When this year’s Board came into office, we had a course set for the journey ahead of us. Although our route changed, our destination remained the same: provide our Membership with a rewarding experience. We remained true to our vision in providing our Membership opportunities to form new and lasting friendships and provide avenues for Community involvement. The course was a little rocky at times, but through digital platforms like Facetime and ZOOM we were successful in providing an avenue for our Membership to remain engaged with our interest groups, Community Outreach Programs and more importantly each other.
One positive outcome from these challenging times is that Newcomers found avenues to offer support to our Community by initiating the student desk program, helping spread Holiday joy through our “We Believe in Estes Park” efforts and assisting Trail Ridge Quilters with their online sales. COVID may have stopped us from being able to engage in activities as a group, but it did not stop us from being able to continue as an Organization supporting our Members and the Community.
The next phase of our journey is the upcoming election of officers for the 2021/2022 term and identifying organizers for our interest groups. Interestingly, it takes about 50 people to support our organization. There are administrators, planners, accountants, writers and tech wizards. There are those who seek out local cuisines, entertainment, and guest speakers from our Community. There are those who organize hikes, book clubs, quilters, photography groups and games. There are even those organize special outings and opportunities to serve within our Community.
There are several steps to the election process.
The first step is the appointment of a Nominating Committee consisting of five active Members within the Club. Those serving in this role are:
- Drew Webb
- Barb Prentiss
- Barry Power
- Judy Shipman
- Donna Bryson
The next step is where the nominating committee prepares a slate of nominees interested in serving as officers for the next year. Additionally, the nominating committee will create an inventory of skills and interests of those within our Membership who are willing to support our interest groups.
Once the Nominating Committee has completed their work, the slate of nominees will be announced, and an election will be held at the April General Membership Meeting. I am sure that you are asking “will Newcomers actually have a Membership Meeting?” The answer is yes. The Board will continue to monitor the restrictions imposed by COVID and make a determination as to if the meeting will be held in-person or via ZOOM. Once the election takes place, the newly elected officers will take office on June 1st. Please watch your email and our website for details on how we will conduct the General Membership meeting.
If you would like to learn more about leading one of our many Interest Groups, please reach out to our VP of Activities at activities@estesparknewcomers.org. Or if you would like to learn more about a leadership position on the Board, please reach out to the Nominating Committee at nominating@estesparknewcomers.org
As President of this Club, I have found serving on this Board to be an enriching and rewarding experience with memories that will last a lifetime. If becoming more involved in this Club is of interest to you, then I encourage you to join us on this amazing journey.
Debbi
In the face of a very difficult year, we want to thank all our members who stepped up and demonstrated faith in continuing the legacy of the Newcomers Club of Estes Park. Our in-person Club-sponsored activities were limited but it provided us the opportunity to introduce and implement Community Outreach initiatives. These trying times have provided opportunities to reach out to the Community to provide some happiness and hope in times like we are facing. As examples:
We Believe in Estes Park – In spite of holiday events and activities being cancelled and a decrease in our Club funds, Newcomers came together to spread joy and happiness during the Holiday Season. Newcomers participated in the tree lighting ceremony, Catch the Glow Festival of Lights which was held at the fairgrounds which attracted almost 4,000 vehicles and 15,000 people. Additionally, Newcomers developed Holiday videos, answered letters to Santa and supported the activities of the Polar Express.
Lots A Helping Hands – Provides the opportunity for members to volunteer to offer assistance for people in need whether it be meal delivery, rides to appointments, or just drop a line or stop by to say hello and offer support to the family.
Trail Ridge Quilters - The Newcomers sponsored two online sales events which made this year’s fundraising activities possible. These online events enabled Trail Ridge Quilters to hold their annual Winter and Spring sales during the COVID 19 health crisis while observing social distancing. On January 4, the Trail Ridge Quilters presented a check for $9,000 to the Estes Park Health Foundation. These funds were utilized to immediately purchase important supplies and equipment for Estes Park Health Home Care, Rehab Therapy, EMS Ambulance and the EPHF Coronavirus & Subsequent Emergency Response Fund.
In addition, the club has offered virtual gatherings for some of our interest groups, such as book clubs, men’s poker, board games, photography and Trivia Tuesdays groups. These groups remain strong and have been meeting via Zoom on a regular basis.
