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Another trip around the sun is complete! Life is beginning to resurface… how good it is to hear laughter in the Clubhouse halls again! January brings lots of activities to our group. Our first meeting will be Thurs., Jan. 5, in the Lamia Room at 9:30 am. Let's all welcome our new officers, Linda Griffith (President) and Barbara Ott (Vice President). Sat., Jan. 14 is Do Dues Day from 10 am to 2 pm… always a fun day. We will be showing our past projects and happily signing up members for 2023 in the Sewing Room. Our dues remain the same-please make out your check for $7 to OHCC SEWING, ETC. The January class is "Meet the Machines," Sharon Kleven will be on hand on Thurs., Jan. 19 to help new and returning members familiarize themselves with the sewing room itself and the machines that are available for use. The group will meet at 9:30 am and be done by noon. The following Saturday, Jan. 21, is an "Open Sewing/ Wearable Arts" day. The Sewing Room will be available all day for any project you wish to work on, plus our Wearable Arts group may have a project going on. As always, the Kneedlers and Hookers gather on Tuesdays from 3:15 - 4:30 pm, where you can pick up a new skill, share, or visit. Also, on Tuesday evenings (6 – 8 pm) and Fridays (12 - 3 pm) several quilters, knitters, crocheters and sewers get together for "Sew & Chats." Both of these gatherings are loosely structured and help to keep us in touch. If you are interested in participating in our activities and are not sure who to reach out to for further information, please call Linda Griffith at (480) 755-3991, or MaryLu Belisle at (952) 454-1931 for more information. Also, please visit our website, lovingly updated by Terri Eckhardt, http://ohccsewing.wixsite.com/ohccsewing. 28 | OHCC LIVING | JANUARY 2023 | Sewing Club Save The Monarch Butterfly Overwintering for All In the world of the Western Monarch butterfly, December through January is overwintering time – for the butterflies and their human supporters. The butterflies begin to cluster at overwintering sites along the Pacific coast once the weather turns cool, and they will remain there until warming temperatures tell them it's time to start a new cycle – usually in late February. Until then, our OHCC sanctuary is closed to visitors and the SMB club focuses on its own winter agenda. You may be interested in visiting the Monarchs in their winter habitats. California has dozens of overwintering sites in eucalyptus groves scattered along the length of its coast, plus a few more inland. Several are in the San Diego area, but the largest enclaves are further north, in Goleta (near Santa Barbara) and Pismo Beach. The SMB club is planning to organize excursions to visit one or more local sites – watch for our notices! We're also working on other fun projects for our members in the coming year. In the meantime, the SMB Board has been active. At our annual meeting in November, a new slate of officers was elected for the coming year. Myra Esler will continue as President, with Rona Cole and Diane Hillman staying on as Vice President and Treasurer. Robin Genat becomes Secretary, while Ruth Schafer is Director of Special Events. Monthly Board of Director meetings will now be held on the first Friday of each month at 11 am in the Art Room. Winter is an important time for renewing our gardens. The milkweed in the sanctuary is now dormant and our perennial flowers have stopped blooming, and our maintenance team will be trimming back the plants and amending the soil in preparation for spring. We expect the garden to flourish in year two, with the milkweed spreading and perennials and shrubs becoming more mature. Meanwhile, it's also planning time for home gardeners. We hope you'll include planting milkweed and butterfly-friendly nectar plants in your own spaces. The Board is developing a detailed plan to help you with that. Finally, Do Dues Day is coming up fast. Please plan to visit our table on Jan. 14 and join our SMB club or make a donation. Due to the price increases in plants and garden material, our dues will be $15. If you choose to renew your membership before the 14th, your dues will remain at $12. We accomplished a tremendous amount last year, but our mission – Saving the Western Monarch – will continue through 2023 and beyond. ~ Myra Esler Vicky Dibble – Tote bags Terry Chamberlin- loomed hat