September 26, 2006: Fall Kickoff. Newcomers Fall Kickoff Dinner at the Hagerty Center in the Great Lakes Maritime Academy. This is the first event of the season and is a great opportunity to meet new friends, renew old acquaintances, learn more about the Newcomers Club and talk to the various Activity Group chairs. Reservations should be received by Friday 22 Sept. Cost $27.00 per person, mail your check made out to Newcomers Club to Elaine Novak, 4019 East Shore Dr, Grawn, MI 49637.

October 24, 2006:  Wine Tasting & Tour. The October program will be a tour and wine tasting at Chateau Chantal. There will be a nominal charge of $5 a person and we will be in the hospitality room for wine tasting and cheese and crackers. Vintner Mark Johnson is scheduled to be our tour guide. The tour will run from 7-9 but plan on being there a few minutes early. 

November 13, 2006: “Newcomers Auction”. The November program will be both a Silent and Regular Auction. As in previous years, our auction comes just before the holiday season swings into full throttle and is a great opportunity to find something unique. Members are asked to donate items for the auction. Homemade items are always a big hit – be it crafts, quilting or homemade goodies like cookies or jams. Also very popular are collectables and/or antiques and children’s video’s/books. Other items from past auctions included tickets to concerts, the symphony and Interlochen, gift baskets of local Michigan products, wine, cheese spreads/selections, kitchen or bathroom items. Other popular offering are dinners at members homes and cooking and craft lessons. We always have a good turnout and an evening of fun. Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Location: Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave., Traverse City.

December  8, 2006 - "2006 Holiday Dinner Dance".  The Annual Holiday Dinner Dance takes place December 8, at the Waterfront Inn Conference

January 23, 2007 – Hospice Presentation. Mrs. Beth Karczewski, Marketing & Development Coordinator, at the Munson Hospice & Palliative Care Center will be our guest speaker. Several of our club members are Hospice Volunteers. Many newcomers understand the important service to the elderly that this organization provides throughout the state. Beth will review the nature of the program and how interested citizens might get involved. A very special topic indeed. 

February 27, 2007 – NMC Extension Education Service, “Life Academy”. Ms. Carol Evens, Director of the Extended Education Service, will offer a presentation on this very important “lifelong learning program” offered by Northwestern Michigan College in its attractive lakefront University Center. The Academy program is developed for the continued education of adults age 55+ in our community and features numerous classes to keep retirees and others caught up on the arts, drama and music, literature and writing, creative arts, computers, fitness, special interests, religion and psychology and other seminars of interest for nominal fees. Brochures and handouts provide a valuable guide to the many programs being offered. Also offered is a winter Life Lunch Series (buffet luncheon) and a Brown Bag Forum series. It’s never too late to smarten up.

March 27, 2007 – NEWCOMER VOLUNTEER EXTRAVAGANZA! So many volunteer opportunities and so little time....a common quandary for new and old Newcomer Club members. Many volunteer opportunities exist in the Grand Traverse Region just as they do elsewhere - you just have to know where to look. Our March 27 program will seek to identify some of the volunteer organizations which Newcomers themselves have joined to provide a service. Some members have become disaster volunteers in Mississippi and New Orleans, some have leaned towards artistic endeavors such at the Dennos Museum or the Interlochen Center of the Arts; some assist with Traverse City's Visitor Center and others with the Northern Michigan Adaptive Sports and Recreation organization or the Audubon Society; and some are drawn to welfare non-profits such as Goodwill or the Women's Resource Center.

We hope the first-person accounts of these interesting volunteer organizations will give the audience a chance to hear what attracted members to these groups and agencies, and what it is that members actually do there to assist the community or to participate in meaningful activities.

April 24, 2007 – Spring Gardening. Ms. Robin Smillie will be our guest speaker on “Effective Gardening.” Robin is an established local expert on gardening and speaks regularly at various venues. She will assist members as they try to get a leg up on spring plantings. What famous person once said: “Plant in the spring, go to bed early in the fall”?

May 22, 2007 -  SPRING DINNER
Traverse City Elks Club
6:30 - 7:30 PM Cash Bar
7:30 Buffet Dinner

Come join the fun at the annual Spring Dinner to be held at theTraverse City Elks Club (Lodge #323) on Tuesday evening, May 22. Enjoy the company of fellow club members and swap trueor embellished winter tales. It's time to get reacquainted and continue to enjoy life in this beautiful, northern Michigan area. There will be a cash bar between 6:30 and 7:30 PM. A buffet dinner will start at 7:30. Dinner will include two entrees (prime rib and whitefish, and yes, you can have some of each), salad bar, redskin potatoes, vegetable, bread, cobbler dessert, and coffee or tea. If needed, vegetarian or special plates are available upon request. Mention special requests when you make your reservation..

Please make your reservations by sending a check payable to
Newcomers Club of Grand Traverse by Monday, May 14.

The cost per person is $24.

Send to:

Elaine Novak
4019 East Shore Drive
Grawn, Michigan 49637

The Elks Club has requested we get our count in early so they can be sure to order enough food. So, again, please send to Elaine so she receives it by May 14. We are looking forward to seeing everyone!!!! Guests are welcome!!! Questions? Call Bud Dockter, 932-2394, or Brad Spencer, 946-3365

We extend a special thank you to George and Letha Cairns, our own Newcomers Club members and the Elks Club members sponsoring this event. Without them, we could be eating at McDonalds.

June 24 - "2007 Picnic". Annual Newcomers Picnic. 
Location: Bowers Harbor Park
Time: 1:00, Sunday, June 24

Newcomers Club will provide brats, hot dogs, buns, as well as the condiments and table service. Members should bring: a dish to pass and their own beverages. Picnic tables are available but you can bring your own lawn chairs. Question to Matt Albert, 941-4143, Directions: At the base of Old Mission Peninsula, turn north at the Garfield/Front St. intersection. Take Peninsula Drive for 10 miles until you pass the Boathouse Restaurant on your left. Shortly after the restaurant, turn right on Bower’s Harbor Road. The park will be on your right.        

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