| April 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. |
April showers bring May flowers...
Here we are...getting ready to begin April. If you haven’t submitted your taxes yet you still have time. The flowers are popping, the leaves on the trees are starting to open, and here comes the yellow season. For those of you new to the South, the yellow season refers to all the pollen we endure for several weeks. You will notice a coating on your car and don’t open your windows, or you will have it indoors as well. For those of you with allergies, head to the drugstore and stock up on your allergy medicine now.
We all experienced the changing of our clocks and now and we have more daylight in the evening. I hope everyone is enjoying walks, bike rides, gardening or whatever is your favorite spring outdoor activity. We have lots of great events coming up in April so don’t forget to check your calendars and be ready to register on Wednesday, March 25 at 9:00 am on the dot! If an event is full, please add your name to the waitlist. Chances are someone will cancel and you will get an email to register.
Our April Membership Luncheon and Fashion Show will be held on Thursday, April 16, which is a week earlier than normal. As I mentioned in my Monday message last week, we need to turn in our numbers two weeks ahead which is April 2. In order to make sure everyone had a chance to register; we opened it early. The capacity is 100 but please register at your earliest opportunity to be sure you don’t miss out. The luncheon will be held at the beautiful Ballantyne Country Club, and you can find more details on the calendar when you register.
Better Homes & Gardens will host the annual Sequence game event on Wednesday, April 22. If you haven’t tried Brews and Bites, register to attend the event at Lenny Boy Brewing in South End. Don’t forget about your chance to win a free NFC membership for the 2026-2027 year. If you need more NFC business cards to pass out to your friends or neighbors, please reach out to our Vice President of Membership, Dee Drobonick.
As our year will be coming to an end at the end of May, please reach out to me if there is anything you would like me to address. Also, if you are interested in becoming an Interest Chair, please let me know. Once the slate of officers is announced at the March membership luncheon, we can start preliminary plans for transitions of some the Interest Chairs who have plans to take a break after May 31. We want to be able to continue all of our wonderful events without interruption so please reach out if you have any interest.
Operation Event Cancellations – This month’s cancellations are 58 and No-shows 6 as of March 15. Enjoy all the extra daylight and the nice weather we are experiencing. If it’s cold today...don’t worry...you know it will be warm again in a few days.
Thank you for being a New Friend,
Jeanne Deiger, President
New Friends of Carolina
|  | If you are one of our April 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! | | Rebecca Leo 4/6
Patricia Bleuher 4/7
Sandy Witte 4/7
Robin Curlin 4/8
Patricia Linz 4/9
Jennifer Ziza 4/10 | | Debra Cleary-Scharf 4/14
Deb Jones 4/15
Bonnie Foulds 4/18
Susan Hill 4/20
Lori Herzhauser 4/25
Angela Snyder 4/26 | | |  |
I can't believe we are into our tenth month of our NFC 2025-2026 year! How time flies. This year, we welcomed 18 new members and two returning members to our club. We are now at 170 NFC members, 20 members over our budgeted count!
Our newest member is Jacki Salinas. Jacki is originally from Texas and moved here 3 years ago. She is looking forward to making new friends. She expressed the exact same things many of us have...it's difficult to make new friends when you are new to the city and are no longer in the workforce. Jacki will be at our March luncheon at Waldhorn, so please reach out to her with a big welcome.
Membership Challenge - Who is participating in this challenge? At last month's luncheon, we announced this fun challenge and passed out our membership business cards. To recap, any member who enlists a new member to join between now and April 23, their name will be placed in a drawing for a chance to win a free 2026-2027 membership! You can hand out our cards with your name written on the back and distribute them to anyone you think would be interested in joining our club. You can also mention that membership is now only $25 (half price) through April. Membership will be closed in May and reopened when we begin our new year on June 1. Membership renewal will be in June for all members. Good luck, you might be the winner of a free membership for next year valued at $50!
Looking forward to seeing many of you at this month's luncheon!
Dee Drobonick, VP of Membership
nfcmembership2025@gmail.com | | March Board Meeting
for Elected Officers and Standing Committee Chairs
Thursday, April 2, 2026
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
The Home of Sandee Henricks
3603 Collaroy Road
Waxhaw, NC 29173
804-839-3283
Event Contact: Jeanne Deiger
704-607-3105 | | | | CARE AND CONCERN
Get well card was sent to
Andrea Woods
Sympathy cards were sent to
Carol McPhee
Jennifer Ziza
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.
Diane McCartney
(917) 399-9189
dianemccartney1@yahoo.com | | |  |
Check out these fun events happening in our area, supplied by our
Entertainment Reporter, Chris Green.
