| May 2025 THE CAROLINIAN
Editor: Sandee Henricks nfcnewsletter2024@gmail.com | NOTE: This newsletter contains hyperlinks for you to view club events.
Prior to reading the newsletter, it is advisable that you log into the
New Friends of Carolina website. Have your Username and Password available. |  | Good Day, Friends,
Did you know your chances of dying are cut in half by joining just one group? Harvard professor and award-winning author Robert Putnam has spent his entire academic career researching and advocating for the concept of social capital, meaning that social networks have "capital" or value for people, even lengthening longevity.
June is approaching, and with it the time to renew your NFC membership for 2025-2026. Annual dues become due on June 1st and become delinquent as of June 30. The NFC board and I truly hope you have had a terrific year and that the social capital the club provides you with is worth continuing.
Community is what happens when you do what you love together with others. You have had the opportunity to play cards and games, discuss books, view a movie, attend a play, craft a creation to wear or display, dance to the music of Elvis, discover Charlotte's unique neighborhoods, listen to speakers on a variety of topics, and enjoy day trips to unique locations. And, lest you forget, sharing a lunch, a dinner, some bites and brews, or appetizers with a bunch of friends old and new were experiences offered by NFC this year. You have generously volunteered your time and/or money to support the needs of others. To top it all off, you have been offered a marvelous year of luncheons in many new venues. The subsidies you have enjoyed that reduced the cost of the monthly membership luncheons more than pay back the dues you pay to renew. So, enjoy a long, happy life and continue your membership in NFC!
Debbie Williams, President
New Friends of Carolina
|  | If you are one of our May birthday ladies listed below, don't forget to sign up for the Membership Luncheon. Your birthday will be acknowledged, and you just might be selected to receive a special birthday gift! | | Deb DePascale 5/3
Deborah Williams 5/4
Brenda Romanoff 5/5
Sheila Collins 5/12
Anne Warren 5/12
Elly Grespin 5/12 | | Kris Sheehan 5/12
Linda Arent 5/15
Elaine Segarra 5/18
Susan Loegel 5/19
Dee Drobonick 5/19
Diana Congdon 5/20 | | |
Club membership remains at 183 members, and we treasure each and every one of you. At the April luncheon, we will celebrate both new and seasoned members alike. I am pleased to see so many members taking part in a variety of activities and making friends in the process. So, keep it up and try new things.
In your travels, when encountering someone new, introduce them to the idea of joining our club. I, like many of you, knew virtually no one when I first moved here. Joining a New Friends group saved me. Be the smiling face greeting a newcomer. They will thank you for it.
Wishing you all good times and opportunities for new and continuing friendships.
Marie Shea, VP of Membership
marieshea1@yahoo.com
704-408-7303 | | CARE AND CONCERN
"Thinking of You" cards were sent to:
Sherry De Maison (surgery)
Karen Bearss (surgery)
Sympathy card was sent to:
Family of Janice Evans
If you know of anyone in our club who could use a card, a call, or a meal due to illness, hospitalization, etc., please let Jan Pasek know.
Jan Pasek
janicelpasek@gmail.com
404-276-0984
| | |  | May Membership Luncheon
Installation of 2025-2026 Elected Officers
Thursday, May 22, 2025
11:30 am - Social 12:00 pm - Lunch
Raintree Country Club
800 Raintree Lane, Charlotte, NC 28277
This is our special Installation Luncheon of the New Officers for 2025-2026
Guest Speaker: Member Mary McGarvey of Dress for Success
Mary has been a volunteer at Dress for Success for 15 years!
Dress for Success' mission is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools to thrive in work and life.
You will dine on a Mixed Green Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing
and have your choice of the following
Steak Manhattan Strip Loin, crushed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Broccolini
or
Airline Chicken Au Jus with Truffled Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Carrots
or
Pasta Anolini with Cherry Tomatoes and Broccolini Florets
Dessert is Strawberry Shortcake
Tea and Coffee
Cash Bar
Cost: $25 (Members) and $40 (Guests) to celebrate the Installation of our Elected Officers
Capacity: 80 (deadline to register is May 12)
~This luncheon is highly subsidized to keep member's cost at a minimum~
|
Monthly Board Meeting
and Special Events | | The board meeting is for Elected Officers and Standing Committee Chairs
Thursday, May 1, 2025
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
At the Home of Jeanne Deiger
6706 Charter Hills Road
Charlotte, NC 28277
Event Contact:
Deborah Williams
716-326-6915 | | | | Better Homes and Gardens
Spring Tea
Tuesday, May 6, 2025 - 1:00 PM
Home of Sandy Cummings
7025 Walton Heath Lane
Gate code #3703
Come join us for a fun afternoon of tea, treats and talk. Hats are optional.
Please bring a tasty item to share...be it scones, sandwiches or sweets.
Message Sandy at 704-898-1844 with what you plan to make.
