Spring is almost here!  Lots of rain, clouds, and muddy lawns, but we welcome a respite from the cold and hopefully, the COVID pandemic.

COVID Update

Following local county trends and CDC guidelines, we will be back to in person gatherings beginning on March 15, our monthly Luncheon. Ann Siochi is following the pandemic closely and completed a detailed report on February 22 to guide us in this decision. We still require vaccinations, and masks are optional.

Calendar

Our website is the best source to check what is going on in our Club. Our Directors and Interest Group Leaders will post activities and require an RSVP on the Calendar tab.  Please check it often, so you don’t miss an opportunity to join us!

We are excited to see everyone at our next Luncheon at the Lakehouse Restaurant on March 15 at 11:30. Our Speaker will be Bessie Fooks presenting information about the Giving Circle.

Our Walking Group continues to meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00AM at various safe locations around town (Mon River Trail, Botanic Gardens, Star City, etc.) Great way to get your daily steps in!

BUNCO…an easy dice game is back!  This is a fun way to get some laughs in, (maybe a bit of wine, too!) and win some cash. No need to know how to play because it’s easy and we will show you.

Do you like trying new restaurants (or dining at local favorites)? Our Casual Dining Group meets once a month at a designated place to enjoy lunch together.

Time to dig up that old craft you never finished or bring something you are working on…and join the Not Just Pins and Needles group.  We share ideas, and knit, sew, quilt, needle point, crochet, or whatever craft you enjoy while enjoying company and a coffee break.

Our Wine Tasting Group meets monthly on Saturday evenings. Ron Porter offers wines to taste, and members provide the appetizers and desserts. Bring a friend, family member or spouse and you won’t go home “unhappy”!

Newcomers T-shirts and Bags

You should have received an e-mail about ordering these items. This is a new idea to show our support of the Club and publicize our mission to others. Please contact Carol Spears with any questions you have about ordering.  We designed the T-Shirts in either white or blue with our logo, and the bags are perfect for shopping or picnicking since they are insulated.

Service Project

We will be wrapping books to send to inmates for the Appalachian Prison Book Project at our next Coffee on April 6 at Melinda Edward’s house. If you happen to have used Poetry books, or new ones to donate, that would be helpful for the book drive Judy Panagakos is organizing. Note: The Book Project only accepts softcover books.

WE NEED YOU!!

This is a perfect time to volunteer for us!  Each year we need to have positions filled to either serve on our Board or lead an Interest Group. If the pandemic has got you down, this is the time to try something new and get involved.  Please contact Denise Berrebi or Ann Siochi if you are interested in any of the following or if you have a nomination.

Website Director

We fund a webmaster who has developed and maintains our website, but we need someone who will manage and update the face of our website, under an administrator access mode.  Jane Taylor, our current website director is happy to teach the next person.

Fundraising Director

We need someone who can lead a committee in planning fundraising events. These funds help meet our discretionary budget needs. In the past, an Auction was held in the Fall. This can be the focus again, or other ideas are welcome.

Interest Group Leaders

Any member may create a new Interest Group. The more ideas we have, the more activities to participate in!

We have had the following groups inactive, due to a leader stepping down or moving. You may be interested in resurrecting the group or starting something new!

What’s Cooking…meet at members’ homes to experiment with new foods, appliances, recipes

Kayaking… locally on Cheat Lake and Monongahela River

Tennis

Bowling

Bicycling

Upcoming Events

Walking Group:   Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 am

March 9:  Book Group via Zoom, reading People of the Book, by Geraldine Brooks

March15: Luncheon at the Lakehouse Restaurant on the Sunset Marina at 11:30 am, speaker Bessie Fooks on the Giving Circle

March 17: Not Just Pins and Needles at 1:00 pm

March 18:  Daytime Dining at Iron Horse Tavern on High Street at 11:30 am

March 24:  Bridge

March 26:  Wine Tasting “Spring Fever- Let the Wine Begin!” at the Kirkpatrick’s at 7:00pm

March 29  Bunco

Future Dates

April 6:  Coffee with Speaker Judy Panagakos about the Appalachian Prison Book Project and meet and greet WVU student guests from Afghanistan

April 19 and May 17: Luncheons, venues TBA

May 4:  Coffee with special activity “Pound Sale”!