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Alumni Group of Newcomers (AGN)Opportunities for Active PeopleNew Bern, NCMarch 2016President’s MessageAs I write this letter (February 14) I certainly hope weather conditionsimprove by the date of our next AGN event. Since my thermometershows 21 degrees, I have no intention of leaving my home today.Members of the AGN social committee have been searching diligentlyfor new venues and finally made arrangements. I believe mostmembers will be pleased. The Spring Brunch will be held at the NewBern Country Club on Sunday, March 13, commencing at noon.Additional information is found in this Newsletter. At a cost of 10, theSpring Brunch is a real bargain. Make your reservations as soon aspossible.Finally, as last year, we will have a brief business meeting for electionof the 2016-2017 AGN officers.Jim Wittmeyer (golfwitt@gmail.com)

Please check the appropriate activity description on the following pages fordetails about these events:Mar 1Mar 1Mar 3Mar 3Mar 7Mar 8Mar 8Mar 10Mar 12Mar 13Mar 15Mar 15Mar 15Mar 16Mar 17Mar 17Mar 21Mar 22Mar 22Mar 23Mar 24Mar 24Mar 24Mar 29Mar 29Mar 31Mar 31Tennis (Recreational), 8:30 amChess 4 Way, 7 pm, Books-a-MillionTennis (Challenge), 8:30 amSingles Mingles, 10 am, Baker's KitchenScrabble, 12:30 pm, Books-a-MillionTennis (Recreational), 8:30 amChess 4 Way, 7 pm, Books-a-MillionTennis (Challenge), 8:30 amOutdoor Adventure, Ranger Station, Croatan National ForestBrunch, 12 Noon, New Bern Country ClubTennis (Recreational), 8:30 amSingles Mingles, 5 pm, Spunky McDoogle'sChess 4 Way, 7 pm, Books-a-MillionBoaters, 10 am, Tour of Marine VendorsTennis (Challenge), 8:30 amMexican Train Dominoes, 7 pmScrabble, 6 pm, Schlotzsky's DeliChess 4 Way, 7 pm, Books-a-MillionTennis (Recreational), 8:30 am"Original” Book Club, 1 pm, The VisitorsTennis (Challenge), 8:30 amNew Book Club, 1 pm, Ordinary GraceWine Tasting, 6:00 pm, Cravin' WineChess 4 Way, 7 pm, Books-a-MillionTennis (Recreational), 8:30 amTennis (Challenge), 8:30 amDining Out, 5:30 pm, Amos Mosquito's

Come for an elegant brunch at the New Bern Country Club4301 Country Club Rd. New BernSunday March 13, 2016Mimosas will be served at 12 noonBrunch will begin at 12:30pmBrunch includes seasonal fruit platter, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, grits,breakfast potatoes, southern style biscuits and assorted Danish pastries.Juice, coffee, tea, water and soda will be provided.Cost: 10.00 Guests 19.50Make check payable to Newcomers AGN. Send the check to Mickie Wittmeyer,225 Bandon Dr. New Bern NC 28562 by the deadline of March 4, 2016. Havequestions? Call Mickie at 288-5652or e-mail dmwittmeyer@hotmail.comNO REFUNDS OR WALK INS

The Newcomers Alumni Club offers a variety of activity groups designed not onlyto provide you with new friends and fun, but also opportunities to learn, lead andmost importantly, laugh! You may participate in as many activities as you desire.We also offer special activities throughout the year.If you have a suggestion for a new activity, and you are willing to lead the group,please contact one of our Activity Directors:Betty Todd:252-288-5502Thetoddfamily10@gmail.comHow do you sign up? To join a group, just come to the next AlumniNewcomers meeting on January 18 and sign up with one of the activity leaders,or contact an activity leader or co-chair directly.Following is a description of the activity groups currently available including anyscheduled events/activities.

