Category Archives: Newsletters

Take the Book Club Survey now!

We need your input! Please take the LNN Book Club Survey by April 18 – books: https://taniabojanowski.typeform.com/to/t3iv9f. The top 10 books as voted on by LNN members will be chosen for next season’s Reading List. All LNN members are welcome to participate!

Dog Meet-Up
Tuesdays at 11am

Join us for a doggie meet-up! Dog owners and dog lovers welcome.  We’ll meet at Chiesa Farm Meadow where dogs can roam off-leash.  Optional walk/hike from there. 

Parking available at Diamond Middle School on Sedge Rd.  Look for the trail head sign.  The meadow is a very short hike from there.  It can be muddy, but there’s a large hill that stays dry most of the time.  Bring along your leash, waste bags and a towel for wiping muddy paws! 

RSVP requested: debbra.zucker@gmail.com .  Also contact Deb with any questions and/or if you are interested in a doggie meet-up but if another day/time works better for you.

Coffee Talk
Wednesdays at 11am

Come out and enjoy the warmer weather this Wednesday!  Meet at Hastings Park Gazebo – on the corner of Mass Ave and Worthen Road.  No need to RSVP.

Questions about coffee talk: email Kim at kimwcramer@gmail.com

Walking Group
Thursdays at 9am

Note the new date and time. 

Come enjoy New England spring each Thursday at 9am for a brisk 1-1.5 hour walk.  It’s a great way to chat with your fellow LNN members and also explore new parts of Lexington and the surrounding area.  Due to changing weather conditions, walk location is determined the day before.  So to get details about each week’s walk, get on the Walking Group distribution list –  email Debbie at dfortin01748@hotmail.com.  Also feel free to contact Debbie with any questions or suggestions for hikes!

Book Club
Thursday, April 8 at 7:30pm

Join us virtually for our discussion of the New York Times bestseller Normal People by Sally Rooney. Normal People is the story of mutual fascination, friendship and love between Connell and Marianne. It takes us from that first awkward but electrifying conversation high school in Ireland to the years beyond at Trinity College in Dublin, in the company of two people who try to stay apart but have such a magnetism that they find that they can’t. Normal People is now an Emmy nominated Hulu original series.

RSVP by April 6 to Priya at priyanpatel@yahoo.com
You will receive a Zoom link/password and instructions on how to connect.

Arlington Eats Food Drive & Service Day
Friday, April 9, 1-3pm

Hunger is still part of many lives.  Won’t you help by donating food or volunteering?  We are collecting food for Arlington Eats.  Their most needed items include:  olive oil (not big Costco sizes, small to medium sizes are best), shelf-stable soup (all kinds), snacks (nuts, chips, cookies, granola bars – again, regular-sized boxes/bags are best and including gluten-free snacks), cereal (regular sized boxes, not individual sizes).  Additional non-perishable foods are welcome as well.  There will be a bin to place your donations in on Susan’s front porch at 231 Marrett Rd until April 8th.  

Join a group of LNN volunteers on Friday, April 9th, 1-3:00pm.   LNN volunteers will help unload items, weigh them, date check them, sort and stock them.  The food pantry will be well ventilated.  Hand sanitizers and gloves will be provided for your safety.  Masks are required.  

Please RSVP to Susan at susantousley@gmail.com by April 4th, if you would like to volunteer on April 9th or with questions.  We appreciate any help that can be given!

Pizza Cooking Class
Friday, April 30, 5:30-7:30pm

Friday night pizza doesn’t have to be delivery!  Learn how to make pizza – dough, red sauce, toppings – from the comfort of your own kitchen.  By the end of class, you’ll have made two delicious pizzas.  The class is being taught by Katie Walter, LNN member and owner of Two Aprons Cookery, a Lexington-based cooking class business.  This class is meant for individuals, couples and families with all levels of cooking experience.  Once you sign up you’ll receive the recipe, ingredient list and equipment list (no special equipment required).  Note that this is a virtual class – Zoom link will be sent out the day before class.

RSVP by April 29 to Katie at twoapronscookery@gmail.com.

Book Club Survey – We Need Your Input!

We are in the process of determining the roster of books for next season. Please submit a list of up to 5 books that you would like to read next season. We will create a survey with the submitted book titles, and the top 10 books as voted on by LNN members will be chosen for next season’s reading list. All LNN members are welcome to participate! Please email your list of up to 5 book titles to Tania at tania.bojanowski@gmail.com by March 21.

Dog Owner Meet-Up

We are looking to start a weekly or monthly meet-up for LNN members and their furry friends.  Deb Zucker has agreed to coordinate it, so if you are interested, please reach out to her.  Based on responses she’ll figure out a date/time to meet that we’ll communicate in the Weekly Happenings.  If you are interested, please email Deb at debbra.zucker@gmail.com.  

