September 2019

Newsletter

President's Corner

President - Toni Robinson [email protected] 860-217-1915

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to the SNN 2019/2020 new year! I'd like to start the year with a new theme, Community. We have such a great community of members and places around town, and considering that the Town of Simsbury's 350th Anniversary is coming up, I thought it very appropriate. You can look forward to a year full of exciting activities and themed monthly meetings. There will be plenty of opportunity to gather and enjoy this beautiful community that we call home.

The 2019/2020 SNN Board is enthusiastic and looking forward to meeting you at our annual membership and sign-ups events. Please note that we have one scheduled during the day and another at night, in an effort to accommodate everyone's busy schedules. Come make new friends, find and catch up with lost friends, learn a new skill, or do something new. We have many talented and knowledgeable members who would love to make new connections. Join our community and find forever friends!

Keep reading your newsletter, emails, and our Facebook page for more information and to stay up to date on anything new.

I would again like to thank Shari and her Board for all of the projects they completed to bring our group up to date with a new name, website, and logo, and for easing the transition to our new Board. We will forever be grateful for their accomplishments.

Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] with your ideas and comments.

Best wishes,

Toni Robinson

Editor's Note

Christina Brea [email protected]

Hello everyone!

I hope you've all had a wonderful summer with your families and friends, whether you spent the time near, or far. Now that fall and pumpkin spice everything is upon us, the school year has started, and a slight chill is in the air, I look forward to interacting more with Simsbury Newcomers and Neighbors, sharing what I have learned thus far, and hearing all about new things from all of YOU!

This year I'd like to work on making the newsletter just a little bit more personal to our community. We have some beautiful scenery and lots of rich history here in Simsbury and the Farmington Valley area. Being new to the Northeast, I've found it fascinating to hear stories about the town and to learn about those who've founded it. I plan to start a new section that will highlight a place or person that has some historical significance, or simply a nice place to visit around town. I plan to call it Around Town.

I am open to ideas for a new section that can highlight our newcomers and neighbors, their perennial or vegetable gardens, or even our pets! Feel free to email me if you have any ideas, comments, and/or suggestions, and I can bring them before the board for discussion and approval.

I have formed friendships with some incredible people here and I look forward to meeting more of you!

Warmly,

Christina

Membership

Sue Gannon [email protected] 315-406-4850

Our Membership Sign-Ups event will be held over two days. The evening event will be held on Tuesday, September 10th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The daytime event will be held on the following morning, Wednesday, September 11th from 10:00 - Noon. Please come by to say hello, get information and sign up for activities and events, and to pay your yearly $25 membership dues.

Nominating Committee

Eileen Higham [email protected]

Hello Members ,

The Nominating Committee is seeking a 2nd Events Planner to Co-Chair and implement and exciting list of events we have planned for this coming year. Please consider coming on our Board in this exciting position. Contact Eileen Higham any time and look for Eileen at the September Sign Ups to discuss further.

Thank you.

Eileen Higham. [email protected]

SAVE THE DATE

Simsbury Newcomers and Neighbors

Fall Potluck

Saturday, October 26th, 2019

Our first group-wide evening event will be a great one! Keep an eye out so you don't miss out on an evening that is sure to be filled with lots of delicious food from our home cooks and foodie friends. More information will be forthcoming.

Community Events

If you have an event that you'd like to share, please send details to :

Christina Brea [email protected]

 

Farmington Valley Trails Council Farm-to-Farm Ride

Saturday, September 7th from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 pm.

Iron Horse Boulevard / Jim Gallagher Way Parking Lot

Join us for our 6th annual Farm-to-Farm Tour as we travel the scenic back roads of Simsbury for about 20 miles and stop at local farms. The farmers will be there to greet riders, give a history of their farm and what they offer. Riders will be given the opportunity to purchase goodies at each stop. *Note: most farms only accept cash. A sag wagon will be available to carry your purchases back to your vehicle.

Farms we plan to visit:

• Ryan Family Flower Farm• J.L. Hall Farm• Community Farm of Simsbury• George Hall Farm• Flamig Farm• Tulmeadow Farm

This ride is all on the road, but is a casual ride appropriate for all levels of cyclists. SAG support and assistance at tricky road crossings will be provided.

A $20 donation is requested.

 

Walk MS Simsbury, 2019

Sunday, September 15th from 9:00 am - Noon

Simsbury Performing Arts Center

The Walk will start at 10AM with 1 and 3 mile route options!

