Quik Pics

Joan Stobie hosted the Christmas Brunch at her home in Portland. Although it was a dreary day, this is the view of her backyard, which was taken from inside the house. From this vantage point, you can see the entire Corpus Christi Bay from Port Aransas, Aransas Pass and Ingleside on the left and downtown Corpus Christi on the right. (not shown in the picture)

Although each one brought dishes, Joan (in the middle) is cooking away with the help of Stephanie Wenzler (on the right). Alma Grady is on the left.

Susie Wright, Joyce Seitz and Connie Smith are on the couch. Each person brought books: for children, "your favorite cookbook" and books to exchange.

Nancy Gray and Connie with the lovely Christmas in the background ... Beth Turcotte in a cute red jacket

Homemade baked goods were donated by members for sale at the luncheon. They look wonderful and sell quickly. Here are Kay Long, Charlotte McElroy, Glenda Tvrdik, Prospective New member Debbie High and Ruth Williams. Cherl Hinton headed up the Ways and Means project. (Thank you, Cherl, and all of you who baked and donated ... and bought!)

These Marines collect toys that are brought by members for the Toys for Tots Christmas Drive.

Stephanie Wenzler has brought Mary Murphy, who is visiting here from Vancouver, Canada. Mary said she is staying until the snow stops in Canada.

Jean Marie Welch has brought Prospective Member Wendy Bond. The poinsettias were donated by members, used for table decorations and given as door prizes. Jean Marie is a lucky winner.

The NNL Rosettes sing Christmas songs for our program. Sally Wakefield is at the piano. Singing are Charlotte McElroy, Jo Ann Robertson, Josey O'Flynn, Beth Turcotte, Cherl Hinton, Director Ava Obermueller, and Kay Long. What a talented group we have. They really get us in the Christmas spirit!

Nancy Gray wins the 50/50 money of $41.00. She also won at the coffee. (Maybe she is taking Catalina Longoria's place, our all-time winner!)

Susannah Stearns opened her lovely, Christmas decorated home for our coffee. Remember to bring Toys for Tots. They are not to be wrapped.

Connie Smith met Carol in church and invited her to the coffee. Carol moved here from San Antonio a year ago.

President Bridget Post conducts the meeting. Terry Butler, Cynthia Huddleston and Cherl Hinton are sitting on the couch. Bridget had each person introduce themselves, tell where they were from, which Club/Board Position they chaired and what was their favorite Christmas tradition. Some sounded such fun that we decided to all join them this year. (Ha!!!) Melanie Polasek and Debbie High told of their Christmases in Germany and Terry, who is from Puerto Rico, told of everyone partying as they went house to house gathering the crowd on Christmas Eve. All ages were included.

Debbie, Susannah and Jeanne Marie are on the couch. Behind them are Beth Turcotte, guest Elida Benevides and Sally Escobar.

In November, the Eaters Unlimited Club ate at Las Fuentes on Saratoga and Rodd Field.

The Antique Club went to the Blue Frog on the 10th. Here is the group (along with Santa and the reindeers).

The November luncheon is held at the Corpus Christi Town Club. President Bridget Post is at the podium for the first luncheon of her term. The program featured 4 of our talented members:

Jean Marie Welch told about the beginning of her poetry career. Her first poem was written when she was a senior in High School and won national awards. She not only designs cards, books, but will write custom poems. She has written poems for corporate CEOs, movie stars and people from other countries. She and her friend, NNL member and artist Carolyn Uttgard-Thomas, have collaborated on beautiful cards and framed "pictures" with Jean Marie's special poems. Her husband's photography also enhances many of her poems.

Terrie Bodine designs cards, scrapbooks, covers ball point pens, etc. with her original designs. Her hobby is becoming a career and she now sells items at The Gourmet Chocolatier in the Village Shopping Center.

Jo Ann Robertson is a SEAMSTRESS deluxe. Carrying on the tradition of her mother, she likes all types of hand work. She displayed cross stitch, crewel, embroidery, lace and even clever animal pillows for her 4 grandchildren.

We are all well aware of Cherl Hinton's talents in scrapbooking, since she has been Scrapbook Chair for the past several terms. She also gave us tips on cataloging our pictures. She will take orders for individually printed scrapbooks.

