May 2024 

From Mark Kennedy

On behalf of the Newcomers & Neighbors Board of Directors and Appointed Chairs, I am pleased to announce that Katina (Tina) Wyder has been appointed as Vice President for 2024.  Tina and her husband Todd moved to Bellingham in November 2022 and joined Newcomers and Neighbors the following month.  We look forward to working with her for the rest of what we trust will be an event- and fun-filled year.

I want to thank everyone who attended April's luncheon, where we heard a fascinating talk from Joy Carey, a long-time resident of Bellingham punctuated by her and her husband's many sailing adventures while circumnavigating the globe.  Joy described not only their life at sea, but also the many places they visited and lived in during their travels.

This month's luncheon will be held on Wednesday, May 8th.  Our guest speaker will be Erika Block, the Executive Director of the Bellingham Festival of Music, who will talk to us about the exciting changes at one of Bellingham's premier annual events.  Foremost among the changes is the introduction of the festival's new Artistic Director, Marcelo Lehninger, who will take the lead in the festival's 31st year.  Please join us on the 8th to hear Erika.

After the May luncheon, we will take a break for the summer until the luncheons resume in September.  We already have some speakers lined up for when luncheons resume, but will more than welcome your suggestions and recommendations.

We will be holding our annual Summer potluck picnic on Tuesday, August 13th.  Information regarding the picnic will be announced shortly.

Thank you,

Mark

Call For Volunteers

Last month's newsletter mentioned that members are needed to host the club's regular monthly activities such as Dinner Bunches, Game Nights, Happy Hours, and Potlucks.  We want to thank everyone who stepped up this month so that we have our full complement of regular activities in May.

One member suggested to the Board that potential hosts for the Women's Potluck, which is a luncheon, may be deterred from hosting due to the constraints of having it in their home.  Hosts should feel free to schedule a Women's Potluck at a restaurant or similar venue just as we do with Dinner Bunches and Happy Hours.

This is a great idea!  If you would like to host a Women's Potluck at a venue other than your home, feel free to do so!  Please contact Barbara Balfour at sewingsu@comcast.net just as you would if you were scheduling one in your home.

Last month's newsletter also mentioned that we are looking for members to host different types of events.  We want to thank Todd and Tina Wyder for offering to facilitate an outing to Whidbey Island, which is described below.

Please contact Mark Kennedy at mekennedy2001@comcast.net if you have ideas for similar events.