A FRIENDLY REMINDER!! Don’t forget to renew your 2018-2019 LNN membership!! This will be your last newsletter/weekly happening unless you renew by the end of the week. See membership information in the “Announcements” section at the bottom of the newsletter.

Upcoming Events

Boston Harbor Walk – Tuesday, October 2 at 9:45am

Our regular Tuesday walk will take a road trip to Boston to explore the Harborwalk. This beautiful walk goes all along Boston’s harbor, connecting many of Boston’s most beloved neighborhoods. We’ll stop for lunch along the way and be back in Lexington by 3pm. We will meet at Starbucks on Bedford St at 9:45 and carpool into Boston from there.

RSVP to Deb at debbra.zucker@gmail.com details.

Book Club – Wednesday, October 10 at 7:30pm

This month’s book is “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas. Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed. Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. But what Starr does or does not say could upend her community. It could also endanger her life.

Host: Sue Denham

RSVP to Priya at priyanpatel@yahoo.com

Kick-Off Cocktail Party – Friday, October 12 7:00-9:00pm

Kick-off the new LNN season by joining friends old and new at Aloft in Lexington. Appetizers will be served by the club and drinks will be available at the bar. All LNN members should have received an Evite invitation for this event – please RSVP via Evite. Numbers are limited, so please sign up soon! If you have questions, contact Nassma at nassmahalaseh@hotmail.com or Sadia at sadia_sharif@hotmail.com

John F. Kennedy House Tour – Wednesday, October 17 at 10:30am

The JFK House in Brookline, a National Historic Site, is the birthplace and childhood home of JFK, the 35th President of the U.S.. Our own LNN private tour starts at 10:30am and lasts 30-40 minutes. Admission is FREE! After the tour we’ll walk 2 blocks for lunch at Zaftig’s Deli (yum!!).

RSVP to Natalie at natalie_auer@hotmail.com for the tour, lunch or both. Carpools can be organized from Lexington once Natalie has all the RSVPs.

Ladies’ Pub Night – Thursday, October 18 at 7:30pm

Bunco is taking a break this month and we’re replacing it with a Ladies’ Pub Night. If this is a hit we may consider alternating months between Bunco and Pub Night. This month we’ll be at Via Lago from 7:30pm onward, so join us (we’ll have a table, so if you don’t see us ask the hostess for the LNN group). No need to RSVP, but if there are questions, please contact Kessa at kessaglisic@gmail.com

Lunch Bunch – Friday, October 19 at 12:00pm

Join us for some southern Italian food at Brelundi in Waltham (185 Crescent St). Homemade pastas, pizzas, arancini, and desserts plus delicious salads and paninis are what Brelundi is known for. Come hungry!

RSVP to Kim at kimwcramer@gmail.com

Coffee Talk – Wednesday, October 24, 10:00-12:00

Start your day off with coffee and conversation with your LNN friends. Feel free to bring along friends/neighbors who may be interested in learning more about LNN.

No RSVP: Just drop in! Host: Natalie Auer. Any questions or if you are interested in hosting a future coffee, email Angela at jammbenson@sbcglobal.net

Walking Group – Tuesdays at 9am

Everyone is welcome to join the walking group each Tuesday. The location of each walk varies to keep it interesting – we aim for about 90 minute walks. Deb will email the night before with the location (waiting until Monday evening avoids last minute changes due to weather). Some paths are flatter / stroller friendly and some are not – we’ll do our best to let you know trail conditions beforehand. No RSVP necessary – just show up, ready to walk. If you’re running late, call or text Deb & we’ll make arrangements to meet you.

Email Deb at debbra.zucker@gmail.com to be added to the email group and receive the weekly walk details.

Save the Date!

23rd annual Genesis Battle Green Run will take place Sunday, November 4 in Lexington. LexFUN! and Lexington Neighbors & Newcomers have joined forced to become a team: Spencer’s Sprinters, because a local pre-schooler needs our help! Lexington’s cutie-pie, Spencer Smith, has been diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome, a terminal, progressive disease – LIKENED TO CHILDHOOD ALZHEIMER’S, with devastating effects on the brain – that doesn’t have a cure…YET. We are participating in this race to help Spencer and other kids with Sanfilippo by raising money for the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation. We hope you’ll join our team!! You can do the 5K Walk, 5K Run or 10K Run. To register, visit www.battlegreenrunfoundation.org and choose “Spencer’s Sprinters” when you join an Existing Team. After you have completed registration, you can begin to raise funds for our team by joining at www.crowdrise.com/spencers-sprinters-battlegreen-run. Registered runners and walkers who create a Crowdrise profile and rasie $100 or more by October 15th will receive a FREE longsleeve Spencer’s Sprinters official race t-shirt. Questions? Contact Peg at margaretkastnerus@yahoo.com.