Book Club
Thursday, March 11 at 7:30pm

Join us virtually for our discussion of the instant #1 New York Times bestseller The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. The Silent Patient is a shocking psychological thriller of a woman’s act of violence against her husband―and of the therapist obsessed with uncovering her motive. As they sit in silence, the main clue he has is a painting she completed. She titled it Alcestis, named after a heroine in Greek mythology who sacrifices her life to save her husband. It’s an unforgettable―and Hollywood-bound―new thriller… A mix of Hitchcockian suspense, Agatha Christie plotting, and Greek tragedy.

RSVP by March 9 to Priya at priyanpatel@yahoo.com
You will receive a Zoom link/password and instructions on how to connect.

Sparkling Wine Tasting
Saturday, March 26 at 7pm

Join us for an evening sipping sparkling wines from around the world.   Our instructor, Beth Ann Dahan, a former Lexington resident, is a Professor of Wine Studies at Boston University School of Hospitality & Metropolitan College.  She will guide us through a tasting menu of Champagne, a Spanish Cava and an Italian Prosecco.  Beth Ann will let us know at what local Lexington shop we should purchase the wines and the specific food pairings that go with the specific wines.  LNN will pay Beth Ann for her services and members are in charge of buying the wines and food.  Look for an Evite to follow soon. 

Let’s toast our sparkling wines together – safely over Zoom.

Walking Group
Thursdays, 10am

Note the change from Tuesdays to Thursdays. 

However most weeks, join us on Tuesdays for an hour-long walk, rain (snow) or shine!  (Yes, usually even if snow, just not when we get a foot of it!) We are currently meeting at Minuteman National Park, in the visitor center parking lot (250 N. Great Rd, Lincoln).  No need to  RSVP!

Questions about the event: email Debbie at dfortin01748@hotmail.com

Coffee Talk
Wednesdays, 11am to Noon

Meet at Hastings Park Gazebo – on the corner of Mass. Ave and Worthen Road.  Any questions, please contact Kim at kimwcramer@gmail.com

Hello, we hope that everyone is staying warm and safe this winter season.  With Covid, it’s definitely been challenging planning activities that are both safe and enjoyable.  We would LOVE to get your FEEDBACK!  Email us at LNCexecs@lexington-newcomers.org and let us know what YOU would like to see from LNN:

• Do you want to see more recurring weekly/monthly events (like walking group, book club)? 
• When would you like to see events held – daytime, weekend, evenings? 
• More virtual events? In-person events?
• What particular events/activities or types of offerings would you like to see?
• Do you want more family events? Or would you prefer ladies-only, men’s only, or couples?

Cross Country Skiing
Wednesday, February 3 10-12pm

UPDATE:  Great Brook is no longer offering equipment rental.  We’ll still be meeting as some people have their own equipment.  If you want to join and need to rent equipment, it’s been suggested to check with REI or other local ski stores.

We had so much fun during our December ski outing, we’re going to take advantage of the nor’easter and do it again!  Join us at Great Brook Touring Center in Carlisle (1018 Lowell Street, Carlisle – about a 25 min drive from Lexington.)  Great Brook has over 10 miles of beautiful trails from beginner to advanced levels.  No prior experience required!  Bring your own equipment or rent it there. 

Daily passes are $13 per person; an extra $15 to rent poles, skis and shoes. Arrive about 15 minutes early if you plan to rent equipment.

You warm up pretty quickly once you start skiing, so don’t bundle up too much.  Hat, mask and warm gloves are a must, though.

RSVP to Alexia at aducganis@comcast.net.  We’ll meet at the barn (where you pay and get rentals). Contact Alexia with any questions.

Trivia/Quiz Night
Saturday, February 6 at 7:00pm

Virtual trivia is back!  We’ll ask questions on a wide range of topics.  Play alone, with a spouse/partner or have the family join in on the fun!  We’ll organize participants into teams of 4-6 people  It promises to be a very fun evening!  And there are great prizes to be had – gift cards to Rancatores Ice Cream, Ma France and Peets Coffee!

RSVP by February 5 to Saskia at sashouwing@gmail.com.  The day prior to the event you’ll receive a Zoom link.  Contact Saskia with any questions.

Book Club
Wednesday, February 10 at 7:30pm

Valentine’s Day is coming soon! Join us wearing your favorite shade of red/pink sweater or jewelry as we discuss aBest Book of the Year by The New York Times Book Review, Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson. Lillian and Madison were unlikely roommates and yet inseparable friends at their elite boarding school. But then Lillian had to leave the school unexpectedly and they’ve barely spoken. Now Lillian gets a letter from Madison pleading for help. Madison’s twin stepkids are moving in with her family and she wants Lillian to be their caretaker. Could this be the start of the amazing life she’d always hoped for? With white-hot wit and a big, tender heart, Kevin Wilson has written his best book yet—a most unusual story of parental love.

