Message from Suzy Chandler, Board President

It’s not often you get to celebrate Thanksgiving early, but your NNN Board sure is feeling thankful! Did you know we added five new Board members this month? It’s an absolute thrill to bring new members to help grow our team and bring even more great ideas to help NNN grow and serve our community.

Your full Board met up earlier this month, and is pictured below: Jerry Carriveau, Jerry Patterson, C. Call, Sandy Moy, Program Manager Danie Belfield-Vigh, Don Beacom, Kristine McFadden, darci Beacom, Tom Wilcox, Cathy Webb, Suzy Chandler, and Melinda Grout. Our new Board members live and/or work in Edmonds, Shoreline, Lynnwood, and Mountlake Terrace, and we’re excited about their experience from other local Boards and their great connections to our NNN service area and community.

Welcome Aboard!!

Do YOU have a question for a Board member? Is there something you’d like to see us address? Email suzy@northwestneighborsnetwork.org

Volunteer Profile: Kirk Whitely

For 49 years, Kirk Whiteley drove for a living. Now he drives to make sure fellow Seniors are living well. 

When he retired, he volunteered to drive for Hyde Shuttle to bring local Seniors everywhere from stores to doctors’ offices to tax advisors. COVID interrupted the Sound Generation program, but Kirk did not let that interfere with devoting his time to supporting local seniors. Kirk had been and continues to volunteer four days a week, delivering hot lunches to seniors with programs including Meals on Wheels.

Last year, he also got behind the wheel for the Northwest Neighbors Network after he met NNN’s Sandy Moy at the Shoreline Lake Forest Park Senior Center Holiday Bazaar. Instead of driving a shuttle, Kirk uses his Toyota Rav 4 to resume his mission of making life easier for local seniors. 

Kirk regularly drives one of his favorite members, Kim, who visits her husband three times per week in a nearby facility supporting his needs . “When she gets in the car, she’s talking about her husband and it is important to her.” Kirk appreciates that as a volunteer “you kind of become part of people's lives...They just want to talk to you; they’re not looking for answers.”

“I guess I just want to let them have their say,” Kirk continued, “Oftentimes people are cooped up in their homes and that’s the reason for NNN.” And many like Kim, face barriers of their own, on top of the barriers to see their loved ones. 

Though the destinations may be difficult, Kirk and his passengers find ways to create joy on the commute. Kirk reminisced about his travels with one NNN Community Member who had three weekly six-hour dialysis sessions. He often took the night shift and they began to laugh about how business was booming at two side-by-side marijuana shops - and, fittingly, at the Dairy Queen up the road. “It got to be a joke between us. We (would get) to see what the marijuana place was doing and how the Dairy Queen was doing” on her way home.  A few months ago, Sandy sent an email to the circle of NNN volunteers who brought the member to dialysis, that the member had died. “That’s the hard part,” Kirk said, but “it’s just part of the territory of life.” 

This is not new ground for Kirk. His wife of 30 plus years, “survived lung cancer for 11 years before passing away, I was often her caretaker. I’ve always been a caring person who wants to help people.” 

It can be difficult to be directly involved in helping people, but the rewards are worth it. Kirk reflected on the difference between donating and volunteering. ”When you write a check you don’t know where (the money) ends up…doing this I know it ends up in my hands; I can see the results.”  People are so grateful. When you take them to the store, they want to get you a gift and it’s really hard to tell them volunteers can’t take anything. Kirk said, “They’re expressing the fact that before NNN they didn’t know how they were going to get things done.¨

At 74 years young, Kirk feels fortunate to be more physically fit than many of his peers and be able to help them. He credits his career driving a semi for Dawn foods, hauling 50-pound pastry mixes for bakeries and 2000-pound stainless steel totes of the fruit processed for the bottom of yogurt cups. Now when he’s not driving for NNN, he “tinkers” with his ‘85 Corvette. 

But, Kirk recognizes he eventually may not be as active as he is now. Though two of his three daughters are local, he hopes NNN will be around when he needs it, “Then I won’t be a volunteer, I'll be a member.”

-By Kimberly Cecchini, NNN Volunteer Contributor

Success at the Holiday Bazaar!

