I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and are looking forward to a prosperous and happy new year.  I know December was a busy time for everyone, including New Neighbors. 

We had a fantastic Cookie Exchange.  Many thanks go to Karen Lind for organizing this delicious event.  There were so many cookies – approximately 1,500!  Simply scrumptious!  Kathleen Dinterman opened her home for the Christmas Board Social and we had a fun evening.  This year instead of an ornament exchange, we brought a new, unwrapped toy and donated them to the Toys for Tots program.  Our December luncheon was at Grisanti’s and was wonderful, as usual.  We listened to beautiful holiday music performed by local singers.

I am sure you are wondering what happened to the December newsletter.  Well, The Printery made a simple mistake – they printed the November newsletter again instead of the December newsletter Betty Hinkel, Newsletter Editor sent.  They were upset and apologized for the mistake.  The 2009 Directory was mailed in the incorrect November newsletter.  It has a hot pink cover this year.  If you did not get your directory or paid for an extra and have not received it, please contact Nancy Boatright, Membership Chair.

At the December board meeting we approved a proposal from the Web Committee to redesign & update our NN Website.  We have hired a web designer to begin working on the redesign of our current site.  We will be transferring to a new web hosting company as well. The new site will have many more options, much more information available to you & prospective members and will include a password protected member’s only section.  We will keep you updated on the progress in future newsletters.

Thank you for your generous donations this year to our Ways and Means fundraiser.  Remember, you can still make donations until May.  We are having another book sale to raise funds as well at the April luncheon.  Also, thank you all for bringing food and toiletry items to the monthly luncheons, they are very much needed and greatly appreciated.

Although my term is not up for five more months, it will soon be time to begin looking for NN members who are interested in serving on the board for the 2009-2010 year.  Whether it be a voting position or on a committee, please give some thought to serving.  The nomination committee will be appointed in February so if you are interested and/or have any questions, please give me a call.  I will be happy to speak with you. 

Our January luncheon will be at Yia Yia’s so please get your check in now.  See the luncheon flyer on the next page for all the details.

Stay warm and take care,

Leesa