Cheers members enjoying the August Dine-Out at The Sicilian Butcher in Chandler (photo by Robert Russo)
Cheers Trip Opportunities: Many of our Cheers members chose to do independent travel during the summer months. Many visited family and friends while escaping the heat. Several traveled to interesting destinations and diverse regions in and out of the U.S., including cruises to Alaska, Norway, and Iceland. One adventurous Cheers member took a South American cruise around the Straits of Magellan. Other popular U.S. destinations were New England and Colorado. All returned with many stories and even more photos.
We have a group that has plans to travel to Costa Rica for an eight-day land trip on Jan. 2, 2025. The Caravan Travel tour is all-inclusive for $995 plus airfare. See the natural beauty of Costa Rica while staying in deluxe hotels and having all meals included.
The U.S. Department of State has launched a program that allows online renewal of passports. The program has numerous restrictions, including the number they will accept daily for renewal. Processing takes six to eight weeks. Go to mytravel.state.gov then click on “Renew Your Passport.” There may be other restrictions. Additionally, the European Union has delayed the requirement for entry visas until 2025.
One future trip generating interest is the Canadian Rockies Tour, which leaves on July 27, 2025, for nine days. It visits some of the most beautiful areas in North America, including Calgary, Banff, Jasper, and Glacier National Park. The price is $3,999 per person double occupancy and $5,798 per person single occupancy.
Cheers travel itineraries are open to all, since we use licensed travel agents. For more information, call Richard Lewin at 609-332-3915 or Donna Clucky at Free Spirit Vacations at 480-926-5547, Ext. 2.
Monthly Wine Tasting: On the second Wednesday of each month a club member hosts a wine tasting and potluck dinner in their home. Advance registration is required, and an $8 fee per person is collected to provide funds for the purchase of a variety of wine, selected and presented by the host/hostess. Anne Brunick serves as the activity leader, supporting and assisting monthly hosts.
Hamilton High School Donations: Cheers provides charitable support to needy students at Hamilton High School and other Title 1 Chandler schools. Voluntary donations of food, household items, and/or cash are provided monthly. If preferred, one may write a check directly to Hamilton High School or the school of your choice, specifying which activity you wish your contribution to be credited to. These donations are coordinated by Sally Wegryn, who can be reached at 203-470-0733, in collaboration with Hamilton Social Work staff, and are greatly appreciated in our community.
Dine-Out: On the fourth Wednesday of each month, members dine out together at a selected restaurant in the community. This activity, coordinated by Robert Russo, provides opportunity to try new restaurants and perhaps new types of cuisine in the company of friends. Advance registration is required to confirm restaurant reservations.
Book Club: This group meets every third Tuesday at the Oakwood Library.
For further information regarding Cheers Social Group, membership, and/or group activities, please refer to our website Cheerssingles.org or contact Chairperson Mike Swoverland at 480-907-4623.