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Date: 12/23/2025
Subject: NFC Newsletter January 2026
From: New Friends


January 2026   THE CAROLINIAN
 
 Editor:  Sandee Henricks   nfcnewsletter2024@gmail.com   
NOTE:  This newsletter contains hyperlinks for you to view club events.
  Prior to reading the newsletter, it is advisable that you log into the
New Friends of Carolina website.  Have your Username and Password available.
 

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2026!

 

I cannot believe it is 2026 already. How time flies. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday with family and friends whether you stayed in Charlotte or traveled out of town.

 

With January comes the announcement of the nominating committee for the 2026-2027 elected officers. I am honored to announce the following members which have been approved by the board.

 

Committee Chair – Monica Taft, Past President

Elected Board – Lisa Byrne, Sandee Henricks, and alternate Dee Drobonick

Members in Good Standing – Kris Pacilio, Ellie Grespin, and alternate Karen Zach.

 

This committee will convene in January. Nominations will be accepted through February 26th. If you are interested in learning more about an elected position, or nominating someone, please reach out to Monica Taft @ 704-612-3704.

 

As we begin attending events in 2026, I have asked the Interest Chairs to track attendance using the tools provided in our system from Club Express. If for some reason you need to cancel your registration for an event, please do so at your earliest convenience to let others on the waitlist have a chance to register. If you have an emergency and cannot attend the day of an event, contact the interest chair if possible.  Please do not be a No Show. We care about all our members, and someone will call to check on you to be sure you are okay.

 

We have numerous events happening in 2026. Ladies Night Out is hosting a “Snowman” themed evening in January, Better Home and Gardens will be playing Sequence in January and Creative Adventures will be painting silk scarves in April. Our January luncheon will be held at Zinicola, and our speaker will be from Second Harvest Food Bank. We will be collecting non-perishables on that day, so please remember to bring them to the luncheon. Our February luncheon Is planned for Red Rocks with a Mardi Gras theme. The March luncheon will be held at Waldhorn’s German restaurant. In April we will return to Ballantyne Country Club for a spring fashion show.

 

Enjoy our few months of winter, as you know it does not last too long in the south and spring is right around the corner.

 

Thank you for being a New Friend.


Jeanne Deiger, President
New Friends of Carolina
 
If you are one of our January birthday ladies listed below,
don't forget to sign up for the next Membership Luncheon.
 Your birthday will be acknowledged, and you will receive a special birthday gift!
 
Carol Stebbins  1/1
Anne Graham  1/11
Karen McClure 1/13
 
 
Janice Philpot  1/24
Mary Randle  1/24
Judy DiLiddo  1/25
 
 
A New Year with NEW FRIENDS!
 
We had six guests attend our holiday brunch.  I was fortunate to have three new members, and two guests sit at my table.  Everyone said they had a good time and enjoyed our fun program.  Guests indicated they plan to join sometime after the end of 2025!

We currently have 163 members with 13 lovely ladies joining NFC since the beginning of our fiscal year June 1.  This is a great time to ask a friend or neighbor to try NFC and experience all the fun we share.  

Wishing you a safe, healthy Happy New Year!

 

Dee Drobonick, VP of Membership
nfcmembership2025@gmail.com
CARE AND CONCERN

 If you know of anyone in our club who could use a card, a call, or a meal due to illness, hospitalization, and etc., please let me know.
 
A "Get Well" card was sent to
 
Cyma Kline (recovering from shoulder surgery)
 

Diane McCartney
(917) 399-9189
dianemccartney1@yahoo.com
(This great resource will be back next month...)
 

Monthly Board Meeting
and Special Events
January Board Meeting
 
The Board Meeting is for Elected Officers and Standing Committee Chairs
 
Thursday
January 8, 2026
10:00 am to 12:00pm
 
The Home of Lori Herzhauser
  5026 Willing Ct.
Fort Mill, SC  29707
Event Contact:
Jeanne Deiger
704-607-3105
Join us for a "SNOWMAN PARTY!"
 
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 5:30 PM
 
Home of Noelle Picozzi
8400 Denholme Drive
Waxhaw, NC  28173
(215) 589-3111
 
Space for 22 Ladies
 
Please bring a wrapped snowman/snowman-themed gift ($20-$25) and get ready to exchange, steal and swap!  Also, please bring an appetizer or dessert to share.  BYOB - Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided.
Better Homes & Gardens
 
Join us for a fun afternoon playing SEQUENCE.  Our first game was a success so we're going to do it again.  We can relax after a hectic holiday and enjoy our new friends.
 
