PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE: Look forward to seeing all in November. Since I land at 11:30a.m. on the 10th, I won't be back in time for that day's meeting. Hopefully I will be attending some interest groups soon.

"When you do something extraordinary your life goes from stereo to surround sound. It renews your spirit."

With my aloha, Connie (La nueva presidente)

NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS : Wishing continued health and happiness to: Maria Eriksson - 11/12, Rose Steele - 11/12, Darlene Kohan - 11/14, Kathy Mcguire - 11/17 and Sandy Maciel - 11/24.

Mervet Yassin will demonstrate the art of “Authentic Middle Eastern Cuisine” at our next meeting, Tuesday, November 10th, at the West Milford Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. Mervet will be assisted by Wilma Lopresti, who was her partner in providing the Middle Eastern breakfast that members enjoyed at a meeting last spring.

Mervet was born in Jordan and came to the United States with her family when she was two years old. She learned most of her cooking from her mother who is Syrian. Her husband and his mother, who are Palestinian, also taught Mervet recipes. Mervet feels the best part about Middle Eastern cooking is that the ingredients are always fresh --- never processed. Most of all she loves cooking for her friends who enjoy eating the different foods of her heritage. When Mervet met her neighbor Wilma Lopresti, who told her how much she loves Middle Eastern food, they started to cook together. They have been having fun ever since.

So, fellow members come for “coffee "--- no nibbles --- at 9:30 a.m. Mervet and Wilma will have already started preparing the food for our enjoyment. Mervet asks that you bring your appetites --- you will be cooking, eating and taking notes. Our regularly, scheduled meeting will take place after their kitchen demonstration and the food is served.

Julia Held, First Vice President

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.

NEW MEMBERS: Please welcome our new member - Marcia Price. Marcia will be included in your coming Membership Directory.

DUES: Yearly dues of $20 should have been received by now from our current members if they are rejoining. In case this has slipped your mind and you want to be included in our 09-10 Directory, the absolute deadline to receive your checks is November 17th. Checks should be sent to The West Milford Newcomers Club, P.O. Box 635, Hewitt, NJ 07421 or you can pay at the November 10th meeting. Women new to the Club but interested in finding out more about us, may attend two meetings as well as our other activities before joining.

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS: As we have been doing for several years, we will include the advertising of our members’ or their husbands’ businesses in our Membership Directory. If you know of any other business that may want to advertise in our Directory, they are welcome to do so. Ads will run $25 for a half page and can be made from a business card . Please send both the ads and payment for them to our Treasurer, Pauline Docwra, at The West Milford Newcomers Club, P.O. Box 635, Hewitt, NJ 07421.

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.