Greater Lexington Newcomers

Greater Lexington Newcomers Meetings 1st Wednesday 10:00 to 11:30 AM Each Month Except August & December March Meeting Rescheduled to 2nd Wednesday, March 12 EDITOR: Bill Anthony – [email protected] WEB SITE: Gary Sullivan - www.lexvanewcomers.org

Vol. 22 Issue 6 – March 2014 THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dear Newcomers, CLUB OFFICERS Writing this letter commenting on our March meeting that hasn’t yet happened is a challenge; Bill Anthony is quite the task master! I guess then, that this message will be President rather short (which I realize I say every month) and a preview of our meeting instead of a Pam Grinder recap. With that in mind, it will be good to see everyone again, and this month we have an actual program-besides me leading the Pledge of Allegiance! Susan Matthews will Vice President speak on her experience with Habitat for Humanity and perhaps will offer ways that Linda Andrew some of you might want to get involved. I look forward to learning more about the local Habitat program. Treasurer Peg Leinbach I had hoped this month’s letter could include positive weather comments for a change, which I’ve now revised for April or perhaps May. Last week I opened the barn door to let Corresponding my Vermont-raised Morgan horse out to play in her beloved snow, but for the first time Secretary ever, she paused and looked at me. One minute later she was kicking at the barn door to Barbara Risser be let back in. When even a Vermonter is complaining, you know that winter should end…that minute! COMMITTEE CHAIRS On a non-snowstorm night recently, I told my husband we were going to a play, one I had tried more than once to see at Ford’s Theatre in Washington. I had pleaded then with Activities friends and family to see The Laramie Project, but no one wanted the hassle of driving Shelly downtown and the ticket and parking expense. And then I read it would be performed at Undercoffer Washington and Lee! My husband knew that this time travel would be approximately four minutes and parking would be free, but asked, as you always do in Washington, Hospitality “How much are the tickets?” Those of you who’ve lived here a while know the answer, Diana Hopkins “You don’t need a ticket; the performance is free.” This Laramie Project was just as good as I’d hoped, and reminded me once again, that despite occasional weather we’re Membership not fond of, Lexington is a darned good place to live! Bill Docekal As predicted, guess my letter once again isn’t that short: Happy Spring? See you next Name Tags week! Marilou Schindler Pam [email protected] Publicity 463-6346 Sally Nunneley 703-819-8375

Welcome Cathy Broach

1 Chamber of Commerce Opportunities 2014 Avenal House in Bedford is the site of paranormal experiences and is on the Our Newcomers Club has a membership in the Haunted House Registry. Chamber of Commerce serving Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County. As such, all of our members can share in the opportunities and benefits that the Chamber offers.

One of these membership opportunities is a Chamber Benefits Card program. This card offers discounts, incentives and/or service at over 100 participating local businesses. We may also participate in many of the Chamber’s educational The National D-Day Memorial is located in forums, seminars and workshops. There are Bedford, VA. Bedford suffered the highest per also networking opportunities at Business After capita losses during the D-Day invasion. Hours and other Chamber events.

If you would like to receive your Chamber Benefits Card and/or be included on the Chamber’s e-mailing list, please contact Jan Lowry at [email protected] or phone her at 464-1073.

ACTIVITIES CALENDAR

Thursday, 27 March

If the winter has truly ended by this date, 27 March 2014, we are planning a trip to Bedford. We will visit the D-Day Memorial, Avenal House, and have a meal at Liberty Station. Order for the day is yet to be determined. If The Liberty interested check in with me or sign up at meeting Station is a converted rail station. Food is next week. rated well and is home to ‘Harry’s Famous Cheesecake’.

2 APRIL

Date: To Be Determined POC: Jan Lowry Greenbrier Theater Lewisburg, WV

THINKING OF YOU

Please send me an e-mail ([email protected]), if you know of a member who is recovering from surgery or just needs a note of support.

Barbara Risser Corresponding Secretary

Is He Dead? By Mark Twain Adapted by David Ives

Comedy | April 10 - 26

Everyone knows artists sell more work when they’re dead, but Jean-François Millet gets a little more than he bargains for when his friends hatch a half-brained plot to fake his death and sell his paintings to settle a debt. Sure, now he’s ridiculously wealthy, but living life as your own fake twin sister in 1840s France presents its own set of problems!

