Dearest Newcomers,
The lead up to the Christmas celebration is over. The continuing days of Christmas are before us as I write this message for our New Year. This is my most favorite time of the year and yet, strangely enough (to me anyway), its ending is not a sad time. The decorations in our house will stay in place far longer than in most homes – just because they remind us of the real reason for the celebration and continue to warm our hearts and bring to mind memories of past years.
The “to do” list has shrunk significantly and there’s now time to think about what was accomplished in 2021 and what could be accomplished in 2022. I’m not a pro or anti-resolution maker, but I totally believe in new beginnings; I like to think about what my mission should be for the New Year and the goals I’d like to try to accomplish starting on January 1.
2021 has been an interesting year for us as Newcomers. We have continued to serve our community by contributing funds (and sometimes toys and stuff) to the charities operating in our county. We have honored our veterans with two separate efforts; we have helped Gallatin Day Care provide Christmas presents for the families they serve. The number of attendees at our luncheons has grown; small groups are meeting again; we have delivered birthday baked goods to Newcomers who were unable to attend our luncheons. We have lost dear Newcomers and have grieved with those who have lost loved ones.
Predicting what will happen in 2022 is a tough one! COVID and its variants continue to impact our day-to-day lives, and folks are having to make tough decisions about how they want to live their lives, where they want to go and who they want in close proximity. The Newcomers’ Board is still planning on our monthly luncheons and is hoping that our March fashion show will go on as scheduled. It could be that there will be one or two excursions in the near future; maybe we’ll even see more folks going out in small groups for breakfast, lunch and dinner. But that all depends.
As we close out 2021, I would like to profess my profound appreciation to Jane Birckhead for designing/producing our awesome Directory; to Joan Blanich for taking on the job of publishing our Newsletter; to Joan again for supplying our birthday baked goods; to Kay Rorick for designing and placing our luncheon table decoration; to Irene Calderon for being our Treasurer and the gatekeeper of our funds; to Bobette Spear for selecting our luncheon speakers (and nervously waiting for them to arrive on time); to Marsha Taylor and Connie Schroeck for coordinating our coffees and supporting our hostesses each month; to Rita Krupp for being our diligent luncheon reservations coordinator; to Rita again for being our Communications Director; to Connie Maynord for being our photographer extraordinaire; to Mary Lou McNabb, Teresa Ward, Sheila Wayne, and Marcia Powell for manning our Giving Tree table; to Kim Stokes for coordinating our luncheons with Bluegrass Country Club; to Sue Olari for being our ever faithful Recording Secretary; to Judy Peck for being our Corresponding Secretary; to Cheryl Deeter for being our Membership person; to Carol Pitts for sending out our “Thinking of You” cards, to Beverly Jones for offering our luncheon blessings; and to Lynda Evjen for being our publicity person. As the saying goes: It takes a village.
Did you know that January is National Train Your Dog Month? Jane, it’s your month!! I read that there’s a National Snowmobile Safety Week in January; I’m going to honor it by not getting on a snowmobile. There’s also a No Name Calling Week – I know someone who is going to have to stay off any road in the Nashville metro area. And dear to me – Make Your Dreams Come True Day and National Clean Off Your Desk Day – I can attest that my dream will come true if I can ever get my desk cleaned off (being a “piler” by nature!).
All kidding aside, I wish you and your families good health, happiness, and much love in 2022. Thanks for all that you do for us.
Carol Gower