Announcements

Don’t forget to renew your membership! Renew before October 1 (tomorrow!) to keep your membership up-to-date. Dues are $45 and entitles each household to our newsletter and access to all of our activities. There are two ways to pay: 1) Paypal or 2) By check – Send a check made out to the “Lexington Newcomers Club” to our Membership Chair: Claire Nedham, 33 Liberty Ave, Lexington, MA 02420. Note that new members are requested to complete a membership form . Please feel free to pass on membership information to any newcomers or neighbors who you think may be interested in joining!

Looking for a house to host Holiday Party – Whether you have been a member for years or joined last month, if you have a house that’s good for entertaining we would love to borrow it for our annual December Holiday Party. The LNN party planners take care of everything – they just need someone to offer up their home for one evening. If you are interested, contact Nassma at nassmahalaseh@hotmail.com or Sadia at sadia_sharif@hotmail.com.

Check us out on Facebook! LNN has a Facebook page where you can connect with other members, post pictures of events and find out about upcoming events. Visit us at www.facebook.com/LexingtonNewcomersClub and be sure to “like” us!

Want to get more involved with LNN? We are always looking for members to host events (bunco, parties, book club, coffee talk, etc) and likewise we are open to suggestions for new activities/excursions. If you are interested in hosting, have any suggestions or want to help out with LNN in any way contact us at lncexecs@lexington-newcomers.org.

Upcoming Events

Walking Group – Tuesdays at 9am starting September 4

Everyone is welcome to join the walking group each Tuesday. The location of each walk varies to keep it interesting – we aim for about 90 minute walks. Deb will email the night before with the location (waiting until Monday evening avoids last minute changes due to weather). Some paths are flatter / stroller friendly and some are not – we’ll do our best to let you know trail conditions beforehand. No RSVP necessary – just show up, ready to walk. If you’re running late, call or text Deb & we’ll make arrangements to meet you.

Email Deb at debbra.zucker@gmail.com to be added to the email group and receive the weekly walk details.

Our first walk of the season is Tues., Sept 4 at 9am. Meet at Starbucks on Bedford St. (60 Bedford Street, Lexington). We will walk the bike path which is paved & shaded.

Book Club – Thursday, September 13 at 7:30pm

This month’s book is “Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng. The Richardson family lives in the planned community of Shaker Heights, Ohio—a place of wealth, comfort, and stability—and they are a clan that embodies those traits. But when Mia, a single mother, and her fifteen year old daughter, Pearl, rent a house in the area, their very different lives will merge with those of the Richardson family and begin to contort the carefully laid lattice that supports their views. Little Fires Everywhere explores the weight of long-held secrets and the ferocious pull of motherhood-and the danger of believing that planning and following the rules can avert disaster, or heartbreak

Host: Sue Stapleton. RSVP to Priya at priyanpatel@yahoo.com

Lunch Bunch – Friday, September 14 at 12:00pm

Join your LNN friends for a delicious local lunch. This month we’re dining Lexx, a long-standing Lexington favorite.

RSVP to Kim Cramer at kimwcramer@gmail.com

Ladie’s Movie Night – Thursday, September 20 7:30pm

Please join us for a fun and entertaining ladies’ night, hosted in the home of an LNN member. We will have time to socialize with friends old and new before watching a movie together. Snacks will be provided. Members are kindly asked to bring a beverage to share. RSVP to Lesley at lesleysegal@hotmail.com for location details.

Bunco (& Left-Right-Center) – Tuesday, September 25 at 7:30pm

Bring: $5 ante for Bunco; $3 for L-R-C (exact change appreciated!); and a beverage or snack to share
RSVP: email Kessa at kessaglisic@gmail.com for location details

About the Games: Bunco is an entertaining, simple dice game, with no experience required. It’s played in multiple rounds with players alternating turns rolling the dice to match the target number. Whoever wins the most rounds is the overall winner. And because players rotate tables, it is a great way to meet and chat with different people. Left-Right-Center is an even simpler game, faster moving than Bunco, and is played at the end of the evening. Did we mention there’s no experience required?

