Newsletter - October 2020

OCTOBER 2020 Newsletter

Happy Fall Y’all!

It’s the time of year again for that famous (or maybe it’s infamous) slogan. Every dish towel and t-shirt is emblazoned with it and pumpkins of all sizes reign supreme in storefront displays. It’s my favorite time of year and I’m so ready for the cooler weather. I hope we have a great showing of fall color from the trees. I love the reds and golds of autumn leaves. And the smells…sweet and spicy and warm and woodsy. It makes me all mushy and nostalgic.

What will fall be like this year? COVID might cause some issues with Trick-or Treating this year, but there hasn’t been any slowdown in the candy buying. In fact, more Halloween candy has been purchased this year than at the same time last year. Guess folks are afraid there’ll be a run on candy like there was with toilet paper. All this hoarding behavior amazes me. I wonder what will be next. Turkey? Pecans? Sweet potatoes?

I’m saddened by the cancellation of big events like the War Eagle Craft Fair and Bikes Blues & BBQ, but I understand the reluctance to draw thousands of folks from all over the country to mingle together in close quarters. I guess the ban on tailgating at Razorback games has cast a pall on the season as well. Maybe we all need to take a little break from the doomscrolling and head outside to enjoy some coronatherapy courtesy of Mother Nature! Brew up a mug of something with autumn infused flavor and find some leaves to stomp in. Watch the squirrels gathering up acorns and hiding them away for winter. Feel the hint of a chill in the morning or evening air. Breathe it all in and let it fill you with peace.

Until next time, stay safe and enjoy all that the season has to offer.

Sue

News and Updates

10/1 Tina Moeller                                            10/14 Martha DeVault

10/2   Nancy Denn                                         10/16 Diane Swanson

10/3 Paula Opela                                            10/18 Cindy Baldridge    

10/5 Michael Vidal                                          10/23 Marilyn Kay Petersen 

10/13 Jeannie Eubanks        10/25 Diane Quick

10/13 Vande Southerland 10/25 Jacqueline Christenson

10/10 Sue Burk, Kay Baumann                      10/30 Brooke Gertsch  

10/13 Jeannie Eubanks 10/31 Phyllis Kuehl

10/13 Vande Southerland 10/31 Virginia Moore

Program VP – Shelle Steeley  

We have been invited to participate in the virtual talk "A Tale of Two Watersheds" on Tuesday, October 13th. It will take place via Zoom from 11:30am to 1:00pm.  Whether you're a native Arkansan or new to the area, you likely know the importance of water to Northwest Arkansas's economy. Water in NWA helps fuel everything from industrial practices to recreational free time. But do you know the local waterways that fill our lakes and rivers? Do you know the quality of the water that you live by and play in? If you would like to learn about the Beaver Lake and Illinois River watersheds that encompass most of Northwest Arkansas, please join this Zoom talk and be a part of the conversation. Executive Directors of the Beaver Watershed Alliance, Becky Roark, and the Illinois River Watershed Partnership, Nicole Hardiman, will discuss the two watersheds, while Jane Maginot, County Extension Agent with University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, will talk about how your daily actions have an impact on waterways, and what you can do to protect these watersheds in Northwest Arkansas. 

To register for this free webinar, go to  https://www.uaex.edu/environment-nature/water/stormwater/nwastormwater/

Activity – Take a Hike – Jacqueline King

Check Fayetteville Newcomers website (password – newcomers) under Activities – Take a Hike.   Be sure to click on Take a Hike to get the page to open and reveal our current hiking location.

Remember this is a Newcomer activity, so please send your $20 dues to Mona Jones.

Membership – Mona Jones   

Welcome New Member Debbie Medlock.  She relocated to Fayetteville from Jonesboro to be closer to family and is already involved in Take-A-Hike.

As this pandemic continues, what you are doing to stay sane?  After cleaning the kitchen cabinets, arranging the jewelry, and considering cleaning the garage, what creative and fun things have you found to keep yourself busy?

Tom and I adopted a Beagle, rescued by Barb and Butch Wilson.  Buddy has kept us busy and has stolen our hearts (when he’s not irritating the neighbors with his barking or chewing my yarn.)  We walk every morning when the sun comes up before the trash trucks and school buses are out.    He is not an angel but he is enthusiastic, loves to be petted and is very handsome.

Another thing I have done with several members is play Mah Jongg online through realmahjongg.com.  Charlotte Quattlebaum added Zoom (she is very smart) so we can talk while playing.  We cannot see each other (thankfully) but so much fun to have some interaction.   If you do not know how to play or just want to play anonymously, try this computer game.  You can play with the computer or with people you do not know online.

So again, share with us what are you doing?  What would you like to see FNC do?   One new activity I thought we might share is ‘What are you watching’? There are SO many great shows on Netflix, HBO, Acorn, etc – share with me what you are watching.  I will compile the ‘What Are You Watching?’ list and email to those interested every few weeks.  Let me get the ball rolling with ‘The Last Dance’ on Netflix, produced by ESPN.  This docuseries chronicles the rise of superstar Michael Jordan and the 1990s Chicago Bulls, with unaired footage from an unforgettable 1997-98 season.   I am NOT a sports fan, but I totally enjoyed this show and your husband will love you for picking it.

And again, a reminder, even though we are not meeting right now, FNC still has fiscal responsibilities so please renew your $20 dues for 2020-2021.  40% of members have renewed and the Board thanks you!  

Hope to hear from you soon,

Mona Jones

3011 N. Sheryl Avenue

Fayetteville, AR 72703

479-366-3948

Service Project – Magdalene Serenity House – Paulette Lilly/Mary Cay:

Please consider mailing monetary gifts, gift cards or Uber cards to them during this social distancing time. Those who wish to participate can mail to:

April Bachrodt, Executive Director

Magdelene Serenity House

P. O. Box 3394

Fayetteville, AR. 72702

Please include that your gift is from the Fayetteville Newcomers Club. Thank you and stay safe.

Sunshine Report – Jill Trolinger:

A get well card was sent to Steve Burke who had surgery.  Also, a farewell card was sent to Carleen Ringgenberg who retired to Crowley, TX to be closer to a certain grandchild.

Remember to contact Jill with any news regarding one of our members to help us stay informed since we are unable to physically get together.

Newsletter Updates -Jann Gorman – Chair - Please email all newsletter updates to Jann Gorman, honk3rs@yahoo.com, for the next newsletter by the 20th of the month.  Thank you.

It’s a great day to be a Newcomer!