Message from the president - The Landings New Neighbors

March 2016
ç
COMPASS
landingsnewneighbors.com
Message from the president
I’d like to say a big THANK YOU to
all who replied to my request for
feedback last month. I received so
many lovely and often insightful
emails thanking me for setting the
tone for New Neighbors and for my
leadership this year. The reality is
that while I get to have my name and photo on the
front page, it is all of you who make New
Neighbors such a special organization, from those
who plan our activities to those who participate so
enthusiastically.
Speaking of participation, I hope you will all sign
up today for a great event coming up on March 4,
which we’ve entitled, “Tiki Time on the Island."
Celebrate the coming of spring with an islandthemed evening of food, fun, friendship, and a bit
of history of how The Landings came to be. It
WILL be the place to be!!
It is with great pleasure that we announce in this
issue our next year’s President and Board. It’s a
wonderful group of men and women who have
stepped up to contribute their talents, and for those
of you not graduating like me, you’ll be in very
good hands.
SAVE THE DATE
You won’t want to miss this year’s
New Neighbors Social
Celebrating 25 years
APRIL 14,2016 at “Camp” Skidaway
Registration begins March 15
!
March 2016
This issue
!
Welcome our newest members to The
Landings New Neighbors
2
!
Announcing the 2016-2017 NN Board
2
!
Spotlight on NN Book Club
!
Get into a tropical vibe and sign up for
Tiki Time on the Island
3
4
Last chance for Savannah
Philharmonic-Velvet Caravan
performance discount
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 email Mary Jane
March 2016
Welcome to our newest new neighbors
New Neighbor
Address
From
Bob & Diane Benson
4 water Witch Crossing
Cohasset, MA
Tony Lembeck & Andrea Gorback
7 Tamarind Lane
Goldens Bridge, NY
Beth & John Majeroni
3 Coggeshall Court
Atlanta, GA
Ken & Laurie Puglisi
5 Tangletree Lane
Chicago, IL
Jill & Bob Rubin
17 Sweetgum Crossing
Pennsylvania
Lee & Loni Sucharda
81 Delegal Road
Racine, WI
Barbara & Frank Tribble
1 Callavance Court
Charleston, SC
Doulas Ward & Deborah Najuch
14 Oyster Reef Road
Tyngsboro, MA
Larry & Susan Woods
4 Ward Lane
Newburgh, IN
Savannah Philharmonic
(Continued)
Rosenbaum at maryjanerosenbaum@gmail.com by
February 22.
In addition, the Philharmonic is offering NN a
unique (and free) opportunity to attend the April
29 dress rehearsal for the season finale featuring
works by Chopin and Tchaikovsky. If you are
interested in attending this no-cost event, please
email Mary Jane at the above address.
NN Canasta group, L to R, Jerri Gibbs, Carol McCarthy, Cathy Nyberg,
and Sue Kantor. If you would like to join the group, contact Carol
McCarthy, mccarthyzone@icloud.com.
Meet the 2016-2017 New
Neighbors Board
President
Secretary
Treasurer
Assistant
Treasurer
Savannah’s own “Gypsy Jazz” ensemble, Velvet Caravan
International Group members Maureen Mezei, Nicky Berdy, and Hannah
Burtnick enjoy a recent gathering.
Bonnie Kelly
Janet Day
Peter Mezei
Beth Holmquist
Marguerite &
Ed Baxter
Membership
Laurie Milano
Welcome
Raine Theis &
Receptions
Sherron Gladden
Publicity
Hannah Burtnick
Newsletter Editor
Andy Steigmeier
Programs/Meeting Carri Stoltz &
Coordinators
Sheila Long
Webmaster
John Ufford
Ilene Schnabel &
Socials
Merri Blum
Activities
2
March 2016
Spotlight on NN Book Clubs
By Patty Koch
"Bottom line is that our book club is our favorite activity at The Landings."
Ed Deitch, chair of a thriving NN book club
It
is amazing how
quickly
a
New
Neighbors book club
can jell. Within a
meeting
or
two,
strangers
become
friends
while
discussing the book
they’ve just finished.
Newcomers begin to
engage in substantive
conversations, rather
than mere small talk,
with fellow booklovers.
What are the rewards
of joining a book club?
Most members agree the benefits are both social
and intellectual. “Belonging to a book club
encourages me to budget time for reading,” says
Betsy McCullar, “and to read for pure pleasure.”
Laurie Milano believes book clubs are as much
about people as books. “My book club is composed
of smart, open-minded women I may not have met
otherwise. You make true friends while discussing
great books together,” offers Laurie.
NN book clubs have become popular with men
and couples, too. “Having both men and women in
our group expands the spectrum of books chosen
and adds depth to our discussions,” says Ed Deitch.
“Men and women do have different perspectives.
When they interact in a positive environment,
something special occurs.”
“My book club experience has been one of the
truly wonderful benefits of living on this beautiful
island,” Jayne Rogers chimes in. “As Moon River
Readers, we share great discussions and spend
quality time in each other's company.”
“Book clubs draw the intelligent and thoughtful
people you want to meet,” contributes Lydia
Bishop. "As for books, it’s easy to find bestsellers.
But gems like The Warmth of Other Suns and The
Immortal
Life
of
Henrietta Lacks are
harder to discover
outside a book group.”
“As book lovers, we
share
an
instant
common ground. We
read
life-changing
books and occasional
clunkers,
but
our
discussions are always
lively and challenging,”
Mary Schmidt adds.
“The best book clubs
become
support
systems
and
safe
havens as we make our way into the newest
chapters of our lives.”
For those of us moving to Savannah from
elsewhere, joining a book club also offers a chance
to learn about our new home city. Our clubs
sometimes choose books with local settings or by
Savannah Book Festival authors. We also share
information about Savannah’s other literary
resources, such as libraries, adult classes, tutoring
programs, and local bookstores.
Here’s how NN book clubs are launched. The
chairs (Laurie Milano and myself this year)
convene a fall meeting to organize new book groups
and add people to existing book groups. At this
event, people group together according to whether
they prefer a women's, men’s, or couples' group
and whether they prefer to meet in the afternoon or
evening. With a dozen people per table, they
nominate a chair, schedule their first meeting, and,
most importantly, select their first book. New
Neighbors who decide to join a book club later in
the year are added to existing book club rosters.
Intrigued? Just email lamilano@aol.com to tell us
you’d like to join a book group. We will be happy to
get you started.
3
March 2016
Friday, March 4, 2016
6:30 – 9:30
Plantation Ballroom
All New Neighbors are invited to celebrate spring in a
tropical setting while we learn how Skidaway Island was
transformed from wilderness to paradise.
Guest speaker Richard Burke, Landings Resident and
President of Branigar Corp. from 1978-1986
Featuring heavy island hors d’oeuvres & steel drum music
$24.00 per person (cash bar available)
Casual tropical attire
Sign up begins February 16.
Tube your check, payable to New Neighbors, LLC, to
1 Moonbill Lane in Deer Creek
Please include your email address and phone number
4