Meet & Greet
Thursday, March 8th – 6-8 PM
Simsbury Free Library
March 2012
President’s Corner
Dear Simsbury Newcomers,
Greetings to all of you who help make this such a great club! I just returned from a trip to Illinois to visit my mother and see friends. As a born and bred Midwesterner the region’s flat, expansive landscape is both familiar and comforting. But on this visit I found myself missing and speaking often of Simsbury’s great physical beauty (although I confess to still not having quite gotten used to how dark it is at night.)
Similarly, while few things are better than seeing those friends with whom you reconnect so immediately it’s almost like you never left, it was equally enjoyable to share photos and tales of life and friends here in my new home. Not surprisingly, our group figured large and it occurred to me again what a simple, but important opportunity our club and activities offer people.
In March we have a great opportunity for new and long time newcomers alike and we are excited about our upcoming Meet and Greet which is scheduled for Thursday, March 8 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Simsbury Free Library. The building occupies a prime spot on Hopmeadow Street and has stood there since 1890. It has housed many community organizations and was the town’s library until 1986. Today, it is home to the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce and The Simsbury Genealogical and Historical Research Library. The evening will also include a short presentation on the collection and contributions of William Phelps Eno who is rightly known as the “Father of Traffic Safety.” William was the son of Simsbury natives Amos Eno and Lucy Phelps. Stop signs, one way streets, and pedestrian crosswalks are a few of William Eno’s many contributions. We are excited about this event and look forward to seeing you that evening to help greet those new newcomers.
We also have a very festive event planned for Monday, May 14 so mark you calendars now and plan to attend our spring luncheon and fashion show which will be held at the Simsbury Inn. You will notice that I did not include the word auction. A spring luncheon event has been part of our calendar for several years and is a great way to close our ‘social’ season as well as acknowledge the contributions of our terrific activity chairs, thank outgoing board members and swear in new board members. An auction has been an integral part of the luncheon but it has gotten so good and so labor intensive that as a volunteer organization, the board realized that we could not sustain the event on an annual basis. We are very proud of the funds we have donated to the Simsbury area and hope to hold the auction on a bi-annual basis.
Finally, if you have any interest in serving on the board, please contact me and I will forward your name and information to Mariann Kalogeros. Serving on board does require a time commitment but we are a very flexible group, alternate our monthly meetings between days and evenings and everyone is willing to lend a hand when needed. Several positions will be coming open including secretary, hospitality, nominating, fundraising, and publicity. We need your help!
Thank you again for all you do,
Monique
Announcements
Simsbury Light Opera Company
Next month, the Simsbury Light Opera Company will be performing Gilbert & Sullivan’s H.M.S. Pinafore at Simsbury High School. The dates and times are:
March 10th & 17th: 7:30 PM
March 11th & 18th: 2:00 PM
More information can be found at their website at http://www.sloco.org/
Girlfriend’s Corner
Welcome to Girlfriend’s Corner, where we wish our Newcomer friends happy birthday, and send them get-well wishes as needed. If you think there is a Newcomer who would appreciate a get-well card, new baby, or condolence card, please contact Charlotte Ray by phone or by email.
Happy Birthday Wishes to the following members:
- Eileen Chilek-Wilder
- Janice Johnson
- Mariann Kalogeros
- Wendy Sue Kissa
- Cathy Long
- Teo Pellegrino
- Mary Verbeke
Membership & Directory
Please invite your friends and neighbors to join the fun and become members of Simsbury Newcomers Club. Encourage them to come to one of our many events as your guest. Do they know they do not have to be new to the area or live in Simsbury to become a member?
Membership entitles you to:
- A copy of the monthly Newsletter via email.
- One copy of the Directory and periodic updates.
- Access to the many activity groups, and
- Childcare for daytime program meetings for a small fee.
Please note that the Directory is for the exclusive use of Club members, cannot be used for solicitation, and will NOT be included on the website. Members if you have any personal information changes (address, phone, email, children names) please send them to Katherine at Kate623@comcast.net so that she can update your information.
Newsletter
Anyone selling, renting or providing a non-club service can advertise in our newsletter. We issue 10 newsletters throughout the year, starting in September and running through June. We now offer a 1/4 page (or business card-sized) ad to run in our newsletter for the duration of the year for a flat fee of $90. (We also offer a single-issue ad for a flat rate of $20.) The ad will also be visible in the Newsletter section of our website.
