Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
February 2016
COMPASS
! Welcome our newest members to The Landings New Neighbors
2
! Savannah Philharmonic offering NN special discounts to Velvet Caravan jazz ensemble and season finale performances
2
! Spotlight on NN Pickleball 3
Okay, it sounds so trite, but how quickly does a year go by? This time last year I had just accepted the job as president of New Neighbors and all of a sudden it seems we are working on next year’s slate of
officers. I know that the new NN leadership will bring lots of enthusiasm, energy and innovation to our organization. I’ll have to watch from the sidelines, though, as Bradd and I graduate from NN in May in what will be the closing of a wonderful three years.
I’d like to ask for your help in a small, albeit unscientific, experiment. I have wondered all year if anyone actually reads the monthly Message from the President that has always been a part of the newsletter. It would be nice for the incoming president to know if the president's monthly messages are 1) read and 2) useful, or not. If you ARE reading this now, could you please shoot me a quick e-mail to tell me so and provide feedback? Just click on my email address: [email protected].
Our flagship event, the NN Spring Social, is coming up. This fun and exciting event usually sells out quickly, so keep a lookout for event information and sign up as early as possible.
The COMPASS Newsletter and the Activity List are chock full of wonderful ways to participate in New Neighbors. Sign up and enjoy! Also, please give some thought to leading a NN activity next year or deepening your involvement with the NN organization. Contact me to sign up or to learn more about next year's many volunteer opportunities in New Neighbors.
Kathi
Message from the president FEBRUARY 2016
This issue
landingsnewneighbors .com
Southern Songstress to be featured at upcoming American Traditions Competition NN Luncheon All New Neighbors are invited to lunch at Plantation Club Ballroom on Friday, January 29, at noon to hear Savannah's Southern Songstress Kim Michael Polote, American Traditions Competition's (ATC) 2001 Gold Medal winner. Polote will perform and talk about the ATC and its celebration of the diversity of American vocal music. Learn about one of Savannah's most unique and oldest voice competitions, starting as "Savannah on Stage," transitioning into the "Savannah Music Festival and now as ATC.
Cost to attend is $24 per person to cover the three-course lunch. Tube your check now to 1 Moonbill Lane in Deer Creek. Make your check payable to New Neighbors, LLC and please include your email address and phone number on your check so your attendance can be confirmed.
February 2016
2
Welcome to our newest new neighbors New Neighbor Address From
Eileen & Lee Hyer 13 Riverwatch Lane Macon, GA
Judy & Ron Monaco 4 Clamshell Lane Pottstown, PA
Deb & Jeff Werner 5 Heatherstone Lane Connecticut
The Savannah Philharmonic is pleased to offer New Neighbors a special discount to the Orchestra's March 5 performance with Savannah’s own “Gypsy Jazz” ensemble, Velvet Caravan. This will be an eclectic evening bringing together the music of Johannes Brahms, Django Reinhardt, Johnny Mercer, and more. Velvet Caravan will also debut several original orchestral arrangements featuring members of the Philharmonic as soloists.
Tickets prices range from $16 to $75 before your NN discount. If up to 20 NN sign up, they will receive a 15% discount. If more than 20 sign up, they will receive a 20% discount. If you are interested in attending, please send an email to Mary Jane Rosenbaum at [email protected] by 5 February. In addition, the Philharmonic is offering NN a unique (and free) opportunity to attend the April 29 dress rehearsal for the season finale featuring works by Chopin and Tchaikovsky. Again, if you are interested in attending this no-cost event, please email Mary Jane at the above address.
Savannah Philharmonic offering NN specials to Velvet Caravan jazz ensemble performance & season finale dress rehearsal
The fledgling NN bocce team: Kathi Siegel, Denise and Eric Larson, Pat and Mike Helgeson, and Sheila and Larry Long.
The New Neighbors Walking group braves the thirty-degree weather to search for signs of spring while exploring the Harbor Marina area in January.
