Please join us on Monday, April 27^th, 4 to 6 PM for the Welcomers Spring Happy Hour!  Come enjoy wine, appetizers and socializing with current and prospective members.  Please invite friends, neighbors and/or family members so that we can introduce them to Welcomers.  It is important for us to keep recruiting new members, because we lose about 15 members every year from death, illness and moves out of town.  And most new members hear about us from existing members.  There is no charge for this event, but for planning purposes, please RSVP on the EVENTS page or email me to let me know if you can join us and if you’ll be bringing guests.

     Over 80 Welcomers have already sent in emergency contact information, so that in the event of a health emergency at one of our events, we would know whom to contact.  If you have not already done so, please email or text me that information.  Once the list is completed, we will distribute it to everyone and will include it in the next Directory.

     Congratulations to our 2026-27 slate of officers elected at the Spring Luncheon:

Cathy Dennis, President; Anne Nye, 1^st Vice President; Mary Kommers, 2^nd Vice President, Membership; Carol Heiss, Secretary; and Loretta Wilson, Treasurer.

     Enjoy the beautiful spring weather!           Regards, Jean

CARING AND SHARING        DIANE FRERKER           diane.frerker@kc.rr.com   (913) 701-6012

The Caring and Sharing part of our newsletter is an opportunity to let our members know we’re thinking of them when health concerns, special activities and Birthdays occur.

     We wish Judy Kostusik get-well wishes for a speedy recovery from a recent fall.

     Our thoughts and prayers are with the Poss family on the passing of Rosalie. 

    Our thoughts and best wishes are also with Carol Heiss for a complete recovery following her recent surgery.

                                            VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES to…

MEMBERSHIP                         LYNNE SALTON                lcsalton62@gmail.com   (913 )575-2424

Please give a warm welcome to our newest members!

PUBLICITY                        MARY PENROSE        penrose.mary@gmail.com   (913) 707-8904         

Our website is set up and ready to share all the benefits and fun of membership with one another and with prospective new members.  Please take photos at your activities and share those with me; we are working on a plan to post photos on the website.  Both candid shots and posed photos work!

NEWS FROM ACTIVITY CHAIRS

BOOK CLUB                        DORIS MATTINGLY        mattinglystudio@me.com    (301) 785-3001

Join book club on Wednesday, April 22^nd at the Leawood Pioneer Library to discuss

A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst moderated by Karen Greenfield. Come at 12:30 PM for some social time and stay from 1 - 2 PM for our discussion.

BRIDGE                                JUDY BARACKMAN                     jbeargirl@aol.com  (913) 491-4619

NOTE location change for April only - Bridge will be played at B&B (the old Pinstripes) from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM.  Each month’s hostess will contact all players and make sure that they are coming or who will be subbing.  The hostess will bring sweet treats to share with players. 

CANASTA                             LYNN STROUT                          Lstrout71@gmail.com  (847) 347-4720

If you’d like to learn to play Canasta or sub in a group, please contact Lynn.

Welcomers has seven canasta groups whose permanent members meet once each month to play.  The members each host on a rotating basis.  The chairmen will notify their members of the date, time, and place of the monthly meetings.  Each member is responsible for getting a sub if she cannot attend.  The Chairmen and meeting days are as follows:

COFFEE CLATCH                       ANN BRENDLE                   jbrendle@kc.rr.com    (913) 484-5852

Please join us for Coffee Clatch on April 20^th from 10 AM-12 PM at the home of Mary Kommers.  Mary’s address is 12626 Cedar St, Leawood, KS 66209.  Please let Mary know if you will attend by emailing her at marykomm@charter.net or call her at 913-232-9705.  

Crafting is always welcome, but chatting is a must! 

DINE OUT

There are two Dine Out social groups for couples which meet the 3rd Sunday September through May for cocktails at 5:30 PM, followed by dinner at 7:00 PM.  Each hostess chooses where to dine.

       DINE OUT A                     GINNY BRUGGEN                 jbruggen@kc.rr.com   (816) 589-4297

       Members will be contacted.

