The GPOA’s Welcome Committee hosted its third annual reception for our newest neighbors who have bought a home in Greenbrier over the last year. Invitations were sent to just over sixty households. On Thursday night, October 24, 2019, more than sixty new residents plus members of the Welcome Committee and the GPOA Board gathered for an evening of getting to know one another over wine, coffee, tea, and diet-busting platters of delicious desserts from Chef Denise.
This year’s new resident group included several owners who have traded one location in Greenbrier for a different location in order to downsize, a generous number of local people who were forced from their homes in 2018 by Hurricane Florence and chose Greenbrier as their new location, as well as new residents from as far away as Indiana and Colorado who just like what they saw when they came to New Bern. We were also pleased to welcome a half dozen school-age children, who will bring a new energy to our community. We are delighted to welcome everyone and the enthusiasm they bring as they re-decorate, re-landscape, and volunteer for community activities.
The Dunker family -- Steven, Gwyneth, and Sarah
Bill Stafford, Lori DeTrude, Diane and Glenn Druhot peruse the offerings on the door prize table
Program
After desserts, the GPOA Board members were introduced followed by Jeffrey Odham, our Alderman, who presented a few remarks on how our town government works. Next, Tony Tauber, President of the New Bern Newcomers Club, laid out the wealth of options for meeting more newcomers and participating in activities they could enjoy if they joined the Newcomers Club. There was time for Questions and Answers followed by drawing for the door prizes.
Door Prizes
Each newcomer had been given a raffle ticket to place in a bag next to the door prize they hoped to win. There was a basket with wine, goblets, napkins, and other entertainment items donated by Melody Anisko. A second basket, donated by Pat Harvey, contained a collection of olive oil, roasted almond oil, white balsamic vinegar, two hors d’oeuvres and dipping bowls. Bill Rust, the Flag Man, donated a flag kit and his wife, Camille Rust donated a one-hour massage. The final item, a lovely fall arrangement for wall or door, was donated by Dorothea Miller.
Second Chance Drawing
For those who didn’t win the door prize of their choice, their tickets were placed in the Second Chance Drawing. They had chances to win five $20 gift certificates to La Casetta located at 2503 Neuse Blvd; a buy-one-get-one-free dinner offer from Captain Ratty’s and complimentary ice cream cones from the Cow Café (owned by Greenbrier’s Jim and Mildred Green) both located on Middle Street, a $20 gift certificate from Sweet Peas at 3515 Trent Rd, and delicious food treats from Crema Brew, New Bern’s newest, hottest coffee spot located in the Five Points area.
The Hosts
The members of the GPOA Welcome Committee who hosted this event are
Back row (l to r): David Dodge, Rani Moran, Melody Anisko, Linda Stout, Jane Olstad, Connie Cousino, and Camille Rust
Front row (L to r): Linda Dodge, Lori DeTrude, Kathy Nelson, Lois Bell, and Dorothea Miller
Not shown: Pat Harvey, Mike Rani, Donna Pereira, Rob Thompson, and Rodger Wilcox.
If you would like to join the Welcome Committee, contact Linda Dodge.
