Supper Club will be kicking off 2009 on Saturday, January 17. The theme will be Scandinavian Cuisine. This month my husband and I will be hosting, so space is limited to 12 people (including Ed and I).

For those not familiar with this interest group, here’s how it works. It meets the 3rd Saturday of every month, at a different member’s home. Members bring a homemade dish consistent with the theme for that month. As chairperson, I provide websites for recipes and coordinate the selections for a balanced menu. If you don’t like the website selections, please try your own recipe. Be adventurous and you are encouraged to try something new or different.

Our better halves are invited. But, that does not have to be the case. Some members come alone, others bring a guest. However, children are not to be included in Supper Club activities. There are just a few guidelines that we like to follow. All RSVP’s should be no later than one week prior to the event. This allows the dishes to be made in the proper proportion so that there is enough for everyone to enjoy. Depending on the size of the home where Supper Club is being hosted, attendance may be limited. Once the maximum is reached, we ask that everyone be respectful of the limitation. Remember, there is always next month.

Don’t feel that you can’t participate if your home is not available for Supper Club. Other members may provide their home, as long as you do the “hosting” activities.

Looking forward to meeting new members and reconnecting with current members.

Bon Appetit!!!!

Renee Weiss, Chairperson

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS : Wishing continued health and happiness to: Rosemary Martin 1/04, Lyne Ciccarelli 1/05, Sara Van Goor 1/05, Dolores LaRusso 1/07, Carol Sturm 1/14, Blanche DeSimone 1/18, Rita Bishop 1/18, Doris Rupp 1/19, Cyndy Taylor 1/21, Wilma Lopresti 1/21, Joan Wilton 1/28, and Pauline Docwra 1/31.

Connie McHugh and '??????? (another Volunteer is needed)' will supply the treats for the January meeting.

Want some direction in planning your new year? Then be sure to come to our January meeting to hear our guest speaker, Kathy Biehl, talk about the changes and opportunities we can expect from the big astrological trends of 2009 and how we can set some new year's goals to make the most of what's coming.

Kathy is an astrologer, Tarot master and an attorney whose career has bridged the rational mind and intuition for more than 20 years. She writes the extended monthly horoscopes for TheCosmicPath.com and produces customized Family Dynamics books with astrological information about a family's members and pets.

We look forward to seeing you at this New Year gathering. Join the fun – the more the merrier!!

PILI ALOHA: Our December Holiday Party social scene started with music made by six Newcomers, Connie McHugh, Jennifer Hahn, Mary Loudin, Jody Goldenberg, Margaret Bordino, and Kathy Biehl, in straw hats and leis plucking ukuleles around a table and singing and playing favorites like “Tiny Bubbles”, “You Are My Sunshine”, and “Aloha Oe”. As of this writing the group is now an octet with the addition of Rowena Manalo and Laura Mann.

PAY IT FORWARD: In the spirit of ‘Pay It Forward’ our Holiday Food Drive was immensely successful. Non-perishable food items donated by Newcomers filled two boxes.

TREATS WHEN WE MEET: If you have not as yet signed up for a month, please consider doing so at the next meeting or by contacting Blanche. So far: February - no one; March - Diane Brewer; April - Lyne Ciccarelli.

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 expenses.

2008-2009 CLUB DIRECTORY UPDATES/CHANGES: Please correct Wilma Lopresti’s birthday. It should be 01/21.

I thank Merrilee McKittrick, the editor/publisher’s of the Newcomers’ newsletter, for generously giving me the pleasurable responsibility for the December and January editions. Blanche

ACTIVITIES UPDATE: