The Welcomer"Bloom where you are planted."

Since Nancy is away enjoying adriving trip across the country and thenspending time in sunny California, the task ofwriting the President’s letter falls to me.

I always look forward to January andFebruary. By now, most of us haverecovered from the holidays and are nowlooking for something enjoyable to do tobreak out of the winter doldrums.

February can be a great month for fun.A quick review of our calendar shows that wehave numerous opportunities to catch up withfriends and meet new ones this month.Today’s Gourmet club,TGIF gatherings andAdventures and Museums provideopportunities to get out and enjoy ourselves.Even more activities include numerous bridgeand game groups, book club and the walkersgroup. Mug Mornings give members achance to visit in a small group. Chick Flicksis always fun. A delicious lunch at Champ’sfollowed by a movie at a discounted ticketprice is a great way to spend an afternoon.

We are always looking for suggestionsand ideas that may interest others. Anyoneinterested in impromptu events? As anewcomer to the area, I would love to takethe train into Philly for shopping and lunch.Even better, how about a day in New YorkCity? I’m told the Amish area has goodshopping and delicious food. As springapproaches, a trip to Longwood Gardensmay be in our future.

Our nominating committee is busycontacting members to serve in leadershippositions next year. If you enjoy being on theplanning side of activities and the followthrough to enjoy a successful project, theBoard is the place to be. Please give theopportunity some serious thought.

On a personal note, my seventhdecade is quickly approaching. How in theworld did this revolting development happen?I would like to share an abbreviated poemthat my mother cherished and passed on tome.

“Lord, Thou knows better than I know that Iam growing older, and will someday be old.Keep me from getting talkative andparticularly from the fatal habit of thinking thatI must say something to every subject and onevery occasion. Release me from craving totry to straighten out everybody’s affairs.Teach me the glorious lesson thatoccasionally it is possible that I may bemistaken. Make me thoughtful, but notbossy; helpful but not bossy. With my vaststore of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use itall, but Thou knows, Lord, that I want a fewfriends at the end.”

Stay well and warm,

Bonnie Chambers, Co-President

Co-President's Message

Newcomer's Club of the Upper Main Line Volumn 48 Issue 6

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FEBRUARY 18, 2016 LUNCHEONMEETING

11:30 AM Social12:00 Noon Lunch

La Locanda4989 West Chester Pike

Newtown Square, PA 19073610 353-7033

Please join us as we celebrate Valentine's Day with a delicious lunch at La Locanda.We’ve followed up on your requests and invited Shelley Potente from the Women's Resource Center.She will discuss the WRC including a variety of life changing issues that are relevant to our group.

Menu(Choices will be made at the restaurant.)

First Course

Straciatella Soup - Chicken

Main Course

Orecchiette - Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli in a garlic sauceor

Chicken Parmesan with Pastaor

Tilapia Piccata with Vegetables

Dessert

Tiramisu

COST: $33.00

Celebrate Valentine's Day

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Luncheon Reservation FormName _________________________________Guest(s) _________________________________Amount enclosed ($33.00 per person) ____________Phone Number ____________________________*I am ______A Board Member _______A Prospective Member

______A Member _______A New MemberIs this the first time you are attending a monthly luncheon meeting?

yes/noDietary restrictions ____________________________________

RSVP DEADLINE: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016.Please note no reservations will be accepted after this date.

Early registration is very much appreciated.

MAIL-IN INSTRUCTIONS:Complete the Reservation form. Make the check payable to “NCUML.” Please make sure thatpayment arrives no later than Monday, February 15.

To RSVP please mail your correspondence to Stephanie Wulfsohn, 319 St. Davids Road,Wayne PA 19087. PH: 412-721-9242. Please call or email Stephanie sawulfsohn@gmail.com to tellher you’re RSVPing.

Dietary Requirements? See the reservation form or call Stephanie.

Please save this date for the March, 2016 Luncheon:Mar 17th, 11:30am, Radnor Hotel, Radnor.

Champagne brunch buffet.

