Cheers Trip Opportunities: The State Department has indicated that the length of time to renew or get a new passport has decreased; however, processing still may take several months. Check the expiration date on your passport and other documents. Most countries require your passport at the end of your trip to have at least six months remaining prior to expiration. Also, starting in 2024, the European Union is requiring entry visas that will be free to those over 70. These visas will be connected to your passport upon approval.

AMAWaterways is offering numerous river cruises at 20% discount prices with reduced airfare.

Several American River Cruises are available also. The more popular are on the Mississippi and Columbia Rivers, in addition to a fall cruise along the New England Coast. Contact Donna at Free Spirit Vacations if interested.

River cruising is an ideal way to spend your time traveling. There are river cruises in Laos and China, but the vast majority are cruises on the Danube, Rhine, Rhone, and Douro Rivers in Europe. These European rivers offer relaxing vacations traveling through several countries with stops in interesting cities, including Lyon, Nice, Cologne, Amsterdam, Brussels, Vienna, Budapest, and many more. Most offer inclusive tours at each port, and generally they are not very strenuous. Cruise lines are currently booking travel as far ahead as 2026, as popular itineraries fill quickly due to the fact that most river ships accommodate fewer than 200 people.

Cheers travel itineraries are open to all, since we utilize and partner with 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. Lorene Roberts 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. Voluntary donations of food, household items, and/or cash are provided monthly. If preferred, one may write a check directly to Hamilton High School, specifying which activity you wish your contribution to be credited to. These donations are coordinated by Sally Wengryn, 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.