RSVP by February 8 to Priya at priyanpatel@yahoo.com
You will receive a Zoom link/password and instructions on how to connect.

Great Meadows Hike
Thursday, February 25, 10:00am

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in Concord is a beautiful place for a winter hike.  The terrain is easy and we’ll be walking for about 1 1/2 hours.  Meet us at 10am near the Monsen Rd entrance.  Parking is near 179 Monsen Rd.  Upon arrival you’ll see a parking sign showing the narrow road towards the entrance.  Here you’ll find limited parking.  Alternatively there is street parking along Monsen Rd.  Note, if the hike has to be cancelled because of weather, the alternate date is March 4.

RSVP by February 24 to Saskia at sashouwing@gmail.com

Walking Group
Tuesdays, 10am

Note: Walking group is cancelled this week (Feb 2) because of the snow storm. 

However most weeks, join us on Tuesdays for an hour-long walk, rain (snow) or shine!  (Yes, usually even if snow, just not when we get a foot of it!) We are currently meeting at Minuteman National Park, in the visitor center parking lot (250 N. Great Rd, Lincoln).  No need to  RSVP!

Questions about the event: email LNCexecs@lexington-newcomers.org

Coffee Talk
Wednesdays, 11am to Noon

Note:  Coffee Talk is cancelled this week (Feb 3) because of the snow storm. 

But most other weeks, provided the weather cooperates, meet at Hastings Park Gazebo – on the corner of Mass. Ave and Worthen Road.  Any questions, please contact Kim at kimwcramer@gmail.com

Happy New Year!  Thank you to those who donated food to our December food drive.  We were able to provide many bags of groceries to people in need.  We continue to plan events, both in-person and virtual, so please join us in January.  We would love to see more of you all!!

Book Club
Thursday, January 14 at 7:30pm

Happy New Year! Join us virtually for our first Book Club of 2021 where we will raise a toast to the New Year and discuss Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton, a Reese Witherspoon book club pick. After the death of her beloved grandmother, a Cuban-American woman travels to Havana, where she discovers the roots of her identity. Arriving in Havana, Marisol comes face-to-face with the contrast of Cuba’s tropical, timeless beauty and its perilous political climate. When more family history comes to light and Marisol finds herself attracted to a man with secrets of his own, she’ll need the lessons of her grandmother’s past to help her understand the true meaning of courage.

RSVP by January 12 to Priya at priyanpatel@yahoo.com
You will receive a Zoom link/password and instructions on how to connect.

deCordova Sculpture Park
Thursday, January 21, 10-12pm
(Rain date:  January 28)

Start off the new year by joining us for an art walk in Lincoln’s deCordova Sculpture Park.  The park was established in 1950 and is the largest of its kind in New England encompassing 30 acres and hosting more than 60 art works – all outdoors.

RSVP to Helena at wennbo.helena@gmail.com by January 20.  Further details about where to meet, etc. will be provided once you RSVP.  Please contact Helena with any questions as well.

Men’s Poker Night
Thursday, January 21 at 7:00pm

Join the men of LNN for an evening of poker.  This event will be virtual.  There are a few spots remaining, so reserve your spot now.  Note that there is $40 buy-in.

RSVP no later than January 19 (sooner rather than later as there are limited spots) to Ommer at ocmail@yahoo.com

Trivia/Quiz Night
Saturday, February 6 at 7:00pm

Virtual trivia is back!  We’ll ask questions on a wide range of topics.  Play alone, with a spouse/partner or have the family join in on the fun!  We’ll organize participants into teams of 4-6 people  It promises to be a very fun evening!

RSVP by February 5 to Saskia at sashouwing@gmail.com.  The day prior to the event you’’ll receive a Zoom link.  Contact Saskia with any questions.

Walking Group
Tuesdays, 9am

Join us for an hour-long walk, rain (snow) or shine!  We are currently meeting at Minuteman National Park, in the visitor center parking lot (250 N. Great Rd, Lincoln).  No need to  RSVP!

Questions about the event: email LNCexecs@lexington-newcomers.org

Coffee Talk
Wednesdays, 11am to Noon

Meet at Hastings Park Gazebo – on the corner of Mass. Ave and Worthen Road.  Any questions, please contact Kim at kimwcramer@gmail.com

Cross-Country Skiing

After December’s successful cross-country skiing event at Great Brook in Carlisle, we’ll continue scheduling cross-country skiing meet-ups, weather permitting (i.e. we need snow!).  So stay tuned to the Weekly Happenings as well as our Facebook page.  Contact Alexia at aducganis@comcast.net with any questions.