You can register online at http://www.walkms.org or by calling/emailing Katia Sekaly at 860-913-2550 ext. 52527 or mailto:[email protected]

 

33rd Annual Simsbury Fly-In, Car Show, and Food Truck Festival

Sunday, September 22nd from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Simsbury Airport on Wolcott Rd

This is the largest event of its kind in the northeastern USA, like a special kind of country fair. We feature 750 display airplanes and cars, 150 business exhibitors, advertisers and sponsors, and many fun activities for the entire family. Special attraction: 25 great food trucks, offering a wide choice of great things to eat. Free seminars; live music; aerial demonstrations; judging and trophies for cars and airplanes; helicopter and AT-6 World War 2 training plane rides; gyrocopter, Powered Parachute and formation flight demos; radio control model aerobatics; banner tow pickup demonstration; new aircraft and car dealers; many local craftspersons; much more. Full details and contact info at http://www.simsburyflyin.com

Around Town

Christina Brea [email protected]

We are lucky to have so many great local farms nearby, many with CSA's to join, that offer bountiful fruits, vegetables, and herbs, many dairy farms with milk, butter, and an array of cheeses, aromatic bakeries with delectable desserts and breads, ahhh...I love it here. One of my favorite things in the world, that makes me happiest, brings me a state of calm, are fresh flowers. I don't need to pick them or receive them to appreciate them. Actually, I'd rather admire them where they are blooming naturally. I've been looking forward to seeing the sunflowers bloom at Rosedale's Farm and Vineyards on Weatogue Rd (On the Connecticut Wine Trail), and just the other day, I took some time alone in the afternoon to go and see them up close. I paid $7.50 for the Sunflower Maze entry, which included a cold bottle of water and a fresh apple and made my way through the field to the entrance. I was not disappointed. I was lucky to catch the sun peeking through the clouds just as I arrived in the field and I managed to capture some incredible shots of these majestic flowers. If you're able, I highly encourage you to visit! Enjoy a few of the photos that I took below.

Christina

Birthdays

The following SNN Members are celebrating their birthday this month:

  • Debbie B
  • Shari C
  • Cheryl C
  • Nancy C
  • Katherine H
  • Carrie H
  • Jackie H
  • Wendy H
  • Bridget K
  • Karen P
  • Erica W
  • Lisa W

If you see them, be sure to wish them a happy day!

SNN Activity Groups

Please note that all participation lists for groups and events from prior years are wiped clean and we are starting the year with a blank slate. Contact lists DO NOT carry over into this year. In order to join or continue participation in a group/event, you must either sign-up at the Membership and Sign-Ups event, or contact the corresponding activity coordinator and ask to be added to the list.

There are some activity groups below that are seeking a new coordinator. Please contact our Activities Chair, Marilyn Iezzi at [email protected] or 860-967-6525, if you are interested in becoming the new coordinator for a particular group in need.

Book Discussion - Daytime

Jane Fox [email protected] 860-658-0388

Welcome to the Daytime Book Discussion Group! We meet at 9:30 a.m. the third Friday of every month. We enjoy lively but informal discussion about our book selections. Many copies of our titles are available through the Simsbury Public Library. Check at the front desk for books on hold for the Newcomers' Daytime Book Discussion Group.

Our first book group meeting for the 2019-2020 year will be on September 13, 2019 from 9:45 a.m. - Noon in the Simsbury Library Large Program Room. We have selected a book to read and discuss for our September meeting. The September book is Educated by Tracy Westover. The book should be available at the Simsbury Library circulation desk. We will also choose the books for the upcoming year as usual at our September meeting.

Summer is quickly slipping by and it's time to make our book recommendations for the upcoming year. The deadline for book recommendations is September 4th. When submitting a book recommendation, please include: title, author, genre, and a short blurb describing the book. The compiled book recommendation list will be sent to you by September 9th so that you have a chance to review the books prior to meeting on 9/13/19.

Book Discussion - Evening

Cheryl Cook [email protected] 860-408-1577

September 3rd The Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

October 1st The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters

November 5th The Last Castle by Denise Kiernan

December 3rd Calypso by David Sedaris

January 7th Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

February 4th The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

March 3rd We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

April 7th Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

May 5th Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver

June 2nd Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris

July 7th Joyland by Stephen King

August 4th The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Bridge - Daytime

Jane Fox [email protected] 860-658-0388

Ladies' Daytime Bridge meets the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at 1:00 p.m. Join us as a regular or substitute player. All bridge levels are welcome. Players take turns hosting. Email announcements are sent to the group prior to each playing week about sign-up and host location/information.

