FUN WITH SPOUSES AND FRIENDS
ADVENTURES IN DINING
Couples meet approximately every other month at local restaurants to share a night out. What better way to spend an evening out than making new friends and enjoying a good meal in a highly rated restaurant. That is what Adventures in Dining is all about. We meet at a different, notable restaurant to dine as a group and make new friendships over excellent meals. Sign up to receive emails about upcoming dates and events or watch for announcements in the Newcomers Newsletter.
LADIES NIGHT OUT
For those of you looking for a break from the house and a means to meet up with other fabulous ladies of Avon, this is the group for you! Some examples of the things we do include dinner out, movie night, a cocktail party where we learned about flower arranging. Even if you think you will only make it to one event, please sign up so you can pick and choose your fun!
SOCIAL
Look out for information in our newsletter about upcoming social events. The social committee is busy planning lots of exciting events for the year. In the past, they have put together events such as a cooking night at Sur La Table, couples dinner at Buon Appetito, dinner and a comedy show in Hartford. Coming to a social event is a great way to meet new people and a great way for couples to socialize.
MATINEE MADNESS
For everyone who enjoys going to the movies, please join us as we enjoy the latest movies with other newcomers. We meet several times during the year depending on movie schedules. On some days, we have met for coffee before the movie to chat or we can just meet in the lobby of the theatre a little before movie time.
COUPLES CUISINE
We meet several times a year at one hose house for an evening of socializing, food and cocktails. Each couple brings an appetizer or dessert to share with the group and the beverage of their choice. The evening's food centers around a theme, such as a tailgate party, tapas night, fondue holiday celebrations and foods from our favorite chefs. We have some great evenings planned!!!
LUNCH BUNCH
Lunch Bunch enjoys trying different restaurants around our area.
FREE SPIRITS
Free Spirits is an interest group for anyone who is available during the day to explore the different day trip options around connecticut and the surrounding states. We usually plan 4-5 trips for the year and most involve lunch. It is a fun day to mingle with friends and see some sites. Our activities do not always coordinate with the newsletter deadline so please check the encore website at www.avonencore.org and, of course, your email.
FOR THE GUYS
MEN'S POKER
Avon Newcomers Men's Poker is better than ever! We've got some tricks up our sleeve this year including a season-long event (although attendance at each even will not be necessary). We start off with a tournament-style game with cash games to follow. We have a fun group and warmly welcome new members at any time.
MEN'S GOLF
Weather permitting, we play 9 holes every Saturday at 7am at Tunxis Plantation Golf Course in Farmington. Golfers of all abilities are welcome. Come every week, or just every once in a while. We have close to 50 people on our mailing list and active participation of 16 gents weekly. This group is a great way to meet new people and play some golf.
READING
DAYTIME BOOK CLUB
The Daytime Book Club usually meets on the fourth Thursday of the month. We meet jointly with members of Encore. Members take turns as hosts and discussion leaders. We strive for fun and camaraderie, as well as discussion of the book! Please join us even if you haven't finished the book. Our schedule for the year is available on the Encore website (www.avonencore.org). Just click on Interest Groups.
EVENING BOOK CLUB
The Evening Book Club typically meets on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30pm at a member's home. Light refreshments are provided. Please feel free to join us even if you haven't finished reading the book. There is lots of social time before we discuss the book.
HELPING THE COMMUNITY
HELPING HANDS
The Helping Hands Interest Group provides meals and other support for Avon Newcomers' members going through a significant life change...new baby, illness, military deployment, etc. This year, Helping Hands will continue to do what we can to help out the community by holding book and toy drives and volunteering time and talent to Gifts of Love, a local charity that strives to "help meet the basic needs of individuals and families experiencing a temporary financial crisis so they can achieve or maintain self-sufficiency."
