Book club members have been fortunate to continue reading together and meeting virtually over the past year. This month, we expand our reading circle by participating in the One Book, One Holliston community read program through the Holliston Public Library. The 2021 selection is, Say I’m Dead: A Family Memoir of Race, Secrets, and Love.  Author Dolores Johnson grew up in Buffalo the daughter of a white mother and an African-American father.  When she began to investigate her family tree, she found more than she could ever have imagined.  This deeply personal and inspiring story of race in America is available in electronic format or in print from the library via curbside pickup. 
 
Our usual book club meeting date coincides with the library’s Meet the Author virtual event on Wednesday, February 17th at 7 pm, so we will attend this in lieu of our meeting. Please consider logging in for this special opportunity to hear directly from the author. Registration is required and is done directly through the library’s website at hollistonlibrary.org .
 
In March, we will be reading The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory, and the remaining months will depend on recommendations by book club members. What’s your idea?
 
Cindy and Sue
Book Club Co-Chairs 
Cindy Carr   carr.cynthiad@gmail.com
Sue Hatton   hncbookclub@outlook.com

Happy New Year!
 
I hope everyone was able to enjoy the holiday season, whether in person or virtually. Although a quieter December than usual - HNN still connected at our Ladies Escape Annual Holiday Party thanks to Jennifer Mott and Timea Kovacs.  What a fun time it was! A few shared cocktail recipes and we unwrapped our presents from the "contact-less Gift Swap."  And great conversation made the evening fly by. But now 2020 is in the past (finally), and we are looking forward to 2021!
 
We may not be able to have our regular family fundraising events right away, but we are bringing back our Month of Prizes! Plus we are looking into organizing one or two "Restaurant Days" and a "Dinner Take-Out" Night. We are also looking for volunteers to drive this home. If you are interested in getting these new endeavors going - please email hnnexecutiveboard@gmail.com.
 
To welcome in 2021, I would like to thank those in the membership who are part of the "essential" workers who have been - and still are - taking care of us and those around us.  Medical professionals and support staff, first responders, teachers, store and restaurant workers, IT professionals, volunteers for organizations or just someone making meals or trips for those who need help - the list goes on.  Know that we appreciate your efforts and dedication.
 
I wish you all a safe & healthy beginning to a year filled with possibilities!
 
Debbie
President
Debbie Colburn   president.hnn@gmail.com

We are currently canvassing businesses in Holliston and the surrounding communities to support us this year. If you or someone you know would like to sponsor HNN, please email committee.newcomers@gmail.com
 
We would like to thank the businesses that have already committed to being 2021 Sponsors
 
●             Harelick Dental, Blessed Beginnings Preschool & Archambault Construction
 
The details of the sponsor benefits are on our webpage at https://hollistonnewcomers.org/Become-a-Sponsor.

Join the Ladies Escape Committee on January 23rd at 9:15 a.m. for a Virtual Cross-Fit Class with Holliston's Cross-Fit Firewall!  Please RSVP to Jennifer or Timea.

Timea and Jennifer
Ladies' Escapes Co-Chairs
Timea Kovacs timusch@yahoo.com
Jennifer Mott hncladiesescape@gmail.com

Welcome to 2021, and a new year of reading together. Let’s close the miles between us by continuing to meet remotely and staying connected through shared reading. Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 20, at 7:30pm to talk about The Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead. A zoom link will be sent that day to all who have registered to join the meeting. Reach out to let us know you’re joining through the book club Facebook page, or send an email to the co-chairs.
 
This and other HNN selections are placed on reserve for club members by our own Holliston Public library. Please ask the librarian for help in locating these books if you have trouble finding them, or if you are arranging contact-less pick up. You may also want to explore the library website for instructions on using the Minuteman network to borrow digital versions of this and upcoming titles.
 
Looking ahead to February, we will read along with the annual ‘One Book, One Holliston’ selection, Say I’m Dead: A Family Memoir of Race, Secrets, and Love by E. Dolores Johnson. Copies of this title will be widely available through the library. In March, we will read The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory, and the remaining months depend on recommendations by book club members. What’s your idea?
 
