Dear Members,

It's back to school, back from the Cape or your favorite vacation destination, and back to another year of HNN events, civic activities and get togethers! 

First, I want you to mark your calendars, get your babysitter, gather your friends and join us at Anthony's on the Green on November 3rd for our first ever Comedy Night fundraiser with Cheap Laughs Inc.  This small business is owned by Holliston's own Paul Gillespie, who brings Boston & television comics out to the 'burbs!  Ticket purchases will open this month, so be on the look-out for the announcement! 

Lastly, we look forward to seeing you at our next Book Club meeting on September 20th to discuss Remarkably Bright Creatures, as well as our Celebrate Holliston booth on September 23rd!  Then, get ready for more fun activities in October... one of my favorite HNN months!

Best, 

Jennifer Mott

President

We hope you will join us for our first Book Club meeting of the season, on Wednesday, September 20, at 7:30 p.m., when we will be discussing Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Please don't feel that you shouldn't attend if you haven't finished (or even started) the book—Book Club is mainly an opportunity for old and new friends to get together and chat and snack. All members are welcome--whether you're an old-time Newcomer like me or this is your first event and you're just checking out our group.

We are looking for a host house for this meeting. We hold most meetings in person but also have a Zoom option if you can't attend. We had a few such hybrid meetings last year, and they worked well (once we obtained a microphone). We typically meet the third Wednesday of the month (but take the month of December off).

The Holliston Public Library reserves several copies of each book for us—they can be found (typically about a month ahead of each meeting) on the shelves along the windows on the right as you enter the library. Here's a look ahead at what we will be reading this fall, followed by the publisher's description of Remarkably Bright Creatures. Hope to see you at Book Club!

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill Oct. 18

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng Nov. 15

Dear Members,

HNN kicks off the summer with our annual Touch a Truck Fundraising Event on June 17th! This year, we have so many food trucks that we're now calling it the Touch a Truck Fundraising and Food Truck Festival! So, bring both your kids and your appetite for a great family day at the Placentino Elementary School from 10-2 p.m. Not only that, but we scored the kid-popular DJ Ooch to spin some music while your kids explore the trucks and you relax in the sun with an ice cream. If you're free for all or just part of the day, please consider volunteering the day of the event. A call for volunteers will go out shortly. It's a fun day to get to know other club members. And, if you plan to attend, tell your friends and extended family to meet you there!

On a different note, please fill out the member survey that was emailed recently. HNN wants to bring back some of our staple activities that waned after COVID, including children's activities and playgroups. But if you want more, then we need to hear from you. We'd love to get your feedback!

Lastly, this may be the last newsletter for the summer, but HNN is already preparing for the Fall season. Thus, mark your calendars for a Comedy Night Show on November 2nd at Anthony's on the Green. We'll likely start selling tickets in late August, so keep your eyes open for the Facebook and email announcements. I can't wait!

Best, 

Jennifer Mott

President

president.hnn@gmail.com

Hello All,

It is my pleasure to announce the members of our 2023-2024 HNN Executive Board: 

• President: Jennifer Mott
• Vice-President: Debbie Colburn
• Membership VP: Michelle Vainshtein
• Treasurer: Amy Forman

Thank you to all who took the time to vote and thank you to the members of the Board for the work they do to keep this wonderful Club current, fun and community focused! 

If you would like to get involved, please contact me as the Secretary position remains open on the Executive, as well as the non-elected positions of Fundraiser Chair and Parliamentarian. I would love to hear from you!

Katrine Giroux

Parliamentarian

Hi Everyone,

See you there!

Timea and Christel

Social Event Coordinators

First, mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 21^st at 7:30pm to join in as we wrap up our year. We’ll discuss the most recent book, Oh, William! written by beloved author, Elizabeth Strout. There will be plenty of time to chat about the book while also allowing for socialization and friendship. This is the month when we start to populate our reading list for next year and we would love to incorporate your suggestions. Registration is needed so we can provide you with the meeting information.  Reply on our HNN book club Facebook page, or message Beth at the address below if you can attend. For your convenience, books are available in the book club section at the Holliston Library.