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Current News

February BirthdaysVirginia Joyce 3rd

Peggy McEwen 5th

Carol Olszewski 6th

Elizabeth Robertson 7th

Robbie Galati 12th

Sherrie Craddock 13th

Diane White 14th

Lorraine Jones 15th

Suzanne Johnson 17th

Anna Hill 20th

Dottie Foltz 21th

Bonnie Chambers 26th

Friendship Notes

Happy Birthday

Cards have been sent to thefollowing members:

Cheryl Rouge recovering fromknee replacement surgery

Mari McCarthy in the passingof her sister

Pat Kerr recovering from aserious fall

Contact Doris Petty, the newFriendship Chair at 610 688-7930or curlydaisy@aol.com if you hearof anyone who is ill, has been inthe hospital, or is in need of a

"pick me up".

Current News

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A fun evening arranged by Adventures and Museums

Current News

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Paintingwitha

Twistin

Wayne

Service Activities

Cradles to CrayonsStephanie Wulfsohn

610 688-8072 sawulfsohn@gmail.com

We will continue to volunteer at The Giving Factory for Cradles to Crayons on thesecond Thursday of each month from 1-3PM, beginning October 8. The address is: 30Clipper Rd in W. Conshohocken. C2C requests that all volunteers complete a registrationform prior to arrival :http://www.cradlestocrayons.org/node/add/registration/a0RC000000GoAmTIf you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Wulfsohn: swulfsohn@gmail.com

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Community ServiceAs part of the socialization we all face as newcomers, opportunities to

give back to the community through non-profit organizations is important tomany of our members. We have a number of local charities to which NCUMLmembers give their time and energy. Please contact the committee chairs forinformation on how to volunteer.

FriendshipDoris Petty 610 688-7930 curlydaisy@aol.com

A caring word is always welcome. This support is especially importantwhen one is new in a community. The club likes to extend care and sympathyand recognition through notes and cards to members. All are encouraged tocontact the Friendship Chair whenever they hear of a member who could usesupport, care, sympathy or encouragement, or who would appreciate acongratulations in celebration of an event.

Baker IndustriesDebi Rabin

610 688-8078 debra.rabin@gmail.comThis is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities,the homeless, and others who find it hard to secure skills and work habits theyneed to succeed in the mainstream of life. For more than 20 years, BakerIndustries has followed a unique approach in work rehabilitation, givingdisadvantaged people real compensation for real work and teaching workethics that may enable them to move to outside employment. Volunteeropportunities include working beside an employee, showing them how to workefficiently or helping a supervisor check quality control when several jobs arein progress. You can volunteer once a week, when needed, or at specialevents at Baker Industries in Malvern.

Service Activities

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INTERIM HOUSE, Inc. a PHMC affiliateThe mission of Interim House is to empower women to recover from

drug and alcohol addiction, pursue healthy lifestyles, and find purpose andmeaning in their lives. Interim House seeks to achieve these goals byproviding a range of services to address clients' physical, psychological,educational, vocational, familial, social and spiritual needs.

It is located in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia. Contact CindyMunger for info: 302 753-4922.

PublicityDebi Rabin

610 688-8078 debra.rabin@gmail.com

Attention NCUML Members:

If you are enjoying an NCUML activity let everyone know about it!Take a photo and email it to debra.rabin@gmail.com and show how much fun youare having with your Newcomer friends. We’ll post them to the website, newsletter

and our Facebook page.Let’s use Social Media to grow our membership – your photos or friendly comments

on our Facebook Page help prospective members find out about us.

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"When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark andbereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle oflife. But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in thewarmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than along and lustrous winter."

Bill Murray (Phil) in Groundhog Day

Social ActivitiesADVENTURES & MUSEUMS - 2nd Tuesday

Ann Francis 860 463-7069 thefrancises@aol.com

Tricia Boyes 832 746-6292 triciaboyes@earthlink.com

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Valentine Card Making Crafter’s Night OutTuesday, February 9th from 5-7pm

Paper Source, Paolicost: $30

Join us for a fun evening of Valentine crafting and light refreshments. We will make4 Valentine cards using fun techniques such as stamping, embossing, marbling andwatercolors, and add delightful accents like envelope lining and heart arrows. A 10% offcoupon will be provided with the class. Take advantage of the discount to get Valentinetreats for loved ones and the materials you need to make the rest of your cards at home.