Thursday, January 15, 2026
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Home of Sandy Cummings
7025 Walton Heath Lane
(Gate code #3703)
 
Space for 14 Avid Game Players
IN THE KNOW
Presents
Pharmacy in Your Kitchen
with Cheryl Hoover, RPh
Cheryl Hoover is a pharmacist and cancer survivor who actually wants to keep you out of the pharmacy and encourages you to
"Eat Your Vitamins." 
 
Cheryl will offer inspiration and lifestyle suggestions that promote eating the way your body was designed to be nourished.
 She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill Pharmacy School, is certified in Plant Based Nutrition, co-author of HEALTHY LIVING FOR A SHARPER MIND, and the founder of Pharmacy in Your Kitchen.
 
Friday, January 16, 2026
10:00 am to 11:00 am
South Park Regional Library
7015 Carnegie Blvd.
Charlotte, NC  28211
 
  
Event Contact: Barbara Evers 704-996-4705
 
Spaces for 60 Members and Guests
$5.00 per person
 
January Monthly Membership Luncheon
Bundle up
and join all of your
NFC Friends 
for the

January Membership Luncheon
with Guest Speaker, Betsy Van Dyne
from Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina 
 11:30 AM Social - 12:00 PM Lunch
 
Zinicola
14835 Ballantyne Village Way
Charlotte, NC  28277
 
Menu:
Choose one of the following
 
Chicken Marsala served with Penne
Spaghetti with Meatballs
Salmon served with Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli
with Lemon Butter Sauce
 
Dessert: Family Style Tiramisu and Cannoli
Soft Drinks, Tea and Coffee
Cash Bar
 
$35.00 Members - $40.00 Guests
50 Spaces Available
 
GETTING TO KNOW YOU...
Chris Green
1.  What's one of the best days that you can remember?  Other than the birth of my children, one of the best days was our first family reunion with relatives from many states that I had not seen for many years.

2.  If you could wake up with a superpower, what would it be, and why?  My superpower would be to heal everyone from every disease and injury because it would give us less pain and allow us more time with our loved ones.

3.  What phrase have you picked up from your parents? When asked what time it is, my mom would often say "It's quarter past a freckle" and I have used this phrase often throughout my life.

4.  Who are your heroes?  My heroes are all the caring and compassionate First Responders.

5.  What's next on your bucket list?  I want to take a train across America from the East Coast to the West Coast with overnight stays in places along the way.

6.  If you could tell your younger self one thing, it would be...  To always be patient and wait on the Lord to answer my prayers and guide me instead of taking matters into my own hands.
Appetizers with Friends
   This is a fun event and a great way to get to know other members.  Many bring a guest, so consider inviting your spouse or a special friend to enjoy a Saturday evening with your New Friends! It is a fun filled night of appetizers and friendship. Bring a hearty appetizer or a dessert to share.  Generally, they prefer more appetizers than desserts, but you can bring whichever you choose.  Water will be provided; please bring other beverages of your choice such as wine or alcoholic drinks.
 
Please use the links below to learn more about each event.
When you take pictures at one of our events...
 
Send them to:
 
  nfchistorian@proton.me
Food, Friends and Fun
Appetizers with Friends - Meet at member's home for appetizers and desserts
       
 
 
Better Homes & Gardens - Special events held every other month
          
 
Brews and Bites - Explore a new brewery/pub each month
  
 
 
Dining with Divas - An 8-member group who meet for lunch at a member's home on a rotating basis.  Contact Pauline Trautman (704) 507-5680 for information to be a sub or create a new group.
        
Ladies Night Out - FUN and FRIENDS
         
 
Lunch Bunch 1 - Meets on the 2nd Friday each month at a different restaurant
              
 
Lunch Bunch 2 - Meets on the 3rd Friday each month at a different restaurant
                
 
Matinee Madams - Meet for a movie and sometimes lunch
(Watch your email or President's Monday message for updates)
 

Winers and Diners
Meet at member's home for cocktails and then out to dinner
  
Books, Crafts and Service
Book Lovers - Meet the 3rd Wednesday of every month to discuss a selected title
            
 
Book Swappers - Sharing interesting books
(We meet every other month at a member's home)
 
 
                  
  
 
Sip and Stitch - Bring your needlework...new members always welcome
      
 
 
Sports and Games
Bunco #1

 
Bunco #2
            
 
Contract Rummy
          
Five Deck Canasta
        
     
 Mexican Train 1
           
 
Mexican Train 2
             
 
Mexican Train 3
              
Mexican Train Evening
              
   
Rummikub
            
 
Samba
               

Scrabble
     
 
       
Any and all feedback is welcome.  Email your suggestions and comments to
 
Sandee Henricks at nfcnewsletter2024@gmail.com
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