Couples' Newsletter | June 2022
LoveNote2
The Newmans remind couples that it is important to not only love one another, but to "like" each other and that friendship is the key to a happy marriage; share a wedding announcement; a great summer recipe; offer travel ideas; spotlight a beautiful wedding song; share financial goals based on age; and, date ideas to help keep the friendship fun!
Friendship is Key!

The pandemic didn’t get me down (off schedule), but my parental caregiving responsibilities did…. but, to God be the glory for the things He is doing. We pray that you are two hearts living one life and that you are making that life as enjoyable as possible. A large piece of making it enjoyable is functioning as true team. We hope you deciding together where to live, where to work, where to worship, how and when to grow your family, how much to spend and how much to give and that you are sharing the outcome (bad or good) of the decisions that you make together. As we grow in our marriages every part of our lives should become more intertwined. We encourage you to always make moving closer and closer to oneness, your marriage goal. We live in a world full of distractions and we are all extremely busy being busy, but don’t let the distractions impede on your time together; time you need to spend making beautiful memories of your amazing journey together. Let’s put the phones down, turn off the televisions, take Saturdays off work, and be intentional about making time for ourselves as couples. Vacations are great, but it is the everyday moments that really matter.

I have had the great fortune of being able to study the Gottman Couples Therapy Method over the last year and one of the first things I learned was that most couple’s therapists go straight to conflict management and communication skills building when a couple come to see them about problems in their marriage. But Gottman maintains that this is the wrong approach (and I agree) because in the long run it doesn’t matter if we can talk without arguing if we don’t like each other. That’s it! Couples should focus on liking each other! If you argue and you like each other, you get past it; but when you argue and you have stopped liking each other (or never have liked one another) the argument takes on a different vibe and you don’t get past it because you don’t want to...you want out.

Research shows that happy marriages are based on a deep friendship. When we are fond of one another we show each other in little ways day in and day out…we know each other intimately…. we know each other’s likes, dislikes, hopes, and dreams AND we stay connected and create oneness. The first step towards building or re-building our friendships is to get to know each other better, because we need to know each other to like each other.

We challenge you spend time getting to know each other this HOT SUMMER! We ask that you be intentional about not just knowing each other’s favorite color, favorite TV show, favorite food, and favorite artist, but to get to know each other’s deepest longings; learn about your greatest fears, joys, best childhood experiences, unrealized dreams, what you feel is missing from your life, aspirations, hopes, wishes, secret ambitions, what you value most in friendships, etc. Summertime is a wonderful time to hang out with our best friend, our spouse, and focus on enhancing our friendship.

We look forward to seeing you in these streets loving on one another!

With Love,

Paula and Sherman Newman


 
One Down, One to Go!

On May 21, 2022, our son, Sherman Newman, Jr. married Marsheia Frazier in Oahu, Hawaii. They met at Elizabeth City State University and have been inseparable for over ten years. We are excited about what God will do in their union. They will reside in Durham, North Carolina.

Our daughter will marry the love of her life on October 8, 2022.


Suggested Reading

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman and Nan Silver


Summertime Favorite
Layered Taco Salad (in a Cake Pan)

Serves 8 to 12

1 lb. extra lean ground beef
1 small can green chilies, undrained
1 head iceberg lettuce, outer leaves removed (all other lettuces will wilt)
1 packet taco seasoning mix (or a mixture of cumin, chili powder and garlic powder)
1 cup ranch sour cream mayonnaise, divided (recipe below)
1 (15 oz.) can of your favorite beans, rinsed and drained very well
1/2 can (about 7 oz.) sweet corn, drained very well
1/2 cup chopped purple or green onion + more for top
8 oz. of your favorite tomato salsa
8 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 (3.8 oz.) can sliced black olives, drained very well
1/2 lb. bacon, fried until crispy, cooled completely, and crumbled
2 jalapeno peppers, sliced
1 Roma tomato, seeds removed, chopped
ripe avocado chunks, (optional)
tortilla chips for topping

Cook the ground beef, canned chilies and taco seasoning in a skillet until beef is brown all the way through and the liquid from the chilies has evaporated.

Place in refrigerator and allow to chill until completely cold. Then, place in an even layer on the bottom of a 9×13 glass cake pan. Top with a double layer of crisp, iceberg lettuce leaves (half the head), 1/2 cup of the ranch sour cream mayonnaise smoothed into an even layer, beans, corn, onion, another double layer of lettuce (press down gently after placing the lettuce,) the other 1/2 cup of ranch sour cream mayo, salsa, cheese, olives, bacon, jalapenos, tomato and a little more purple onion.

