Encore Club especially celebrates Thanksgiving this year

FALLBROOK – This year has been filled with trials and tensions, but Fallbrook Encore Club members remain grateful for the many blessings they have enjoyed and the challenges they have overcome.

Encore is a social club drawing members who enjoy the close relationships, support of good friends and happy activities they share. Everyone has made an effort to pull together to remain safe while participating in some creative activities; Zoom meetings continue for both club business and fun for now, but hope remains that everyone will see each other in person again soon.

The next monthly Zoom meeting will be Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 9:30 a.m. This meeting during the holidays will include music entertainment by members Linda and Derek Lovett with the Slacker Hill Band.

The Encore version of enjoying the Scarecrow Festival was a contest in October involving touring scarecrow displays, photographing "selfies" with a favorite scarecrow, and submitting the photo for a drawing. Nanette Noonan was the winner. Her scarecrow was seen at the Fallbrook Woman's Club wearing her wedding gown, dating from her marriage to Mike in December 1970!

A November activity, enjoyed by many members, was "Sip and Paint." Each member purchased their art "kit," then followed an instructor on Zoom as he guided them in completing their project. Though the participants were not physically together, they had a lot of fun sharing laughter and banter with friends, undaunted by their temporary isolation.

December plans feature a Gingerbread House decorating contest for Encore members only submitting a photo of their creation by Dec. 7. There will also be Bingo, Bunco and Book Club via Zoom.

However the Holiday Luncheon that everyone loves is canceled this year due to a change in the county and state mandated COVID-19 restrictions.

Details can be seen in the December Club newsletter, which is packed full of wonderful photos and articles for everyone to enjoy. Great credit is due Carole Parker, newsletter editor, for her hard work and talents which are so especially appreciated when members cannot meet in person.

Encore member Terri Keyes is again collecting donations this season to support young military families on Camp Pendleton and express gratitude for the sacrifices these men and women make to keep their country safe. Suggested donations are $25 gift cards or a check payable to ASYMCA (Armed Services YMCA), but gifts of any amount are greatly appreciated. She needs to receive them by Dec. 8 and encourages everyone to continue helping these families during this holiday season.

Encore membership is building in anticipation of soon having greater freedom to gather, with the coming availability of COVID-19 vaccines. Those interested in more information, renewing or joining may contact membership chair Sherry Drzewicki, 949-751-9748 or go to http://www.fallbrookencoreclub.com.

Submitted by the Encore Club.