Due to the size of the venue, this Adventure is limited to 10 people. To reserve yourspot, contact Tricia Boyes at triciaboyes@earthlink.net or (832) 746-6292 ASAP

Our February selection is Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins and is a 2015Goodreads choice winner.

This debut psychological thriller will forever change the way you look at otherpeople’s lives.

Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattlesdown the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at thesignal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck.She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them.Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the trainmoves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself,Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined inwhat happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done moreharm than good?

Compulsively readable, The Girl on the Train is an emotionally immersive,Hitchcockian thriller and an electrifying debut.

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Book Club - 4th TuesdayBarbara McDonald 484 592-0335 barbmcd12@gmail.com

Book Club is open to all NCUML members and monthlyattendance is not required..

2016 Book Selections

Date Author Title Reviewer Hostess1/26 Lynn Olson Citizens of London Alice Murphy TBA

2/23 Paula Hawkins Girl on the Train Sharyn Pozzulo Debbie Worth

3/22 Sylvia Jukes Morris Rage for Fame Barbara McDonald MargaretteSorenson

4/26 Nadia Hashimi The Pearl That Lee GuertinBroke Its Shell

My mother used to tell me that I had an overactiveimagination; Tom said that, too....The train crawls along; it judders past warehouses and water towers,bridges and sheds, past modest Victorian houses, their backs turnedsquarely to the track.

My head leaning against the carriage window, I watch thesehouses roll past me like a tracking shot in a film. I see them as othersdo not; even their owners probably don’t see them from thisperspective. Twice a day, I am offered a view into other lives, just for amoment. There’s something comforting about the sight of strangers

safe at home...If I sit in carriage D, which I usually do, and the train stops at this signal, which it

almost always does, I have a perfect view into my favorite trackside house: number fifteen...I know that on warm summer evenings, the occupants of this house, Jason and Jess,

sometimes climb out of the large sash window to sit on the makeshift terrace on top of thekitchen-extension roof. They are a perfect, golden couple...

I can’t see Jason and Jess this morning, and my sense of disappointment is acute.Silly, I know. I scrutinize the house, but there’s nothing to see. The curtains are opendownstairs but the French doors are closed, sunlight reflecting off the glass. The sashwindow upstairs is closed, too. Jason may be away working...

I’ve never seen them up close, they didn’t live at that house when I lived down theroad. They moved in after I left two years ago, I don’t know when exactly. I suppose Istarted noticing them about a year ago, and gradually, as the months went past, theybecame important to me.

I don’t know their names, either, so I had to name them myself. Jason, because he’shandsome in a British film star kind of way, not a Depp or a Pitt, but a Firth, or a JasonIsaacs. And Jess just goes with Jason, and it goes with her. It fits her, pretty and carefree asshe is. They’re a match, they’re a set. They’re happy, I can tell. They’re what I used to be,they’re Tom and me five years ago. They’re what I lost, they’re everything I want to be.― Paula Hawkins, The Girl on the Train

Happy Leap Year

February is the second month of the year in the Gregorian calendar andconsists of 28 days in common years and 29 days in leap years. It is the only monththat can pass without a single full moon.

February starts on the same day of the week as March and November incommon years. During leap years, February starts on the same day of the week asAugust.

Once every six years and twice every 11 years, the month of February willhave only four full seven-day weeks, where the first day of the month starts on aSunday and ends on a Saturday.

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BridgeCheryl Rouge 610 664-8479 crouge@verizon.net

NCUML has bridge groups that accommodate everyone. Different groups cater todifferent skill levels. We also have Couples Bridge in a very relaxed atmosphere. Newmembers are welcome to join all of our groups. As a courtesy to all players, please, no iPods,cell phone calls, texting or emailing at the bridge table.We absolutely always understand unexpected emergencies.

