Good Neighbor Club eNewsletter
January, February, and March 2024
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Dear Good Neighbor Members,
As I look forward to our 2024-2025 schedule, I am so very grateful for the opportunities we are able to bring each of you; our valued Good Neighbor Club Members.
During these past 30 plus years, our mission has been to enrich the lives of our Good Neighbor Club Members. We have had opportunities to travel to many parts of the world, getting to know and making new friends as we traveled by bus, or plane, or ship or train!
Locally we have been able to take in various theatre productions; enjoying a little gambling and fellowship at the various casinos. Our lunch and learns have brought in speakers that have been able to help us understand some of the changes we see and will continue to see— such as being very aware of scams.
Going forward I will continue to strive to help make new memories as we continue to travel and plan activities that will be of interest to all of my members.
Recently we have just returned from Nashville— Pigeon Forge and Asheville, NC where we did view the Biltmore Estate that is decked out in phenomenal holiday decorations. Another group will be leaving the end of January for a trip of a lifetime as we travel to Australia and New Zealand.
Happy Travels!
Betty Marthaler
Good Neighbor Club Director
Email Betty
320-214-3009
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A Few Reminders
Just as a reminder for our Good Neighbor Club Members who board our bus at the Willmar Bank Location: Please park on the south side of the bank to leave the front (east side) open for our banking customers that come into the lobby.
For any weather related announcements/cancellations, please listen to KWLM or call/text Betty (320-212-1302) if you feel a trip may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
If you are trying to reach Betty directly, please call her direct line to bypass the automated phone system: 320-214-3009.
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Lunch n' Learn: How to Use MyChart
Thursday, January 11
Lunch at 12 pm, Presentation Follows
Good Neighbor Club Room, Willmar Branch
Sheila Hoffman with CentraCare will be our presenter on how to efficiently use MyChart. Her presentation is typically one hour and she will walk individuals through a demonstration and tutorial. Using a screen and projector with time for questions after the presentation. Please call Betty directly at 320.214.3009 for reservations as space is limited!
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Lunch n' Learn with Attorney Kristal R. Dahlager
Tuesday, March 26
Lunch at 12 pm, Presentation Follows
Good Neighbor Club Room, Willmar Branch
Kristal focuses her practice in the areas of probate, social security disability, estate planning, business planning, and real estate matters. She is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association and has been practicing with Anderson Larson Attorneys at Law since April 2013. Our space is limited so please call for reservations, and if you need to cancel please let me know so I can fill your spot!
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Minnesota Events & Outings | |
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January 17
February 21
March 20
8 am Departure from New London
8:15 am Departure from Spicer
8:30 am Departure from Willmar
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Mystic Lake Casino
Join your fellow Good Neighbor Club Members on these Wednesdays as the 50+ fun day is still on at Mystic Lake. They will continue to offer the $15.00 in slot play—plus the $4.00 food voucher— and on Wednesdays each person 50 and over will get additional slot play added to your account.
***Please call in your reservation the Friday before our event***
$40 per member & non-member
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Sinatra - "My Way" with Andrew Walesch & His Orchestra
March 12 @ 1:30 pm
Paramount Center for the Arts
Singer and pianist Andrew Walesch manages to encapsulate the sophistication of a cosmopolite and the self-effacing charm of a country boy. Andrew is a traditionalist and an iconoclast rolled into one.
Members: $56
Prospective Members: $66
Payment due January 22
Lunch at Maverick's, Dutch Treat
9:30 am Departure from Willmar
9:45 am Departure from Spicer
10:00 am Departure from New London
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The Lion King
March 28 @ 1 pm
Orpheum Theatre
Waitlist Only - Call to Inquire
Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. This is Disney’s The Lion King, making its triumphant return to the Orpheum Theatre!
Members: $110
Prospective Members: $115
Lunch at Crave, Dutch Treat
8:15 am Departure from New London
8:30 am Departure from Spicer
8:45 am Departure from Willmar
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The Fabulous Lipitones
May 9 @ 1:30 pm
Sidekick Theatre
What happens when an a cappella quartet loses a key member to a heart-stopping high “B flat?” An uproarious comedy of stereotypes, misunderstanding, and the path to perfect harmony.
Members: $90
Prospective Members: $100
Payment due April 1
Lunch at 11:30 am, included
9:00 am Departure from New London
9:15 am Departure from Spicer
9:30 am Departure from Willmar
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Gertens Outing
May 20
Inver Grove Heights
Located in Inver Grove Heights, Gertens is a trip we look forward to each and every year. Besides a wide assortment of beautiful growing annuals and perennials, their gift shop is sure to have the item you have been searching for!
Members: $40
Prospective Members: $50
Payment due May 10
7:30 am Departure from New London
7:45 am Departure from Spicer
8:00 am Departure from Willmar
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Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
June 5 @ 1:00 pm
Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
Beautiful, the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Carole King Musical has been thrilling audiences with the inspiring true story of Carole King’s remarkable journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame music legend.