Winter Mah Jongg lessons starting in February
The next NN Mah Jongg lesson, divided into three sessions, is scheduled for February 19 and 26, and March 4 at the Deer Creek Ladies Card Room from 9:30am to 11:30am. To sign up, you must commit to attending all three sessions. Materials will be supplied. Club policy is in effect. Please respond to [email protected].
February 2016
3
Spotlight on NN Pickleball
Many New Neighbors have joined the pickleball craze at The Landings. Since last September, more than 50 NN have played in pickleball outings, organized by activity co-chairs Frankie Hale and Tim Sampson. Why do people keep coming out to play? Using his New York shrug, NN Chris Knoblach explains, "Hey, what's not to like about the game? It's good exercise, it's fun, and it's social." What's behind the growing popularity of this sport that none of us had heard of before coming to The Landings? New Neighbors have cited that they appreciate the ease of learning the game, that it doesn't require the mobility of tennis, and it uses an easy underhand serve. Pickleball combines elements of badminton, tennis, and ping-pong. It is played with a small paddle and a wiffle ball on a badminton-size court. Pickleball at The Landings is almost entirely played as doubles (two players per side) and NN pickleball is played as mixed (men and women). One player liked how the game was low impact but still gets the heart rate pumping--and he said he's already lost 10 pounds since picking up the game. Gwen Gissendanner says that the smaller court creates a social atmosphere and it's a sport
that couples can play together. Melissa O'Brien agrees, adding, "It's a sport in which men aren't necessarily better than women, making it easy for couples to play together." (Melissa, by the way, is way better than almost every man on the island.) Pickleball has also gained popularity because it's a game in which multiple family generations can play together, which is perfect when kids, parents, friends, or other relatives come for a visit. Tom and Colleen Richards, for example, have gotten both their kids hooked on pickleball and have great family competitions when they visit. Rich and Simone Heyman introduced their son to the game while he was here in December, and enjoyed running their athletic son all over the court.
Some NNs are simply looking for an activity beyond golf or tennis that is good exercise and social. Eric and Denise Larson, Steve and Brenda Chaplin, Lou and Carol Caputo, and Joel Kantor are among the regulars who enjoy a fun, friendly workout. But few can match the energy and enthusiasm that Murray Stern brings to the court and he generally leaves the premises looking like he just ran a marathon. Even though he's only played a few times, Randy Gladden is already so good that he's being recruited to play with the The Landings Club's recently formed travel team, the Golden Gherkins. The game has also attracted a number of NN tennis players, including Dinah Zapatka and Hannah Burtnik, both of whom fast became formidable picklers. Dinah says that the fast pace of pickleball has helped her tennis game at the net. Dinah is another NN being recruited to play with the Golden Gherkins. Several NNs are also helping promote the growth of
pickleball on the island, in Savannah, and in the region. Melissa O'Brien, Rich Heyman, Mary Beth McGirr, and Tim Sampson are members of the Golden Gherkins team that represent The Landings Club in competitions in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Melissa is serving as the official hostess for a team
visiting The Landings from north Georgia on 16 January, and she, Rich, Mary Beth, and Tim are competing in the matches. The same four have also been heavily involved in planning the Club's first-ever "Pickle
Bowl," a pickleball extravaganza open to all Club members on Sunday, January 17. New Neighbors pickleball is held every Saturday at 4 pm at the Frankin Creek Activity Center and is open to Club members and their guests at all skill levels. The Landings Club has been extremely supportive in growing the sport, and offers many other play times and lessons available to NNs of all skill levels, including beginners. If you are interested in playing NN pickleball, learning more about the game, or playing at times other than 4 pm on Saturdays, contact Tim Sampson ([email protected]) or Frankie Hale ([email protected]).
By Tim Sampson
Pictured, clockwise from l to r, are Melissa O'Brien, Simone Heyman, and Mary Beth McGirr take a breather. Right, Richard Heyman returns a volley. Above, New Neighbors in action.