Bridge - Couples

Patty Howland [email protected] 860-470-7771

Couples Bridge meets on the third Saturday of the month. We meet in couples' homes and begin at 7:30 p.m. We have a variety of bridge levels, so please don't be intimidated. Also, a commitment to one month does not commit you for the whole year. We sign up month to month according to our social schedules.

Please contact Patty Howland if you would like to be on the monthly list.

Saturday, September 21st
Hosts: Joanne and Roy Pomerantz

Bridge - Ladies Evenings

Seeking Coordinator

Bunko

Daytime: Arlene Zappile [email protected] 860-408-9044

Evening: Seeking Coordinator

Welcome back, Newcomers and friends! Bunko is an easy dice game that you can learn to play in just a few minutes. No strategy or planning involved, just a lucky toss of the dice. We meet on the third Wednesday of each month at a member's home for coffee and chit chat. Then we get down to business and play three games! It's a great morning full of laughs and surprises! Come join us. See you at sign-ups or leave a message for me at 860-408-9044.

Arlene Zappile

Dining Out

Theresa Awad Roe [email protected] 860-882-3044

Katherine Estell [email protected] 860-990-8601

First I’d like to thank Beth Payne for being a fabulous co-chair. Katherine Estell kindly stepped in to the role with Theresa Awad Roe. Dining Out group generally meets the 2nd weekend of the month at 7:00 PM, mainly Saturdays, on occasion Fridays.

We only choose restaurants that accept separate billing. We try a variety of places at different price ranges. I think we have been quite lucky with our choices so far.

You will receive a monthly email with details for the upcoming restaurant outing, please remember to RSVP to Katherine and Theresa within the required time.

Our first event will be in October. Hope you will join us for dining and socializing. All are welcome!

Discover New England

Patty Howland [email protected] 860-470-7771

Diana Pratt [email protected] 860-480-6647

 

Our next outing will be ...

 

Hidden Treasures in Dutchess County, NY

Friday, September 20th

9am - approximately 5pm

Cost: approx. $20, plus lunch

 

  • Travel through the beautiful Northwest corner of CT
  • Browse through the shops in the quaint town of Millerton, NY, including Copper Star Alpaca, Gilmor Glass, Little Red Bird Studio, Oblong Books & Music & more.
  • Tea tasting at Harney & Sons Fine Teas, offering 250 varieties of teas.
  • Tour Wethersfield, the country estate of Chauncey Devereux Stillman, named for Wethersfield, CT, set on 1200 acres with panoramic views of the Catskills and the Berkshires. The property includes a Carriage House with 22 beautifully restored carriages from 1850-1910, Georgian-style Main House with original furnishings of antiques, paintings and sculptures, and magnificent Gardens with terraces, statuary and urns.

RSVP by September 12th

to Patty at [email protected] or 860-470-7771.

Indicate if you would be willing to drive, would like a ride, or will drive on your own.

Food Chat/Recipe Swap

Shari Cassutt [email protected] 505-670-4982

This will be SNN's first "virtual" group (Though I'm hoping we'll get together once in awhile to eat!) I envision this as at least a monthly newsletter where those of us who are passionate about cooking, eating, presenting, or learning about food can share pictures, recipes, and ideas. Please stop by at sign-ups to share your thoughts about what this new group can look like!

Contact Shari at [email protected].

Happy Hour Social Club

Seeking Coordinator

We have tweaked the mission of the Men’s Night Out. It has morphed into Happy Hour Social Club (not just for men!). We are now in pursuit of the perfect IPA, or some other craft brew delight, bourbon, vino, good conversation and food. We meet the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 5 p.m. (or earlier for those that can). This group is open to all!

Humans for Humanity

Seeking Coordinator

This is your opportunity to be the change you wish to see in the world. Humans for Humanity will work on a variety of projects to help our fellow human beings. This may range from filling backpacks with food for those in need in our community or raising money to build a school halfway around the world.

Ladies Lunch Bunch

Alayna Clark [email protected] 860-217-0054

The Ladies Lunch Bunch will be going to Elizabeth's Bar and Restaurant on September 12th at 11:30 am.

Address: 774 Park Ave., Bloomfield

Please RSVP to Alayna Clark.

Below are photos from the last Ladies Lunch Bunch gathering!

Mah Jongg

Daytime: Seeking new coordinator

Evening: Cheryl Sojkowski [email protected] 860-658-2199

The Mah Jongg Daytime group meets every Wednesday at 1pm. We take turns hosting and it's a "come if you can" group. For more information on our group, or to learn how to play, contact the activity coordinator. We are looking for a new coordinator for this group.