This group is for the intermediate player with a good grasp of bidding, basicconventions, and declarer and defensive play. We play the second Thursday of themonth. Social begins at 12:45pm and play begins at 1:00. Please plan to stay until4:00pm. Hostess provides beverages, light snacks, tallies, score pads and cards. Newmembers most welcome.

Our February 11 get-together is at the home of Erna Bjornsson, 539 St. DavidsAve, St. Davids, PA (610-688-6616). If you would like to play, please contact CherylRougé at 610-664-8479 or crouge@verizon.net.

We are a low key, fun group who want to advance our bridge skills. Players needknowledge of the fundamental principles of the game, along with preemptive bids, Staymanconvention, Jacoby transfer bids, and strong opening bids. In order to enhance our skills,we allow table talk, cheat sheets, and hand review.

The hostess provides beverages and light snacks. Each member shall hostess onceduring the year.If for any reason you cannot play it is your responsibilty to notify the hostessand find a sub from our substitute list.

Our February Beginners' Bridge is scheduled for Tuesday February 16 and ourhostess will be Betty Stubblbine. Her address is : 323 Candlewood Dr. Broomall.

Please RSVP to Joanne DiSabatino at disab1911@gmail.com by February 7.

Advanced Beginner Afternoon Bridge - 3rd TuesdayJoanne DiSabatino 610 297-7984 disab1911@gmail.com

Ladies Afternoon Bridge - 2nd ThursdayCheryl Rouge 610 664-8479 crouge@verizon.net

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This group is for the intermediate to advanced player. We meet on the fourthThursday of the month Play begins at 9:30 am. We play 20 to 24 boards and are usuallydone by 1pm.

Our hostess on February 25th will be Sue Gillen, 514 Guinevere Drive, NewtownSquare. Sue's telephone number is 610 325-7108. If you would like to play with this group,please get in touch with Tish Stenger at 610 983-9833 or at etishh@aol.com.

Congratulations to our December winners: 1st. Erna Bjornsson & Karen Miltko2nd. Jeanne Savage & Tish Stenger

3rd. Karen Brown & Eileen Kennedy

This is informal bridge played each month with the same partner of your choosing.Once a month, from September through May, you and your partner play a different team atone table on the date the four of you have picked. The assigned host couple provides lightsnacks and drinks.

It is the responsibility of the host couple to contact the opponent during the previousmonth to set a suitable date, and also to turn in the score to Kathy Harral, 250 Ravenscliff,St. Davids, PA 19087. A one-time combined Bridge/prize fund fee of $5.00 will be collectedat the time each team plays Foltz/Harral.

PLEASE!!! Complete your game during its scheduled month. If possible, please getsubs whenever scheduling proves to be too difficult. Anyone traveling for two weeks out ofa month should definitely consider a sub to make scheduling easier. Please try to havescores turned in by May 15. The group consists of nine couples. We always welcomesubstitutes.

Ladies Duplicate Bridge - 4th ThursdayTish Stenger 610-983-9833 etishh@aol.com

Ladies Round RobinDottie Foltz 610 964-8637 Foltzville@cs.com

Kathy Harral 610-964-9884 k.harral@verizon.net

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This is a friendly group with bridge players at all skill levels. Whether a beginner orvery experienced, we have a lot of fun. New members are always welcome.

Saturday, February 6thGail and Steve Lundmark, 2 Highfield Lane, Wayne, 19087

gail.lundmark@yahoo.com or (610) 688-7151

If you're planning ahead, this group will be hosted on March 5th by Kathy Harral,k.harral@verizon.net

If anyone would like to volunteer to host in April, May, or June, please contact me.

Congratulations to our January winners:

1st Dottie Foltz2nd Ethan Stenger3rd Jack Foltz

Couples Bridge - 1st SaturdayEileen Kennedy 610 581-0224 gzacrep@comcast.net

We will try one more time, at the January luncheon, to determine if there is enoughinterest in Bunco to continue this activity. Please speak up, let Leslie know, if you areinterested.

Bunco - 3rd WednesdayLeslie Dannin 484 919-3425 leslie.dannin@morganstanley.com

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February's birth flower is the violet andthe common primrose.

Please contact Sherrie at Sherriepa@aol.com if you will be able to attend.