Carol Allen, on the right, visits from her new home near Chicago. Carol is a past NNL President and was here for the party and luncheon. Webmaster Nancy Gray is on the left. (By the way, both Nancy and Carol were selected Rose of the Year in the past).

Sanddollar Editor Pat McAnear and Social Chair Laura Falconer are two of our newer members, who have jumped in with both feet to take active parts in NNL.

Membership Chair Stephanie Wenzler is the November Fun and Friendship winner for all of her work to make the past term's Social such a great success and organizing the Inboard-Outboard meeting.

Our November birthday winner is Gloria Waller. Happy Birthday, Gloria, and to all of you other November birthdays!

Prospective Member Chair Cynthia Huddleston is the 50/50 winner. Secretary Beverly Johnston can be seen taking careful minutes, as "Poet" Jeanne Marie, the Past Secretary, advises.

The Starlit Soirée Social is held on November 7 at 1717 Ocean Drive with an attendance of 56. The weather cooperates, the setting is beautiful, the food and entertainment is fantastic. Needless to say, everyone had a great time!

Although the party is held in the beautiful backyard, here is the front facing the Bay.

The Polaseks, the Bodines and Stephanie Wenzler have name tags ready for guests.

The Social Committee poses as they decorate for the party. Here are Bridge Post, Terrie Bodine, Melanie Polasek, Gail Drown, Stephanie Wenzler and Laura Falconer.

The open bar is popular. The highlight of the home is the large green house in the backyard.

Debra Hernandez, Cheryl Hinton, Annette Garza and Jennifer Oler, who came in from her new home in Tyler

First Row: Terrie Bodine, Jackie Del Nano, Melanie Polasek, Vicki Gaarder, Gail Drown and Connie Smith

Second Row: Ava, Beth, Jennifer Oler, Carol Allen, Candy Duncan and Jo Ann Robertson

Jim and Sylvia Whitworth, Lupe Reyes and Connie Smith, Cynthia and Johnny Huddleston

Gus and prospective member Amanda Rodriguez, Susannah and John Stearns and John Hernandez.

Gloria Waller sent the following pictures with this caption: "This is the Eaters Unlimited group from NNL on Thursday, October 30 at the Batter Up restaurant on Weber. They have a wide variety of food on the menu. Afterward we discovered a new antique shop called Sassy Sister in the same Las Palmas Shopping Center in the 6000 block of Weber, near Holly." Anyone interested in joining the club, contact Mary Cox, who is in the purple suit below. Contact information is in the Sanddollar.

Advisor and Past President Ruth Williams is with the new VIP President Joyce Seitz.

Mike Baird, Columnist for the Caller Times, is our speaker. He is best known for his "Troubleshooter" column. He gave us some tips on ways we can solve and prevent some of our problems with businesses, etc.

Margorie Abner plays the piano during the Social period and also played Happy Birthday to Connie Smith, who celebrated her birthday today.

Connie and Pat Shoesmith, Book Club Chair, have just come from the NNL Book Club meeting, where we discussed "To Kill a Mockingbird".

Seated are Treasurer Margie Schroeder and Membership Chair Lois McCray. Standing are Jackie Del Nano, past VIP President who has come to the luncheon from San Antonio, and VP/Secretary Candy Duncan.

Standing is Gloria Waller, Luncheon Announcements Chair, and seated are Pat Shoesmith and Alma Grady. Gloria took the pictures today.

Rosette Chair Sylvia Whitworth greets Alma and Nancy Gray, who have just arrived from Book Club.

Melanie is with Mary Alice Steidley and Margaret Publionnes. We're so glad that Margaret is feeling better after removal of a benign brain tumor.

We're glad to see Carolyn Cutbirth, who has been spending much of her time in College Station with her daughter and grandchildren.

Edna Brown has brought her husband and her friend. The beautiful table decorations are made by Margie Schroeder and were much coveted Door Prizes.

Mayor Joe Adame is our speaker at the October luncheon. He even arrives early so he can visit with members and guests. He poses with incoming President Bridget Post, VP Melanie Polasek, Past President (and many other NNL jobs) Elizabeth Feeney and Advisor Ava Obermueller.

Mayor Adame spoke of his vision for Corpus Christi and answered questions. We appreciate his taking time from his busy schedule and also speaking while we eat lunch!

