| February 2026 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. |
February Brrrrrrr,
Winter has finally arrived and we may even see snow flurries in the next few weeks. February is the month that Punxsutawney Phil will tell us if we have six more weeks of winter. What's your guess?
February is also the month that the nominating committee will select a slate of elected officers for the 2026-2027 year and present them to the Board for approval. Nominations will be accepted through February 25. If you are interested in learning more about an elected position, or nominating someone, please reach out to Monica Taft at 704-612-3704.
Our second Welcome Coffee will be held Thursday, February 5 at 11:15 at Weddington Methodist Church, 13901 Providence Rd., Building B, Weddington, NC. The board meeting begins at 9:30 and is open to Elected Officers, Standing Chairs and Interest Chairs. Please be sure to register and reach out to Dee Drobonick, VP of Membership, for additional information. Our membership continues to grow as we add new members each month. Please introduce yourself, welcome them, and make them feel at home.
Don't forget to register for our Annual Bingo Luncheon celebrating Mardi Gras at Red Rocks Café in February. It is always so much fun. Ladies Night Out had a great Snowman exchange last week and in February they are bringing back "My Favorite Things". Please see the details in the newsletter and on the website and register if you would like to attend.
Last week we had a wonderful In-the-Know presentation by Cheryl Hoover, Pharmacy in Your Kitchen. If you missed it, please ask one of the other 40 ladies that attended. Everyone left with a better understanding of how to fuel your body with the right foods. If you are interested, follow Cheryl on Instagram or purchase her book, “Healthy Living for a Sharper Mind,” available on Amazon.
I had a great meeting with our Interest Chairs last week to discuss our calendar events. As I announced last month, Interest Chairs will be entering attendance of their event so we can try to understand the issue of cancellations, no-shows, and last-minute cancellations for events. For the next few months, I will provide numbers and encourage us to do better. Each Monday I will remind you to check your calendars and cancel any events you may have registered for but can no longer attend.
This month’s numbers of cancellations as of January 19 are (61). No shows (people registering for events and not canceling or attending) are currently at 10. I challenge us to be respectful of your Interest Chairs and hostesses and see if we can reduce the numbers when I update you again in my March letter. I call all No Shows just as a courtesy to be sure you are ok.
Enjoy February, Daylight Savings Time is right around the corner on March 8, 2026.
Thank you for being a New Friend.
Jeanne Deiger, President
New Friends of Carolina
|  | If you are one of our February birthday ladies listed below,
don't forget to sign up for the next Membership Luncheon.
Your birthday will be acknowledged, and you will receive a special birthday gift! | | Nancy Hunt 2/2
Bette Roos 2/3
Glenda Naypauer 2/5
Allyson Dantino 2/5
Meg Cutrone 2/6
Linda Linken 2/7
Susan Smylie 2/10
Linda Welsh 2/11
Gwen Taylor 2/13
Marie Shea 2/16
| | Jane Man 2/17
Joyce Fitzgerald 2/18
Nancy Sinclair 2/19
Janice Mueller 2/20
Cinder Shay 2/14
Susan Isley 2/24
Tish Bialecki 2/25
Zelda White 2/26
Judy Hartley 2/28
Monica Taft 2/28 | | |  |
Happy New Year to all! I hope you are well on your way to a happy and healthy 2026.
Please join me in welcoming our first 2026 new members...
Patricia Bleuher - Pat attended our September 2025 Welcome Coffee and the December luncheon. She is hoping to be able to attend some of our events in between babysitting her grandchild and soon to be second grandchild. Pat is originally from Connecticut.
Maia Clavin - Maia and her husband moved to Charlotte last year, so she is fairly new to the area. She attended her first event at Lunch Bunch last week. She said that she is very excited about attending more events once she returns from a trip with her husband and family to London and Paris.
Nancy Sinclair - Nancy attended our December luncheon as a guest of one of our members. She saw how much fun we have so immediately decided to become a member. Nancy is from our great state of North Carolina and the town of Clinton.
Sandy Witte - Sandy attended "In The Know" for her first event. She is from Sioux City, Iowa and now resides in the Myers Park area with her husband Kurt.
We are now 167 members and going strong!
It's time again for our NFC Welcome Coffee for new and prospective members to be held Thursday, February 5, 11:15 a.m. at the Annex Building B of the Weddington Methodist Church. Please see the full announcement below. Be thinking of this, If you know of anyone who may want to join us. Please let me know and I will send out an invitation. We ask that ALL Interest Chairs attend as well so you can share information about your monthly event.
We always welcome new members so when you are out and about and meet someone you think would enjoy our club or have a friend or two who you think would enjoy some of our events, please invite them to attend our Welcome Coffee. If they can't attend, invite them to one of our monthly luncheons or events that are open to guests. I will have some of our business cards at the Coffee if you would like some to give out.
Looking forward to seeing some of you at the January luncheon and others at future events.
Dee Drobonick, VP of Membership
nfcmembership2025@gmail.com | | February Board Meeting
and Welcome Coffee for New and Prospective Members
Thursday, February 5, 2026
9:30 am to 12:00 pm
Weddington Methodist Church, Building B
13901 Providence Road
Weddington, NC 28104
Board Meeting at 9:30 AM is for Elected Officers, Standing Committee Chairs & Interest Chairs
followed by a Welcome Coffee at 11:15
Women interested in joining New Friends of Carolina or those who have become new members in the last few months are invited to this informational session. Interest group chairs are also invited to attend the welcome coffee. Refreshments will be served.
