The Newcomers Club ended 2019 with a fabulous Holiday party in December.  Hosts Jennifer and Michael Beggs of Crosswoods Drive set the bar high for future Lake Barcroft events by successfully hosting an environmentally-friendly party for approximately 70 guests using no single use items. Their home was beautifully decorated with multiple Christmas trees, pine swags, and décor to set the mood. Conversation was lively as guests enjoyed drinks and main courses of ham, roast beef, salmon, and baked ziti provided by the club and an impressive array of appetizers, sides, and desserts provided by the guests. Matt Friedman once again provided ample entertainment as Santa, hosting a White Elephant Gift Exchange with Katie Boggs as the elf. Characteristic of Lake Barcroft, the popular items included an electric wine bottle opener, a set of cheese knives, and a wine bottle wearing an ugly Christmas sweater. Marilyn Di Paulo proved to be the best present picker as her gifts were stolen seven times and Ginger Hayes gave all a chuckle as she declared that she was regifting her prize to her mother-in-law.

The next Newcomers Club event will be the annual Chili and Cornbread Cook-off, which is tentatively planned for February or early March.  You do not want to miss this event as Lake Barcroft residents always come through with impressively creative and delicious entries for this competition. Keep an eye on Lakelink, Facebook, and email for official announcement of the date and location. Other events in work for 2020 include a Whisky Tasting and Poker Night.

Anticipated improvements to the Newcomers Club operations for 2020 include establishment of club by-laws, addition of at-large members to the board, and implementation of a customer relationship management tool. Through these additions, we hope to improve accuracy of membership data, improve communications with members, and ease event planning and execution. We hope you will seek greater involvement in our awesome community by joining the board as an at-large member. If interested in learning more about this opportunity, please email LBNewcomers@gmail.com or join us for a board meeting in late January (date, time, and location to be announced via email, Lakelink, and Facebook). As always, if you have any questions about the Newcomers Club, please email LBNewcomers@gmail.com.