Thank you to NNN Volunteers, Susan C., Anne G., Eileen C., Gail L., Ginger H., Suzy C., Ro B., Pat K. & Katie V. for supporting NNN at the Holiday Bazaar!

Last Friday & Saturday, the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center hosted their Annual Holiday Bazaar, inviting NNN to take part and show off our cause.

Our multifaceted, talented and engaging volunteer team at NNN led to a great Volunteer Recruitment effort at the Bazaar! 

Over the course of 2 days, these volunteers recruited 29 people interested in volunteering, 10 people interested in volunteering and membership, 1 person interested in membership & 10 people who would like to start with more information and joining our mailing list. That is a total of 51 community members that wish to become engaged with NNN.

Northwest Neighbors Network cannot thank our dedicated volunteers enough.

Social Spotlight

Mondays with Jerry! Zoom Chats

I’m Jerry Carriveau, the host of the NNN Monday Zoom chats. I enjoy hosting the chat because I get to talk with members about things that interest them and the things that affect their daily lives. It’s the same reason I feel the chats are important to NNN. Members talking with members, conversing, joking, laughing. It really fills the community part of our mission. I hope more of our members and volunteers decide to join the conversations. We pick a main theme to talk about, but we start the chats with just a little bit of catching up for those who choose to share. Then we get the ball rolling to hear the interesting stories that flow from that week’s theme! It’s always entertaining, and we truly get to learn more about each other.

Editor’s Note: Jerry has been part of NNN since the very beginning. As a founding member, Jerry’s served on NNN’s Board for almost six years: three years as President and is now wrapping up his third year as our Board’s Vice President. He is an avid reader, enjoys meeting everyone at our lunches and various outings and keeps our Zoom chats moving along, always willing to add his own unique perspectives and peppering our chats with humor and good cheer. NNN wouldn’t be NNN without Jerry’s dedication and commitment to our community.

Calling All Artists, Crafters, Knitters & Crocheters!

Join us for Tuesday Art at the Tables

NNN is starting a new fun and creative event on Tuesdays at Third Place Commons in Lake Forest Park.

Join NNN Volunteer Marty B. and her friend Sylvia P. who will set up art tables under the skylights on the upper floor of the Commons across from Third Place Books every Tuesday from 10:30 - 3:30 for like-minded (or just curious) people to gather and share time together.  Bring any art or craft project you want to work on in a fun supportive setting with other creators who are working on something of their own.  NNN volunteers and members are welcome! All skill levels are encouraged to come out and share time and inspiration with others. 

Beginning November 1st,  we will have supplies available to make Holiday cards for 3 consecutive Tuesdays. We do this every year and donate some of the cards to the Shoreline Art Gallery on the lower level.

Think you may get hungry or thirsty? The Commons has 3 food vendors on site and other food options nearby. You can also bring your own snacks and beverages. Parking is plentiful. The Commons is fully accessible to all.  

NNN Members may request transportation by contacting Services@NorthwestNeighborsNetwork.org or by texting/calling 253-237-2848. Have questions? Contact Social@NorthwestNeighborsNetwork.org.

NOVEMBER NNN ACTIVITIES AND GATHERINGS

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

We welcome you to join us at any of our activities. It’s a great way to learn more about NNN and listen to others who enjoy the connections they make while attending an event. All activities are posted to our Northwest Neighbors Network web page. We encourage you to check our Events page for any changes or new opportunities that may pop up! 

Remember: NNN Members may request transportation to any event by signing into the website, texting Services at 253-237-2848 or by emailing Services@NorthwestNeighborsNetwork.org.

NNN Walks: 

Get out and stretch your legs while visiting with other NNN neighbors! Walks take place rain or shine. All are welcome.

• Lake Forest Park, Horizon View Park, Mondays at 10:30

• Mountlake Terrace, Terrace Creek Park, Tuesdays at 11:00

• Shoreline, Hamlin Park, Meet in the first parking lot on the left, Thursdays at 1:00

• Edmonds, Meet on Sunset between Bell & Edmonds St, Sundays at 12:15

NNN Talks:

Monday afternoon Zoom Chats with Jerry. The group picks a fun theme as a conversation topic each week. Call in to listen or share. Your choice! Great way to stay connected with your NNN community neighbors. 

