Hello Everyone!

Welcome to Fall! Leaves are flying and dropping on our lawns, pumpkins are popping up everywhere, scarecrows are protecting our yards, and our Annual Fall Potluck Dinner is right around the corner, Be sure to sign up soon because seats are limited.

Thank you to all who attended the Sign Ups last month. It was great to see renewing members and to meet new members. A special thank you to all the Board Members for their participation and for being there, No one creates this event alone, Marilyn, Kristin, and Feyza, thank you for putting this event together. Thank you to the Activity Coordinators for showing up and being excited about our community.

We are looking forward to spending time with you at our monthly Friday coffee mornings. This time we are meeting at Dom's. We will be exploring other places. If you have a favorite coffee place, please let us know.

We are working on monthly meetings for daytime and evenings featuring different activities such as trivia, purse bingo, game night, and maybe even Karaoke.

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

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

Best wishes,

Toni Robinson

Hello everyone!

You may notice photos of friendly faces in most sections of this newsletter. At the Sign-Ups event last month, since so many members were present, I took the opportunity to walk around and take photos of as many Board Members and Activity Coordinators as I could. Our intent in including these photos with each coordinating section is to become more familiar with each other and to make sure you know who to look for when joining a group or activity. There are a few members that were either unable to attend, or I missed my chance to take their photo. If you are one of those members, please let me know if you would like to arrange a time for me to take it for you, or alternatively, you may forward one that you already have.

As mentioned in our last newsletter, I am open to ideas for a new section that can highlight our individual newcomers and neighbors, their perennial or vegetable gardens, or even our pets! If you have a special talent, perform a service, or wish to sell a special creation of yours, we may be able to feature you here. 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.

Thank you to all members who have contributed to this newsletter! Keep the good content coming!

Warmly,

Christina

We had a successful Membership and Sign-Ups event last month! Lots of new members! If you haven't already done so, or if you know someone who may be interested in joining us, you may do so at any time. Contact Sue or visit the website to pay the yearly $25 membership dues.

Below are some photos from the evening Sign-Ups event, held on September 10th. A special THANK YOU to our Event Planners, Kristin Pomeroy and Feyza Menagi for making the arrangements, and for such a beautiful and delicious hospitality spread!

Reminder: Our new website has the ability for all members to have their own username and password to log into our password protected Members page. This page contains our Member Directory which you can access at any time and is always current. It also has links for By-Laws, Minutes, Expense Report, Change Password, and Renew Your Membership. An email was sent to all members in July with details on how to log in and change their password. New members just joining in September will have this information sent to them by our VP of Membership. If you haven't already done so, please log in and change your password as soon as possible at https://www.simsburynewcomers.org/arm_login?/restricted=page. If you have forgotten your username and password there is a "Lost Your Password" link on the log in page. Just enter your email address and you will receive an email with your username and instructions on how to change your password.

Also, the Activities page and Calendar page have been updated for the new year. If you are an Activity Coordinator please review your activity description and calendar dates. Email me with any changes.

I don't know about you all, but I am officially FALL-ing in love with New England! The colors! The cool breeze! The pumpkins, apples, cinnamon spice scented candles, the crackling sound of the leaves under your feet... I love it all! When I first moved to Connecticut, which happened to also be in October, I had yet to choose just the right town to move to. Our little family packed ourselves into the car and drove from town to town, North and South of Hartford, East and West of the Connecticut River. I had my eye on a handful of towns, after careful consideration of the schools within, and admittedly, each one has a special charm. But when we drove through Simsbury, I fell in LOVE. One of the first roads we drove through just so happens to be the one I live on now. Around every turn was a dreamy vision of a quaint farm, a historic home, tobacco barns everywhere, and golden forests. I felt like I was in a car commercial, one of those where they pick a scenic drive and twist and turn through breathtaking views.

I am still busy discovering new places to go for another panoramic view, an outstanding farm, of which there are many, and places to hike. Now is the time, so I hope to inspire you to get out there and enjoy the blessings of our surroundings.

I stumbled across a "Fall Foliage Tour" of Simsbury on the Town of Simsbury's Events page. For complete directions, turn-by-turn, visit https://www.simsbury-ct.gov/tourism/pages/fall-foliage-tour.

The description reads:

Tour #1 starts at Rosedale Farm, 25 East Weatogue St. and ends in the center of town. It is approximately 13 miles.

This scenic drive begins on historic East Weatogue St. passing some of the earliest sections of Simsbury which include historical homes and barns. It winds its way through the northern part of town, past Simsbury tobacco lands, then turns south on Old Farms Road affording spectacular views of the eastern ridge of West Mountain.

Some great local farms to visit for pumpkins and produce, dairy and wine, and picturesque views, are:

• Flamig Farm, 7 Shingle Mill Rd, West Simsbury
• The Garlic Farm, 76 Simsbury Rd, West Granby
• Gresczyk Farms, 860 Litchfield Tpke, New Hartford
• J.L. Hall Farm, 83 Terrys Plain Rd, Simsbury
• Meadow View farms, 120 College Highway, Southwick MA
• Pickin' Patch, 219 Nod Rd, Avon
• Rosedale Farm & Vineyard, 25 E Weatogue St, Simsbury
• Sub Edge Farm, 199 Town Farm Rd, Farmington
• Sweet Pea Cheese Farm, 151 E St, North Granby
• Tulmeadow Farm, 255 Farms Village Rd, Simsbury
• Wade's Farm Fresh, 498 Simsbury Rd, Bloomfield

Enjoy your fall adventures!

