After I wrote the following presentation for Sonal, we found out they were being transferred to New York.  NNL was fortunate to be able to present Sonal with  her New Neighbor of the Month award at the February Social and to say our goodbyes and best wishes. We will miss you.

Two years ago we had a Sip 'n Tip at Benjamin’s Grille and a wonderful young couple joined us for the first time.  They were special not only in their friendliness but also because they came to us from so far away.   It is impossible for me to keep our New Neighbor of the Month a surprise when I say she moved here from India.  Our New Neighbor of the Month had a successful career in India but chose to be with her husband, Ashwin, in America.  He was educated at Kent University and works for Diebold.

When I met her that evening, we spoke for a while and I realized she did not have a driver’s license.  I offered to take her to any New Neighbor activity she may wish to attend.   She was young and newly married and did not as yet know her place here. However, she accepted my offer and I got to know a very special person from a different culture who was so interesting.

She did  make her way in our area by getting her driver’s license, enrolling in an art class and eventually being able to work  in the US - she started by going to Macy’s this past Christmas. And I am certain that is only the beginning for her.

To our good fortune she did join NNL and became the Ways and Means Chair, then the Asst. Happy Talk Editor and most importantly was our President.  She is now an advisor arranging the Sip ‘n Tips and Not for Supper activities.

She was probably one of the most faithful attendees of our activities.   She did not miss a luncheon, board meeting, coffee w/o kids or social and also participated in both yard sales and Project Comfort and was a Hall of Fame Hostess.

I think I speak for everyone in New Neighbors when I say that we feel so fortunate to have Sonal Jain as a member.

Presented by,

Kathy Falivene