Open House Coffee

Wednesday, September 26, 10:00-12:00

Join us for an open house to kick-off the 2018-2019 LNN season. This event is open to both current members looking to catch up with old friends and non-members interested in learning about what LNN offers. Feel free to bring along someone new to Lexington or looking to expand their community.

No RSVP: Just drop in!

Host: Angela Benson. Any questions or if you are interested in hosting a future coffee, email Angela at jammbenson@sbcglobal.net

Men’s Pub Night – Thursday, September 27 at 7:30pm

Please join us at Via Lago (on Mass Ave across from Cary Library) to reconnect over drinks!  Expressions of interest sent to normrichter@comcast.net are appreciated, so that Norm can let Via Lago know how many stools to set aside.

Save the Date!

November 4 – 23rd Annual Genesis Battle Green Run

more details about these events to follow….

Announcements

Don’t forget to renew your membership!

Renew before September 15 for $40 . After that dues increase to $45. Please remember to renew by October 1 in order to keep your membership up-to-date. Membership entitles each household to our newsletter and access to all of our activities. There are two ways to pay: 1) Paypal or 2) By check. Note that new members are requested to complete a membership form. Please feel free to pass on membership information to any newcomers or neighbors who you think may be interested in joining!

Want to get more involved with LNN?

We are always looking for members to host events (bunco, parties, book club, coffee talk, etc) and likewise we are open to suggestions for new activities/excursions. If you are interested in hosting, have any suggestions or want to help out with LNN in any way contact us at lncexecs@lexington-newcomers.org.

23rd annual Genesis Battle Green Run

The 23rd annual Genesis Battle Green Run will take place Sunday, November 4 in Lexington.  LexFUN! and Lexington Neighbors & Newcomers have joined forced to become a team:  Spencer’s Sprinters, because a local pre-schooler needs our help!  Lexington’s cutie-pie, Spencer Smith, has been diagnosed with Sanfilippo Syndrome, a terminal, progressive disease – LIKENED TO CHILDHOOD ALZHEIMER’S, with devastating effects on the brain – that doesn’t have a cure…YET.  We are participating in this race to help Spencer and other kids with Sanfilippo by raising money for the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation.  We hope you’ll join our team!!  You can do the 5K Walk, 5K Run or 10K Run.  There will be more info to come in an email soon on how to register for the run or walk and join our fundraising team.  In the meantime, if you have questions or are eager to register before then, contact Peg at margaretkastnerus@yahoo.com.

President’s Notes

Dear Newcomers,

What a year! From our various parties, museum tours & outings, coffees, walks, lunches, book clubs, buncos, men’s pub nights, and community service projects, there have been many exciting opportunities to make new friends! Whether you are brand new or more of a veteran, we appreciate your participation in our events.

As many of you know, the past two years have not been the easiest for my family, given my son’s terminal diagnosis, and I want to thank you for your support and kind thoughts. The club has been my second family since I joined six years ago and it’s been wonderful to lead the club as president these past two years. Next season, I plan to stay on the board and help with the secretary position.

Leading the club next season will be our two new co-presidents, Pam Richter and Katie Walter. Both have been board members these past two years, helping with Tuesday Walking Group, Lunch Bunch, and the recent revision of our by-laws. The club is in great hands!

This is the last newsletter of the 2017-2018 season. Thank you, everyone, and have a wonderful summer!

Alli Smith, LNC President, allihinman@hotmail.com

Announcement: We’re changing our scope, name…

We are expanding our membership eligibility to include Lexington residents regardless of how long they have lived here. And we are changing our name, to the Lexington Neighbors and Newcomers Club (LNNC), to reflect our broader scope. During our research of other community newcomer clubs, we noted that similar clubs have moved towards including longtime residents who wanted to join a vibrant social community that allowed them to get to know new faces. Newcomers have also commented that they would appreciate getting to know residents with history and experience in the community. We hope you will welcome this evolution in our purpose, and use it as a great opportunity to encourage your neighbors and friends to join our growing Lexington club!