Fellow Newcomers members Melissa and Wally Wood were weekly volunteers at the Estes Park Elementary School prior to the COVID crisis. Seeing the challenges and how virtual learning has become so difficult for students, teachers and parents they found a way to contribute to student success at EPES.
Melissa became inspired after seeing an article about a person who had downloaded plans from the “Desks for Dads” Facebook page and began building desks for children to use in their homes.
Recognizing the need for a designated learning space at home for children they decided to build custom desks for anyone with a need. These desks provide children a workplace of their own where they can sit down and creatively personalize them in their own way. It also gives them a little bit more pride and motivation in wanting to actually do their work. It is difficult for a child to learn remotely when sitting at the dining room table, on the floor or in bed. The goal is to give children a place to get their work done.
Response from the community and EPES has been overwhelming and very supportive. Feedback from schools and parents indicate the need for children to have a quiet and private place to do homework, draw, read and have time to themselves. This need will remain as back to school learning gradually returns. Investing in children is one of the best things we can do. The dividends last a lifetime, both for the children and our society. If having their own study desk helps then we’ve done a good thing.
Melissa presented a new Community Outreach initiative to the Board with the recommendation that Newcomers adopt the student desk program and provide another opportunity for Newcomers to help our Community during these trying times. The Board voted unanimously to adopt this new initiative to provide desks for students and families in need within the Estes Park School system.
Melissa and Walley report their 25th completed desk was delivered last week and a new batch is underway.
We think more children will request desks, for homework, and with these new COVID strains, school may close again before Teachers & Students & Families get vaccinated.
Here's how to get involved:If you would like to build desks, contact Wally/Melissa at 513.382.7727 or rmwwood@gmail.com. They will give you all the information you need to get started. Newcomers members would be responsible for the purchase of the supplies and construction of the desks on an individual basis. The Club will fund the initial cost of the supplies for the desks and if you wish will reimburse you for the materials, up to $30 per desk.
If you aren't able to build desks but would like to support this Community Outreach effort, we are reaching out to our Membership asking for donations to help fund this project. To make a donation, click here. Funds received in excess of those needed for this project will support future Community Outreach initiatives.
Thank you for your generosity in supporting the student desk project and future programs in which we can continue to support our Community.
The Estes Park Newcomer Board is pleased to announce a brand new member service called LotsaHelpingHands. This new service is available to all active and graduate members of Newcomers.
We know that Estes Park Newcomers is the place to make lifelong friendships, jexplore our Valley and give back to our community. But, at its core, Newcomers is an organization of people who care for and support each other. Since 1965, Newcomers have been asking for help when needed and giving assistance in return to our felllow members. LotsaHelpingHands is an independent website that offers a way to continue this tradition.
Here are just some of the ways the service can be used by our members and alumni:
- Providing meals to members who are recuperating from illness or surgery
- Providing rides to/from appointments or the grocery store
- Pet sitting or house sitting
- Help with technology -- from how to use your new iPhone to installing and using your new Echo
- Help around the house -- moving furniture, hanging a picture, assembling anything from Ikea
If you need a hand, just send an email to membership@estesparknewcomers.org with the details. You don't need a LotsaHelpingHands account, and you don't even need to go to the LotsaHelpingHands website. When you email your request, it will be posted on the calendar so that fellow Newcomers can see it and volunteer to help. When you reach out, please provide the following information:
- Your name, address, email address and phone
- What you need help with
- When you need that help: day, time, etc.
- Any other pertinent information
If you’re available to help, you will need to set up a LotsaHelpingHands website account. Then you can check the LotsaHelpingHands calendar regularly and click on the “volunteer” icon to let the requester know that you will be helping out.
Click here for more information or go to the EstesParkNewcomers.org website and click on "LotsaHelpingHands" under "Quick Links". You'll find three short informational videos:
- An introduction to LotsaHelpingHands
- Creating an account
- How to navigate the website
If you have any questions, please contact membership@estesparknewcomers.org
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
To join or see the members of this group, sign-in below.
Join us on Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. for online trivia! Compete against other Newcomers and answer questions from different categories including Arts, Geography, Science, History, Entertainment and General Knowledge. You can sign on early (via Zoom), and team up with other Newcomer households, or invite other family and friends to be on your team (maximum of four team members) to help you take home the travelling trophy "art piece" to display until you can gladly pass it off to the next winner. In less than an hour you can be humbled or be feeling pretty impressed with yourself, and it's all free and fun! Hope to "see" you then!
For more information, contact Melissa Wood (513-382-7727) or by email at trivia@estesparknewcomers.org.
