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Date: 5/20/2025
Subject: NFC Newsletter June 2025
From: New Friends



June 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,
 
It has been an honor and privilege to have served as your president over the course of the last 12 months.  You have made it all worthwhile with your patience, understanding, embrace of new ideas, enthusiasm and smiles.  It has been a genuine pleasure to become better acquainted with so many of you.
 
Throughout this year, you have displayed a true sisterhood with your generosity to our community volunteers project, participation in meal trains, concern for our members with health challenges and the swell of sympathy at the loss of three of our dear ones.  Plus, you are just a lot of fun when playing games, sharing your lives over lunch, taking a day trip, creating a craft, going to a play or movie, discussing a book and so many more delightful experiences too numerous to name.  Your membership in New Friends is valued, and it is my hope you will continue with us by renewing starting June 1.
 
To our members in leadership positions, I thank you for your dedication and hard work on behalf of our club members.  Interest chairs are the heart of why women want to join and stay in this organization.  Also, kudos to the board members and standing committee chairs serving on the board.  Dream Team, you are simply the best!  You can view some of the accomplishments of the NFC Board 2024-2025 below.
 
Your incoming board members will begin their duties in June.  I know New Friends will be in excellent hands as Jeanne Deiger takes over the reins of responsibility.
 
Many best wishes for a marvelous 2025-2026!
 
Debbie Williams, President
New Friends of Carolina
 

Accomplishments of NFC Board 2024-2025
 
Expansion of the capacity of interest groups by adding a second Lunch Bunch, a third Mexican Train, reviving Scrabble and Mahjongg, and establishing Pop-Up events and the new Helping Hands interest groups.
 
Instituted the use of locations for events and interest group sessions by utilizing free community rooms in public libraries and Whole Foods.
 
Continuation of the Monday President's Message to touch base regularly with NFC membership.  Weekly messages were sent every Monday throughout the membership year.
 
Offered a method via the NFC website for members to print membership directories at home.  The directory also is updated with an addendum for new members who have joined during the year.
 
Enhanced Welcome Coffees for new and prospective members by utilizing equipment at public libraries to offer training on the NFC website.
 
Welcomed 27 new members to date.
 
Implemented a successful Social event featuring an Elvis impersonator with 60 registrants.
 
Organized the participation in three events with our Community Volunteers partner this year, Go Jen Go.  Operation Joy saw the NFC membership support of over $2,600 for 36 Christmas presents for three families supported by Go Jen Go.
 
Revised and updated the board's Policies and Procedures.
 
Took steps to secure personal information from non-members on the NFC website.
 
Introduced streamlined newsletter with new popular method to feature member profiles.  
 
Offered 11 membership luncheons as of May, six at new venues.  A total of 601 attended 10 NFC luncheons to date, averaging 60 people per luncheon.
 
Board approved NFC members received approximately $58 in subsidies for the 11 luncheons, thus if you attend every membership luncheon, you get back the cost of your membership renewal fee and then some!
 


If you are one of our June birthday ladies listed below, don't forget to sign up for the Membership Luncheon.  Your birthday will be acknowledged, and you will receive a special birthday gift!
Joanne Kiser  6/1
Louise Carter  6/3
Carol McPhee  6/4
Lin Celoni  6/6
Jessica Peach  6/7
Mary Therese Laughlin  6/9
Dora Sestino  6/11
Kathy Salvador  6/13
Sherry Brandys  6/21
Sandee Henricks  6/21
Susan Brandenburg  6/22
Mary Lou Sussman  6/24
Kim Thorpe  6/25
Marcia Merrill  6/26


Club membership at the end of this Club year stands at 184 with the recent addition of Jetta Gill of Charlotte.  Jetta joined us for two events before becoming a member and felt both warmth and acceptance from you.  Thank you for reaching out.  We have several other women who are planning to join in June as the new Club year begins.  I am sure you will show them the same welcoming attitude that you showed Jetta.
 
I have so enjoyed serving as Vice President of Membership this year and welcoming twenty-seven members into the Club.  It has been an honor and a privilege.  I hope our Club will continue to thrive and all new members will sample and enjoy all that our Club has to offer.
 