Place cover or foil on cake pan and refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours before slicing into pieces, crunching tortilla chips over the top, and serving.

Feel free to top this with avocado chunks, extra tomato chunks, and/or your favorite hot sauce!

Ranch Sour Cream Mayonnaise:
·        3/4 cup real mayonnaise
·        1/4 cup full fat sour cream
3 to 6 tablespoons dry buttermilk ranch dressing mix (homemade or Hidden Valley) add gradually, according to individual taste

Mix well. Chill until ready to use.

Enjoy!

Fellow Travelers
Love Song Spotlight


I been on my knees and I been praying loud
Palms getting sweaty, my nerves feeling heavy

Holding back these tears as I see your face
I'm a lucky ma (ha), wondering how did I get ya?

We made it this far and now we're standing hand and hand, yeah, yeah
No doubts in my heart that I found the one that's Heaven sent

And today is your day
You look beautiful in that dress, baby, yeah
I fell for an angel
Only two words for me to say
I'ma say it to your face
I do, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
I do, I'ma say it to your face
I do, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
I do, I'ma say it to your face

Finance Matters
Visit a State Park
North Carolina
Carolina Beach State Park in Carolina Beach, NC, https://www.ncparks.gov/carolina-beach-state-park/home

Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head, NC, https://www.ncparks.gov/jockeys-ridge-state-park/home

Merchants Millpond State Park in Gatesville, NC, https://www.ncparks.gov/merchants-millpond-state-park/home

Raven Rock State Park in Lillington, NC, https://www.ncparks.gov/raven-rock-state-park/home

Eno River State Park in Durham, NC, https://www.ncparks.gov/eno-river-state-park/home

Hanging Rock State Park in Danbury, NC, https://www.ncparks.gov/hanging-rock-state-park/home

Stone Mountain State Park in Roaring Gap, NC, https://www.ncparks.gov/stone-mountain-state-park/home

Chimney Rock State Park in Chimney Rock, NC, https://www.chimneyrockpark.com/

Mount Mitchell State Park in Burnsville, NC, https://www.ncparks.gov/mount-mitchell-state-park/home

 
South Carolina

Chester State Park in Chester, SC- Rent a boat, canoe, kayak, pedal boat, or stand-up paddle board, https://southcarolinaparks.com/chester

Go see the most beautiful rocky shoals spider lilies in the world (May/June) at Landsford Canal State Park in Catawba, SC, https://southcarolinaparks.com/landsford-canal

Catch some bream, catfish, crappie, and bass at Lake Wateree State Park in Winnsboro, SC, https://southcarolinaparks.com/lake-wateree

Rent a boat and paddle the 3-mile Canoe Trail across the lake at Goodale State Park in Camden, SC, https://southcarolinaparks.com/goodale

