Activities
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About Grand Junction Newcomers Club
Our Motto :
"Where Newcomers become old friends" And, we mean it! We are an active, fun, friendly organization of men and women striving to make your stay in the community a long and happy one. Click to go to the CALENDAR. to see the wide range of Club activities, and, by the way, if you have an activity you like that is missing form the list, bring it up at the next coffee, and you might be surprised. A new activity group may form! FROM THE PRESIDENT
Ah, how time marches on. Seems like only yesterday we held elections for officers and now March again provides us the opportunity to voice our choices. I want to thank you for trusting me with the presidency this year. A few clumsy moments, but I really like the responsibility. If you can tolerate my humor and casual approach, I would ask for your vote again.
So the slate looks like this: President, Les Slowik; 1st VP, Katie Sullivan; 2nd VP, Wayne McCalla; Treasurer, Susan Norton; Secretary, Suzan Fournier. I solidly support all these candidates. Katie did a great job on the pig roast and brings enthusiasm to the board. Wayne has years of Newcomers experience and will restart long distance tours. Susan has organization and detailed focus to keep the club vibrant. Suzan is super positive and professional. Tizza’s cookie laboratory has been busy researching pies-- mini pies of quiche, pecan, apple, cream and turtle cheesecake--for our March 14 Pi Day meeting. See you all at the March meeting, and as always I hope this letter finds you healthy, happy and ready for pie and elections. Les Slowik, president Membership RenewalsIt’s time for membership dues. Please take a minute to fill out the renewal form in the back, write a check, and mail it in today. Even if you’re renewing for the umpteenth time, please complete the form with all email addresses and phone numbers you’d like in the membership directory. Write legibly, include your zip code and mark your delivery preferences. Emailed newsletters arrive earlier, will often include information not in the mailed version, and save the club money. With digital delivery of the membership directory comes a six-month update as well.
When you fill out the form, it’s ok to join as a single if you have a spouse or significant other who’s not interested in joining. Several married members join as singles and participate in events without a spouse for whatever reasons. However, for events such as the pig roast and holiday dinner when those couples both attend, the non-member spouse is considered a guest and must pay the non-subsidized price. You may also bring your renewal to the next coffee, but mailing it helps avoid a crush at the membership table. For members who joined in October 2017 or later, your payment is good through the end of 2018. Giving Tree Bounty
Joan Robison and Linda Ash showed just some of the gifts members brought to the December coffee for this year’s Giving Tree. This year we gifted seven families, a total of 46 children and parents. An additional $735 was given for other purchases. Thank you to all who participated in this Newcomers holiday tradition.
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Editor's NoteRecently a friend mused to me that she was considering rejoining Newcomers because she wanted access to our listings of trusted service providers. I had to tell her that, though there are many, many reasons to join, we no longer have that. Listings had too few details and it was so hard to keep current that we couldn’t in good conscience continue to post them. On the other hand, the newsletter has had recent Shout-Outs—an electrician last month and a painter and a contractor this month. Dick Gerhardt feels so strongly about 1-Stop Computer Shop that he’s underwriting ads for them. You’ll see a Shout-Out for 1-Stop next month.
I’d like to see Shout-Outs become a more regular newsletter feature. When we have enough, maybe a spot on our website. It could become a valid resource, especially for our newest members. Goodness knows, we all want to know of a reliable handyman or cleaning service. So, please, when you’ve had an especially positive experience with a service provider, let us all know by dropping a line to gjnewcomers@gmail.com. It’s another way of building the Newcomers community. Carolyn White, editor Newcomers in the NewsThe cover story in the Dec. 24 issue of the Daily Sentinel, “Boom times for boomers,” looked at those 65 and older as the fastest growing segment of people moving into Mesa County. According to the 2010 Census, an estimated 21,841 people in Mesa County were 65 and older, about 15% of the population. By 2050, the numbers are expected to be about 57 ,700and 25%.
The reporter went to the Summer Hill development where many of our members live. Charlotte Boylan explained how she and her husband researched the area and then settled into a “lock and leave” patio home with only one floor and a homeowner’s association to take care of chores that would otherwise fall to them. One of her neighbors, she noted, had moved away to be closer to family in Missouri but after nine months moved back because she missed her friends in the community. Though the article didn’t name that returnee, it’s Janet McRae. Les Slowik was also interviewed about the many retirees who find their way to our club and stay members for many years. The article noted some of our many activities such as happy hours and tours. The full article is available at gjsentinel.com/opinion/boom-times-forboomers/article_a7b1abec-e878-11e7-813410604b9ffe60.html. |
Not a member of Newcomers? There’s an easy fix tor that. You don’t even have to be new to the area. Annual dues are just $15 or $25 for a couple. You can download the membership form by clicking here, and then send the completed form and a check to Grand Junction Newcomers Club, PO Box 3222, GJ 81502. Or better yet, come to the next monthly coffee, get to know us a bit, and sign up then. You’ll meet some great people, get a copy of our member directory, begin receiving our monthly newsletter and timely email alerts, can join any of our regular activity groups, and participate in special events such as our pig roast and potlucks.