Help Wanted!

We’re doing the end-of-season shuffle at LNC when board members join, change roles, or retire. We have two open positions starting next fall. If you would like to get more involved in our merry band of planners. Feel free to reach out for more information.

Bunco Coordinator: Once per month, collect RSVPs and run this fun dice game. Contact: allihinman@hotmail.com

Website: Update website with the current month’s events and other new info as needed. Contact: asmithziegler@gmail.com

Tuesday Walking Group

Join us for our weekly walk n talk. We meet every Tuesday, weather permitting, and walk for about 90 minutes on a local outdoor trail. Contact our organizers to get on the distribution list so they can email you the prior Monday with meet-up details.

TUESDAYS @ 9:00am (please be prompt)

Organizers: Deb Zucker debbra.zucker@gmail.com and Katie Walter katiebwalter@gmail.com.

International Potluck!

SAT June 2  7pm-10pm @ home of host Natalie & Derek Reynolds

We have just a few spots left for our annual potluck celebrating our diversity through food! If you would like to attend, email Nassma at nassmahalaseh@hotmail.com. Bring a food item and beverage that reflect your many varied life experiences, a family tradition, or just something you love to make!  

Coffee Talk

WED June 6  9:30am-11:30pm (Note earlier start/end times)

Host: Sheila Tweeddale

Start your day with a smile. Chat with friends while enjoying coffee and a nibble.

No RSVP: Just drop in! Questions: Contact Viki Deardorff, milwaukeemeow@yahoo.com

Bike Ride / Lunch Bunch

FRI June 8 

Meet us for a bike ride from Lexington to Concord, for lunch in Concord, or both.

11am Bike Ride: Meet on the bike path behind Lexington Depot Square. Bring a bike chain/lock. We will cycle together to the Trail’s End Café restaurant. If rain is forecasted, bike ride portion will be cancelled by Thurs., June 7.
12pm Lunch: Meet at Trail’s End Café, 97 Lowell Road, Concord, MA

RSVP: Pam, pamrichter7@gmail.com, and specify whether biking, lunching, or both. Please provide Pam your cell.

ESCAPE: Kayaking in Concord!

WED June 13 @ 10am @ South Bridge Boat House, 496 Main Street
(route 62), Concord

Good exercise, good company and beautiful views! We can’t think of a better way to spend the morning than paddling with us on the Concord River. Kayaks and canoes are both available for rent (paddles and life jackets included). We will plan to spend two hours on the water, floating to the famous North Bridge.

Cost: Double kayak $17/hour; single kayak $16/hour; canoe $13/hour. The boat house accepts cash only. Note that LNC will subsidize the fees—per person cost depends on the number of participants. You can choose your boat and arrange for boat sharing, if desired, at the boat house.

RSVP: Lesley Segal, lesleysegal@hotmail.com

Book Club…The Lost Wife (Alyson Richman)

TUES June 19 @ 7:30 pm
Host: Lorri Kern

A rapturous novel of first love in a time of war–from the celebrated author of The Rhythm of Memory and The Last Van Gogh. In pre-war Prague, the dreams of two young lovers are shattered when they are separated by the Nazi invasion. Then, decades later, thousands of miles away in New York, there’s an inescapable glance of recognition between two strangers…

RSVP: suemstapleton@gmail.com

Community Service: LexRAP

WED June 20
Shift 1: 9:30am-10:30pm
Shift 2: 10:30am-2pm

We are partnering with LexRAP (Lexington Refugee Assistance Program) to help with a special lunch that will also fall on Global Refugee day. Choose one or both shifts. During shift 1, we prepare food at a volunteer home, then, during shift 2, we deliver the lunches to the International Institute of New England in Lowell. The goal is to offer a healthy meal, and give the refugees the opportunity to practice their English while connecting with one another.

RSVP/Questions: Email Nassma Halaseh at: nassmahalaseh@hotmail.com

Men’s Pub Night

WED June 20 @ 7:30pm-whenever @ Via Lago, Lexington Center

Let’s raise a glass in June to toast the arrival of summer and the last week of school, before taking a break for July and August. No RSVPs needed, however expressions of interest helpful in making arrangements with our venue. Also, if you’re not already on Norm’s distribution list, send your contact info so he can notify you of last minute changes.

Contact: Norm Richter, normrichter@comcast.net.