To join or see the members of this group, sign-in below.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of my fellow Newcomers! This time of year traditionally means visiting with family and friends, enjoying holiday foods such as turkey, cranberries, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, and reflecting on the people and things for which we are grateful … And let’s not forget cheering on our favorite football teams!
This has been a very difficult year, and we appreciate the ongoing support of our members who have stepped up and demonstrated faith in continuing the legacy of our organization. Let’s all put this year behind us and enjoy a Thanksgiving Day filled with laughter and joy, great conversation, grateful hearts, and a renewed appreciation for all that life has to offer. Most importantly, don’t forget about the little things that have brought each of us peace of mind, joy, and satisfaction.
This has been a year of uncertainties, but there are still things to be grateful for, like the thousands of people that came to our aid during the devastating wildfires which threatened our beloved Town and Rocky Mountain National Park. We should be forever grateful for friends, family, and people we don’t even know who came together for the common good of helping each other out. We are blessed to be living in this warm mountain community where people genuinely care for one another.
As this Covid crisis continues, we must make the difficult decision to suspend all in-person Club-sponsored gatherings through the end of 2020. This does not mean that all activities have been suspended. We will continue to offer virtual gatherings for some of our interest groups, such as book clubs, men’s poker, board games, and photography groups. These groups remain strong and have been meeting via Zoom on a regular basis. We will continue to offer additional virtual activities throughout this year and for the foreseeable future, so please check out the “What’s Going On” section on our website for updates.
The decision to suspend all in-person Club sponsored activities was difficult, especially with the holidays approaching, but the decision was made to protect our Members and the Community.
In these difficult times there are still some very exciting and positive activities taking place, such as:
WE BELIEVE IN ESTES PARK:
The “We Believe in Estes Park” planning committee, in conjunction with the Town, has been working on the development of COVID-safe activities for this holiday season. As in previous years, Estes Park Newcomers is making appearances by our very own Santa and Mrs. Claus (Al Davis and Barb Prentiss) available to our local children. These include the stationary “Catch the Glow” parade, which will be held at the fairgrounds, and the customary downtown tree lighting ceremony. Santa’s Elves will be appearing in video productions to be shared with friends and families, answering letters to Santa, decorating the “We Believe Inn” behind Town Hall, and providing decorations at the entrance of “Catch the Glow” at the fairgrounds. We will also be providing life-size cutouts of Santa, Mrs. Claus, and reindeer for taking selfies; these will be located at Mary Jane’s and the Wild Horse Gift Shop. Additionally, we are excited to announce that Cowboy Brad (Brad Fitch), will deliver a very special Holiday message as part of the video productions!
For those who may be new to town and to Newcomers, “We Believe in Estes Park” is a community outreach project of the Estes Park Newcomers Club. Since 2018, the Club has partnered with the Town of Estes Park to celebrate the holiday spirit, while supporting several local non-profit organizations that bring comfort to our mountain community.
LOTSAHELPINGHANDS:
One of the Newcomers outreach initiatives this year was to institute a program for fellow Newcomers to reach out and provide help and support to one another and the community. Through the combined efforts of our Membership and Technology teams, we are launching the LotsaHelpingHands link on our Newcomers website. If you are in need or are willing to offer help/support to your fellow Newcomers, please check out the LotsaHelpingHands link under the “quick links” section on the Newcomers website.
TRAIL RIDGE QUILTERS UPDATE:
Newcomers and Trail Ridge Quilters just completed another successful online sale. I want to thank everyone who participated in this annual fall fundraising event. This was another huge success, and we are honored to be able to help the Trail Ridge Quilters continue with their mission to support the Estes Park Health Foundation. A total of $4,081.08 was raised to support their efforts.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW BOARD MEMBER:
I am happy to introduce to you our newest Board Member, Cynthia Hunt. Cynthia will be serving as a Member-at-Large, providing support to our Activities Committee in their Community Outreach initiatives.
I wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Debbi Stalder
President
Tis the Season for “We Believe in Estes Park”
Your Newcomers “We Believe in Estes Park” planning team and other town organizations have been hard at work to come up with COVID-safe activities this holiday season. In the past, members and alumni have generously given their time to support We Believe and the many events that happen around town during the holiday season. While the number of events is reduced this year, the need for volunteers is as great as ever. All the details can be found here.