 

The Evening Mah Jongg group meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month. We welcome players of all levels and are happy to teach anyone who would like to learn the game. Hope to see everyone at Sign-Ups. If you are unable to attend Sign-Ups, please email me if you'd like to be included on the activity email list.

Movie Night

Seeking Coordinator

One evening a month, we get together to go see the latest Silver Screen temptation. You can come by yourself, or you can bring your family and friends (or any part thereof). Sometimes, dinner is involved, sometimes just popcorn. If you’re interested in getting out to see something before it comes out on DVD.

Needlework

Karen Goldschmidt [email protected] 914-393-9672

A group of women who meet once a week to work on a variety of needlework projects and visit and share ideas. The needlework projects consist of needlepoint, knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross stitch, and quilting. Besides needlework, some of the ladies work on card designing, Zentangles, beading and other small craft projects.

We meet at the library on Monday mornings. Attendance weekly is not necessary.

Paddle Tennis

Ladies: Carolyn Brand [email protected] 860-408-1566

Mens: Steve Parker [email protected] 860-651-9445

Mixed Doubles: Camilla Thompson [email protected]860-658-2038

The new season begins soon. Paddle Tennis is similar to tennis, but played outdoors during the colder months on raised courts. In snowy conditions, the courts are heated to melt the wintry mix. We play November through March, using the courts at Simsbury Farms. The Mixed Doubles group plays on Sunday evenings (4:30 - 6), the Ladies play on Monday and Thursday mornings, and the Men play on Saturday mornings.

If you would like to play paddle and have played other racket sports, please contact the activity coordinators. The rosters tend to fill up by early October. Hope to see you on the courts!

Simsbury Farms usually offers Paddle lessons. Please check with their office for more information - 860-658-3836.

Pinochle

Daytime: Sue Gannon [email protected] 315-406-4850

Evening: Judy Rabinowitz [email protected] 860-658-9262

If you like to play cards and would like to be part of an informal, social, and fun group of women, Pinochle may be the perfect activity for you. Pinochle is a card game that is easier than bridge, but still challenging enough to be interesting. Our members range from experienced to just beginning - and we are very willing to give lessons to anyone who is completely new to the game.

We meet at 1 p.m., the first and third Tuesday afternoons of each month to play for two to three hours, but you do not need to play each time. We take turns hosting either in our homes or at library or community center rooms.

Sue Gannon is the activity coordinator and can be reached at [email protected] or 860-421-5009, and would be glad to answer any questions you may have.

PopUps

Shari Cassutt [email protected] 505-670-4982

We had a fantastic outing to the Farmington Valley Polo Club this summer. Some ideas in the works are a September beach trip and high tea and a Downton Abbey viewing party when the new movie is in theaters. Cucumber sandwiches and strawberry scones? Details will be emailed to those who have signed up for PopUps. Feel free to contact me if you aren't sure you're on last year's list. I'll be updating that list after signups. Meanwhile, I need your ideas and help for other activities. Contact Shari at [email protected] .

Single Active Women

Gillian Smits [email protected] 860-930-4198

Niki Bonnett [email protected] 828-337-6570

The Single Active Women's group is a group for any single woman - divorced, widowed, or simply single.

Our group's purpose is to provide opportunities for single women to meet and make friends with other single women through our activities.

The group will have one planned lunch on the first Tuesday of each month. Other activities may also be planned each month. Members will be notified of these activities by email.

We also hope to give our members the opportunity to find friends to join them on activities they are interested in, and we may share activities that members are interested in doing with the group for that purpose.

Our first lunch will be at the Soma Grille in Simsbury on October 1st at 12 Noon.

Our group is co-chaired by Gillan Smits and Niki Bonnett. We may be reached by email, phone, or text.

Walking Group

Michele Abbott [email protected] 515-480-5107

Welcome to the wonderful walking group! We meet everyday at the bus stop behind CVS at 9am and walk 2-5 miles on the Iron Horse Trail. This is a fun group that is for all ages and paces.

Please join us as the weather is starting to cool. Contact Michele by text before your first walk to be sure I look for ya!

Wine & Women

Cheryl Sojkowski [email protected] 860-658-2199

Sarah Nanzig [email protected] 860-651-9085

Wine and Women is a fun and casual group that meets once a month, at a member's home, usually on the third Thursday night of the month. Please visit our table at Sign-Ups to join our email list, and we will have our calendar dates for the year and be looking for hostesses. Cheers!