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
It is with great sadness that we report that Doug Grodt’s wife Tina passed away in April while in hospice. Our thoughts and good wishes are with Doug, a dedicated member and activity leader.
April saw a fantastic Armchair Travelers when Peter Kummerfeldt took us on an African safari. Many oohs and ahhs over the beautiful pictures of the amazing wildlife of South Africa. April’s speaker Dr. Bjorn Irion presented valuable information on preventing DVT’s and PT’s on long plane flights. Also stay away from window seats over 737 engines. A great tour of the Sentinel (March) and fun wine tasting at Chez Lena remind us why the Newcomers Club is so popular. May promises to keep the winning going. The final spring group get-together for the dinner club is ahead. A speaker from RSVP and SHIP will update members on their services for seniors as well as new changes coming with Medicare. See you at the May 9 meeting, and as always I hope this letter finds you healthy, happy and ready to say goodbye to winter. 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 NoteWe were all saddened to hear of the recent passing of two long-time Newcomers, Earle Mullen and Tina Grodt. I’ll never eat chocolate chip fudge brownies again without thinking of the nature walk that her husband Doug led and the following picnic at Devil’s Kitchen where Tina was waiting with her famous brownies. The sound of opera will immediately bring to mind Earle’s passion for opera and classical music. I read both their obituaries in the Sentinel and was struck by what full lived they lived—and how many lives they touched for the good -- despite physical challenges in later years. They may be gone but their works live on, and we will honor them in our memories.
Maybe the message is “Carpe diem”—seize the day. Don’t sit around and let life pass you by. Live the moment. Cherish your loved ones. Do the best you can. Make a difference in our community. We’re all in this together. 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.