Our Rose is introduced by Sylvia Earnst, who wrote the bio in the Sanddollar, and Susie Wright, who introduced our Rose - Virginia Tyler. Susie also introduced the people at Virginia's table. Virginia is moving to be near her daughter. We all love her and will miss her so much.

Virginia brought a rose for every person present and so the tables are decorated by these lovely long stem roses. Her table consists of Stephanie Wenzler, her granddaughter Angela, Carol Hicks, Beth Turcotte and Linda Dorsey.

Her daughter Sandy, former members Jackie McDaniel and Kathy Peoples and, with her back to the camera, Susie Wright.

Advisors, Gail Drown, Ava and Sylvia, conduct the Installation of Officers for the next term. They are President Bridget Post, Vice-President Melanie Polasek, Treasurer Susannah Stearns and Secretary Beverly Johnston.

President Bridget's first duty is to give a gift to Past President, Catalina Longoria.

Even though she is looking down, this is a typical Cat picture! We all so appreciate Cat's work - not only as President, but also as Sanddollar Editor for the THIRD term. What a great Advisor she will make!

Carol Hicks wins the Fun and Friendship award for all of her hard work on the Coffee Committee. (She will be Co-Chair this next term and so we can look forward to seeing her in the kitchen again!)

Joan Stobie is back in town and sits with Laura Falconer. Joan, Catalina, Ava and Sylvia Earnst win the contest for 1 free ticket to the Social. Don't forget that your $45/pp needs to be paid by October 30th for the November 7th fabulous social. This appears to be a tremendously popular Social with so many tickets already sold! Don't be left out of the fun...

Bridget Post hosts the October Coffee. You can see who is the "Co-host". By the way, the scoop is that Bridget will be the next term NNL President.

Prospective Member, Susan Lant, and President, Cat Longoria. This the last coffee for Cat's term of office.

Prospective Member Chair, Stephanie Wenzler (in the middle), has brought 2 Prospective Members: Iris Karas and Twiggs Fernandez.

Susan and Webmaster, Nancy Gray. Nancy met Susan when doing a Neighborhood Watch canvas. They live a street apart.

The Antique Club meets at the Purple Elephant Antique Shop on Thursday, September 17. From front to back are Lena Maude Mueller, Julie Brower, Josey O'Flynn, Louise Dern, Linda Merkle, Joan Keys, Jane Cheesman, Chair Janice Andreas and Sylvia Whitworth.

Gloria Waller took the pictures and reported, " We had a very nice lunch at the Nuevo Cafe afterwards and then visited some other antique shops."

Virginia Tyler was awarded the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary 2009 Freddie Bateman Award. Susie Wright sent these pictures from the ceremony. Linda Dorsey is in purple, Virginia, Former NNL member Jackie McDaniels and the presenter is Major Sheila New.

Bunco Brunch Birthday party for Annette's birthday. Seated are JoAnn Robertson, Terrie Bodine, Melanie Polasek, and Bridget Post. Standing are Alma Grady, Cynthia Huddleston, Sylvia Earnst, Beth Turcotte, Joyce Seitz, ? and Beverly Johnston.

The August Luncheon is held at the Town Club with the speaker, Patty Clark. Our President, Catalina Longoria has her back to the water, which shows from the 6th floor of the Crystal Room. Marion Gholston and Gloria Waller have their backs to the camera. Marion celebrates her 87 birthday this month and Gloria wins the 50/50 prize of $25.

Patty tells us about the Mission of Mercy Program, which provides no cost health care to those in need. The part time clinic operates twice a week at 5 sites in the area. Bishop, Robstown and Orange Grove have no doctor, while First United Methodist Church is conveniently located on Ocean Drive and the Flour Bluff area is served at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. Patty is a former New Neighbors League member. Check out their web site at www.amissionofmercy.org. Patty especially encourages us to come to their "Mercy in the Morning" breakfast on November 12 and bring enough friends to make up a table. A free breakfast will be served. Contact Patty at 883-5500, 446-0202 or pclark@amissionofmercy.org

Susannah Stearns joins NNL at the luncheon. We will enjoy having her as a member, as we will ...

