Newcomers launch club year, plan variety of activities
By Staff
Submitted, Hartselle Enquirer
The 2007-2008 luncheon meeting of Hartselle Newcomers' Club was Sept. 13 at 10:30 a.m. at The Cabin Grill. Co-presidents Ruth Carlin and Sandy Johnson, called the meeting to order, and member Jean Jenkins gave the blessing prior to lunch being served.
Calhoun Community College sent brochures on community education programs being offered for the fall session. Some of the courses are: "One Stroke Decorative Painting Never Picked up a brush? No problem!", "Introduction to Basic Woodcarving", "Buying Investment Property", "Retirement Planning for Baby Boomers", "$mart Kid$ Financial Basics for Children", "Starting a Pet Sitting Business", "Introduction to the Computer &Internet", "Computer Keyboarding", "How to Sell on eBay the Right Way", "Calligraphy" and many more. For further information, call Donna Bass at 260-2462 or visit them online at www.calhoun.edu/BIS/CommunityEd.
Member Michelle Duryea, activities and field trip director, reported on several trips taken and some that are being planned. Some members traveled to Huntsville on Sept. 14 and attended the Northeast Alabama Craftsman's Association's annual Fall Craft Show (largest holiday craft show in North Alabama.
On Sept. 21, some members met at 9 a.m. at the Depot in Hartselle, and traveled to the Antique and Apple Fest. On Sept. 27, a one-day class for $15 is being offered at Calhoun Community College. The course is from 10 a.m. until noon, and is titled, "Decorating on a Budge." And, on Oct. 4, members are planning to meet again at 9 a.m. at The Depot to visit the Botanical Gardens in Huntsville.
If you are interested in attending this day trip, give Michelle a call at 773-3203 so that appropriate planning and reservations can be made.
The program was presented by the Business Networking International (BNI) Group called Business Alliance of Hartselle. This networking group is made up of nine professional men and women in Hartselle. They are Randy Garrison, advertising manager at the Hartselle Enquirer; Richie Sparkman, attorney at law; Freddie Thomas, Crye*Lieke Real Estate; Annette H. Dean, Nettie's Place; Dona Bonnett, A Digital Reflection Photography and Videography; Dr. Jason Stephenson and Dr. Kimberly Stephenson, Stephenson Chiropractic &Wellness Center, P.C.; Susan P. Neal, independent consultant, Arbonne International Pure Swiss Skin Care; and Joe Sellers, associate agent, Gil Terry &Associates "Nationwide Insurance.
Bonnett is a wedding photography specialist. Her company does baby shoots, senior portraits, family portraits, weddings, groups, special events and corporate productions. She does natural air portraits, DVDs or slide shows, videos, and she customizes the album cover. She can even capture moments to IPOD. Her business is located at 217 Nelson Street NW, and her website is www.adigitalreflection.com. She presented all of the Newcomer members with a $25 gift certificate.
Dean gave an update on her business. Nettie's Place is a career and casual clothing boutique for petite women 5 feet 4 inches and under. She recently closed her Main Street store and is now exclusively taking care of business on the Internet. She refers to her store as The Internet Boutique. Women can order online, or she will continue to travel to a customer's home, office, or another location where the customer is comfortable to shop. She will feature antiques, ladies fashions &accessories, and wholesale direct fine furs. She will also continue offering trunk shows. Dean's website is www.netties-place.net.
Dr. Stephenson, outlined the services he and Dr. Kimberly R. Stephenson offer in their officeas follows: spinal adjustments, extremity adjustments, X-rays, rehab. exercises, muscle stim unit, water massage table, detoxifying foot bath, nutritional supplements, custom made arch supports and infrared sauna technology. Their catch phrase is "Don't let your spine get on your nerves". Their office is located on 807 Rhodes Street.
Neal, gave an informative introduction to the Pure Swiss Skin Care regime that is formulated in Switzerland, but made in the USA. Arbonne offers vitamins, wellness products, men's products, as well as, makeup. They also have a 45- day guarantee on their products. Arbonne has something for everyone…superior, botanically-based products, generous compensation plan, exceptional support, online training and committed leadership. Her e-mail address is spiggneil@yahoo.com.
Sellers gave a brief program on Nationwide, On Your Side, Insurance. They offer auto, home, life, business and general liability insurance. Nationwide is the third largest company for auto insurance and the fifth largest company for home insurance. Nationwide is located at 1416 Highway 31 NW.
Garrison was unable to be at the meeting; however, he sent the Sept. 13 edition of The Hartselle Enquirer for all Newcomer members to have a copy, if they were not already a regular subscriber.
A brief but informative video presentation was given on the very special playground that is in the planning stages. When complete, the Morgan County Special Needs Accessible Playground (SNAP) will allow children with special needs to have a playground that is 100 percent handicapped accessible and offers a comprehensive variety of usable equipment, all in a safe environment. The playground will serve more than 1,700 physically challenged children in Morgan County alone. SNAP will be located at Hartselle's Sparkman Park complex.
The SNAP concept started with the Hartselle Civitan Club in 2002, and in late 2006, three other civic groups in Hartselle committed to a collaborative effort. SNAP is expected to cost $600,000. SNAP is a non-profit organization with funding coming entirely from charitable giving and grants. There are many ways individuals or groups can help make this playground a reality.
For more information on SNAP, to make a donation or to volunteer, visit the Website www.snapplayground.org.
Two door prizes were awarded. Dawn Davidson won a gift certificate for two meals from Captain D's and Charlotte Malone won a bracelet given by Nettie's Place. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be Oct. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Oh!Bryan's Family Steak House. The program will be given by the Hartselle Fire and Rescue and Hartselle Chief of Police.
Should you have any questions, call either Ruth Carlin at 773-8802 or Sandy Johnson at 751-4540.