Christina

Please note that all participation lists for groups and events from prior years are wiped clean and we start over 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 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.

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. An email is sent out each month as a reminder with the book title, host, and reviewer. Don't forget to e-mail the hostess if you plan to attend so she can plan appropriately. Below is our book list and dates for the year.

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.

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.

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

If you enjoy socializing, then we are the group for you! We are a co-ed group that meets a few times a year (3-4) at our members' homes on Saturday evenings. We are not a "couples only group"! All are welcome!! We will schedule the gatherings around the "SNN events", so as not to conflict. Please bring an appetizer or a dessert to share. Please bring your own beverages. Hosts may choose to have a theme for the evening and will provide paper goods and glasses. Contact Holly and Shaun Murphy to join this group.

Theresa's photo is forthcoming

Welcome Dining Out group to what we hope will be a year of interesting dining discoveries. We reserve at restaurants that accommodate separate billing. Seating is often limited, emails will be sent out with an RSVP deadline.

Our 1st outing will be to a highly recommended Italian restaurant in Ellington. Please note that we reserved for 6:00 PM vs the normal 7:00 PM.

Thank you,

Theresa and Katherine

I will be sending out our first newsletter shortly.

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.

Contact Shari at [email protected].

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!

The Ladies Lunch Bunch will be going to:

Great Taste Chinese Restaurant on October 10th at 11:30 am.

597 West Main Street, New Britain

(860) 827-8988

http://greattaste.com/menu

Please RSVP to Toni.

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.

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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.

Mary Lou's photo is forthcomiing

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.

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.

Carolyn's photo forthcoming

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.

Welcome Couple's Paddle Tennis Enthusiasts!

The Simsbury Newcomers and Neighbors have sponsored a Couple's Paddle Tennis group for close to two decades! We meet Sunday afternoon from November through the end of March. The playing time is 4:30 to 6:00 PM. The lights are on a timer and turn on at dusk.

We enjoy a fun, social, round-robin format of play. Four couples are scheduled each Sunday afternoon; each couple can expect to play one to two times per month. Many of you know the drill. After a brief warm-up, play begins on both courts. After the first set is completed, the winners go to Court 1 (closest to the street) and split, forming new teams with the other winners. The second place finishers go to Court 2 (nearest the golf course) and also split forming new teams. This round robin format mixes up the players and abilities and makes it more fun.

The courts are a seasonal rental, so the cost depends on the number of players who sign up. It is usually around $100/couple for the season.

We are always looking to expand our group of players so if you know of anyone who is interested, please forward their contact information.

I'm looking forward to another great season! Please call if you have any questions.

Camilla T.

(860) 658-2038

30 Metacom Drive

Simsbury, CT 06070

Judy's photo is forthcomiing

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.

DAYTIME

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.

EVENING

The Women's evening Pinochle group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 7 to 10 PM. Each monthly game is hosted by a different player, so location varies.

Judy Rabinowitz is the activity coordinator and can be reached at [email protected] or 860-658-9262.

PopUps got off to a quick start this year. Two intrepid beach goers made their way to Hammonasset Beach State Park. The weather was not quite what was forecast but it was great to be at the shore.

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.

Stay tuned for information about our next activity in November.

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

What a wonderful time of year for walking! Cooler temperatures and beautiful changing colors. To celebrate fall, we are going to hike to Heublein Tower on October 10th. We will meet in the parking lot of Talcott Mountain State Park at 9:30 am. The hike is approximately 3 miles roundtrip, with the first 1/3 of a mile being a steep incline. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water!

Otherwise, we meet everyday at the bus stop behind CVS at 9 am and walk 2-5 miles on the Iron Horse Trail. This is a fun group that is for all ages and paces.

Contact Michele by text with any questions, and before your first walk to be sure I look for ya!

It was great to see so many of you at Sign-Ups in September. Looks like we will have another great group this year filled with new and returning members. If you were not able to see us at Sign-Ups and would like to join us, please email Cheryl or Sarah with your name, telephone number, and email.

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. Everyone brings a bottle of wine or other beverage of choice and an appetizer or dessert to share. It's fun to meet new members and reconnect with friends. We welcome members to join the group at any time during the year. And, of course, you don't have to drink wine to enjoy an evening out with this lively crowd!

Our first gathering of the season will be held on Thursday, October 17th, at 7:00 pm, at the home of Lisa Hugel. Please bring an appetizer or dessert, and a beverage to share with the group. You will receive a reminder email the week before the event with the location details and you can RSVP by replying to the email.

SAVE THESE DATES: November 21, January 16, February 20, March 19, April 23, May 14, and June 12 (a Friday date for "Wine, Women, and Guest"). Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to open their home to our group. We still need hostesses for November, January, March and June.