Hello Neighbors & Newcomers,

We want to wish all of our LNN members a wonderful holiday season, however you are celebrating!  It is strange having such a short December newsletter – usually it’s chock-full of festive holiday events including our annual holiday party.  This year it’s a bit different.  With the cold weather coming we are transitioning to more virtual events and continue exploring in-person (non-virtual) options that are fun and safe.  We are offering a few for December and will continue thinking of more creative ways to get-together in the new year!

We have added quite a few new members, so just a reminder of our website’s membership directory, which is a great way to connect with other LNN members.  Here’s a link membership directory and the password can be found in your email.

Be well, 
Katie and Pam (Co-Presidents)

Upcoming Activities

Holiday Food Drive
through December 18

Let’s give back to those less fortunate this holiday season, in particular House of Mercy in Lawrence and Lowell Transitional Living Center.  Both of these groups help the homeless and people in need by providing food, shelter and other services and both have experienced unprecedented need.  Let’s help them out by collecting nonperishable, vegetarian food items.  Food can be dropped off to Sue prior to December 18.  Any questions, please contact Sue at susantousley@gmail.com.

Virtual Cookie Exchange

Covid won’t get in the way of LNN members sharing their cookie and holiday baking….we’re just doing it virtually this year.  Post your favorite holiday baking – cookies, cakes, candies, etc.  They can be as gorgeous as in the photo, or even a fail!  Don’t worry about perfection, it’s all about sharing.  During the month of December post your baking to our private Lexington Neighbors & Newcomers Facebook Group.  If you haven’t joined yet, follow the link or contact Kim Cramer at kimwcramer@gmail.com.  If you don’t have Facebook, send you photo to Kim and she’ll post it on your behalf.

Book Club
Thursday, December 10 at 7:30pm

Join us for our fun and festive Holiday Book Club virtual meeting! Take part wearing any of your jolly holiday attire – hats, scarves, sweaters, earrings, etc. We will be discussing The Giver of Stars by the #1 New York Times bestselling author Jojo Moyes as she weaves a spellbinding tale set in the breathtaking Appalachian Mountains. Based on a program instituted by Eleanor Roosevelt in the mid-1930s, The Giver of Stars is about a group of women that begin a traveling library that delivers books to the rural areas of the town on horseback. These so-called Pack Horse Librarians must overcome a number of obstacles on their way to bringing literacy to the masses, but they do so and tackle these challenges together. It’s a tale of love, friendship and of course books – a soon to be motion picture by Universal Studios!

RSVP by December 8 to Priya at priyanpatel@yahoo.com . You will receive a Zoom link/password and instructions on how to connect.

Family Holiday Stroll
Saturday, December 12, 5-7pm

No need to RSVP, just drop by the Lexington Battle Green Holiday Tree between 5-7pm to socialize and stroll the Town Center.  Let’s wear our masks and maintain social distance guidelines while we enjoy the festive lights together.  Hope to see you there!  

Questions about the event: email Helena at wennbo.helena@gmail.com

Walking Group
Tuesdays, 9am

Join us for an hour-long walk, rain (snow) or shine!  We are currently meeting at Minuteman National Park, in the visitor center parking lot (250 N. Great Rd, Lincoln).  No need to  RSVP!

Questions about the event: email LNCexecs@lexington-newcomers.org (we’re in the process of finding a point person for walking group, so if anyone is interested, email us!)

Coffee Talk
Wednesdays, 11-12pm (new time!)

After announcing in the Weekly Happenings that Coffee Talk was on hold, we heard that many of you want to keep this going throughout the winter.  Weather will be chilly, so we’ve shortened it to 1 hour and moved it up to 11am. As always, this is weather dependent so if it’s really cold or really snowy we’ll probably cancel, so be sure to check the Weekly Happenings or the LNN Facebook Group for updates.

Save-The-Date

Men’s Poker Night
Thursday, January 21, 7pm

Join the men of LNN for an evening of poker.  This event will be virtual and is limited to 9 people, so reserve your spot now.  Note that there is $40 buy-in.

RSVP by January 19 to Ommer at ocmail@yahoo.com

Hiking and Skiing
Monthly, date tbd

Starting in January we’ll be organizing weather-dependent cross country skiing and winter hikes at various locations in the Boston area.  Since it’s weather-dependent be sure to check the Weekly Happenings as well as our LNN Facebook group for details.  Both the skiing and hiking are aimed at all skill levels, including beginners.  So join us for some fresh air in our beautiful natural surroundings!