Welcome from the President

Dear Friends,

As the Newcomers fiscal calendar year comes to a close, I look back on all we've accomplished as a group.  It's been another great year and we've welcomed many new faces and have had the opportunity to reconnect with many familiar ones as well. Along with all of the consistent offerings of great activities we've introduced a few new activity groups and some fun events this year.  We've had great responses to all of these events and I hope that we can keep the momentum.  Here is a quick recap of the new events this year:  Couple's Card Night, Couple's Dinner Club, Beer Tasting, Bunco, Walking Group and Summer Camp Scholarship Awards.

I'd like to thank all of the outgoing board members and activity chairs for their dedication and service to Newcomers you will be missed.  Thank you to:  Jennifer Pulsifer, Lisa Flagg, Erin McBee, Stefan Wennick, Nora Massielo, Harriet Guarnera, Linda Aintablian, Emily Strong, Jane Maher, and Nicole Kelesoglu.   On behalf of the entire Newcomers Club, we wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

As we prepare for the transition, this is the perfect time to review the responses to the survey and take stock on where we are and what direction we need to set our course for the 2009-2010 calendar year.  We received some good feedback and many great suggestions on activities to offer in the future.  As a board, we will definitely do our best to incorporate many as possible.  Survey results will be sent out by the end of the month.

While we welcome many new faces to our board, we'll make a few modifications this next year.  Anne Hammond, the current Recording Secretary has graciously offered to be a Co-President with me next year.  This will help keep a fresh perspective for the coming year in addition to giving me more time with my family.  Anne has become a great friend and I've welcomed her insight on the board.  She has lived in Andover for a little over two years and has been a member of Newcomers for the past two years.  Anne has an extensive professional background and currently runs her own consulting business.

It's been a pleasure to serve as President this year, and I'm thankful for all of the opportunities to become more involved, it's been great getting to know so many wonderful people.  This would not have been possible with out the support of my family, especially my wonderful husband, Alex.  There has been a few times where he has met me at a board meeting so we could swap cars and trade care of our son.  My son has become accustomed to "Mommy has a meeting" and actually enjoys the perks that this has allowed him.  Sometimes it's a chance to play with the neighbor boys for another hour after dinner or sometimes it's "movie night" which translates into a pre-recorded episode from Noggin and most of the bag of popcorn.  Thank you to my family for all of your support.

A special thank you goes out to the activity groups that sent in some of their favorite recipes from this year.  I hope that you have a chance to enjoy them over the summer.

I wish everyone a safe and happy summer and I'll see you in the fall.

Sincerely,
Debbie Privert