Hi Ladies, Thanks for reviewing the Newsletter. Let me know if you see anything that needs changing.
Lora | | August 2026 THE CAROLINIAN
Editor: Lora Castello nfcnewsletter26@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. |
Wow, we've really been having a hot summer again this year. Hope everyone is staying cool indoors or out at someone's pool soaking up the Vitamin C from the sun! I'm wondering what August will bring. Do you remember all the rain we had last August? Charlotte recorded measurable rain on 14 distinct days!
To help you stay cool there's two pool parties planned in August:
- Merry Lee & Mare are presenting a Twilight Pool Party & Luau at Jean Rottmann's house for Ladies Night Out, August 12 starting at 6 p.m.
- Better Homes & Gardens's chairs Sandy & Karen are presenting an ice cream social and pool party on Thursday, August 20 at 1 -3 p.m. at the home of Rosann Fochi.
To ensure you don't miss anything, please review the complete details later in this publication!
We will resume our membership luncheon on August 27 at Sip & Cinder in Waxhaw hosted by Lisa Byrne and Cyma Kline with guest speaker Janice Sawitoski, an historian and genealogist. Seating is for 55 so make sure you register early beginning July 22!
Make sure you read Kris's Membership article announcing our Welcome Coffee in September which will follow our monthly board meeting.
Please feel free to reach out to me to add any information to my Monday messages or in a newsletter if it's something we can share with all.
Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!
Dee Drobonick, President
|  | | Carol Rider - 8/3
Karen Bearss - 8/6
Kathy Couture - 8/6
Julie Looney - 8/6
Trisha McGinn - 8/7
Cyma Kline - 8/7
Tracie Highley - 8/16
Jeanne Deiger 8/18 | | Joanne Melillo - 8/21
Sandy Herberg - 8/25
Patricia Spencer - 8/26
Faye Daniel 8/26
Mary Cantelmo - 8/27
Libby Joyce - 8/27
Grace Smith - 8/30
| | |  |
We are delighted to welcome our newest members, Julie Looney and Ginni Rutherford. Julie resides in Matthews and her mother is Adrienne Jenkins. Ginni is from New Jersey and lives in Charlotte with her husband Daniel.
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to the new members who joined last month: Mary Cantelmo, Carol Lynn Jenkins, Lee Cassandra and Kathleen Taddanio.
We are also pleased to share that 136 members have renewed their membership to date. Thank you to everyone who has renewed and helped keep our club strong for the year ahead. We now have 142 members including our 6 new members.
Our upcoming NFC Welcome Coffee will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 12:15 p.m. at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - Matthews. The Matthews Library is located at 230 Matthews Station Street, Matthews NC 28105. More information will be in the September newsletter on August 25, 2026. If you know of anyone who may want to join us, please let me know and I will send out an invite when we get a little closer to the event.
Keep cool and enjoy the summer!
Kris Pacilio, VP of Membership
rktriple@aol.com
| |
Board Meeting for Elected and Standing Members
Thursday, August 6, 2026
10:00 am
Home of Diana Condgon
5513 Strabane Dr.
Matthews, NC 28104
Event Contacts:
Dee Drobonick 704-641-5960
Please make sure if you are on the board to register on the calendar. If you can not make it please let Dee know.
| | | | CARE AND CONCERN
Carol Henderson was sent a "Thinking of You" card due to her recent time in the hospital and illness.
Terry Hatcher was sent a card after her recent surgery.
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.
Diane McCartney
(917) 399-9189
dianemccartney1@yahoo.com | | |  |
Check out these fun events happening in our area in August, supplied by our
ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER: CHRIS GREEN
Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week, Friday, July 24, through Sunday, August 2, 2026. Over 120 restaurants around the metro area will showcase their cuisine via multi-course dining deals, with prix fixe prices ranging from $30 to $55 per person. Customers can visit CharlotteRestaurantWeek.com to view the list of participating restaurants and their special Queen’s Feast menus and make reservations.
