Our January general meeting was a gathering to welcome the new year.  As usual, there was plenty of food!  This time there was also wine.

The February meeting was a coffee tasting experience.  Jennifer Campion of Fenwick Coffee provided coffee from four types of freshly roasted beans.  We tasted and compared notes.  When tasting coffee, milk and sugar are not added.  The flavour can be noticed on the sides, the middle or even the back of the tongue.  It was a fun and informative morning.

March brought us to St. Davids where we toured the chocolate factory, Chocolate FX.  We were all surprised to learn that every step of the process is done by hand with the exception of some of the packaging.  The best part is there are many free samples!  They not only create several products under their own brand, but for several of your favourite very well known brands.  They offer some fun classes including the "chocolate bar challenge", "chocolate truffle making", "wine and chocolate tasting" and more.  Of course we went out for lunch afterwards.

Our new Executive Committee for 2014-2015

Our APRIL general meeting was a very informative one.  Michelle Falone, Public Education Adviser with the Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services gave a very interesting presentation which focused on protecting yourself from identity theft and scams.  Tips on using credit cards wisely, destroying all printed materials with your name and address, how to check your credit rating, on-line shopping and what to do if you think you have been a victim of a scam. In general, how to be a smart consumer.  For more information:  1-800-889-9768 or ontario.ca/consumerservices.

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Newcomers attending the Annual Niagara Harvest BBQ at Queenston Heights

George and Bunty - winners of a fantastic dinner prize!

President and Vice President presiding.

May was our Annual General Meeting.  It was a pot luck, one of our favorites!  We also elected the new Executive Committee for next year.

Our annual membership meeting in September was a great success. This is our 34th year and we look forward to making and maintaining new friendships over the coming months.

October saw Newcomers and Associates learning all about fire safety  in the home at the Niagara

New and renewing memberships.

Associates Annual Afternoon Tea!

A very interesting visit to Niagara College's Wine Education Centre was the November activity. We learned all about the teaching winery and also had a chance to see their Teaching Brewery.

Associate Anne Brown celebrated her 90th birthday in style with a surprise lunch at Coppola's Restaurant, planned by her Newcomers' friends. SNAP sent a reporter and you can check it out at:

http://www.snapstcatharines.com

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Luncheon out at Vineland Estates.

The Associates annual Sherry and Shortbread fundraiser was an outstanding success! $550.00 and a van load of gifts was collected for Gillian's Place.

2014 ended on a high note with the annual Christmas Dinner and Dance at the Port Dalhousie Yacht Club. All in all, its been a great year for Newcomers!