NEWCOMERS NOMINATING COMMITTEE: We, Newcomers, have the delightful opportunity to actively select candidates for the following 2009-2010 Board positions: President: Responsibilities are to help each board member do their job, to preside over monthly meetings, to provide resources to interest group leaders, and to have a sense of humor. 1st Vice President: Responsible for planning the program for each monthly meeting and assist the President as needed. The election for all Board positions will take place at the May meeting and your help is needed. Please call Renee Weiss, Deb Manfredonio or me with your suggestions, nominations, or concerns.

(Just to refresh your memory: “ A club is only as good as its members!)

Sincerely, Blanche

APRIL BIRTHDAYS : Wishing continued health and happiness to: Laura Mann 4/17 and Renee Allessio. 4/26.

Our fourth general meeting of 2009 will be held at 9:30am on Tuesday, April 14th, at the West Milford Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall.

Beginning at 10:30 a.m – Master Gardeners, Deb Manfredonio and Lyne Ciccarelli, will give an interesting and entertaining hands-on presentation,“Spring Planting: Herb Gardens”. Copies of “ Natural Insect Repellents - How to Use Herbs to Keep Bugs Away” and other related material will available. To actively participate in this event - please consider the following: 1. a variety of herbs for planting will be furnished. Cost per plant is between $0.50 and $1.00; 2. Soil, fertilizer , etc... will be available at no charge; 3. YOU must bring the planting container or containers (shoe-box size). Container may be clay or plastic as long as there is a drainage hold on the bottom; 4. If you like - gardening gloves and small shovel or large spoon.

Lyne Ciccarelli and Blanche DeSimone will supply the treats for the meeting. Our “Welcoming Chairwoman”, Rosemary Martin, will greet and distribute name-tags to members and guests. Babysitting is provided on the premises for $5 per family. Please pack snacks and drinks for your children.

Vintage Sterling Silver &and Amethyst Pendent /Necklace & Earrings Set Raffle Tickets for the "continuing raffle" will be available at the April meeting. All proceeds will be used to help fund our Newcomers’ social evening gathering in this spring. Special thanks to Renee Weiss, "Chez- Renee's Collectibles”, for donating this exquisite ‘prize’.

We look forward to seeing you at this ‘ Sweet April showers - doth bring May flowers’ gathering. Join the fun – the more the merrier!

BABYSITTING: On-site babysitting is provided for $5 per family at our meetings with our super sitter Sharon Grady providing this service. Please pay our Treasurer, Pauline Docwra, when you come in, pack snacks and drinks for your own children and label their belongings, especially if they have their own drinking cup.

TREATS WHEN WE MEET: If you have not as yet volunteered to bring a treat, please consider doing so for the JUNE meeting by contacting Blanche

MAY MEETING: For the May 12th meeting Renee Allessio will present “The Right to Know about Hazardous substances in the workplace, community and in the home. “

DIRECTORY AND E-MAILS: To help maintain our e-mail lists and directory, please notify our new webmaster, Blanche DeSimone any time during the year when there are changes to your membership information, i.e. e-mail address, telephone number, etc.

RAFFLE: Members are encouraged to bring items to be raffled off each month. You can clear out the clutter from your house and help the Club at the same time. The money earned from these raffles goes into our Club treasury to help defray monthly meeting expenses.

SUNSHINE SQUAD: Having friends help you out during a bad time can mean a lot. Helen Rezzonico is once again chairing this wonderful service the club provides for its members. The Sunshine Squad helps out members during difficult times by delivering dinners to them after surgery, giving birth or a serious illness. If you willing to be called on to be of service to your fellow members at such times, please let Helen know.

New ideas are ALWAYS welcome! If there is another group activity you would like to see implemented, or if you have a special interest or talent that you would like to share with others, then ‘Please’ let us know either through the newsletter or email or at the monthly meeting.