Members: $100
Prospective Members: $110
Payment due April 17
Lunch at 11:00 am, included
8:30 am Departure from New London
8:45 am Departure from Spicer
9:00 am Departure from Willmar
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Come from Away
June 13 @ 2 pm
The Ordway Center
Come From Away is a musical based on the events in the Newfoundland town of Gander during the week following the September 11th attacks, when 38 planes were ordered to land unexpectedly at Gander International Airport.
Members: $105
Prospective Members: $110
Payment due April 15
Lunch @ Downtowner Grill, Dutch Treat
9:00 am Departure from New London
9:15 am Departure from Spicer
9:30 am Departure from Willmar
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Australia & New Zealand Cruise
January 25 - February 11, 2024
Join us for an incredible journey to the “Land Down Under.” Explore some of the world's most incredible modern architecture. Experience the fascinating aborigine and Maori cultures. Cruise from Auckland to Sydney on the extensively renovated Norwegian Spirit. Modernized from bow-to-stern NCL’s most extensive ship renovation ever, the Spirit offers the best of Norwegian Cruise Line's exceptional fleet. This stunning ship offers a one-of-a-kind cruise experience as you delight in this trip of a lifetime!
Our adventure begins in Auckland, New Zealand famous for its awe-inspiring beauty and breathtaking scenery. We’ll spend the night in Auckland and the following morning take a local sightseeing tour before boarding NCL’s Spirit for an incredible voyage! Explore Tauranga, set on the beautiful Bay of Plenty; the port of Napier is considered the art deco capital of the world; in Wellington, travel to a Victorian past as you stroll by the city’s Victorian Gothic buildings; tiny penguins rule the roost in Akaroa, an historic settlement nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano; Dunedin (Port Chalmers), is a dramatic South Island coastal town that offers a mix of unique natural beauty and fascinating history; carved by ancient glaciers, Milford Sound, which is really a fjord, is the crown jewel of Fiordland National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site; cruise Dusky Sound the largest and most spectacular fjord in Fjordland National Park; although technically not a sound (it’s a fjord), Doubtful Sound is the second longest in New Zealand. Spend two relaxing days at sea enjoying the amenities of the newly renovated ship. Once the richest city in the world thanks to a gold rush, Melbourne is Australia’s cultural capital with striking architecture, chic galleries, and boutiques. On the northwest coast of Tasmania, Burnie has long a history as a community that makes things, with locally crafted European-style cheeses, fine papers, ceramics, and single-malt whisky. Situated on the rugged coastline of Australia’s New South Wales, Eden is nestled among national parks, wilderness areas and enticing beaches. We’ll disembark in Sydney, Australia where we’ll spend two nights. Visit the Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, and historic Paddington with its iron-railed town houses. Spend a full day in the Blue Mountains to visit the Featherdale Wildlife Park and discover the remarkable beauty of Blue Mountains National Park. Descend into the lush rainforest for a walk in the forest and enjoy views of the beautiful Three Sisters. Ride the Scenic Railway and stop at Sydney Olympic Park to view Stadium Australian – the centerpiece of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
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Sensational Washington
April 21 - 27, 2024
Including the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, the San Juan Islands, Leavenworth, and Seattle
We will have a morning flight to Seattle, Washington where we will board our motor coach and head downtown Seattle-- We have a local guide joining us for a City Tour; after which we will travel to Everett and spend the night and have a welcome dinner for our Good Neighbor Members. We will experience the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival as we visit Tulip Town and enjoy a trolley ride around the fields.
The afternoon we will board San Juan Cruises “Salish”— our private motor yacht, for a cruise of the magnificent San Juan Islands. A homemade lunch will be served as our captain gives us interesting and entertaining narration on the history of the island. In the evening we dock at Friday Harbor enjoying our dinner and spending the night at Friday Harbor Suites. The next day we will board our private yacht and enjoy another day of cruising. Today we will be treated to a cracked crab lunch as we continue searching for sea birds, whales and other wild life.
Back on the mainland we will begin our travel the following morning stopping at the RoozenGaarde— the largest tulip farm in the United States. We then travel through the Cascade Mountains—where we will spend two nights in Leavenworth, starting at the Enzian Inn, enjoying a Bavarian-Inspired dinner. Our next day takes us to the eastern slope of the Cascades stopping at Aplets and Cotlets Candy Kitchen and the Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village, our lunch will be served at Tsillan Cellars Winery— where we will enjoy a delicious lunch and wine tasting.
As we make our way to Seattle we will make a stop at Snoqualmie Falls, this 270-foot waterfall is one of Washington's most popular scenic attractions. Next, we will be amazed at the stunning works of art by renowned glass artist, Dale Chihuly—at Chihuly Garden and Glass. We will get panoramic city views from 520 feet above Seattle as we are at the top of the iconic Space Needle. Our dinner will be at a local Seattle restaurant and later we will check into the Sheraton Grand Hotel for the evening. After our breakfast on Saturday, we are off to the airport for our flight home with memories of a fantastic trip. Please call me or stop in and I will be happy to send you out a detailed brochure with our prices and full itinerary.