FAMILY TIME
SMALL WONDERS
This group organizes field trips and fun activities for moms and kids who are preschool and kindergarten age. Younger siblings are welcome to join in the fun for most events. Past events include apple picking, a trip to Flamig Farm, pumpkin picking at the Pickin' Patch, bumper bowling and a trip to Roaring Brook Nature Center. Please join us for some fun adventures.
PLAYGROUPS
Playgroups are a great way for moms and kids aged 0-5 to get to know other new members of our community. Playgroups are set up and based on age and available days.
GAME TIME
BUNCO
It's Bunco time!!! Never heard of Bunco? It's a fast-paced, easy and fun dice game played all over the country. A group of 12 gather once per month and enjoy great food and spirits and, if you're lucky, you'll go home a winner! Buy-in is typically $5 or $10. No experience is necessary - if you can roll 3 dice, you can play the game. It's a casual, fun night out with other women. Give it a try and you'll be hooked.
DAYTIME CANASTA
For a fun time...try CANASTA!!! We play one morning each month, 9:00am-12:00pm, at different players houses.
EUCHRE
We meet one Saturday night a month at Countryside Park at 7:30pm. Beginners are welcome!! This is a card game that can easily be picked up with a short lesson each night before the game begins. All are welcome to play. Come as a couple or come solo. We can rotate in and out, or there amy be others needing a partner for the night. Bring an appetizer to share and BYOB wine or pop. Everyone puts in $1 for the prize pool.
BRIDGE
Ladies' Evening Bridge meets the second Monday of each month at 7:30pm. Every member has an opportunity to host once during the year.
ACTIVE PURSUITS
FIT, FUN & ADVENTURE
It's time for fun, adventure and fitness! We meet once a week at various trails or nearby neighborhoods to walk, run, roller blade, walk your dog or simply stroll along with new friends, while enjoying the outdoors. Previous outings have included hiking, biking, kayaking, rock climbing and even a spinning and yoga class at a local fitness center. Come join us!
WOMEN'S GOLF
This group typically plays 9 holes on Friday mornings a Tunxis Golf Course in Farmington.
TENNIS
Avon Newcomers has teamed up with Canton Racquet Club for some exciting tennis opportunities. You've seen all your friends wearing those cute tennis skirts around town! Maybe you've thought about learning to play. Now is your chance. Skip the gym. You'll get a workout while taking some beginner clinics and meet some great new friends too! For more experienced players, Canton Racquet offers round robins, singles ladder programs, drill and plays and team tennis.
SKIING
This group is or all skill levels and ages. We will downhill ski at Ski Sundown in New Hartford and cross-country ski at Winding Trails in Farmington.
GET CREATIVE
EVENING SCRAPBOOKING
Got Photos? Join us to get them organized and have fun showing them off in your family's photo albums. No experience necessary. Everyone is welcome. Simple bring along your photos and an album to get started.
YARN & THREAD THERAPY
Would you like to learn to make a scarf or need to finish working on an existing project? Why do the family mending tasks alone. Bring a project or a desire to learn and enjoy great conversation and a good cup of coffee. Our members enjoy working with all kinds of needlecrafts. Beginner or advanced, all are welcome. We meet every Wednesday at 10am at the home of the hostess. Come once in a while or every week.
WRITER'S WORKSHOP
Have you always wanted to write but didn't know how to begin? Or need some inspiration for that scrapbook or poetry or poison pen letter? Come join this group of aspiring writers. We will read and then supportively critique each other's works in progress, do writing exercises, and socialize. We meet once a month.
AVON ENCORE SOCIAL CLUB
Encore is the sister group to Newcomers. We are an active and diverse group of approximately 100 members and growing. We offer FUN and FRIENDSHIP to residents of the Avon area. You can be in Encore whether you have been in Avon 1 week or 5+ years. Many activites include members from both Avon Newcomers and Encore. Dues are $25 a year, but Newcomer Members pay only $15. We look forward to meeting you!!! In order to check out all our activities, visit our website often! www.avonencore.org
