friendship while taking turns in walking around the track! Call or Email Jaime.

Golf Tournament – This fundraiser for the school lunch program is on June 17^th at the Willow’s Golf Course. Cost is $75.00 per person with a $50 tax receipt. This is a best ball tournament, great for all levels of golfers. The tournament is followed by a barbeque at the Masonic Temple on Cathedral Street, St. John’s. Call Ann to add your name to the men’s or women’s teams. Connie will be making up the teams.

Naomi Centre Supper Club:

May 29^th – Volunteers needed

Rugby Game – International Rugby comes to St. John’s on August 12^th. Canada will host U.S.A. in a qualifying match for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. For ticket information including VIP reservations, Call Rick.

Book Notes

Convener: Roberta

Tuesday June 13^th @ 10:30am at Andrea’s home

Final Meeting: Potluck lunch bring your favourite salad/dessert with recipe. Also bring a gently used book wrapped for a gift exchange.

Book for June: An Equal Music by Vikram Seth

Our book this month was The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. The story takes place in New York in the 1920’s. The story portrays the life and works of two architects Howard Roake and Peter Keating. The author has used these two characters to contrast the philosophies of Individualism/Objectivism versus the Collective good/Subjectivism.

Our group rated this book a 7.6 out of 10. Most people agreed that the characters in the story were not very likeable. However the general consensus was that the characters clearly portrayed the philosophical viewpoints they were meant to portray in the story. Some comments were, “way too dramatic in the writing,” “excellent character development”, “a deep and memorable book, made you think”.

Hi Tea

The first Wednesday Newcomers' Club Hi Tea will be held on Wednesday, June 7.

This month's hostess will be Rhonda L. Her lovely home is located in St. Phillips. RSVP to Rhonda to let her know you are coming. Please contact Peggy T. if you need a ride or have any other questions about our club. Newcomers welcomes all women who are new to the St. John's area who want to meet other ladies who come from away. If you are new to the area and need to meet new friends, give us a call!


Walkers’ Group

Convener: Peggy T

WALKERS GROUP? We have been trying to walk around Quidi Vidi Lake daily at 8:15 am. We meet at the dog park parking lot and go once around weather permitting.


Gardener’s Forum

For all those who love to rejuvenate in gardening mode. There are quite a few of us so make yourself known, share your interest and find out how it’s done in N.L! This is a group for pooling information, contacts and sources. Get on the list to hear about open gardens in the summer and lunches in the winter! Please contact Karen P.


Get Together Crafts

The Craft group will continue to meet every Thursday at Sobey’s on Merrymeeting Road from 9 -12.

Jaime

Newcomers Tennis

Fridays, 9-11 a.m. Greenbelt Tennis Club 114 Newtown Road

Convenors: Sandi F. & Roberta

Please join us for some social tennis and a coffee at Greenbelt Tennis Center every Friday from 9 am-10:30 am. We are a friendly group and welcome players of all abilities. We will set up a clinic or series of lessons for those who are new to tennis or haven’t played in years. If you are a seasoned player we can facilitate matches and introduce you to the Tennis leagues at the club.

If you are interested please contact Roberta or Sandie so we can get your name on the email list and organize any clinic or lessons as needed.


Golf Gang

Convenor: Marie

Hoping there will be some interest in a small tournament at Black Duck June 5th. Details in my next e-mail once I have heard from you all.

Lessons will be over by now, so I hope you will make a concerted effort to get out there and golf at least once, perhaps twice a week. Thanks to all of you who participated and I look forward to golfing with you in the near future.

If Connie is still in the city over most of the summer, I will ask her to send e-mails regarding any tee times that she books. Have a wonderful summer with more sun than you can stand!!