For those who may be new to town and Newcomers, “We Believe in Estes Park” is a community outreach project of the Estes Park Newcomers Club. Since 2018, the Club has partnered with the Town of Estes Park to celebrate the holiday spirit, while supporting several local non-profit organizations that support our mountain community.
Due to COVID-19, the Town’s holiday plans have been altered to make sure the holiday spirit is kept alive while keeping our community safe. First, the Town will be hosting a stationary “Catch the Glow” parade at the Fairgrounds. The stationary parade will allow visitors to drive through the Fairgrounds to see the many wonderful floats which normally progress down Elkhorn Avenue the day after Thanksgiving. Upon entering the east side of the Fairgrounds, visitors will be greeted by Santa from his holiday cabin during the six evenings that the parade is open.
Next, in lieu of visiting with Santa at the We Believe Inn, we will be collaborating with Mary Jane’s to host life-size standup cut-outs of Santa, Mrs. Claus, and a holiday reindeer for locals and visitors to take safe “selfie” photos for the holidays. We are also still in discussions with the American Legion about Santa’s presence at the annual “Tiny Tots with Santa” event.
Additionally, right after Thanksgiving we will host North Pole direct delivery mailboxes around town where children can drop off letters to Santa. All letters put in the North Pole mailboxes by December 20th will receive a reply from Santa, along with autographed photos from Santa, Mrs. Claus, and elves.
Finally, with the help of past president Bob Fulton, we are creating a series of Santa, Mrs. Claus, and elf videos that the Town and other groups in Estes Park can post and invite families to enjoy. The details and scrips of each video are being developed, and we hope to post the first one on the Friday after Thanksgiving. We are very excited that Cowboy Brad is going to join us in one of the videos!
In order to make all of this happen and bring the holiday spirit to the children in our amazing town, we need some equally amazing volunteers for the following activities:
- Happy, joyful elves to be actors in the video productions - November 14th and 15th.
- Elves to collect mail and write personalized return letters to the children - November 28th through December 20th.
- Male Newcomers to make “Santa” phone calls to local children – dates TBD.
We hope you will consider volunteering your time for some of these activities and helping our community find joy at the end of a challenging year for so many. If you are interested in any of these opportunities to support our town, you can sign up here. If you have questions, please email the We Believe team at webelieve@estesparknewcomers.org
The Newcomers COVID Committee met this week to review updates from State/Local authorities and make recommendation to the Board regarding personal gatherings. Current statistics show that more counties and cities across Colorado are tightening COVID-19 restrictions as cases, hospitalizations and positivity rates continue a significant upward trend. As a result of this, The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has ordered Larimer County to move from the “Safer at Home” Level 1 status to Level 2 status, which imposes stricter restrictions on group gatherings. If you have not visited the Larimer County COVID site, there is a lot of great information which is updated daily.
Given this information plus the fact that the majority of our Membership recently evacuated to densely populated areas, the Board has made the decision to suspend all Club sponsored in-person gatherings through the end of the 2020 year. This action was taken to protect our Members and the community at large as we enter the Holiday Season. Since Newcomers is one of the largest social clubs in the Estes Valley, it is important that we lead by example and do our part to follow guidelines designed to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.
We will continue with our mission of helping our members make new friends and learn about the community through our ongoing virtual activities, which are posted on our calendar. If you have any suggestions for new and innovative ways we can interact together virtually, please reach out to our Activities Committee at Activities@estesparknewcomers.org
As we enter the Holiday Season, we will be offering opportunities for our Members to become involved, virtually, with the “We Believe In Estes Park” activities. Please look for further communications regarding this.
The COVID Committee continues to closely monitor state and local updates and any new information will be passed along to our Members via Facebook, the Newcomers website and email communications.
This has been an unprecedented year and through it all we have endured, remained strong and have lot to be thankful for!
Shop 'til you drop at the Fall Trail Ridge Quilters and Estes Valley Quilt Guild online sale. With over 500 handmade items available, you are sure to find something to decorate your home for the holidays or the perfect gift. Items include quilts, baby blankets, masks, table runners, napkins, pot holders and more. Everything has been crafted locally by members of Trail Ridge Quilters and the Estes Valley Quilt Guild.
The website will go live on October 25th and you can purchase items until October 31st. Proceeds go to support the Estes Valley Health Foundation and will be used to provide additional services and purchase new equipment. On the shopping site, you can also make a donation to Estes Park Health.
We thank you for your support of our local quilters and our local hospital.