By Jan McCallum, Co-chair

 

Happy New Year from your Social Committee! As reported during the January homeowners association board meeting, we had a busy December calendar, which didn’t slow down too much in the first month of 2026.

 

Just a quick recap: The clubhouse was decorated and undecorated, toys and coats were collected and donated, potlucks and happy hours were held, speakers spoke about OLLI at Duke and slow travel (thanks, Karen Frankola!), Luminary Night happened despite a weather postponement (cheers to Joanne Adney, Martha Anne Auld, Jill Pafford and Betsy Thomas!), and we even had a food truck!

 

The Social Committee especially is grateful to our new neighbors Betsy Thomas, Larry Kirchner, Susan Wollman, and Janet and Mark Rader for opening their garages and sharing abundant and delicious goodies with the whole neighborhood on Luminary Night!

 

Thanks to everyone who participated in a social event recently!

 

More fun and opportunities to gather are coming up. Mark your calendars now for the following events, all held at the clubhouse:

• Valentine Bingo and Potluck Dinner (replacing Happy Hour this month) — Feb. 13, 6-9 p.m.

• Community Read discussion of Golden Years: How Americans Invented and Reinvented Old Age by James Chappel — Feb. 19, 7-8:30 p.m.

• Speaker Series: Durham Night Sky presented by Henry Greenside — Feb. 23, 7-8 p.m.

• Food Truck: Cilantro Mexican — Feb. 26, 5-7 p.m.

 

Attendance at Valentine Bingo will be by reservation only, since we must limit participation due to space considerations. It will also be a neighborhood fundraiser. Watch Slack for reservation and pricing information.

 

In case you missed the announcement at the homeowners association board meeting: We are happy to report we have expanded our ability to communicate with the neighborhood through the addition of two outdoor bulletin boards adjacent to the community mailboxes. In addition to visual reminders of social activities through calendars and upcoming event notices, space will be available to share other information of importance to the neighborhood. The Social Committee is working on guidelines for postings and will be responsible for the postings. If you have suggestions, concerns or opinions, let us hear from you.

 

At long last, the Social Committee interest group survey is available, and we look forward to hearing from each resident of the neighborhood. It’s a Google poll that is available by clicking here. Please submit your responses by Feb. 15.

 

One last note: As you’ve probably heard, flu cases are up this winter, and, of course, Covid is with us to stay. We hope you’ve been vaccinated and will stay healthy. However, if you are sick or have been exposed to someone who is sick, please stay home and take care of yourself. If you need care, food, prescriptions delivered or other help, please let us know.