Sumer reading: Hopefully you will find time to relax and enjoy titles from your own wish list. If you’d like to get a head start on our September book, be sure to add Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby Van Pelt to your list. Holliston Library has already placed a reserve for members and expects books to start arriving mid-August. And if you can’t wait until then, check out Hoopla, where you can instantly get the electronic or audio version anytime with your library card.

Book Club Co-chairs needed: Lastly, we are seeking 2 new members to take over as book club co-chairs for next year. This is a fun way to contribute to HNN and since it takes very little of your time it’s an ideal position for those who have busy schedules. Work as a team to help fine tune our reading list, reserve books through the library, update the book club page on Facebook, update our monthly newsletter article, and help facilitate the monthly meeting. Guidance will be available from this year’s co-chairs. Please reach out if you have interest, or questions. See the description in the vacancy section of this newsletter.

Summary of Oh, William from the Minuteman Library Network site:

“Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout explores the mysteries of marriage and the secrets we keep, as a former couple reckons with where they've come from--and what they've left behind.

…At the heart of this story is the indomitable voice of Lucy Barton, who offers a profound, lasting reflection on the very nature of existence.”

Beth and Sue

Book Club Co-Chairs

RSVP to Beth edwma46@gmail.com

May and June will be fun months for HNN members! Join us at our Kentucky Derby Party on May 6th to enjoy Southern-inspired cocktails and food while we chat in the sun and watch the [2-minute] horse race! Next, get your calendar number assignment(s) ready to win some prizes every day in May through our Prize-a-Day in the Month of May Fundraiser. And finally, keep your eyes open for news about our Touch a Truck & Food Truck Fundraising Event in June. I know my kids can't wait for it and already have it marked on their calendars.

In addition, HNN wants to invigorate our PLAYGROUPS this year! HNN had a vibrant playgroup before the pandemic, which was/is an important benefit of our Club. If you are interested in joining a PLAYGROUP, please keep your eyes open for announcements and contact information.

Best, 

Jennifer Mott

President

May will be a busy month for HNN as we will hold our annual Board elections! Between May 19th and 21st, all members will be invited to vote online for the new Board. An email reminder with a link to vote will be sent closer to the date, but it is never too early to mark your calendars! Also….we still need candidates for the Membership-VP and Secretary positions.

All Board positions are open to all members. Whether you just joined the Club or have been a member for many years, you can join the Board! It is a great way to meet fellow Hollistonians and make a difference in our great community! All positions' descriptions can be found on our website: Holliston Newcomers & Neighbors - Board Positions.

In addition to these Board positions, we are also looking for a Fundraiser Chair and a Parliamentarian. Contact me or any other current member of the Board if you wish to have more information or to express your interest.

We would love to hear from you!

Katrine Giroux

Parliamentarian

We are very excited to host our very first Kentucky Derby Party-ADULT-only event- on Saturday, May 6th, from 5-7 pm at a member's backyard. So grab a fabulous fascinator or bow tie, wear your favorite Derby-inspired outfit and join us for the most exciting two minutes in sports!!!!

There will be some fun games, best-dressed contest, light appetizers and drinks, and a great atmosphere for sure!

Please bring a dessert and/or drink to share, if you are able.

And if you haven't already done so, don't forget to RSVP to Timea.

See you there!

Timea and Christel

HNN Book Club would love to see you at our next meeting!

Join us this month on Wednesday, May 17th at 7:30 pm. Our May selection is The Honey Bus, a memoir written by Meredith May.

This fun group of members brings together those with a common interest in reading and includes time to chat about the book in addition to plenty of room for socializing and friendship. The meeting will be held in a hybrid format allowing you to join from home, or in person. Registration is needed so we can provide you with the meeting location and link.  Reply on our HNN book club Facebook page, or message Beth if you can attend. For your convenience, books are available in the book club section at the Holliston Library.

Summary from the Minuteman Library Network site: “An extraordinary story of a girl, her grandfather and one of nature's most mysterious and beguiling creatures: the honeybee… The bees became a guiding force in May's life, teaching her about family and community, loyalty and survival and the unequivocal relationship between a mother and her child. Part memoir, part beekeeping odyssey, The Honey Bus is an unforgettable story about finding home in the most unusual of places, and how a tiny, little-understood insect could save a life.”

Coming next:  In June we will wrap up our year with Oh, William! by Elizabeth Strout.

Beth and Sue

Book Club Co-Chairs