Hello Everyone!

Happy New Year!

I hope the new year brings you the joy you deserve, the adventures you crave and the love of friends and family.

The Board is planning lots of new events and I hope you give them a try and have some fun. Our first event is Thursday, January 23 "Sip and Paint Night" from 6 pm to 8 pm. It is limited to 15 people and will be first come, first served. See Eileen's article for more information.

Are you a crafter? Do you knit, crochet, make jewelry, create cards, write books, or make things? I know we have talented people out there. We are looking ahead to the Annual Spring Luncheon in May. We thought we would try something different and give our members the opportunity to showcase their talents. It would be a mini craft fair, members only. If you are interested in participating, please let me know at [email protected].

Here are a few quotes that have inspired me. I hope you feel inspired all year long.

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." Maya Angelou

"Be so busy loving your life that you have no time for hate, regret or fear." Unknown

"Do more of what makes you happy." My dishtowel

Dear Members,

I am still searching for Event Planners. I had the idea of forming an Events Team and that can still happen. Please consider volunteering. Going forward, we are still trying to plan Events and the Spring Annual Lunch Meeting in May. I am open for discussion of any and all events, but keep in mind, volunteers run our club.

Thank you,

Eileen Higham

If you know someone who may be interested in joining us, let them know they may join at any time. Contact Sue or visit the website to pay the yearly $25 membership dues.

Note: The January newsletter is being sent two weeks early to allow myself time with my family during the holidays. I am blessed to be able to celebrate with family from California and Florida, and my oldest son will also be home from college in North Carolina. Thank you for understanding.

Happy New Year, 2020!

As we start a new decade, I have been reflecting much on the idea that the land we live on in Simsbury, and the Farmington Valley in general, is rich in history and culture. I marvel at the things that we are able to see now with our own eyes, but what about the people and places that are gone and historically significant events that have passed? I am always interested in learning more about my surroundings because I firmly believe that our environment has a profound effect on us. Over time, it has shaped the growth of our towns in their population and other areas of growth. The culture of indigenous and foreign settlers, the animals that have resided here long before us, and the climate, dictate the materials we use for clothing and building supplies, the food we are able to grow and eat, and even modes of transportation available to us.

Considering all of this, I was pleasantly surprised, and fascinated to discover, that Simsbury holds such historical significance in the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Most of us are well aware of this man and his importance in history for his Baptist ministry, his social activism, his role in the Civil Rights Movement, and for being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent approach. What I did not know, was that he spent a couple of summers away from Georgia up here in Simsbury to work on a tobacco farm. Surely, we have all seen the many tobacco barns around town and have wondered a bit about them. There are some that still have beautifully preserved woodwork and fresh coats of paint, but there are also many in different stages of decay. Even those manage to mystify me with their shadows and light shining through the cracks.

I have discovered many articles and websites that speak of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s time and experience here. If you wish to learn more, and to see some fascinating photos, please visit the links I have listed below. Enjoy!

http://www.simsburyhistory.org/SimsHistory/mlking.html

https://simsburyfreelibrary.org/exhibits/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-in-simsbury/

https://www.mlkinct.com/

https://connecticuthistory.org/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-in-simsbury/

https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/mlk-worked-two-summers-on-simsbury-tobacco-farm/1947510/

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/martin-luther-king-jr-shaped-by-conn-town/

https://www.courant.com/community/simsbury/hc-news-simsbury-martin-luther-king-jr-tobacco-20191113-mcp3mzoevbf37io2yixwp4fojq-story.html

I hope you all have a wonderful start to the new year, full of health, happiness, and a bright perspective!

Warmly,

Christina

The Simsbury Rocks Project

Join Simsbury Girl Scouts to paint some of the 350 rocks that will become part of a town-wide scavenger hunt in celebration of Simsbury’s 350th Anniversary in spring 2020! This intergenerational project is sponsored by the organization For All Ages. Monthly painting sessions are in the Craft Room at Eno Memorial Hall on Mondays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 13, Feb. 10, Mar. 9, and Apr. 6.

Please sign up in advance. 860-658-3273 - FREE!

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.

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.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

Please respond to Theresa at [email protected] or Katherine at [email protected]

New England is filled with many scenic, historical and cultural attractions. Join fellow Newcomers as we explore our surrounding area. Events and places to visit will be suggested by those who sign up for the group. Some ideas include: tours of local landmarks, ethnic food shopping trips, home and garden tours, art exhibits, daytrips to the CT Shore or the Berkshires.

There is no event planned for January. Stay tuned for information on plans for February.

Diana and Patty

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!

To Be Announced

The Mah Jongg Daytime group meets every Wednesday (except before a holiday) at Anna's Kitchen (next to Fitzgerald's), at 1:00pm.

RSVP to [email protected]

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.

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.

The group meets to see a movie at Apple Cinema in Simsbury once or twice a month on a Sunday, and discusses at the Simsbury Public Library, in the Tariffville Room, on the last Sunday of the month from 2-3pm.

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

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.

Open to suggestions if anyone wants to help coordinate something. Give me a call or drop me a line.

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.

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 we look for ya!

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 next gathering will be held on Thursday, January 16th, 7:00 pm, at the home of Holly Beum. Please bring an appetizer or dessert, and a beverage to share with the group. A reminder email will be sent the week before the event with the location details and you can RSVP by replying to the email.

SAVE THESE DATES: 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 a host for June.