NELSON, USA CLUB

Jan 1 New Year’s Day
Jan 18 Martin Luther King Day
Feb 14 Valentine’s Day
Feb 15 Presidents’ Day
Apr 4 Easter Sunday
May 31 Memorial Day
Jul 4 Independence Day
Jul 5 ‘Independence Day’ observed
Sep 6 Labor Day
Oct 11 Columbus Day
Oct 31 Halloween
Nov 2 Election Day
Nov 11 Veterans Day
Nov 25 Thanksgiving Day
Dec 24 ‘Christmas Day’ observed
Dec 25 Christmas Day
Dec 31 ‘New Year’s Day’ observed

Dale & Bruce Morine are Kiwis who have resided in Atlanta, Georgia, for many years and who are active, founding members of the New Zealand-American Association there. NZAA/ATL got its start assisting the NZ Olympic effort in 1996, before & during the Atlanta Olympic Summer Games and has continued as an active organization.

Subject: American Field Service Student

Dear Family and Friends

We are contacting you on behalf of some extremely good friends who are in a situation of need, and it maybe that you, or someone you know could help. Read more

July 4th this year is on a Saturday so be prepared for a party! Details will be sent with plenty of notice – and if you’d like to be involved with ideas/planning, please let me know. Please also extend this invitation to any American friends living in Nelson.

From Valerie & Ron Van Til (club members):

We cannot come to the Thanksgiving dinner but thought this might be fun to share. This was copied from an email from a long time friend of mine in the States…since I know her and this daughter, it makes this even more precious. Have a lovely gathering.
Valerie

One November afternoon when my daughter was in kindergarten, I picked her up after school. She bobbed out to the car and crawled into the back seat.”What did you do today?” I asked. She couldn’t wait to tell me. “We learned that boys are different from girls,” she chirped. Looking into the rearview mirror, I could just see the top of her head. “My teacher told us that boys have a thing the girls don’t,” she added.

“Well, yes they do…” I said cautiously. I couldn’t think of anything else to say, so we were quiet for a moment. Then she piped up again. “That’s how girls know that boys are boys,” she said. “They see that thing that hangs down and they know that he is a boy.” I mentally calculated the distance home. Our five-minute commute already felt like an hour. “Did you know that when the boys see a girl they puff up?”

My palms were beginning to sweat. “Um…well…” I was still searching for something new to say, to change the subject, when she asked, “Why do the girls like the boys to have those things?”

Well I didn’t know what to say. I mean, what woman hasn’t asked herself that question at least once?
“Oh, well…um…” I stammered.

She didn’t wait for my answer. She had her own. “It’s cause it moves when they walk and then the girls see that and that’s when they know they are boys and that’s when they like them. Then the boy sees the girl and he puffs up, and then the girl knows he likes her, too. And then they get married. And then they get cooked.”

That last part confused me a bit, but on the whole I thought she had a pretty good grasp on things.

As soon as we got home and I pulled into the garage, she hopped out of the car, fishing something out of her school bag. “I drew a picture,” she said. “Do you want to see?” I wasn’t sure I did, but I looked at it anyway. I had to sit down.

There, all puffed up so to speak, looking mighty attractive for the ladies, was a crayon drawing of a great big Tom Turkey. His snood, the thing that hangs down over his beak, the thing that female turkeys find so irresistible, was magnificent. His tail feathers were standing tall and proud.

She was a little offended that I laughed so hard at her drawing, and I laughed until I cried. But when I told her I loved it – and I did – she
got over her pique. That was the end of that, for her anyway. But I’m not so lucky. Every year I remember that conversation. And to be honest, I haven’t looked at a turkey, or a man, the same way since.

Bring your family and join us for a beautiful traditional Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday 27 November at 623 on the Rocks restaurant in Tahunanui. Nelson, USA Club members will be dining any time between 5.30pm-8.30pm so please pass this message on to any Americans living in Nelson that may be dreaming of roast turkey at this time of year.

We will be served roast turkey breast with a sage & chestnut stuffing on a creamy potato mash, with buttered peas, honey glazed carrots finished with cranberry sauce and topped off with a warm dinner roll. Then enjoy pumpkin pie served with vanilla icecream and whipped cream for dessert for the total of $19.90 per head ($14.90 for a half-size portion).

Please note that 623 on the Rocks restaurant requires your booking by Wednesday 26 at 12 noon. Each booking will need to clearly state you are booking for the thanksgiving dinner, the time, and the number of people dining.

Bookings can be taken by email thanksgiving@623.co.nz or by phoning 548-6230.

Are you new to New Zealand…
…with no network of relatives and friends to support you?
Do you want to meet new friends?
Do you need some help settling in?
Are you interested in fun activities?
If so, why not become a part of it…
As a new immigrant, or as a newcomer from another part of New Zealand, you are welcome to join your local Newcomers Network. We would like you to feel at home and to settle well into your new environment.
New Zealand Newcomers Network can offer you friendship and support through various activities. You may also get support with settlement issues. You are welcome, regardless of your age, your nationality or the language you speak. Becoming part of this is just a phone call or email away….

How can I find out more? Visit our website: http://www.newcomers.co.nz/ or Email us….

Nelson: nelson@newcomers.co.nz
Marlborough: marlborough@newcomers.co.nz
Rotorua: rotorua@newcomers.co.nz

The Nelson Citizens Advice Bureau are currently looking for new volunteers.

Training will begin in March so if you have some spare time and enjoy helping people please phone Jill 03 544 8273 or Suzy 03 548 2117 for an application form, job description and interview. Applications close 22 Feb.

I have been organizing an auction to raise money to help re-open the Nelson Women’s Center which was apparently “set fire to” and damaged so much it had to close its doors. The Center houses Rape Crisis Services, Domestic Violence Sevices, provided a networking area, an op shop, and a series of classes ranging from homeopathy for menopause to flax weaving and self-defense.

A music fundraiser is planned for Sunday May 20 at the Boathouse from 4 to 7 where the auction items will be displayed. Thanks for being part of our Circle Of Giving Auction.

It’s been a wonderful year of club events and getting to know each other.  We will get-together again for a Valentine’s Day event at the beach and meet the new families who have signed up since our Halloween party.  Have a fun Christmas and please stay safe on the roads over the holiday break. 

Fred & Adrienne Ford
Pam & Scottie Chapman
Nelson, USA Club (Founding Families) 

Unfortunately, our Thanksgiving Picnic was rained out.  Hopefully we’ll have better luck next year!