Pat McAnear, who joined at the coffee. Seen in the background are former NNL President Pam Gordon, our speaker Patty Clark and new member Laura Falconer. Laura has jumped right in to the activities and is hosting the "Cooking with Class" club, which will be Friday, August 21 at 11:30 am. Since she is from Mexico City, she will cook some authentic Mexican cuisine. The cost is $15.00 and is limited to 8 people. Contact Laura to see if there is still room!

Kay Shaw joined last month and is a neighbor of Ava Obermueller (back to camera) and lives close to Beth Turcotte.

Virginia Tyler has brought her granddaughter, Angela. Virginia's beautiful pearl jewelry is over 60 years old!

Juanita Powell won the Birthday drawing. Her gorgeous pearls are over 50 years old.

Please send some fun pictures of your club activities to nannygray@aol.com so they can be posted on the web site.

President Cat Longoria (in white) presides at the meeting and, as usual, has everyone smiling. Notice both Beth Turcotte and Connie Smith, plus Prospective member Pat McAnear.

The July Luncheon is held in the Bay Room at the Corpus Christi Town Club. Margorie Abner celebrates us during our Social period with her beautiful music. She also was the winner of the July Fun and Friendship Award. President Catalina Longoria is getting set to preside and our speaker is getting to enjoy her meal.

Connie Smith and new member Beverly Johnston are in picture 1.

Picture 2 shows Marion Gholston, Judith Labeck, Ava Obermeuller and guest Cilinda De La Garza.

Cat asks us to put our cell phones on vibrate.

Diana Booth presents an interesting program about CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocates. She has brought a Case Worker, Joe Fernandez. Volunteers are placed with a child, who has been removed from their home by Child Protective Service, and the volunteer remains a friend and advocate to that child the entire time the child is under CPS. To learn more about CASA volunteers, call Diana at 884-2272.

Beverly is introduced by Membership Chair Melissa Brooks.

Kimberly Funk and Judy Itkin are both guests. Judy wins the 50/50 money. We tease her that it's just enough to join NNL. We welcome all of our guests and hope they will join our Fun and Friendship.

Our birthday girl is Virginia Tyler. Her daughter, Sandy Masney, has come from Palm Springs, California to help celebrate. Since Sandy will be here until September, we look forward to seeing her at other NNL events.

June is jumping...

The June Book Club meeting is held at Grace Presbyterian Church, where we discussed Amy Tan's novel, Saving Fish From Drowning. Sitting on the floor are Nancy Gray and Susie Wright. In chairs are Chair Pat Shoesmith, former Chair Kathy Peoples, Beth Turcotte, Alma Grady and Mary Alice Steidley. Standing are Patricia Bibbs, Connie Smith, Margaret Pubillones and Joyce Seitz. (We thank Margie's husband, Roger Schroeder, who was at the church working on the grounds, for taking this group picture.) We used this meeting to take Kathy Peoples to lunch in thanks for her wonderful service as Club Chair. We also appreciate Pat Shoesmith stepping in to take over. We had so much fun at the Macaroni Grill that we decided to go eat each month after Book Club. (Isn't it amazing how most NNL Clubs become "eating clubs" also?)

Pat, Connie and Alma

Patricia and Kathy

Margaret and Mary Alice

Joyce and Susie

Vino Brio shows Margie Schroeder, Ruth Williams, Jo Ann Robertson and Ava Obermueller.

Hubbies also enjoy themselves. Shown are Dave Drown (Gail's husband), Jim Robertson (Jo Ann's), and Richard Butler, who is Terry Butler's husband.

At the Luncheon, we might not have been jumping, but we were tapping our foot to "Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue" and "Blue Moon". Some of us even remember when those songs were popular! The New Neighbors Rosettes put on a great show as we dine at Kings Crossing Country Club. Left to right are Donna Hamilton, Donna Montgomery, Josey O'Flynn, Beth Turcotte, Cherl Hinton, Ava Obermeuller, Sally Wakefield, Club Chair Sylvia Whitworth and Jo Ann Robertson.

Charlotte McElroy accompanied at the piano. Later, she sang and Sally Wakefield played the piano.

Francis Mir, the owner of Mir Senior Care Management Inc., gives us pointers as to what we can do if we need to care for elderly parents. She also gives us pointers to help prepare ourselves for senior living.

Frances has a rapt audience.