Cindy and Sue
Book Club Co-Chairs 
Cindy Carr   carr.cynthiad@gmail.com
Sue Hatton   hncbookclub@outlook.com

The holiday season may be right around the corner with our Ladies' Holiday Escape thanks to Jennifer Mott & Timea Kovaks, but let’s not forget our accomplishments from November. The combined efforts of the Thanksgiving Basket & Thanksgiving Senior Meal committees raised enough funds to contribute to both local and surrounding community organizations. A big thanks to fellow committee members - Katrine Giroux, Christine Charette, and Amy Forman.
 
Looking forward to next year - and boy are we looking forward to next year - we may not be able to have our regular family fundraising events right away, but we are bringing back our Month of Prizes! Plus we are looking into organizing one or two ‘Restaurant Days’ and a ‘Dinner Take-out Night'. If you are interested in getting these new endeavors going, please email hnnexecutiveboard@gmail.com.
 
Although 2020 has been a year like no other, HNN members still accomplished much for the community and continued to stay in touch - even if it was through a screen. Thank you for continuing to promote the HNN mission of community and connection, and we will continue to look for ways to help others and each other in 2021.  

Wishing all of you a happy holiday season!

Debbie
President
Debbie Colburn   president.hnn@gmail.com

It’s time to think about sponsorship for 2021. We will be contacting our 2020 sponsors for their renewal in December and mailing to other community businesses after the first of the year. If you or someone you know would like to sponsor HNN, please email committee.newcomers@gmail.com
 
We would like to thank our 2020 sponsors and hope they will continue to support us in the coming year.
 
● Gold

Harelick Dental and Goldfish Swim School in Milford

● Silver

Tink’s Magical Vacations with Donna & Jensen Sheehan Insurance Agency

●  Bronze

Blessed Beginnings Preschool, Dr. Preussner Aesthetic and Family Dentistry, The Bloom Center for Esthetic Dentistry, Prana Center, Archambault Construction, and Farrell Pool Service

 
The details of the sponsor benefits are on our webpage at https://hollistonnewcomers.org/Become-a-Sponsor

Warm wishes to all as you find new and safe ways to celebrate the holidays with those dearest to you. The HNN book club will be taking a break from reading this month, and we look forward to catching up with you on Wednesday, January 20, at 7:30pm to talk about The Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead.
 
If you’d like to get a head start on the January selection, you should find it on hold for HNN at the Holliston library by early December. Check out hollistonlibrary.org for pick up options. You may also want to explore the library website for instructions on using the Minuteman network to borrow digital versions of this and upcoming titles. Some selections may be available via the HOOPLA app.   
 
Looking ahead to February, we hope to read along with the annual One Holliston book selection, and that title is not yet selected. The March book is The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory, and the remaining months depend on recommendations by book club members. What’s your idea?
 
Cindy and Sue
Book Club Co-Chairs 
Cindy Carr   carr.cynthiad@gmail.com
Sue Hatton   hncbookclub@outlook.com

There is no Board meeting in December. Our next HNN meeting will be a General Meeting for all members on January 27th at 7:30 pm.  More details and Zoom information will be in the January Newsletter.
 
Thank you, and may you have a very healthy and happy holiday season!

Julie
First Vice President
Julianne Catlin   juliannecatlin@gmail.com

Just because we aren’t getting together in person - doesn’t mean HNN members are sitting idly by.
 
We had a fun Welcome New Members Zoom get-together in October thanks to the Ladies' Escapes team of Timea Kovacs and Jennifer Mott. We met a couple of new members and talked and talked - and exchanged ideas for future get-togethers as well. And Book Club keeps us reading thanks to co-chairs Sue Hatton & Cindy Carr.
 
The Thanksgiving team is moving along nicely! We hope to make this a successful donation drive to give a boost to those families and organizations in need. Thanks to my co-chairs Katrine Giroux, Christine Charette & Amy Foreman.
 
We are still looking for volunteers to investigate and organize ‘Restaurant Days’ to benefit the HNN Grant Fund. ‘Restaurant Days’ is when a local restaurant donates a percentage of their sales for the day to a non-profit. If you are interested - please email hnnexecutiveboard@gmail.com.
 
Although for some it may be a quieter day than usual, wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!

Debbie
President
Debbie Colburn   president.hnn@gmail.com