Canasta -1st & 3rd MondaySherrie Craddock 610 293-9495 sherriepa@aol.com

February 1- Canasta will be held at the home of Carol Oakman, 138 Traymore Lane,RoseValley- 610 565-3013

February 15- Canasta we will be meeting at Betty Stubblebine's home, 323 CandlewoodRoad, Broomall- 610 353-8878

This is a group for beginners and those who have played Canasta before and wouldlike to refresh their memories or those that are card sharks and want to show off.

If you are new to the game we welcome you to observe until you feel comfortablesitting in with us. Interested members can review the American Canasta Rules we use bylooking at the link on the NCUML website.

Hostess provides simple snacks and beverages. We will meet from 1:00 to 4:00p.m. RSVP is required to the chairman each time, the Friday before play so the hostesswill know how many tables are needed.

The cards and supplies are given to the hostess each time we play. Severalmembers have extra tables that we are happy to share when it’s your time to hostess ifneeded.

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The birthstone for February is the amethyst which symbolizespiety, humility, spiritual wisdom and sincerity.

CASTING CALL FOR ALL MOVIE BUFFS: If you love movies and can'timagine life without them then you are a "movie buff" and

CHICK FLICKS is the activity for you!

REPORT TO: UA King of Prussia Stadium 16 Theater Complex on Mall BlvdDATE: Third Monday of the month, twelve months of the yearTIME: Due to the changing nature of movie schedules, participants will

be notified each month by e-mail with specific details

"Chick flick" is slang for a film designed to appeal to female audiencesfeaturing emotional and relationship-based themes: tear jerkers, romanticcomedies, tales of feminine bonding, frothy romances, Cinderella-like fairytales of finding love. Some of the movies we see are true "chick flicks" (alsoknown at various times throughout film history as "melodramas," "women'spictures," "weepies," or "soapers"), but our choices are diverse and haveincluded musicals, comedies, classics and action pictures - a little somethingfor everyone no matter what your favorite film genre may be!

Having trouble persuading your husband or significant other to take you to seethat just released romance? No problem! See it with us! Call our chairpersonto add your name to the e-mail list and receive movie details each month. Andbe sure to join us before the movie for a delicious lunch at Champps, which islocated next to the movie theater. (Each member attending is responsible forpaying her own lunch and movie ticket expense.)

Join this fun and friendly group of Newcomers who love viewing anddiscussing films.

See you at the movies!

Chick Flicks-3rd MondayPat Conrad 610 293-9495 pafrain@aol.com

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Beginning in May, and into the Fall, weather permitting, golfers tee off at10:00 a.m. to play nine holes at The Club at Shannondell. Afterwards, golfers enjoya Dutch-treat lunch together at a nearby restaurant. For a golfer with a sense ofhumor and inconsistent score record, Giggle Golf is a great way to improve yourgame and make new friends. No handicap is necessary. RSVP the previous day tobe included in the group.

Golf, Giggle - Thursdays in seasonLee Guertin 610 647-0606 guertin1@comcast.net

Mah Jongg is an ancient Chinese game, played with tiles. We play accordingto National Mah Jongg League rules, with a few "house" variations voted on by themembers.

Play is from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. the 2nd and 4th Mondays of every month.Group members take turns hosting play-dates. Light refreshments are served. Ifinterested in playing, please RSVP to the chairperson by the Saturday prior to theplay-date.

On February 8, we will be playing at the home of Joanne DiSabatino, 212 LineRoad, Malvern. Please let Bertie know by February 6 if you would like to play.

On February 22, we will be playing at the home of Bertie Tustin, 702 MichellStreet, Ridley Park. Please let Bertie know by February 20 if you would like to play.

Mah Jongg - 2nd and 4th MondayBetty Stubblebine 610-353-8878 bettyjoe19008@yahoo.com

Bertie Tustin 610-534-0496 bertietustin@comcast.net

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Everyone is invited to attend Mug Morning between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. the fourthWednesday of the month (11 months -- we only miss December). Each month a differentclub member hosts this casual get-together in her home. Attendance varies from aboutfour to fourteen. Guests bring their own mugs and enjoy coffee (or tea), a snack andconversation in a relaxed setting that is perfect for connecting with new and old friends.RSVP's to the hostess are required (need to know how much coffee). We look forward tohaving you join us at "Mug Morning".