Purpose: The Newcomers/Alumni Bicycling Group is forthose individuals who like to get exercise while enjoying thescenery around New Bern. We feature 'no drop' rides-which means we don't leave anyone behind! We have beenworking to design options that allow more serious bikers toenjoy a longer distance at a faster pace, but also provide a choice for more leisurelyriders to go at a more comfortable pace. We take breaks as needed. Routes will vary,allowing participants the chance to see different neighborhoods and the surroundingcountrysideRequested Gear:1.A working bicycle (brakes, gears) with adequate safety items - lights, reflectors2.3.4.A Helmet is mandatory.Carry adequate water (minimum – 1 pt. / 500 ml).Casual clothing (shorts) and top with bright colors.Air pumps and/or lights are an option.Meeting Place:A group email, including directions to a starting point, is sent out for weekend rides.We would love to have you join us!Activity LeaderHomeKeith JacksonDave Gerde252-288-4371Dave .comScheduled Events:The activity leaders check the weather and weigh other factors as to when an event canbe scheduled. Due to these factors, events are scheduled with short time frames (within1 to 2 weeks.) So have your helmet ready!

Newcomers/AGN Boaters GroupThe Boaters Group held its annual summer picnic at Jerry & Marci Crawford's house inRiverbend. We had a great turnout for the picnic despite the monsoons.We are in the process of planning our proposed Agenda for the 2015-2016 BoatingSeason with many exciting events being looked into. We hope to have a good mix ofboating activities, a couple of overnight land cruises as well as a number of interestingday trips to visit area attractions tied in with some visits to area restaurants. In addition tothese activities we are going to try and schedule a couple educational talks dealing withboating in local waters and other boating topics of interestYou must be a member of the Boater’s Group to participate in Group activities and youmust be a member of either the AGN or Newcomers Club to be a member of the BoatersGroup.Activity LeaderHomeKeith JacksonCell573-795-1837Emailjacksk59@yahoo.comBill McHale (AGN)252-288-6549 304-541-8321bmchale@aol.comGary Todd (AGN)252-288-5502 603-380-5438thetoddfamily10@gmail.comBoaters Calendar for the Season.

This tour is for the DIY Boating GuyTour Rusty Ron’s Marine Surplus; visit Ace Marine Rigging & Supply, followed bylunch at the Pita Plate restaurant, Morehead City.This tour is to familiarize boaters (who don't mind getting their hands dirtyworking on their boats) with local marine vendors. Both stops include a variety ofmarine overstock items, new parts, materials and supplies that are used torepair, maintain and improve your boat. The prices charged typically are lessthan West Marine and the variety of products they have in stock is astounding.Date - Wednesday March 16th, starting at 10 AM, Rusty Ron’s, 11 AM, AceMarine Rigging & Supply, followed by lunch at 12 noon, at the Pita Platerestaurant.Rusty Ron’s Marine Surplus – 5018 Mattie St, Morehead City, NC 28557Ace Marine Rigging & Supply – 600 Arendell St, Morehead City, NC 28557Pita Plate – 5167 Hwy 70W (in Belk’s shopping center), Morehead City, NC28557Please RSVP - Gary Todd by March 14th, thetoddfamily10@gmail.com, or 252288-5502

The “Original Book Group” meets on the 4th Wednesday of the month inmembers’ homes The next meeting of the "Original" Book Group will beheld on March 23 at 1:00 PM at the home of Nan Schoenleber . We will bediscussing The Visitors by Sally Beauman. Please let Nan know if youplan to attend (nanschoenl@earthlink.net). Alumni has formed a “new” book club which meets 1-3 pm on the 4thThursday of each month. On March 24, we will be discussing OrdinaryGrace by William Kent Krueger at the home of one of our members. If youare interested in joining this group please notify either Esther Wilsonat elske52@hotmail.com or Jan Manning at janmanning@suddenlink.net.Chess 4 WayThis activity is for those who wish to learn about and play a variation of standard chesscalled 4 Way Chess that is played with 4 players at once. Prior knowledge of standardchess is helpful, but not required.DATEEvery TuesdayTIMEWHERE7:00 PMBooks-A-MillionContact the Activity Leader for more information:Activity LeaderCarmine BuscemiDennis il.commipj49@yahoo.com