Wishing you all a wonderful summer and good times and opportunities for new and continuing friendships in the Club.  Thank you. 
 
Marie Shea, VP of Membership
marieshea1@yahoo.com
704-408-7303


CARE AND CONCERN
 
"Thinking of You"
cards were sent to: 
Robin Curlin, Brenda Romanoff, Pauline Trautman, Phyllis Smith
 
Get Well card was sent to:
Kris Pacillio
 
Sympathy card was sent to: 
Carol Yeager   

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
 


June Monthly Membership Luncheon
 
June 26, 2025
11:30am Social - 12:00pm Lunch
 
Leo's Italian Social
4720 Piedmont Row
Charlotte, NC  28210
 
Guest Speaker is member,
Mary McGarvey.
Mary will share her passion for
DRESS for SUCCESS
where she has been a volunteer for 15 years!
 
Registration will open June 1
 Join us as we kick off summer with a light menu of one of the following:
 
Italian Sandwich,
Margherita Pizza
or
Lasagna
 
All meals include bread and a house salad
Coffee, Iced Tea and Soft Drinks
Cash Bar
 
$35.00
Capacity:  60 Members/Guests
     



Monthly Board Meeting
and Special Events


Special Board Meeting
of
Incoming & Outgoing Elected Officers,
Standing Committee and Interest Chairs
 
Thursday, June 5, 2025
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
 
Weddington Methodist Church, Building B
13901 Providence Road
Weddington, NC  28104
 
Event Contact:
Jeanne Deiger
704-607-3105


Come join us for
Scrabble...
 
Grab some tiles,
come sit in the sun,
lunch and maybe a glass of wine...
it's always SO MUCH FUN!
 
Meet upstairs in Whole Foods - Waverly
 
Tuesday, June 3, 2025
10:30am - 2:00pm
 
Capacity:  11 Players
 
Questions?  Contact Kim Thorpe
314-853-9638
 



Crafty Creations
Decorative Terra Cotta Clay Pots
 
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
10:00am - 12:00pm
 
Home of Terri Hatcher
9917 Grassy Crops Road
Charlotte, NC  28277
 
Create unique terra cotta clay pots into expressive faces with various mediums.  Can be used to hold a small plant or in some other creative way!
Bring glue gun and some glue sticks, if possible.
 
$10.00 per person
Pay cash to Terri the day of the event
 
Capacity - 11 Crafty Chicks


Join Drama Queens...
And prepare to be transported on a thrilling voyage with
Peter and the Starcatcher...
July 19, 2025
2 PM
Matthews Playhouse
 
A Tony Award-winning play that reimagines the timeless tale of how a downtrodden orphan transforms into the iconic Peter Pan. Set aboard the ship The Neverland, this high-seas adventure introduces us to three spirited orphan boys. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they cross paths with Molly Aster, a clever and quick-witted girl, who happens to be the daughter of an English lord and serves as a minister to the queen. 

A Play by Rick Elice
Music by Wayne Barke
Registration opens on June 25
10 tickets available - $28 per person


Getting to know you...
Anne Warren
(Anne pictured with her daughter, Elizabeth)
 
1.  Which three words would your family use to describe you?  Nurturing, Loyal and Caring

2.  What's the best piece of advice that you've ever been given? "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

3.  Have you ever broken any bones?  What happened?  Fortunately, I've never broken any bones and hopefully never will...

4.  If you had a whole day (or week) to do ANYTHING, no limits, what would you love to do?  I would LOVE to go on a fun trip with a friend.  

5.  Are you a Spender or a Saver?  I really try to have a balance between saving and spending...



Please use the links below to learn more about each event.

Food, Friends and Fun
Appetizers with Friends - Meet at member's home for appetizers and desserts
 
 
Better Homes & Gardens - Special events held every other month
     
 
Brews and Bites - Explore a new brewery/pub each month
     

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
Special opportunities to serve others in our community
 
 
 
 
  

Sports and Games
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