Look for sign ups at next meeting. FROM THE HISTORIAN

Contact Shelley Undercoffer regarding any of Don't forget to send your activity photos to Gary these activities: 540-461-0623 or Sullivan for the on-line photo album. [email protected] [email protected]

3 Fine Dining Group

Fine Dining (or Dining In) is starting our winter (Feb/March) rotation. INTEREST GROUPS Currently we're "full" with 16 couples Interest group participating, but if you'd participants must like to be on the list as a be members of possible substitute, Newcomers. To please contact Grace Simcoe join an interest at [email protected] group, call or email the contact person.

Dining Out

The winter and spring dining out excursions have been well attended and all participants have really enjoyed themselves.

The fall outings included one evening venue (Edelweiss Restaurant) and five luncheon venues (Mano 8, Devils Backbone Brew Pub 4, Gertie's Wine Tasting Group Country Store 12, Naweb Indian Restaurant and the Sheridan Livery) attended by 35 - 40 people. The Wine Tasting Group meets three times a year (March-April, June-July, and October- 2014 started off with a bang with eight different November) to taste wines. The group tastes a offerings of dining venues for the Feb/Mar selection of six wines each time. The tastings are outings. These included Michel's, Panera Bread, blind. They are usually, but not always, based Byers Street Bistro, Matsumoto Sushi, Green on a single grape or region (e.g., Zinfandel, Leaf Grill, Star of India, Southern Inn, Stella, Chardonnay, Chianti). Bella and Lucy's Cafe with nearly 60 people attending. The wine tasting group is all set for its tastings in March and April. It will be Pinot Gris & Pinot Our next round will take place in Apr/May; so Grigio. If you would like to join the wine tasting those wishing to host are requested to contact group, send email to Jim Slack at Dorothy Coker at 540-348-6248 [email protected]. or [email protected]. Dorothy will need to know the name of the restaurant, a date for your outing and a count of how many diners can sign up. . 4 Fourth Thursday II Book Club

Couples Bridge #2 Our purpose is to read and enjoy literature. We usually meet at Couples Bridge #2 welcomes substitutes. For each other’s homes. Our February meeting was more information contact Cathy Broach at (540) held at Phil Crudden’s home to discuss Skeletons 261-3141. at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian. JoAnn Toner facilitated. All in attendance benefited from the myriad of discussion topics and gave an over-all 3.20 rating.

Our next book is Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. This book is a departure from club’s past choices. Although most would consider the Canasta genre as science fiction, Atwood has disputed this preferring to label it speculative fiction and Canasta meets the fourth "adventure romance" because it does not deal Tuesday of each month. Anyone interested in with "things that have not been invented yet" and joining or being a sub, please contact Cynthia goes beyond the realism she associates with the Tucker, 540-463-3344, or novel form. Oryx and Crake was published in [email protected]. 2003. It was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize for Fiction that same year and for the 2004 Orange Prize for Fiction. (Wikipedia)

Hiking Group

The Fourth Thursday Book Club Newcomers Hiking Group hikes every Friday weather permitting. If you would Will meet March 27th , 1 pm at Sue Whitsitt’s like to be on the email list just email Don to discuss Where’d You Go Bernadette? Brooke, [email protected], or Debbie Maurer, [email protected].

Yoga Group 5 CALENDAR

11 Yoga 14 Hiking Group 18 Yoga 21 Hiking Group 25 Yoga 25 Canasta The Newcomers' Yoga group meets weekly on 27 Bedford Outing Tuesday mornings at 8:30 in the Fitness Center 27 4th Thursday Book Club at Kendal. The Center is down the hill and 27 4th Thursday II Book Club behind the main building, but we are requested to 28 Hiking Group park our cars in the guest parking lot, anywhere on the circle. APRIL

Our class is appropriate to all levels, and 1 Yoga individual needs are addressed with 4 Hiking Group modifications. Bring your mat, wear some 8 Yoga comfy clothes, and join us for an hour of gentle 11 Hiking Group stretching, conditioning and strengthening in a 15 Yoga union of mind, body and spirit. 18 Hiking Group 22 Yoga Please call Helen Moore at 850-240-5619 if you 22 Canasta have any questions. 24 4th Thursday Book Club 24 4th Thursday II Book Club 25 Hiking Group 29 Yoga