<>Dear [FIRSTNAME],

Where has the year gone?  It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away.  There are plenty of holiday events to celebrate.  Have you put your RSVP in for Thanksgiving?  Deadline is in 2 days!  Get your RSVPs in today.  Click here to pay.

<>In this newsletter:

• News - Cookie Exchange Coffee Morning, Thanksgiving and Holiday Cuppa 
• Volunteering - Volunteer to help with the Golf Day, Ball and/or Valentines Event
• Fundraising - Donations for Thanksgiving & Another Successful Halloween
• Social Groups - Many groups on hold through holidays
• Did You Know? - The Origins of the Christmas Tree
• Calendar View - Highlights of the next few week's activities

 News:

AWA 'Cookie Exchange' Morning Coffee
Get into the holiday spirit with the November Coffee morning 'Cookie Exchange', Friday 20 November from 10am-12pm.  Simply bring 4 dz homeade treats to exchange for another 4 dz delectable goodies.  Click here for more details and to RSVP.

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Thanksgiving RSVP Deadline Looms - Nov 15th:
We currently only have about half the numbers we'd expect on the day... which means there are (hopefully) a lot of you who just haven't yet gotten around to organised your family's tickets yet for one of the year's most popular events? 

Join us for a sumptuous turkey lunch with all the trimmings, pumpkin pies, kids activities, silent auction and Christmas tree raffles.  Santa will also be making a visit, so make sure to bring a camera!

What are you waiting for?  Deadline is Sunday, November 15th. (That's 3 days from now!)
Click here to purchase your tickets online now!

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Holiday Cuppa Afternoon Tea Christmas Social:
Join the AWA ladies for a lovely afternoon tea, Saturday Dec 5 from 2-5pm.  Bring $10 and a wrapped toy for the children of the hospital.  See the full details and RSVP here.

Volunteering:

 Fundraising:

Have you committed an item / donation towards the Thanksgiving to Remember? 
Each AWA member is encouraged to personally donate (or solicit) an item towards the day to be used as part of the silent auction or in combination with the Christmas Tree auctions. 

Haven't given yet?  Contact Ann Salmon to ler her know what you can offer for the day.

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Congrats to Meredith Bushell and her Adult Halloween Helpers.  The night was a whole lot of fun and raised ~$2,500 towards the Exhaled Nitric Oxide Assessment machine.

 Social Groups:

Many Social Groups are on hiatus through the holidays, so make sure to join in for the Thanksgiving to Remember, Cookie Exchange and Holiday Cuppa to get your fill of social time! 

• Bayside Memory Makers: On holiday's until Feb, 2010
• Compass Bible Study: Next Meeting, Wed Nov 25
• Movie Night: Next event, Dec 14
• Gen X: New leader sought - Express your interest to Shani 
• Gourmet Lunch Group: No December Event
• Wine Appreciation Group: Tomorrow, Saturday, Nov 14th

 Did You Know?:

Christmas Trees -
Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if wood was scarce.

And though it's not cold and wintry here in Melbourne, a Christmas Tree is still an American favourite.  Come to the Thanksgiving to Remember and pick up one of the decorated Christmas Tree Raffles. 

If the real thing is more what you're after, consider buying your Christmas tree with Oxfam.  Part of the cost goes towards to this not-for-profit and they'll even deliver it straight to your door. 

 Calendar View:

Here is a quick snapshot of what is happening across the AWA calendar in the next few weeks. Click the calendar image on the right to take you to the online calendar for more details!

Upcoming Events 

Sat, Nov 14th, @12:00pm Wine Appreciation

Fri, Nov 20th, @10:00am AWA MORNING COFFEE

Wed, Nov 25th, @10:00am Compass Bible Study

Sun, Nov 29th, @12:00pm A Thanksgiving To Remember