If Halloween is this weekend, then it follows that the 2015 holidays are not far away. We think you’ll be pleased with our redesign of the annual Neahkahnie Community Club’s ever-popular December gathering. We’re not sure yet just what to call it. Will it be a shindig… or a bash? Or maybe a cocktail happening or a festive get-together? How about a soiree? Really, it’s just general seasonal merrymaking with friends and neighbors at the Pine Grove Club …….

We’ll give it a name and send you details, including how to RSVP, next month. In the meantime, make sure you’ve reserved the evening of December 12 for the Neahkahnie Community Club.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, this summer’s Neah-Kah-Nie Club annual picnic will be on Saturday, August 15th, instead of August 8th as previously announced.  More information to follow.

Please save Saturday afternoon, 8 August for the club’s 2015 summer picnic!

Hoping to avoid a repeat of the July 7, 2014 fire that damaged several Neahkahnie homes, Oregon Department of Forestry crews continue to gather driftwood from the beach for controlled burns. It is believed that a bonfire started by Fourth of July revelers smoldered for several days before erupting in driftwood logs and up a beach embankment.  Eight months later at least one home’s repairs continue along with efforts to stabilize the hillside below.  These March 11, 2015 photos courtesy of Tori Pickerel and Anne Morgan.  

An estimated 350-400 participated in (and nearly as many spectated at) the 9th Annual Polar Plunge.  It was one of those magical, mild winter days at the beach, a great start to 2015 in NeahKahNie.

Happy New Year to everyone from the board!

December 31, 2014

Dear NeahKahNie Neighbors and Friends:

As the year comes to a close, I’d like to say what a wonderful neighborhood we live in. Full time or part-time, we all enjoy our little part of the coast to its fullest. Thanks to my fellow board members and all volunteers who have gladly agreed throughout the year to tote tables, shake rugs, set-up trees, cut sandwiches, make salads,  tend bar, haul everything that needed hauling, sort recycling, buy booze, fluff tablecloths, clean up and push brooms, all the while being kind hearted and generous with time and energy. Thanks to all of you who have showed-up (expected and unexpected) to assist. Our events could not have succeeded without your help.

We find ourselves in wonderful shape as an organization. The books continue to balance and our membership list continues to grow. We have welcomed new-comers and renewed longtime friendships this year, and it’s been done with style and grace. It is a heartwarming feeling to know we are growing in numbers and in fellowship.

I am honored to serve as your President, and my fellow board members share my enthusiasm. What a pleasure it is to be involved with such a positive organization. The success of our Summer Picnic and our Winter Holiday Party is because of your membership support. In 2015, please continue to participate with the Club, and remember…if you have an idea you’d like to share, a comment you’d like to make or an offer to volunteer, I can be reached at tpickerel@gmail.com or my local phone: (503) 368-4055.

As we look forward a new year: please pay your 2015 dues promptly, put the dates of the gatherings on your calendar, and enjoy your fellow “Neah-Kah-Nie-ites” in our little part of life on the best part of the Oregon Coast.

Tori L Pickerel – President – 2014

do you know a bit of Neah-Kah-Nie founding history?  how on earth did we end up with the Nehalem ZIP code even though Manzanita separates us?  we want YOU to add to the conversation… comment here or email Matt at matthewLgray at gmail dot com

Hello Neahkahnie Community Club members. The start of November means the holiday season is looming. The Club’s Holiday Dinner Party on Saturday, December 13 will be catered by The Schooner Restaurant in Netarts. Chef Tommy Flood is dreaming up a tasty holiday menu for us, featuring a unique array of locally-sourced foods. The dinner cost has not changed: $30/person. The location remains: NCRD, located at 36155 Ninth St. in Nehalem.

Our complimentary social hour begins at 5:30 pm. Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm. Please bring a holiday ornament to add to the decorations on the trees in the room. At the end of the party, you can take a different ornament to take home. We anticipate a fun evening of fine food and drink and holiday spirit shared among friends and neighbors.

Below is your Holiday Dinner Party RSVP form. In addition to inviting you to make your party reservation(s), this form also invites you to indicate your interest in helping with this party and/or also participating with the Neahkahnie Community Club Board. Simply print out the form, fill in the requested information, and mail it with your check to Neahkahnie Community Club, PO Box 412, Manzanita, Oregon 97130. Deadline is December 1.

Please note that this form does NOT include club membership renewal for next year. In accordance with our new bylaws, invoices for membership renewal will be sent out in January.

As always, if you have questions, feel free to call or email Sarah Johnson at 503 799 3063 or sarahontheroad @ comcast . net

PLEASE COPY/PASTE/PRINT OUT THIS RSVP FORM and return by December 1st

NEAHKAHNIE COMMUNITY CLUB 2014 HOLIDAY DINNER PARTY
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2014
5:30 SOCIAL; 6:30 DINNER
NORTH COAST RECREATION DISTRICT
36155 NINTH STREET, NEHALEM
$30/PERSON

YES. I/WE WILL ATTEND! MEMBER NAME(S)__________________________________________

NUMBER ATTENDING ____x $30 = $ _______. MY CHECK IS ENCLOSED.

PHONE__________________________ EMAIL_______________________________________

A vegetarian option is available if requested in advance. If this is your preference,

please indicate here how many are requested:  Yes, I/we would like _____vegetarian entrées.

RESERVATION DEADLINE: DECEMBER 1, 2014

___  I AM INTERESTED IN HELPING YOU WITH THIS EVENT. PLEASE CALL ME.
____ I AM INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT BOARD PARTICIPATION FOR THE COMING YEAR. PLEASE CALL ME.

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM AND MAIL IT, WITH YOUR CHECK, TO:
NEAHKAHNIE COMMUNITY CLUB
PO BOX 412, MANZANITA OREGON 97130-0412

102 existing and new Club members attended this summer’s picnic! A beautiful day welcomed all to Pam Greene and Hans Kretschmer’s beautiful home overlooking the beach. We had a terrific bunch of volunteers this year for which the Board was most grateful. Thanks also to Anne Morgan for a thorough report on the community meeting about the July fire below Reed Road and follow-up actions.

On top of a big crowd and lots of reconnecting with neighbors, the Club’s food was supplemented by a true bounty of homemade dishes and desserts from members. One popular treat was Heather Shuford’s (you can’t believe they’re) gluten-free peanut butter cookies… she was kind enough to share the recipe with Board VP Loraine Carlson for publication here:

Heather’s Amazing Peanut Butter, Pecan & Oatmeal
Chocolate Chip Cookies!! (Gluten Free)

1 whole jar Adams Crunchy Old Fashioned Peanut Butter (2 cups)
3/4 cup softened Tillamook butter (1 & 1/2 cubes)
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
3 large fresh organic eggs
1 teaspoon Real Vanilla
3 cups Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats – Bob’s Red Mill is best
1 & 1/2 cups whole pecans, cut in 1/2 longways
2 teaspoons Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 package Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Beat peanut butter, butter & sugars with electric mixer till smooth. Add eggs one at a time and vanilla. Stir oats, soda and salt together and add to mix. Stir in nuts and chips. Put in covered bowl – refrigerate overnight, a must for best results!
Preheat oven to 350*. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto cookie sheets sprayed with Pam, or use cookie sheet liners (I like these!).
Bake 11 minutes or until edges are brown. Cool on sheets a couple minutes – remove to wire racks.
Yield: 4 dozen amazing cookies! Excellent crowd pleaser! Freeze well!
By Heather Shuford ~ 2014 ~ Neahkahnie, Oregon