February mug morning will be hosted by Mary Hodge on February 24th. Heraddress is: 39 Manchester Ct

Berwyn , PA 19312610 517-9334

Mug Morning - 4th WednesdayDebbie Worth 610 293-6410 debbiepa.worth@gmail.com

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Meet and Greet Coffee - 2nd TuesdayInterested in NCUML? Questions about NCUML membership?

New and Prospective Members are encouraged to check out NCUMLWHERE: Panera's319 Lancaster AvenueWayne, PA 19087WHEN: No Meet and Greet in February.Look for us in March.

Stay warm!Drop in at 10:30 a.m.No RSVP required

Bring a friend or a new neighbor. Join us to meet and greet new and prospectivemembers.

Panera's is located in the shopping center at the corner of Lancaster Ave andAberdeen.

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Songbirds-2nd TuesdayThis activity is looking for a Chairperson. Please contact Linda Roccas.

lroccas@verizon.net

Today’s Gourmet – 1st ThursdayTodaysgourmet1@gmail.com

Lorraine Jones 610.416.5786 and Elizabeth Robertson 610.952.6916

Blushing Mimosas (serves 8)2 cups orange juice

1 cup pineapple juice

2 Tablespoons grenadine

1 750 ml bottle of Kava

Stir together first three ingredients. Pour 1/3 cup juice mixture and 1/3 cup Kavain champagne glasses. Enjoy!

The above recipe was part of our December Luncheon. We hope you’ll try it andenjoy it as much as we did. Members of this activity have collected so manywonderful recipes over the years. They often become our “go to” recipes forentertaining or everyday meals.

We get together the first Thursday of each month, October through June (exceptJanuary). Eight to ten ladies gather at each home of the assigned hostesses forthe month. Each attendee is asked to make a specific recipe that has been sent toyou and bring it to the luncheon. The cost of the meal is then shared equally amongthe guests.

You do not need to participate every time or take a turn as a hostess. If youparticipate during the year, but can’t host, there will be an opportunity tocontribute as a planner or dish provider for the group’s June luncheon.

To participate in this activity, all you have to do is contact Lorraine or Elizabethand we will add you to our list. Then you will RSVP via email(Todaysgourmet1@gmail.com) by the 10th of the previous month. A reminder will besent to you on the first of each month.

Please join us and start collecting wonderful recipes, too!

February, even though it is the shortest month of the year, seems to bethe hardest to get through even if you are a fan of winter. Hot drinks, warmwooly sweaters, fires in the fireplace, icy sidewalks and bitter wind are allreasons to stay inside. But if you are looking for something to do to ventureout during this winter month, please remember the organizaitons that ourgroup supports. Find out how you can help at Cradles to Crayons or BakerIndustries or Interim House. Help is always appreciated, is a blessing to thehelper and can get you out of the house.

Deb Frisby, editor

Walkers, come and join us on the Radnor Trail. We walk as our schedulesand the weather permits. We meet at the Radnor Trail parking lot on West WayneAvenue (behind the veterinary office, #405 W. Wayne), at 8:30 a.m., Mondaythrough Friday. We have an open schedule for you to join in when you can, as oftenas you like. (Meeting time may change, subject to seasons, weather and walkerconsensus.)

Contact Barb McDonald at barbmcd12@gmail.com to add your name to theemail list or for more information or directions.

Walkers - Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.Barbara McDonald 484 592-0335 barbmcd12@gmail.com

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Our TGIF will be February 12 generously hosted by Norma and SteveBolton. We will celebrate Lincoln's real Birthday so think of your favorite storyto share about this great President. It's a great opportunity to wind down withfellow members for a glass of wine and hearty appetizers.Please RSVP to Norma: stevebolden10@comcast.net

TGIF Happy Hour - 2nd FridayMary Hodge 610 517-9334 mary.hodge@duffyrealestate.com