Jockey's Ridge Hang Gliding School
Date Ideas

 
  • Friday Night on White: Party on White- Town of Wake Forest’s Friday Night on White, https://www.wakeforestnc.gov/meetings-events/friday-night-white from 6-9 p.m. along South White Street in downtown Wake Forest, NC on the second Friday each month through September: July 15th – Love Tribe; August 12th – The Brickhouse Band; and September 9th - Crush
  • Bands, Bites & Boats every First Friday of the month April – October at the Bond Park Boathouse, 197 Bond Park Drive, Cary, NC 27513, https://www.townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/facilities/bond-park-boathouse- musicians, food trucks, and after-hours boat rentals…. bring your lawn chairs!
  • H.E.R. Back of My Mind Tour- Friday, June 24, 2022, at the Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh, NC, https://www.redhatamphitheater.com/ at 7:30 p.m.
  • An Evening with Charlie Wilson- Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the Winston Salem Fairgrounds at 7:00 p.m., https://wsfairgrounds.com/
  • Backstreet Boys DNA World Tour- Coastal Credit Music Park at Walnut Creek, Raleigh, NC on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 7:30 p.m., https://www.livenation.com/venue/KovZpZAEkeaA/coastal-credit-union-music-park-at-walnut-creek-events?utm_source=GMBlisting&utm_medium=organic
  • Stephen Marley- Sunday, July 3, 2022, at Ziggy’s in High Point, NC at 7:30 p.m., https://ziggys.space/
  • The Commodores with Average White Band on Friday, July 8, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. at Koka Booth Amphitheater at Regency Park in Cary, NC, https://www.boothamphitheatre.com/
  • Chris Brown & Lil’ Baby: One of Them Ones Tour on Friday, July 15, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at Coastal Credit Music Park at Walnut Creek, Raleigh, NC
  • Mothers Finest with Shoot to Thrill and Special Guest Wafer Thin on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at Winston Salem Fairgrounds
  • Orchestra Noir: The Atlanta African American Orchestra on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, NC, https://www.dukeenergycenterraleigh.com/
  • Anthony Hamilton on Thursday, July 21, 2022, in Roanoke, VA at the Berglund Performing Arts Center at 8:00 p.m., https://berglundcenter.live/
  • Peak City Pig Fest Annual Rotary Club Event on July 22-23, 2022, in Historic Downtown Apex, NC, https://peakcitypigfest.com/
  • New Kids on the Block: Mixtape Tour 2022 on Friday, July 22, 2022, at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC, https://www.pncarena.com/
  • An Epic Night with Jeezy and K. Michele on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts in Greensboro, NC, https://www.tangercenter.com/
  • Women’s Empowerment on July 30, 2022, at the PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC; Sherri Shepherd is the Featured Speaker
  • Southern Soul Summer Explosion on Friday, August 5, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. featuring Tucka and Pokey Bear at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts in Greensboro, NC
  •  Music at the Page on Friday, August 5, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at the Page -Walker Arts & History Center in Cary, NC, https://www.townofcary.org/recreation-enjoyment/facilities/page-walker-arts-and-history-center-1440
  • Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Koka Booth Amphitheater at Regency Park in Cary, NC, https://www.boothamphitheatre.com/
  • Smokey Robinson on Friday, August 19, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. at the Koka Booth Amphitheater at Regency Park in Cary, NC
  • Back 4 Everything I Lost Tour: Kodak Black on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC, https://www.greensborocoliseum.com/
  • Smokey Robinson on Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. at Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts in Greensboro, NC
  • Downtown Durham Food Truck Rodeo on September 4, 2022, 12-4 p.m. at Durham Central Park, https://durhamcentralpark.org/
  •  The Temptations and the Four Tops on Friday, September 9, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. at the Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham, NC, https://www.dpacnc.com/
  •  Wu-Tang Clan & Nas: New York State of Mind Tour on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. at Coastal Credit Music Park at Walnut Creek, Raleigh, NC
  • Mary J. Blige: 2022 Good Morning Gorgeous Tour on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
  • Robert Cray on Tuesday, September 20, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. at the Carolina Theater in Durham, NC,https://carolinatheatre.org/
  • Maxwell: The Night Tour on Friday, October 7, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. at the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh, NC
  • Wanda Sykes on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at 8:00 p.m. at the Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham, NC
  •  Katt Williams: 2023 And Me Tour on October 7, 2022, at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC
  • Sister Act- North Carolina Theatre on October 11-16, 2022, at Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts in Raleigh, NC
 




Jazz at the North Carolina Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC
·        June 30th- Jonathan Butler with Special Guest Avery Sunshine
·        July 7th- Take 6 with Special Guest Najee




The Barn Dinner Theater, https://www.barndinner.com/


Soul Sistas: The Musical- July 8 – August 6, 2022
Friday - Seating begins at 6:00 p.m.
Saturday - Seating begins at 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday - Seating begins at 1:00 p.m. (8/2/22)
 

Goodnight’s Comedy Club,https://www.goodnightscomedy.com/

Tim Meadows- Thursday, June 30th; Friday- July 1; and Saturday, July 2
King Bach- July 15 and 16
Clint Coley- July 17
Luenell- July 29, 30, and 31
Tony Roberts- August 19, 20, 21
Ryan Davis- September 2, 3, and 4
 

Raleigh Improv, https://improv.com/raleigh/


Tommy Davidson- June 23-26
Jess Hilarious- July 1-3
Amanda Seales- July 15-17
Eddie Griffin- July 29-30
D.L. Hughley- August 12-14
Margaret Cho- August 19-20
Ms. Pat- September 8-10
Aries Spears- September 22-25
Arnez J- October 6-9
 




Luenell

Sherman and Paula Newman| 919-730-1107 | lovenote2@hotmail.com | NIFS website, www.newmanskillbuilding.com