       DINE OUT B                     JOYCE MURPHY           tmurphy1940@gmail.com  (913) 221-2388

       Members will be contacted.

HAND & FOOT LADIES           LINDA COFFMAN                l.coffman1@att.net     (913) 562-7987

Ladies Hand and Foot will be held on April 13^th at Conroys Restaurant on 129^th and State Line Road. Linda Hickman will be our hostess.  Please find a sub if you cannot attend and let me know who it is.

LUNCH BUNCH A                    GINNY BRUGGEN                jbruggen@kc.rr.com   (816) 589-4297

Lunch Bunch A meets in a member’s home at 12 PM on the 2nd Monday of each month. Ginny Bruggen is our April 13^th hostess.

LUNCH BUNCH B                     ANITA DARRAH               adarrah2@kc.rr.com        (913) 219-5651

Lunch Bunch B meets the 3^rd Friday of each month, at 12 PM, at a restaurant of the monthly hostess’s choosing.  Our next meeting will be on April 17^th at noon at North Italia, 4579 West 119th St (SE Corner of 119th & Nall).  Anita Darrah is the hostess.  Please RSVP to her before April 12^th, as it is often crowded there.  Text 913-219-5651, or email to adarrah2@kc.rr.com.

LUNCH BUNCH C                     CHRIS BELL              mchristinebell@me.com         (810) 240-0570

Lunch Bunch C meets the second Friday, April 10^th at 11:30 AM at Pegahs Café, 13109 Holmes Rd, Kansas City, MO 64145. ANY Leawood Welcomer is invited. We discuss restaurants for the future. Please RSVP via email, phone, or text to Chris by noon, Thursday, April 9^th.

MAH JONGG                            LYNN STROUT                  Lstrout71@gmail.com     (847) 347-4720

Welcomers’ Mah Jongg plays the first Monday of the month.  Social time is 12:30 PM with play from 1 PM - 4 PM.  This group is open to anyone who already knows how to play.  Lynn contacts players regarding the date, hostess, and location of play.  If you are interested in playing, please contact Lynn.  We are looking forward to expanding our group.

MEXICAN TRAIN DOMINOES      KATHY GERACI   kathy.a.geraci@gmail.com  (505) 977-3689

We play on the first Friday of each month at 11:30 AM at Conroy’s at 12924 State Line Road for lunch and Mexican Train.  We normally play until 3:30 PM.  I can take the first 16 RSVP’s to play.  You can email me at kathy.a.geraci@gmail.com or text me at (505) 977-3689 if you want to play.  We will play on April 3^rd.

RUMMIKUB                                PAT JEFFCOTT               patjeffcott@gmail.com  (913) 226-5951

We play on the 4th Friday of the month starting at 11:30 AM. The place we play will be announced via email. New players are welcomed, contact patjeffcott@gmail.com.

SINGLE LADIES DINING OUT       CATHY DENNIS     catedennis70@gmail.com  (816) 536-2688

There will be no dinner event in April.

TUESDAY TALK & TASTE            JOLENE DICUS                    jolene@kc.rr.com    (913) 908-2996

We meet on the first Tuesday of the month in someone’s home for a potluck luncheon.  Our next luncheon will be on April 7^th at 11:30 AM at  Jean Wise’s home, 10317 Glenfield Road, Leawood, KS 66206.  Her phone number is 913-709-4458; email jeanwise42@gmail.com Please call or email if you plan to attend, or respond to the Evite which will be sent out 2 weeks before the event.  Please bring a dish to share and come join us.

TRAVELS NEAR AND FAR    JANETTE GADDIE   janettegaddie52@gmail.com  (913) 269-3843

Everyone is welcome to participate in Travels Near and Far.  Please contact Janette if you would like to receive separate emails and reminders.

Friday, April 10^th  Overland Park Arboretum, 8909 W 179^th Street, Overland Park, KS 66013

$7 admission at the door, meet at 12 PM, walk together through the gardens, and dine afterward at a place we choose.  Please contact Janette if you plan to go, and whether you need a ride.  If it rains, we will reschedule.