Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. There are no gifts to buy and no pressure to get anything perfect. You sit down with people you care about, eat too much, and say thank you. I wish more of the year worked that way.

This month, my thank you goes to all of you. Gratitude is easy to feel in November, but in our organization it shows up year-round, and much of it happens quietly. Someone sends a welcome note to a family who just moved in. Someone brings an extra dish to a potluck because they heard a few people could not make it. Someone saves a seat for a new member who does not know anyone yet. These small gestures may not seem like much in the moment, but together they are what make Holliston feel like home. Nobody asks for credit, and most of it never gets mentioned. I notice, and I am grateful.

This season also gives us a chance to extend that warmth beyond our own circle. November is when we run our Thanksgiving drive, and it is a simple idea: neighbors helping neighbors put a meal on the table. Our members and several local businesses have been generous in past years, and I am hoping we can do the same this year. If you can help, please reach out.

Our next fun night out will be at Liz’s Tavern on Friday, November 13, at 7pm. It’ll be great to catch up, meet new members, play some billiards and darts, and check out their food and drinks. They are located at 15 North Main St., Bellingham. 

So we can reserve a table please RSVP to Christel by Thursday, November 12th. Hope to see you there! 

Children's Playgroup has been a wonderful way for our youngest members to play and for families to connect! Hope you can join us this month on Sunday November 15th from 2 to 4pm. Please RSVP to Noora for the address. 

We had a great discussion of The Midnight Feast last month—thanks to Jen for hosting. We hope you will join us for our next meeting, Wednesday, November 18, at 7:30 pm, when we discuss The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O’Neill: “Three adult sisters grapple with a shared tragedy over a Thanksgiving weekend spent in their childhood home, navigating complex relationships and old tensions.”

Everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of whether you have finished (or even started) the book. Book Club is mainly an opportunity for old and new friends to get together and chat and snack. 

The Holliston Public Library reserves several copies of each book for us; ask at the circulation desk for the HNN book. We take the month of December off from Book Club, but for those who want to get a head start on our (fairly long) January book, we will be reading The Frozen River, by Ariel Lawhon.

We meet the third Wednesday of each month. Please contact Debbie if you have any interest in hosting a meeting.

What a September it was! Our first month of the new year was filled with great activities, and one of the best parts was seeing so many new faces. Some were brand new to Holliston and still unpacking boxes, while others have called this town home for years and were finally ready to see what HNN is all about. That mix is exactly what makes our community special.

If you joined us for the first time last month, welcome. We hope you left with a new friend, a familiar face to wave to around town, and maybe a few recommendations for the best local spots. And if you are a longtime member, thank you for making everyone feel at home so quickly.

Our events are designed to be easy and relaxed. There is no pressure and no special skill required. Just come as you are, enjoy good company, and let the connections happen naturally. Whether you are looking to meet neighbors, find people who share your interests, or simply get out of the house for an evening, there is a place for you here. October brings more opportunities to connect, so take a look at the events in this newsletter and pick one to try. 

Mah Jongg! Ready to see what the craze is all about? Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 6:30-9:30pm at Julie’s house 12 Ruth Ellen Rd. for  Mah Jongg lessons (for those who are new) and Open Play (for those who’ve already learned) and be part of the latest movement! The lesson, normally $40, will be $35 with our club discount. Open play is $10. Feel free to bring a friend. 

Adults-only Halloween party! Get ready to bring out your costumes for our beloved adults-only Halloween party. Join us at Casey’s Pub, 81 Railroad St. on Thursday, October 22 at 7:30pm.  This favorite tradition includes yummy appetizers, sweet treats, and a cash bar. Whether you have a costume or not feel free to meet us in the loft, and bring a friend who might be interested in joining. See you there, if you dare!

We are bringing back our favorite Potluck Dinners! These have been a lot of fun in the past so we are looking for hosts for our first on 11/10.  If you are interested in hosting November or other months, please email Christel. Bon appétit!

We will try one more time for a playground meet up before it gets too cold. Hope you can join us on Saturday, October 3 from 2 to 4 pm (weather permitting) at Goodwill Park in Holliston. If you have any questions, please reach out to Noora.

It was great to get back together last month to discuss The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, we recommend putting it on your To Be Read list.

Thanks to Deb for hosting. We hope you will join us for our next meeting, Wednesday, October 21, at 7:30 pm, when we discuss Lucy Foley’s The Midnight Feast, “a twisty psychological thriller and locked-room mystery set at the grand opening of a luxury seaside wellness resort.”

Everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of whether you have finished (or even started) the book. Book Club is mainly an opportunity for old and new friends to get together and chat and snack. We are still looking for a few books to fill out our calendar for the year, so please bring any recommendations to the October meeting (or feel free to email with suggestions).

The Holliston Public Library reserves several copies of each book for us; ask at the circulation desk for the HNN book. For those who want to get a head start on next month, our November book will be The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O’Neill.

We meet the third Wednesday of each month. Please contact Debbie if you have any interest in hosting a meeting.

September always feels like the real start of the year for our organization, and I'm excited to open another season of events and connections. Whether you're a longtime member or brand new to HNN, we're here to help you meet your neighbors, find your people, and get involved in the community we all call home.

We have a full calendar taking shape for the months ahead, and none of it happens without our members. Reach out and let us know how you'd like to be involved, whether that's helping set up an event, assisting for an hour to register attendees, or joining one of our committees, where there's a home for just about every interest, from social media and PR to grants and event planning.

Here's to a great year of new friendships and familiar faces. I hope to see you at Celebrate Holliston and be sure to check out the other events highlighted in this newsletter.

Welcome to the start of a new year for the club! Let’s get together at a member‘s house on Saturday, 9/12 from 2-4pm and celebrate. This is a family-friendly event, and bring your bathing suit if you are so inclined to enjoy the pool and hot tub. If you are able, please bring an app, drink or dessert to share. RSVP and include how many adults and children will be coming. Address will be sent to those who RSVP. Can’t wait to see you there!