Guests Meg Moore and Becky Rodriguez attend. Meg found out about NNL through our web site and Marion Gholston. They hope to find bridge players - especially some who can play on Saturday.

Ava brought Cassandra Strom.

... and her good friend, Kay Long. They both sing in the choir at Grace Presbyterian Church. Kay later won the 50/50 of $29.00. (Half of the money is given to the club and half is to a lucky raffle winner.)

Anita Joya and Elva Pena are guests of Josey.

Cherl has brought her Mother-in-Law, Johnnie Fletcher.

Guest Beverly Johnston found out about NNL on the web site and after several attempts to reach us by e-mail, she found out that she and Treasurer Cynthia Huddleston both live in Marina Del Sol.

Left to right are Cynthia, Dee Gregg, Joyce Seitz, Virginia Tyler, Connie Smith and Beverly.

Elizabeth Feeney hosted the June coffee. Here are prospective member Laura Falcaner and President Cat Longoria. The Board has set a goal of 3 new members a month, so Cat encouraged our 3 guests to join NNL, the Fun and Friendship club, and also help accomplish our goal this month.

Sue Maurer is another prospective member.

... and the third is Hilde Tipton

Cat presides as Scrapbook Chair Cherl Hinton is at her right and Nametags Chair Terrie Bodine is sitting on the floor. After eating and visiting, Cat had each one present tell where we were from and the cheapest vacation we'd ever had. We were allowed 1 minute and Terrie was the time keeper. The cheapest were "having your parents pay for the vacation" or "having your children pay for it" and second was likely "camping". However, people told of many free things to do in places from here at home in Corpus Christi to Cat's upcoming trip to New York City.

May Eaters Unlimited

Jackie Roy and Marion Gholston Barbara Phelan and daughter, Penny

Mary Stewart and Gay Wimberly Connie Smith and Club Chair Mary Cox

JoAn Paulson and Marianne Jones Juanita Powell

Our picture taker, Gloria Waller, reported they had a delicious luncheon at Sugar Baker's Restaurant on Santa Fe. The salads, sandwiches and desserts are all wonderful.

These photos were taken of the Antique Club on May 21 at the Art Center where the Coronation gowns were on display and having lunch at Hester's at the Bleu Frog. We were a small group but enjoyed seeing the dresses and having great Quiche at Hester's. The brownies were fantastic! Gloria Waller

Melanie gives her acceptance talk. What a trooper she is. She is Club Coordinator, Sunshine Chair and serves on the Social Committee.

Virginia Tyler wins the May Fun and Friendship award at the coffee. Here she is with President Catalina Longoria.

The VIP Club holds it's Spring Luncheon at the Corpus Christi Country Club. Stein Mart does a Style Show, using VIP and NNL members as models. Ann Moore from Stein Mart introduces Nancy Gray as attendees watch. The Sweet Tooth Dessert Auction, the NNL fund raiser for this term, is a big success as wonderful home baked sweets are auctioned.

The 12 models make their last parade. Juanita Powell has on the pink scarf, Elizabeth Feeney the wide brown belt, Melanie Polasek the black and white skirt, Nancy Gray the tan pants, Sylvia Earnst the black dress. The other models are Edna Brown, Sylvia Whitworth, Catalina Longoria, Sue McClurg, Deb Hernandez, and Marsha Baxter.

Enjoying the show are Nancy Bowman Gray (Nancy Gray's daughter-in-law), Sami Cameron and Pat Schotland.

President Jackie Del Nano is thanked for her years of serving the VIP Club as President and is given a gift by the club. Jackie is moving to San Antonio. Next are Membership Chair Lois McCray and Advisor Ruth Williams.

Jackie, Luncheon Announcements Chair Jennifer Oler and Ruth. Jennifer is moving to Temple. We will sure miss these great gals. Jackie asked for replacement volunteers to please contact her or one of the officers.

The First Movie Club is at Century 16 seeing "Duplicity". Watch for our critique in the Sanddollar! Left to right are Susie Wright, Pat Schotland, Kathy Peoples, Mary Stewart, Juanita Powell and Chair Nancy Gray.

Bridge II Club is held on the 2nd Tuesday at Chair Connie Smith's house. Here are Connie, Pat Schotland and Sylvia Earnst. The 4th player is Nancy Gray, who is taking the picture. Contact Connie if you are interested.