If you are interested in placing an advertisement in the newsletter, please contact Kate Goff by the 9th to be placed in next month’s newsletter.
Daytime Book Discussion
Greetings Newcomers! Below is a list of the books chosen by this year’s Daytime Book Discussion Group. Please join us for a fun and informative morning, the third or fourth Thursday of each month. In order for the hostess to plan appropriately, please phone if you plan on attending. We look forward to seeing you!
If you would like additional information, please e-mail either Patrice Sala or Camilla Thompson. We hope to see you!
- Thurs, 2/16 9:30 AM: "Left Neglected", by Lisa Genova
Host: Camille Gentile
Reviewer: Cindy Jamieson - Thurs, 3/22 9:30 AM: "Unbroken", by Laura Hillenbrand
Host: Joanne Pomerantz
Reviewer: Jen Halbert - Thurs, 4/26 9:30 AM: "The Paris Wife: A Novel", by Paula McLain
Host: Vivienne Semler
Reviewer: Arline Croce - Thurs, 5/24 9:30 AM: "A Watershed Year", by Susan Schoenberger
Host: Camilla Thompson
Reviewer: TBD (maybe author visit) - Thurs, 6/28 9:30 AM: "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet", by Jamie Ford
Host: Jane Porterfield
Reviewer: Camilla Thompson - Thurs, 7/26 9:30 AM: "Luncheon of the Boating Party", by Susan Vreeland
Host: TBD
Reviewer: Eileen Higham - Thurs, 8/23 9:30 AM: "Anna Karenina", by Leo Tolstoy
Host: TBD
Reviewer: Camille Gentile
Evening Book Discussion
A good book is even better when you can talk about it with friends! Join us for lively discussions one evening a month – generally the first Tuesday, at 7PM. We meet in member’s homes and convivial local taverns and restaurants.
To receive monthly updates with meeting dates, reading selections and locations, contact Cindy Schafer.
- February 7: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
- March 6: Still Alice by Lisa Genova
- April 3: The Master Butcher’s Singing Club by Louise Erdrich
- May 1: State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
- June 5: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
- July 10: Strapless by Deborah Davis
- August 7: In Other Rooms, Other Wonders by Daniyal Mueenuddin
- Sept 4: At Home by Bill Bryson
Couples’ Bridge
Couple’s Bridge meets on the third Saturday of the month. We usually meet in couples’ homes and begin at 7:30 PM. We have a variety of bridge levels, so please don’t be intimidated. Also, a commitment to one month does not commit you for the whole year. We sign up month to month according to our social schedules. I need a call in advance just to be sure we will have even tables.
Ladies’ Bridge
Ladies’ Bridge meets the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month between 7:00-7:30 PM at the host house. We are a fun group of 2 or 3 tables of party bridge. Come join us by signing up early. Call Ida after 6 PM or call the hostess to see if there’s a cancellation. Please contact Ida for this month’s schedule.
Bunko
Are you looking for something fun to fill one morning a month? Do you love the thrill of competition? If so, why not sign up to play Bunko. This is an easy dice game you can learn in a few minutes. Join us as a regular or a sub. If you are interested, call Arlene Zappile at 408-9044.
Evening Bunko
Come join our lively group and let’s get the dice rolling! We meet the 2nd Wednesday of the month. Not to worry if you have never played before, not hard and doesn’t require any special skills….just roll the dice and have fun!
Contact Randi Stamboulis for more information.
Ladies’ Lunch Bunch
What a delightful December lunch bunch we had at Piccolo Arancio’s, followed by our tour of Hillstead mansion decorated for the holidays. Hillstead was so thoughtful to give us a docent from Simsbury. Excellent!
For February, Ida Coulter has generously offered to arrange our lunch at the 1877 Club at the University of Hartford, West Hartford for 11:30 AM.
In March, we plan for Ginza, Bloomfield on Thursday, March 29 @ 11:30 AM. Please mark your calendars.
Newcomer’s Playgroup
Calling all Moms & Tots! We will be starting a new playgroup for children from 6 months or older. Teo Pellegrino & Wendy Sue Kissa will gather names of moms interested. If you have further questions, please call Teo 217-1511 or Wendy Sue 651-6971.
Needlework
The Needlework group meets on Monday mornings between 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. You are welcome to come by any time during that period. Everyone brings their own project to work on or just visits. This group is very willing and able to provide help if you need it. Here is the schedule for February.