P.S. We are looking for a hostess with a pool for our summer Ice Cream Social!
Capacity: 18 Tea Lovers
| | | | Feeling Lucky?
Join us for
Ladies Night Out
Tuesday, May 13th
Dinner at Emmet's Social Table (401 E. South Main Street, Waxhaw, NC)
at 5:00pm
Bingo at the American Legion Post (Waxhaw, NC)
at 7:00pm
Capacity: 18 Lucky Ladies
| | | | Helping Hands
are appreciated...
Monday, May 19, 2025
1:00pm - 2:00pm
Bright Blessings
1150 Crews Road
Charlotte, NC 28105
Capacity: 12 Willing Volunteers | | | | Craks, Bams, Dots
if these words sound familiar to you...
Let's get together for
Mah Jongg with
New Friends of Carolina!
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
12:30pm - 4:00pm
Whole Foods in Waverly
7221 Waverly Walk Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28277
Capacity: 11 "Seasoned" Players | | | | Create your own pendant!
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
10:00am - 1:00pm
Whole Foods at Waverly
7221 Waverly Walk Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28277
Learn to create a pendant using the wire wrapping technique. All it requires is a keen eye, a steady hand, and an interest in learning and having fun!
$25.00 (payment in cash or check to member,
Sheila Collins, at the event)
Capacity - 13 Crafty Chicks | | | | Annie Leibovitz/Work at Mint Museum Uptown
a Docent Guided Tour
Thursday, May 29, 2025
11:00am - 12:00pm
Mint Museum Uptown
Levine Center for the Arts
500 South Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
$22 for Non-Museum members (including Senior discount)
$10 for Senior Museum member
(Check the calendar for more information on the exhibit, payment to Andrea Woods and also parking instructions.)
Capacity: 20 Art Lovers | | | | Save the date...
Prepare to be transported on a thrilling voyage with
Peter & the Starcatcher...
Plan to join Drama Queens on July 19 at the Matthews Playhouse!
Look for more details in future newsletters! | | | Getting to know you...
Pegge Murphy |  | |
Do you have a family heirloom? If so, what's the story behind it?
Heirloom? I have a small cream can from a dairy that I have painted many different colors and use as a planter at my front door. My Dad gave it to me, so it's more of an antique. I also have a large brown bowl that my Mom used to make cakes and cookies. I remember her letting me lick the bowl as a child...lots of licking!
Where did you grow up and what is a special memory?
I was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa. I have so many wonderful memories of being at my Grandpa's farm...riding horses, milking cows, gathering eggs and sliding down the haystack. There were always baby chicks and ducklings...even little piglets. We had all sorts of fresh vegetables to eat. Great memories!
Who is the wisest person that you know?
So, the wisest person I know...call me crazy but my redheaded daughter amazes me. Anything and everything I need she always knows how to do it or knows the answer to it. And then there is also my Pastor, Fr. Kirby. I have learned so much from him, even at my age.
What celebrity, if any, would you love to meet and why?
Celebrity? My all-time favorite celebrity newscaster is Rob Schmitt. He is on News Max. I watch every night and would love to meet him. He gives the straight news and doesn't candy coat it!
Almost every day, I look forward to...
...Another beautiful day, enjoying family and friends. I enjoy my home and working in the garden. I am just loving the life that God has given me. | | |  | Please use the links below to learn more about each event. | Appetizers with Friends - Meet at member's home for appetizers and desserts
Better Homes & Gardens
Brews and Bites - Explore a new brewery/pub each month
Dining with Divas
The Divas enjoy lunch and fellowship at the home of members on a rotating basis. This is a closed group and meets the first Friday of the month usually. They are looking to start a new Dining with Divas group. If interested in joining a new group, contact
Chris Green chrisgreen126@yahoo.com 704-621-0893
Ladies Night Out - FUN and FRIENDS
Lunch Bunch 1 - Meets on the 2nd Friday each month at a different restaurant
Lunch Bunch 2 - Meets on the 3rd Friday each month at a different restaurant
Matinee Madams - Meet for a movie and sometimes lunch
(Watch your email or President's Monday message for updates)
Winers and Diners (Groups 1 and 2)
Meet at member's home for cocktails and then out to dinner
| Books, Crafts and Service | Book Lovers - Meet the 3rd Wednesday of every month to discuss a selected title
Book Swappers - Sharing interesting books
(We meet every other month at a member's home)
Crafty Creations - Make new friends and learn a new craft
Sip and Stitch - Bring your needlework...new members always welcome
Helping Hands
| Bunco #1
Bunco #2
Contract Rummy
Five Deck Canasta
Mah Jongg
Mexican Train 1
Mexican Train 2
Mexican Train 3
Mexican Train Evening
Rummikub
Samba
Scrabble
| Any and all feedback is welcome. Email your suggestions and comments to
Sandee Henricks at nfcnewsletter2024@gmail.com | |