• Mondays, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Click Zoom link below or call: 253 215-8782

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2532372848?pwd=RmlBTUlCQWI1ZHpzZ2ExQ25ramRFUT09

NNN Chats over Coffee:

Meet us at a local coffee shop for an hour of casual conversation over your favorite cup of coffee. We hope you’ll join us!

• November 11 at Woods Coffee, Edmonds. 2:00-3:00

• November 25 at Panera Bread, Edmonds. 2:00-3:00

NNN Plays Games Together:

Join us for Games with Sharon at Third Place Commons. All are welcome. Just play for fun! Lots of choices and no cut throat competition. Upper level, look for our NNN table sign.

• November 2 and November 16 from 1:00-3:00. 

Mahjong group meets on Fridays. The table is full, but let us know if you want to add your name to the waitlist. We’re happy to add another table if we get 4 additional players. 

NNN Reads:

Join host Eileen C. and others as they share their thoughts about a book selected by the group each month. 

• November 24, by Zoom, from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

NNN Eats:

Boy do we like to eat! And talk! And eat some more! Lunches are open to all! We ask that you let us know if you’re coming so we can let the restaurant know how many to anticipate. Contact Social@NorthwestNeighborsNetwork.org or call/text 253-237-2848. November’s  lunch locations:

• November 4 at Family Pancake House, Edmonds.  1:00-300

• November 18 at Aurora Borealis, Shoreline. 1:00-3:00

NNN Artists and Crafters Gather Together:

Whether you like to paint, draw, knit, crochet, make cards or have other special artistic talents, we welcome all to spend time and company with others who also enjoy creating in the company of others. Bring your own supplies and meet under the skylights at Third Place Commons in Lake Forest Park. Volunteer artist Marty B. and her friend Sylvia P. look forward to seeing you there! 

• Tables will be set up every Tuesday from 10:30-3:30. Come for all of part of the time.Third Place Commons, upper level, Lake Forest Park.

Where Can I Find the Activities hosted by NNN, and Where Can I meet other NNN Members or Volunteers? 

Visit the Northwest Neighbors Events page!

This is what our Events page looks like (but it’s much bigger and easier to see) when you visit our website and click on the “Events” tab. Here’s the link:  https://www.northwestneighborsnetwork.org/content.aspx?page_id=4001&club_id=571198

Birthdays in November

Join us in wishing our NNN members and volunteers born in November a very happy birthday month! We hope each of you finds something that makes you smile, as we smile with you. 

Happy Birthday to:

Alice B., Suzy C., Kate C., Katrina dlC., Helene H., Becky H., Judy M., Cynthia O., Sheila P., Tony P., Joann R., Rob S., Carlene S., Christine T., Joy W., Lindsay Y.

Marilyn’s “Music Beat”

VOTE! Don't miss your chance to VOTE for midterm elections this year! 

Use your mail-in ballot and vote from the comfort of your home. It's just that easy! It's as easy as dropping it in your outgoing mail before 10/31 as it must be postmarked by that date.

Prefer to VOTE in person? NNN assures us that they'll have rides available to get you to your polling location. Grab a friendly neighbor and contact services@northwestneighborsnetwork.org to arrange the transportation in advance.

If you have Internet access, here's your Link to find polling place: http://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/

No Internet access? Call 1-800-448-4881 for that information.

Remember this: Democracy is only as strong as those who choose to protect it. Make your voice heard all the way to Washington, D.C. It's that important! Remember to VOTE!

-By NNN Community Member, Colleen L

Saying goodbye to Trudy

Trudy Tankus (1929 - 2022)

Trudy Tankus left us just days short of her 93rd birthday, and three years to the day that I met her.  I was the volunteer, she was the member… at least that is how our roles were labeled.  I hope and believe that I helped her as much as she helped me as we each struggled with the losses that aging brings.  

The words from a song keep running through my head about the day the music died.  Trudy was a beautiful singer and would sing ditties as we walked or drove my Chevy to shopping and lunches, most frequently to Spiro’s Pizza and Pasta, when she and Manny would give each other a hard time.  She is very much missed.