February 6: Tricia Brown
February 13: Tina Trask
February 20: Karen Goldschmidt
February 27: Kathy Tong
If you want to be included on the Needlework e-mail list, contact Charlotte. You will receive a weekly message with details about the upcoming Monday gathering.
Men’s Night Out
An organized group for guys to get together and to have some fun. Activities include card playing, movies, beer tasting – essentially whatever the group would like to do. Hosted at a member’s home on a monthly (or so) rotating basis. The main goal is for guys to get out, to meet others, and to have some laughs. If the group becomes big enough we’ll hold an annual Beer and Men party, to which you will be able to invite your significant other. To sign up or with questions, please contact Brian Tomasino at kisa4u2@yahoo.com or (860) 844-0089.
Men’s Paddle Tennis
Men’s Paddle Tennis starts at the beginning of November and continues through March. We play Saturday mornings at Simsbury Farms, usually at 8:00-9:30. We’re always looking for new players. Cost should be around $40 for the season.
If you are interested in playing or have any questions, please contact Dick Clark at 860-408-1566 or 860-424-6697 (cell). The schedule will be set by mid-Oct.
Couple’s Paddle Tennis
The Couple’s Paddle Tennis Group plays at Simsbury Farms every Sunday afternoon from 4:30 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. throughout the winter. This is an informal, noncompetitive league combining social activity with good outdoor winter exercise. Each session follows a round-robin format so members experience playing with different partners. We start in November and end in March. The fee is usually $45.00/couple depending upon the number of couples who sign up.
We have entered our preferred time slot in the Simsbury Farms Lottery, and are anticipating the same time and format. Please e-mail as soon as possible if you are interested in participating. We look forward to seeing you on the courts!
Ladies’ Paddle Tennis
The Paddle season is in full swing. The game is similar to tennis, but played outdoors, during the colder months, on special raised courts. In snowy conditions, the courts are heated to melt the wintry mix. We play mornings at Simsbury Farms, usually on Mondays from 9:30-11 and Thursdays from 8-9:30. Players are rotated each week, with each scheduled to play about twice a month. Some players choose to play only as subs.
It’s a great way to socialize with new & old friends, and to stay active through those long winter months. If you have any questions, please contact Carolyn Brand at 860- 408-1566. Hope to see you on the courts.
Pinochle
This group meets once a month at a different member’s home for an evening of fun and cards. New players are welcome. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to play, we’ll teach you. We generally play on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, but call Judy to confirm the location. There is also a Couple’s Pinochle Group outside of Newcomers. Judy can get you connected to this group.
Potluck Dinner
The potluck usually meets the first Saturday night of the month. Because of the bad weather at the end of October we could not meet the first of November. I don’t think anyone wants to be reminded of that dark week.
This month we have two new members hosting, Maureen Davis, & the Jamiesons hosting with the Semlers. It will be our New England Winter Fest. It will be a warm and cosy night by the fire at a cabin in the woods. The food will be comfort foods for the winter. Steaming hot soups and lots of chocolate desserts.
Next month we are lucky enough to have another new member host, Emily and Norm Sondheimer. The theme is to be announced.
If you would like to find out more about the potluck group please call Marilyn (860-404-8945) or Janet (860-217-1187).
Walking/Ramble Group
The Walking group is still continuing to walk during the winter so long as the walking path isn’t slippery. We have walked on some pretty cold mornings but still enjoyed the exercise and the camaraderie. We walk each weekday morning on the Farmington Valley Greenway trail by Iron Horse Boulevard. We meet at 9 AM in the Park & Ride commuter lot on the lower level behind CVS. The group is always open to new walkers, and you can walk with us on any morning that fits your schedule Please contact Charlotte if you have any questions or if you are walking with us for the first time. Come join us for great exercise and conversation to fight against the winter blahs!
Wine & Women
Wine & Women is a fun and casual group that meets once a month, usually at a member’s home on the third Thursday night of each month. We welcome members to join the group at any time during the year. And, of course, you don’t have to drink wine to enjoy an evening out with this lively crowd!
If you would like to be on the Wine & Women email list, please contact either Joanne or Cheryl with your current email address and phone number.
The February gathering will be held on Thursday, February 16th, at the home of Sarah Nanzig at 30 Quorn Hunt Road, off of West Mountain Road in West Simsbury. Please bring a bottle of wine, along with an appetizer or dessert to share with the group.
Please RSVP to Cheryl Sojkowski by February 14th, at 658-2199 or csojkowski@comcast.net.