Event Contact: Jeanne Deiger
704-607-3105 | | | | CARE AND CONCERN
If you know of anyone in our club who could use a card, a call, or a meal due to illness, hospitalization, and etc., please let me know.
Thinking of You card sent to
Judy DiLiddo
Please remember our New Friend, Sandi Cherrybone with a card or a visit.
Her address is: Brighton Gardens of Charlotte, Sunrise
6000 Park South Drive
Charlotte, NC 28210
Diane McCartney
(917) 399-9189
dianemccartney1@yahoo.com | | |  | THEATER & SHOWS
The Outsiders: 02/03-08 Belk Theater
Oliver JR: 02/07 CPCC Parr Center
Rouge: 02/13-14 Booth Playhouse
Riverdance 30: 02/13-15 Ovens Auditorium
Swan Lake: 02/20 Knight Theater
The Curious Savage: 02/20-03/01 CPCC Parr Theater
Fleetwood Mac Celebration: 02/21 Knight Theater
MJ The Musical: 02/24-03/01 Belk Theater
Hair: 02/27-28 Booth Playhouse
SPORTS
Charlotte Hornets: Spectrum Center
02/02, 09, 11, 19, 20, 28
Charlotte Checkers: BoJangles Coliseum
02/01, 06, 07, 14,15 ,18, 20 ,21 ,25, 27, 28
LOOKING AHEAD:
Snow White: 03/03 Booth Playhouse
03/31-04/05 MAMA MIA! Belk Theater
|
Monthly Membership Luncheon
and Special Events | Join Ladies Night Out for a fun
My Favorite Things/Galentines Event
February 11, 2026 at 6pm
at
Susan Brandenburg's Home
What to do:
Pick ONE thing you love and bring 3 of that item
(unwrapped or in clear wrapping)
Please spend between $12 to $15 for each item. Your item could be a beauty product, fashion accessory, edible treat, kitchen gadget, book etc etc! You will tell why this item is one of your favorites!
Each person will leave with 3 favorite items from someone else.
Bring $5 for pizza, salad and a sweet.
BYOB
Everyone who comes must participate in the exchange
WEAR PINK!!!
Space for 18 Galentines
| Creative Adventures...Treasure Journal Cover
Come join us to make and personalize your own reusable Treasure Journal Cover. You can change from one completed journal to the new one. This may not be something for you but would make a wonderful gift for a special friend!
Wednesday, February 25 - 10:00am - 1:00pm
Andrea Wood's home
1909 Crestgate Drive
Waxhaw, NC 28173
210-836-4264
$10 per person, payable at the event
Space for 8 "Crafty Chicks"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SAVE THE DATE...
March...Chocolate Bark Making class
Wednesday, March 25 at 1:30 pm
at the SECRET CHOCOLATIER
April...Silk Scarf Painting
Thursday, April 16 at 1:00 pm
| | Hey, Lucky Ladies,
Let's
Celebrate | | | Monthly Membership Luncheon
February 26, 2026
Come enjoy time with friends while you try your luck at Bingo. Wear your Mardi Gras beads to fit right in with the theme of the luncheon. Bingo cards are $5 each so don't forget to bring money to purchase them!
11:30 am Social - 12:00 pm Lunch
Red Rocks Cafe
4223 Providence Road
Charlotte, NC
Menu - choose one of the following
Chicken Salad Fruit Plate
Small Salmon Caesar Salad
Red Rocks Burger
Dessert is Chocolate Layer Cake and Coconut Layer Cake
Soft drinks, Tea and Lemonade
Cash Bar
Price $35 Members, $40 Guests
Space for 60 Lucky Ladies | | Travelers Interest Group
Are you ready for an UNFORGETTABLE trip to ITALY?
It's not too early...we are booking flights, hotels...
For more information, contact
Angie Glender (513) 295-8036
Mickey Key (704) 905-8973
| | | GETTING TO KNOW YOU...
Judy DiLiddo |  | | What's next on your bucket list? I have been a Travel Consultant for over 20 years and have booked some amazing trips! On my list is an African safari with a stopover at the Seychelles Islands!
What was your most recent "splurge"? Dinner at LELUIA. I have had some incredible dinners in NYC and this place is right up there!
If you won the Lottery, how would you spend your winnings? Easy one! I'd contact Fertility doctors in Charlotte and advise that I'd be paying for all of their patients in financial hardship. The expenses are overwhelming. I know first hand the pain, tears, disappointments and heartache they go through and money should not be one of them. We were lucky enough at the end of the day to have our two beautiful daughters. I want this blessing for others.
What are you passionate about? TENNIS! We joined a tennis club in NY and never looked back. Along the way, we have made lifelong friends and even pack our racquets on vacation. We've passed on that same passion to our children! Tennis is not just a sport but a way of life...GAME, SET, MATCH!
If you could tell your younger self one thing, it would be... "Don't sweat the small stuff!" Life goes by faster than you think! | | | | Here is a thought from Judy...
"It's only a short trip, enjoy it"
| | | Please use the links below to learn more about each event. | | When you take pictures at one of our events...
Send them to:
nfchistorian@proton.me | | | 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
Dining with Divas - An 8-member group who meet for lunch at a member's home on a rotating basis. Contact Pauline Trautman (704) 507-5680 for information to be a sub or create a new group.
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
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)
Sip and Stitch - Bring your needlework...new members always welcome
| Bunco #1
Bunco #2
Contract Rummy
Five Deck Canasta
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 | |