THEATER & CONCERTS
07/21-08/08 Not Just Another Love Story: NarroWay Theatre
07/21-08/09 Dracula: Booth Theater
07/21-07/26 Hairspray: Mathew’s Playhouse
08/11-16 & Juliet: Belk Theater
Truliant Amphitheater Outdoor Events
08/14 Tim McGraw
08/17 Motley Crue
08/22 Luke Bryant
SPORTS (Home Games)
07/29 Major League All-Star Soccer Game: BOFA
Charlotte Football Club: Bank of America Stadium
08/04, 07, 11, 15, 22
Charlotte Knights Baseball: Truist Field
08/04-09, 25-30
Charlotte Football Club: Bank of America Stadium
08/04, 07, 11, 15, 22
Carolina Panthers: Bank of America Stadium
08/06 Hall of Fame Game @Arizona Cardinals
08/28 Preseason Game: Houston Texans-BOFA
LOOKING AHEAD:
09/08-13 Hell’s Kitchen Musical: Belk Theater
09/11-10/04 Come From Away: Theater Charlotte
09/13 Carolina Panthers vs Chicago Bears
| HONORING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11
Opening night of Come From Away at Theatre Charlotte is set for September 11, 2026 – marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
This remarkable true story celebrates the compassion of the people of Gander, Newfoundland, who welcomed
thousands of stranded passengers into their homes and hearts. It’s a powerful tributeto
kindness, humanity, and community — all values at the core of Theatre Charlotte.
Stay tuned for more information from Drama Queens Interest Group and member registration for tickets.
| | |
Monthly Membership Luncheon
and Special Events |  | | August Monthly Membership Luncheon
August 27, 2026
11:30am Social - 12pm Lunch
at
Sip & Cinder
1325 N. Broome St.
Waxhaw, NC 28173
Menu
Entree choice of:
Pecan Crusted Carolina Trout
herb risotto, grilled asparagus
peach chutney, lemon butter
Buttermilk fried Chicken & Waffle
cinnamon butter, bourbon honey,
candied bacon
Lockport Beef on Weck
slow roasted beef, horseradish, au jus caraway seed bun
Dessert
Peach Cobbler
Iced Tea, soft drinks, coffee, water
Cash Bar
Price: $38 for members, $43 for guests |  | The speaker for this month will be
Janice Sawitoski
Janice is an enthusiastic family historian and genealogist who has spent many years researching her family roots across the U.S.
In her presentation to us she
will share how genealogy connects us to our past, the tools available to today's researchers, and some of the fascinating discoveries that can be found when exploring family history. | | |
| Ladies Night Out
Twilight Pool Party and Luau
At the Home of Jean Rottmann
Merry Lee Wheeler
| | Don your swimsuit and coverup, ladies!
Bring your sunhat, sunglasses, and pool towel!
Join us for delicious Hawaiian food, a cool drink, and a refreshing pool float or swim in a beautiful, tropical setting!
Once you register, you will be sent a Sign Up Genius link where you will choose a simple Hawaiian dish to bring. The simple recipe will then be sent to you for your convenience.
Non-alcoholic drinks will be served. You may bring your own wine or cocktail if you choose.
Please be aware, this is an outdoor event and it may be hot, although there will be shaded areas accessible.
| | | | Jewelry Making
with our own
Ally Dantino
August 24, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Home of Andrea Woods
1909 Crestgate Drive, Waxhaw, NC 28173
$30 to make two pieces of jewelry
Payable at the event
Space for 8 Crafty Chicks | | | | Join us for our annual Ice Cream Social and Pool Party
Always a Member Favorite
Bring ice cream, toppings, sprinkles, cones or whipped cream. After you register, let Sandy Cummings (704-898-1844) know what you're bringing. Don't forget your swim suit.
Home of Roseann Fochi | | | |
Editor's note: Thank you for once again giving me the opportunity to be the Newsletter Editor for the 2026-27 Board. If you have any questions about the newsletter, please reach out to me. I am happy to add any information approved by Dee to the newsletter. My contact information is NFCnewsletter26@gmail.com | | When you take pictures at one of our events...
Send them to our new Historian, Terri Hatcher at:
| | | |
Please push on the Calendar button above which will take you to the website calendar to see all the upcoming events. | |