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Colorado Rail Adventure
July 15 - 22, 2024
A trip that the Good Neighbor Club has not prompted before and one that you are going to want to join us on. We fly to Denver and make our way to Golden— this former Gold Rush Town is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
Tuesday, we travel back in time as we climb aboard the Georgetown Loop Railroad. We will make our way through the Rocky Mountains to the charming town of Palisade.
Wednesday– our day will begin with a visit to the Colorado National Monument, during our guided driving tour we will experience sheer-walled, red rock canyons while watching for bighorn sheep and soaring
eagles.
Thursday– we will travel via the Million Dollar Highway, and arrive in Silverton where we will board the Durango and Silverton Scenic Railroad, our journey will take us to Durango where we will spend two nights at the Double Tree by Hilton.
Friday– we will travel to the Mesa Verde National Park– the park was established to preserve the archeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people, who made it their home for over 700 years.
Saturday– we are off for another train adventure as we climb aboard the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, which will take us on a 64 mile journey as we zig-zag between Colorado and the New Mexico boarder. Tonight finds us in Alamosa at the Fairfield Inn.
Sunday– we visit the beautiful Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. After which we board the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. We will make our way to Colorado Springs to enjoy a lovely dinner— and later check into the Hyatt Place Garden of the Gods.
Monday– on our driving tour, we will experience dramatic views of the 300’ towering sandstone rock formations. Later in the afternoon we will make our way to the Denver airport.
If you are interested in this trip, please call and we will send you a full brochure with the price and more detailed information.
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California Kaleidoscope
September 22 - 28, 2024
Sunday, September 22 (Dinner) Arrive San Francisco, and check into the Argonaut Hotel for two nights. Tonight have a wonderful dinner with fabulous views at the popular Franciscan Restaurant.
Monday, September 23 (Breakfast) Enjoy a guided tour of San Francisco with a complete overview of the city including some iconic sites: Chinatown, the colorful Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, panoramic views from the top of Twin Peaks, the Presidio, and Golden Gate Park with a stop at the Golden Gate Bridge. Tour Alcatraz Island with a close-up look at the first U.S. built fort on the West Coast, the infamous federal penitentiary.
Tuesday, September 24 (Breakfast, Dinner) Visit Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, a beautiful grove of old growth redwoods. Continue into the northern tip of Napa Valley to the charming village of Calistoga with a visit to a local winery for a wine tasting. In Napa, check into the lovely Hilton Garden Inn for two nights. Enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant.
Wednesday, September 25 (Breakfast, Lunch) Tour The Culinary Institute of America, one of the world's most unique and enriching schools for food and wine education. Enjoy a winery tour, wine tasting, and gourmet picnic lunch (complete with wine, of course) at V. Sattui Winery.
Thursday, September 26 (Breakfast, Box Lunch) In Sacramento, board Amtrak's California Zephyr for a rail journey through the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains. Enjoy a boxed lunch taking in views of wildflower meadows and the glistening Donner Lake. Explore appealing boutiques, and galleries in the charming mountain town of Truckee. Check into the 4-star Harrah's Lake Tahoe Hotel for two nights in Stateline, Nevada.
Friday, September 27 (Breakfast, Dinner) Visit historic Virginia City with a stop at The Way It Was Museum to see mining artifacts, rare photos, and maps from the area. Take a 2-hour narrated, cruise on Lake Tahoe with views of one of the most magnificent mountain lakes in the world! Enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant.
Saturday, September 28 (Breakfast) Depart for Reno, Nevada to visit the National Automobile Museum before our return flight home taking with us warm memories of wonderful experiences, beautiful scenery, and new friends made along the way!
If you are interested in this trip, please call and we will send you a full brochure, complete with price and more detailed information.
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Ireland & Scotland
June 2025 TBD
We are targeting the second half of June 2025 for a fabulous tour of Ireland and Scotland. We are waiting for availability at the Atholl Palace in Scotland. It’s a fabulous 3-night experience, so we need to build the tour around it. We believe we’ll have confirmation by March, 2024. Stay Tuned!
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Duoro River Valley Cruise
October 10 - 21, 2025
Rambling vineyards and charming native farms cling to the steep sides of the Douro River Valley, creating an incomparable backdrop to one of Europe’s most unspoiled regions and to Port country—the world’s oldest demarcated wine region.
Our journey begins with a flight to Lisbon, where we’ll spend 2 nights enjoying this beautiful European city and its countryside. We’ll travel to Porto to board the AmaDouro, which features spacious, elegantly appointed staterooms, enriching entertainments, award-winning cuisine, inviting public spaces, a sundeck pool, an onboard spa, and a fitness center.
The ship holds a maximum of 102 guests! Complimentary beer and wine are served with all lunches and dinners, plus there’s a complimentary cocktail hour before dinner. Most of the AmaDouro’s cabins include balconies to take in views of the breathtaking hills and terraced vineyards along the river.
Sail roundtrip for 7 nights from Porto, the beautiful “City of Bridges”; visit Regua, the ‘capital’ of the Douro Valley; and marvel at Salamanca, the UNESCO-designated “Golden City.” Taste wines from historic wineries and soak up the genuine beauty of one of Europe’s most unadulterated landscapes.
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