January 2016

The Savannah Philharmonic is pleased to offer New Neighbors a special discount to the Orchestra's March 5 performance with Savannah’s own “Gypsy Jazz” ensemble, Velvet Caravan. This will be an eclectic evening bringing together the music of Johannes Brahms, Django Reinhardt, Johnny Mercer, and more. Velvet Caravan will also debut several original orchestral arrangements featuring members of the Philharmonic as soloists. Tickets prices range from $16 to $75 before your NN discount. If up to 20 NN sign up, they will receive a 15% discount. If more than 20 sign up, they will receive a 20% discount. If you are interested in attending, please send an email to maryjanerosenbaum@gmail.com by 5 February.

! Welcome our newest members to The Landings New Neighbors

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! American Traditions Competition Luncheon slated for January 29

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! Spotlight on the NN Wild Women 3

Wow, 2015 is almost in the books! I’ll forgo the usual “where did the year go?” for “would you look at all we did and how much fun we had?” I am so proud of our New Neighbors organization, and especially of all our volunteers, which by my count is

well over 100.

This fall we added a handful of new activities, with more to come after the first of the year. We have already golfed, walked, biked, learned pickleball, and played tennis. We've baked cupcakes, packed charity boxes and made cookies for kids. We have played countless hours of Mah Jongg, Bridge and Bunco, experiencing the agony and ecstasy of losing and winning. We’ve learned a few cooking tips, and we certainly ate and drank our fair share. We’ve explored the marshes and waters that surround us and we’ve earned new appreciation for our local history and our military.

All of that fun is both exciting and exhausting and every bit of it is thanks to our legions of volunteers who make it possible. And if you are one of the many who have thought or said, “I volunteered all my life and I’m done now,” ask one of our volunteers how many good friends they have made and how much fun they have had doing their “job” this year.

We are still looking for men and women to take on leadership roles beginning next summer when the new board will take over. Also, all of our activity chairs will be seeking their replacements. If you have enjoyed participating in an activity, consider running it next year. Who knows? Perhaps you will bring new ideas to the table and take it to the next level.

Wishing all of you a wonderful 2016 here on our awesome island just minutes away from our spectacular city.

COMPASS Message from the president January 2016

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landingsnewneighbors .com

Savannah Philharmonic offers NN discount to Velvet Caravan performance in March

January 2016

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All New Neighbors are invited to lunch at Plantation Club Ballroom on Friday, January 29, at noon to hear Savannah's Southern Songstress Kim Michael Polote, American Traditions Competition's (ATC) 2001 Gold Medal winner. Polote will perform and talk about the ATC and its celebration of the diversity of American vocal music. Learn about one of Savannah's most unique and oldest voice competitions, starting as "Savannah on Stage," transitioning into the "Savannah Music Festival and now as ATC. From the Great American Songbook, to Johnny Mercer, to the Broadway stage and Gospels, ATC celebrates all genres of American music and wants to share their journey with our New Neighbors.

Cost to attend is $24 per person to cover the three-course lunch. Tube your check now to 1 Moonbill Lane in Deer Creek. Make your check payable to New Neighbors, LLC and please include your email address and phone number on your check so your attendance can be confirmed.

Welcome to our newest new neighbors New Neighbor Address From

Richard & Judy Dahl 27 Cotton Crossing Colorado

Nancy & Jack Green 1 Deerpath Lane Corolla, NC

Greg Maloof & Tracy Calandra 13 Mainsail Crossing New Jersey

Judy & Ron Monaco 4 Clamshell Lane Pottstown, PA

John & Ruth Moore 1 Springfield Place Savannah, GA

Tom & Susan Palmer 32 Hasleiters Retreat Atlanta, GA

Gayle & Carl Ridgeway 26 Delegal Road Chatham, MA

Debbie & Bob Schultz 23 Peregrine Crossing Raleigh, NC

Deb & Jeff Werner 5 Heatherstone Lane Connecticut Savannah's Southern Songstress to be featured at upcoming American Traditions Competition NN Luncheon

The highly prolific NN Cookie Swap bakers, pictured above, baked up a storm in early December at the home of Kathy Kovacs.

Attention NN Biking Group Are you on the NN Biking (Bicycling) Group email list or would you like to join? If so, please contact activity chair Al Stiles at boating20@gmail.com or 912-349-9977 soonest with your contact information. Al needs to reconstitute the biking email list lost when his computer recently suffered a hard drive failure.

January 2016

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Spotlight on the NN Wild Women

Are you ready for your walk on the wild side? Then you must come join the Wild Women on one of our next excursions. The Wild Women go out of their way to find activities that are fun and unusual for our New Neighbors. Although these events are sometimes limited to female participation, we frequently invite the men to join us on our adventures. So, remember to look closely at the activities newsletter announcing our events, as it will specify whether we believe the gentlemen can handle our antics.

So far this year, the Wild Women have sponsored the Corn Hole, Cocktails, and Cook Out event at the beautiful Deer Creek Club House. We enjoyed all aspects of this event from the locale to the competition to the food. We even awarded prizes to tournament winners. We are thinking of starting a Corn Hole League with the goal to outnumber the Bocce players on our Island. Tatia Draughn, one of our second place winners,

had such a great time she said: “Let’s play every month.” She even wore her winning flip-flops to work (see photo).

Now talk about a wild ride! Thirty of our New Neighbors Wild Women road the Savannah Slowride and had a blast. We pedaled, sang, learned historical details and enjoyed some libations as we “drove” around Savannah’s historic squares on two fifteen -person bikes or “crawlers.” As Judy Keener said, “Everyone needs to enjoy this classic Savannah activity. You get your exercise, fresh air, history and a drink to boot.” Cathy Mathews who attended both events said: “These events were imaginative, well-

planned and well organized. I had a great time and would recommend you participate in future Wild Women programs.”

Our December 4 event included 72 of us (men and women) riding historic trolley cars to 45 Bistro and the Westin to enjoy holiday lights and cheer. In January, the ladies will head to River Street and raise our voices (and glasses, of course) to the sounds of the dueling pianos at Savannah Smiles. February will bring us to the “new” Smith Brothers in downtown Savannah for a wine and food tasting experience. For those new to Skidaway who do not know about the “old” Smith Brothers, you will just

have to ask an older New Neighbor where we shopped before Publix. We will end our season in April with our classic event “The Amazing Race.” This golf cart adventure takes us on a wild trip around the island. So grab a partner and a golf cart and prepare for

lots of fun and laughter as we learn more about the

island we call home. Join us after the race when we will announce the winners and enjoy a BBQ dinner. As Susan Fletcher, who along with Cec Calcaterra and Marian Mackle are the co-chairs of this year’s Wild Women, notes: “This event has been a part of the Wild Women’s adventures for quite a few years thanks to some of our adventurous New Neighbors graduates and it just seems to get better with age.”

Come join us on our next wild ride. We look forward to seeing you.

" Women always try to tame themselves as they get older, but the ones who look the best are always a bit wilder.”

Miuccia Prada

By Marian Mackle

Wild Women corn hole winners, front row from left to right, Nancy Synder, Tatia Draughn, Beth Holmquist, and Caroline Gilman. Back row from left to right, Marian Mackle and Cec Calcaterra.