The April Luncheon is held at the Kings Crossing Country Club with our speaker being De Anna McQueen, Graffiti Coordinator of the Corpus Christi Police Department. De Anna's topic was "The Graffiti Problem ... What is it? Why is it? You Can Make a Difference!". She had pictures of some of the local graffiti and handouts for us to take. As she says, "Graffiti is not art. Graffiti is a crime." We were asked to report graffiti immediately to her at 361-826-2940.

We are greeted by lovely music from our own Marjorie Abner as she plays the piano during the Social time. She was the only one attending with an April birthday and so she received the Birthday gift and we all sang, "Happy Birthday" to her. We hear that she has written a book. Follow the website and Sanddollar for further information!

This is Elizabeth Feeney's last luncheon to preside. She presents the New Neighbor of the Year pin to Advisor Sylvia Earnst. (Sylvia won this award several months ago, but the pin has just now arrived.) Congratulations again, Sylvia!

Here are the outgoing officers: Vicki Gaarder, Secretary, Melissa Brooks, Vice-President, Elizabeth, President and Stephanie Wenzler, Treasurer. Thanks to each of you for a job well done! We will really miss Vicki, as she is moving out of town. Not only has she been President of NNL 2 times (10 years apart), but she is always willing to step in and help out when a job needs doing.

The gavel passes to our new President, Catalina Longoria. With Cat's great sense of humor, "hold your hats" ... it should be a fun 6 months!

The new Board is President Cat, Co-Vice Presidents, Melanie Polasek (speakers) and Bridget Post (venues), Jean Marie Welch, Secretary, and Cynthia Huddleston, Treasurer.

V.P. Melissa gives Out-going President, Elizabeth, an engraved tray as the club's "thank you gift". It includes her famous motto: ILUWAMYAEIM, which means, "I love you will all my heart and everything in me". We so appreciate Elizabeth's hard work and she will continue as she is the new Publicity Chair. Incoming President, Cat, poses with them.

The April coffee is held at Bridget Post's lovely new home. On her left are Jennifer Oler (in the middle) and President Elizabeth Feeney on the far left. This will be Elizabeth's last time to preside at a coffee. There was great food and a houseful of people. Jennifer, our ONLY National NNL Rose, is moving to Tyler. Since Tyler has an annual Rose Festival, maybe she'll be the Tyler rose! We are certainly going to miss her and Pat, but we wish them fun in their new home, on Pat's retirement, and certainly with their kids and grandkids!

Gloria Waller sent these pictures with the following caption: "On March 19 th, the NNL Antique Club enjoyed shopping at Betty's Downtown shop and having a great lunch at the U and I restaurant. I bought an adorable glitzy ring to add to my collection, and several of the ladies also found interesting items. We enjoyed our lunch at U and I. I had been wanting to go there for many years, so this was a good opportunity to look over their very wide and interesting menu. I chose the shrimp and avocado salad, and it was delicious."

Carolyn Utigard-Thomas brings her daughter Stacey Thomas-Carroll to the luncheon, which is held at the Town Club.

Our program is "Horticulture in South Texas", as the picture gives a clue. Dr. Shad Nelson is the Chair of the Department of Agronomy and Resource Sciences at Texas A & M Kingsville. With him are Justin Tanner, an intern with the program and Jorge Lorenzo, President of the University Horticulture Club. They showed how lilies and other plants that grow welll in South Texas could be divided, replanted and pruned. The program was extremely interesting and they answered many questions.

Here they are loading up their few remaining plants in the school truck. They gave most of the plants and cuttings as door prizes, as well as two pots that were made by the ceramics class at the school. We certainly appreciated their endeavors and gifts.

This is a strong guess as to what Catalina Longoria did AGAIN. Yes, she again won the 50/50. We all want to go to Las Vegas with her!

Mary Cox is the Chair of Eaters Unlimited. The club is open to any NNL member. They eat at different restaurants each month on the last Friday. Gloria Waller sent these pictures with this caption:

Gloria Waller wrote that the Antique Club met at the De Luxe Antique store and ...