THEATER & CONCERTS
03/31-04/05 MAMA MIA! Belk Theater
04/10-11 Charlotte Symphony Emperor Concerto: Belk
04/18 Zack Bryan: Bank of America Stadium
04/19 Brandon Lake: Spectrum Center
04/24-25 Charlotte Symphony Gershwin: Belk
04/26 Swan Lake Ballet: Ovens Auditorium
04/29 Bruno Mars: Bank of America Stadium
SPORTS
Charlotte Hornets Basketball: Spectrum Center
04/02, 03, 10, NBA Tournament 04-14-05/17
Charlotte Checkers Ice Hockey: BoJangles Coliseum
04/11-04/12, 04/18-04/19,
Charlotte FB Soccer Club: Bank of America Stadium
04/04, 04/11,
Charlotte Knights Baseball: Truist Field
04/07-04/12, 04/21-04/26, 04/28-04/30
FESTIVALS & MISCELLANEOUS
04/03-04/19 Charlotte Shout Art & Music: Uptown
04/16 Come See Me Festival: Rock Hill
LOOKING AHEAD:
05/08-24 The Color Purple: Theater Charlotte
05/08-10 Little Women, The Musical: CPCC Parr Theater
|
Monthly Membership Luncheon
and Special Events | | April Membership Luncheon
Polished and Comfortable
Spring Fashion
presented by
J.Jill
| | | April 16, 2026
11:30 am Social - 12:00pm Lunch
at
Ballantyne Country Club
11120 Ballantyne Crossing Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28277
Menu: Choose one of the following
Sauteed Shrimp in Garlic and Tomato
wine sauce over angel hair pasta
or
Pan Seared Airline Chicken Breast
with lemon caper sauce and seasonal vegetable medley
or
Grilled Petite Filet of Beef
with cheesy scalloped potatoes
All entrees served with salad, rolls and butter
Dessert: NY Cheesecake with Raspberry Drizzle
Iced Tea and Coffee
Credit Card Bar
Price: $40 Members, $50 Guests
Space for 100
| | Appetizers with Friends
Saturday, April 18
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Courtyards of Emerald Lake Clubhouse
1039 Avalon Place
Matthews, NC 28104
Bring a hearty appetizer or a dessert
Water provided - BYO wine or alcoholic drinks
Hosted by Lora Castello and Pauline Trautman
Space for 46 Friends | | | | Better Homes & Gardens
SEQUENCE Game Day
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
1:00 PM
Sandy Cummings' home
7025 Walton Heath Lane
(Gate code: #3510)
Charlotte, NC 28277
| | |
Because it has been so popular, we have decided to make it a regular event. This one will be held at Sandy Cummings' home. Please note the change in the gate code: #3510.
Come for a fun afternoon, snacks, dessert and coffee.
See you soon!
Sandy Cummings 704-321-0214 or Karen Bearss 704-770-1542
Space for 9 Game Lovers
| | Creative Adventures
Let's Make a Wreath
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
10:30am - 1:00pm
You can choose your motif and design to make it your own. (PLEASE NOTE...photo is just ONE idea)
Please bring your own materials to the workshop---some items like wire cutters and floral wire can be shared.
-24" (or size that you prefer) Grapevine wreath form
-Tea-stained American Grommet flag 3' x 5' from Amazon (priced $9-$30)
-Floral wire
-Wire cutters
-Any additional wired ribbon, florals or accessories of your choosing to add to your wreath
NO FEE to attend
Contact Andrea (210) 836-4264 or
Dee (704) 641-5960 if you have any questions
Please, if you must cancel, do so in enough time to allow for next member on waitlist to sign up
Capacity: 8 Crafty Chicks
| | | NFC
Community Volunteers
Opportunity to Serve | | |
Second Harvest Food Bank
500 B Spratt Street
Charlotte, NC 28206
April 30 - 1:00pm to 4:00pm
We will go to the warehouse and sort food. Please wear comfortable, closed toe shoes and comfortable clothes. We will be standing for 3 hours sorting food.
Please arrive at 15 minutes early for training and preparation.
Space for 14 Volunteers
************************
If you have questions, contact Noelle Picozzi at 215-589-3111
| GETTING TO KNOW YOU...
Pauline Trautman |  | | Growing up, do you have a favorite childhood memory? Spending time with my dad and family. Once a month, we would all get together at my grandparent's house for dinner. One of my uncles played the banjo, a cousin sang and played the guitar, and someone usually played on the piano. My grandfather would always want Irish music to sing along to. They were certainly fun nights full of great memories!
What's the best part of your day-to-day life? Being with my husband, John. Joining my friends to play cards, etc., within New Friends...going to lunch with friends, visits from my granddaughter or daughter-in-law with my great granddaughter.
What's next on your bucket list? Looking at a trip home to New Zealand next year. We would fly over and cruise back from Sydney to Seattle vs. flying back home.
Who are your heroes? I would have to say my dad who I miss every day and also my son. My son is a Marine who served for 22 years. He retired as Sargent Major.
What makes you laugh the most? Relaxing with friends or family. Someone says something that makes us all laugh. Nothing better than a good laugh over a glass of wine!
| | |  | 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 | | | 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
| 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 | |