Bunco (& Left-Right-Center)

THURS June 21 @ 7:30pm
Bring: $5 ante for Bunco; $3 for L-R-C (exact change appreciated!); and a beverage or snack to share.
RSVP: email Alli Smith, allihinman@hotmail.com, for location details.

About the Games: Bunco is an entertaining, simple dice game, with no experience required. It’s played in multiple rounds with players alternating turns rolling the dice to match the target number. Whoever wins the most rounds is the overall winner. And because players rotate tables, it is a great way to meet and chat with different people. Left-Right-Center is an even simpler game, faster moving than Bunco, and is played at the end of the evening. Did we mention there’s no experience required?

President’s Notes

Dear Lovely Newcomers!

Well praise be, flowers. Green grass and warmer temps. Finally.

This time of year, Lexington blooms with activity too. We hope you enjoy some of its offerings in addition to our events this month.

We have a special museum outing and an IMPORTANT message for our Book Clubbers. Please check the details, and as always, we welcome you to email us with questions and suggestions.

Alli Smith, LNC President, allihinman@hotmail.com

Tuesday Walking Group

Join us for our weekly walk n talk. We meet every Tuesday, weather permitting, and walk for about 90 minutes on a local outdoor trail. Contact our organizers to get on the distribution list so they can email you the prior Monday with meet-up details.

TUESDAYS @ 9:00am (please be prompt)

Organizers: Deb Zucker debbra.zucker@gmail.com and Katie Walter katiebwalter@gmail.com.

Men’s Pub Night

WED May 2 @ 7:00pm-whenever @ Via Lago, Lexington Center

Please join the guys again for drinks and conversation.

No RSVPs needed, however expressions of interest helpful in making arrangements with our venue. Also, if you’re not already on Norm’s distribution list, send your contact info so he can notify you of last minute changes.

Contact: Norm Richter, normrichter@comcast.net.

Look forward to seeing you then!

Book Club…The Other Wes Moore (by Wes Moore)

THURS May 10 @ 7:30 pm
RSVP to Sue Stapleton, suemstapleton@gmail.com

Two kids with the same name were born blocks apart in the same decaying city within a year of each other. One grew up to be a Rhodes Scholar, army officer, White House Fellow, and business leader. The other is serving a life sentence in prison. Here is the story of two boys and the journey of a generation.

Your response is needed…

Book Club Titles for Next Season

We will be sending a survey soon to establish the list of titles for next season’s Book Club. If you are a book club goer or would like to be, please send us your title “wish list.” You will vote on the compiled list and the most popular titles will be selected for next year’s roster.

Send your wish list to Lorri Kern at lorrikern@gmail.com by May 30.

MFA: Escher & Lunch
C. Escher: Infinite Dimensions

Let your imagination get lost in the iconic art of M.C. Escher. Join us at our next museum at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and explore original prints by the famous Dutch graphic artist. After the exhibit, come to lunch at the museum’s Bravo Restaurant.

FRI May 11

Join for the exhibit, for lunch, or both.

10:30am:    Escher exhibit @ Museum of Fine Arts
465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115

12:30pm:    Lunch at MFA’s Bravo

Cost: LNC discounted rate of $10/person (w 10+ participants, otherwise $15/person).

Carpool: Will be organized from Lexington.

RSVP: By May 7 to Natalie Hackel-Auer, natalie_auer@hotmail.com.

Coffee Talk

WED May 23 10am-12pm

Start your day with a smile. Chat with friends while enjoying coffee and a nibble.

No RSVP: Just drop in!

Contact Viki Deardorff, milwaukeemeow@yahoo.com, for location/parking details

Bunco (& Left-Right-Center)

THURS May 24 @ 7:30pm
Bring: $5 ante for Bunco; $3 for L-R-C (exact change appreciated!); and a beverage or snack to share.
RSVP: email Kessa Glisic, kessaglisic@gmail.com, for location details.

About the Games: Bunco is an entertaining, simple dice game, with no experience required. It’s played in multiple rounds with players alternating turns rolling the dice to match the target number. Whoever wins the most rounds is the overall winner. And because players rotate tables, it is a great way to meet and chat with different people. Left-Right-Center is an even simpler game, faster moving than Bunco, and is played at the end of the evening. Did we mention there’s no experience required?