The February Luncheon is held at the Corpus Christi Town Club. We had a "double" celebration. Advisor Sylvia Earnst was selected as the Rose of the Year for 2008 and Scrapbook Chair Cherl Hinton is the February Rose. Sylvia was chosen from a committee, who did not know the names of the candidates, but only their bios. Congratulations to you both! We all agree with the choices and thank you for all of the hard work that you have done and CONTINUE to do for our New Neighbors Club.

Cherl brought her friend, Joy Samuelson. Joy gave a lovely Invocation preceding the luncheon.

Gloria Waller brought her friend, Elaine Foreman, who is visiting from Carlsbad, California. Elaine ended up winning $25 in the 50/50 drawing. Maybe that'll buy you a lunch here in Corpus Christi!

Our speaker, Veronica Perez, is with the Volunteer Center and is the Project Coordinator for Days of Service. Her uplifting talk was wonderful and made us so proud to live in this wonderful city, Corpus Christi. There are so many opportunities to volunteer and help make this an even better city. Veronica would love to hear from you. Check out their web site at http://www.volunteercentercorpus.org/

We enjoyed our lunch at the Corpus Christi Town Club. "Head Honchos" at the club are two former NNL members, General Manager JoAnn Farris-Chodosh and Membership Director Rosemary Grulke.

The February Coffee, which is held in the home of Pat Dorsey, has quite a few guests and prospective members. Here is Connie Smith, who has recently moved from College Stations because of her husband's position at CC A & M. Connie enjoys bridge and was taking names of people who might like to get a foursome together. President Elizabeth Feeney and Advisor Sylvia Earnst are also shown. The club is doing a great job on contacting prospective members. We all thank you!

Cynthia Kimura has just moved from Washington State because of a Navy transfer for her husband.

Gloria Waller sent these pictures with captions: "The Eaters Unlimited club met at the Bamboo Gardens Chinese restaurant for their monthly luncheon on Friday, January 30. Mary Cox is our coordinator, and we had 20 ladies attending for a delicious lunch and interesting conversation."

Jean Marie Welch (on the right) brings her friend, Carolyn Uttgard-Thomas. Carolyn is a brand new member and has already joined the Book Club. They pose here with Communication Chair Judith Labeck. Later on during the luncheon, Jean Marie won the 50/50 money. The Membership Committee is hard at work looking for new members. Maybe bringing a new member will help you win the 50/50 money! Who knows?

Gail thanks the club and introduces the members at her table. Many are friends from the Vino Brio Club.

Advisor Terrie Bodine gives Gail the Rose Pin. The catch is hard to open and so Sunshine/Club Chair Melanie Polasek is shown opening the pin.

President Elizabeth Feeney does "double duty" as she also presents our program ...

"Let Your Health Shine in 2009". Elizabeth did a great job and her enthusiasm has each of us determined to eat healthier in 2009. "Apple, anyone?"

Sanddollar Editor Catalina Longoria is awarded the Fun and Friendship award for this month for all of her great work on the Sanddollar and the many other things that she does for NNL.

Margie and Roger Schroeder entertained our club at their annual New Years Eve party. Since they were out of town on New Years Eve, the party was January 6th at 6:30 p.m. It was wonderful because we were ready to eat AGAIN and didn't have to stay up until midnight. Their house was beautiful decorated with different decorations this year. The Schroeders furnished ham and the members brought the sides. Needless to say, the food was delicious and the company wonderful. Our Winter Texas members, Bill and Evelyn Rathke were in town and it was great to see them. Here are Bill Rathke and Margie Schroeder toasting the New Year in front of ONE of their Christmas trees. (Reported by Nancy Gray)

Joan Keys and Pat Schotland admire one of THREE tables set with "themed" decorations.

Bill and Evelyn Rathke, Nancy and John Gray catch up on the Rathke's time away from Corpus Christi as they pose in front of the Dining Room.

The Living Room table hosts Faye Cobb, Marty and Ruth Williams, John Gray, Evelyn and Bill, George Seitz and Ralph Cobb.

Jane Cheesman, Betty and John Hagemeister, Julie and Bob Schultz and Bill Cheesman are sitting at the table in the Dining Room.

The Breakfast area holds Margie, Roy Schotland, Len and Joan Keys, Pat Schotland and Roger Schroeder.

This Nativity scene is just one of the many beautiful decorations. Margie arranged this on the Living Room coffee table.