Dining Out is an opportunity to enjoy learning about the restaurants in New Bern and thesurrounding areas. It’s a chance to taste the chef’s choice and enjoy the company ofother alumni. Each month a new place is planned for your dining pleasure for eitherlunch or dinner (or breakfast).March 31 (Thursday), 5:30 pmDinner at Amos Mosquito'sTripAdvisor rates Amos Mosquito's the #1 restaurant in Atlantic Beach. Theirmenu features modern American cuisine with a southern flair, including shrimpand grits, brown sugar glazed meatloaf, southern fried pork chops and, of course,a wide variety of seafood. A highlight of Thursday nights is their popular freshlyrolled sushi. The restaurant has a nice view of the sound and the service isexcellent. Please join us on Thursday, March 31, for an enjoyable diningexperience. Amos Mosquito's is at 703 E. Fort Macon Rd. Atlantic Beach.Important Note: Amos Mosquito's does not accept reservations, but we will arrive earlyto hold our tables. We anticipate little, if any, wait time. Please RSVP to Bill Blakefield atwblakefield@gmail.com by March 29 if you wish to attend. (It will be helpful if you includethe words "dining out" in your reply.)Mexican Train DominoesActivity LeadersTerri WattsEsther om252-288-4303252-288-6715The goal is to have fun while playing Mexican Train Dominoes. Dominoes are asimple, easy to learn game played by people of all ages for centuries. You sit ata table of 6; you do not play with partners. The object of the game is to be thefirst player to place all of their dominoes. Dominoes may be placed onto theplayer's train, onto the Mexican train if available, or on the trains of other playersunder special circumstances. This game is a great way to socialize in a smallgroup. We are seeking a total of 18 players, divided into groups of six to play atone of the three Hosts’ houses. This event is patterned after the “Dining In”concept. By participating, you agree to host at least one game night. After all

have signed up, a simplified matrix, modified from the “Dining In” matrix, will bedistributed, to assign the Hosts and guests for each game night. The Host willprovide a dessert (and a table for six players). The other players will bring anappetizer or snacks to be shared, PLUS any beverage that you would like todrink that evening.Participants will be notified by e-mail of the location prior to the event. Activity isheld the 3rd Thursday of the month and will start at 7:00 pm. Advance sign-up orshow of interest by e-mail is required.To sign up for Mexican Train Dominoes or to indicate interest in future Dominoesevents, contact the Activity Leader by e-mail or phone.This month’s Mexican Train Dominoes will be held on Thursday, February 18.Throughout the September – May season, we try to choose outdoor activitiesthat are appealing to everyone. The adventures are not competitive in nature.The adventures have included: kayaking/ canoeing, hiking, kite flying, bicycleriding, and boat rides. We either bring our lunch or stop by a nearby restaurant.We don’t have participants sign up unless it is an activity that must be morestringent in head count. Our slogan is “No sign-up, just show up at the event”and rain-out is constituted by already raining or bad outlook during the time of theadventure.OUTDOOR ADVENTURESaturday, March 12, 10:00 a.m.Starting out at the Ranger Station at Croatan National Forest on Route 70 Westand East Fisher AvenueDistrict Ranger Jim Gumm will be our tour guide.Directions to Ranger Station: Take Rt. 70 E from New Bern. Starting from the railroad trackson the highway in James City, drive about 7.5 miles. Look for sign on right saying NATIONALFOREST RANGER STATION NEXT LEFT.Following the Croatan National Forest tour, we will proceed to the AviationHeritage Foundation for a tour in Havelock, Route 70 East and Tourist CenterDrive.