I would describe our New Neighbor of the Month for May as generous, gentle, giving and unassuming. She and her husband moved to our area in December 2007 and she joined New Neighbors in July 2008. She originally hails from New Jersey, where she had a 35 year career as an applied science supervisor and math teacher. She has been married to her husband for 32 years and they have always had a lot in common. She was a teacher and he was a principal. He told me that she worked on the first floor and he worked on the second, and they had mutual friends. After being introduced, they spent their first date fishing on the Jersey Shore.
Our new neighbor and her husband are very active and enjoy the outdoors. They had a motorcycle for a short time and even built their first home in 1980. Last month our new neighbor had her dear friend from New Jersey visiting. She brought Beth to our fashion show and I was introduced to her. Our new neighbor mentioned how they had raised their children together and Beth was like a second mother to her son. Beth told me how our new neighbor would tutor the neighborhood kids including her daughter and how they all loved her soft and soothing voice. The neighborhood group would take turns hosting Easter egg hunts, elaborate Christmas parties, birthday parties all centered on the children. As the children got older, road trips became a must. They spent many a weekend exploring caves, lakes, restaurants, and new movies. Our new neighbor’s organizational skills were a perfect fit for the group when they began viewing colleges. With her clipboard, folders, pens, and papers in hand they would go and visit many colleges on a very strict timeline.
After living in New Jersey our new neighbor and her husband originally retired to Arizona in 2002, where she developed her passion for golf. She became active in a ladies golf group there and became their rules chairman and held seminars and lectures. After spending the first few years of their retirement in Arizona they moved to TN where they could be near their only child. I was told they sold everything except what could fit in their sports car and moved here to Eagleville. They have enjoyed living in this more rural area of TN where they have more than 20 acres. She enjoys gardening and they have spent a lot of time and effort on landscape improvements.
Our new neighbor has become active in the community and her church since arriving in Nashville. She has served as our treasurer, worked on the fashion show committee and held the Luncheon Reservation position. She also plays golf with the Tee to Green Swingers.
Our new neighbor and her husband have embraced the music scene here in Nashville and frequently attend songwriters nights. I remember one fun summer evening last year where I shared appetizers and wine with them at the Arrington Vineyards Kenny Loggins concert. They also enjoy entertaining and cooking. Her husband is an avid hunter and active outdoors man but recently had a debilitating injury that required her to spend a great deal of her time helping him recover. She also is a great care giver to her in-laws who now reside in Green Hills after following our new neighbor to TN.
In her spare time our new neighbor enjoys reading, stained glass and crafting. She is very artistic and creates pins and wreaths using feathers and other items from nature. But the thing that puts the sparkle in our New Neighbors’ eye is her family. Since moving to TN her son and daughter-in-law have made her a grandma. Roman is 9 months old now and they are expecting another grandchild in October. She is a proud Grandma and you can see that when she smiles while showing her most recent pictures of Roman.
Please help me congratulate our New Neighbor of the Month for May, Renee Ruggiero.
Advisor Delaina Churchill (right) presenting the
May 2010 NNOM Renee Ruggiero
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Congratulations to our
2009 New Neighbor of the Year:
Christine Byrne
I grew up in a small town close to New-castle-upon-Tyne in North East England, about 40 miles south of the Scottish Border. Dad, like most "Geordie Lads" was passionate about football (soccer). (Geordie is the regional nickname and dialect) In his late teens/early twenties he played for England twice and also at Wembley Stadium. Never losing his love of the game nor sport, he became a teacher of Physical Education, coaching his "under 11 years" football team to win the prestigious Bishop's Cup for the first time, plus the League Cup and the League Championship. He also coached my younger sister Brenda during her bid to become an Olympic Gymnast. Mum worked at intervals, became an Accounts Supervisor but was happiest at home. She was a talented dressmaker, knitter and baker. I also have a younger brother Mark, who worked in Accounts. We were very close to our extended family, often planning day trips together to visit local places of interest, including the beautiful beaches near Bamburgh Castle. Our first venture abroad was behind the then Iron Curtain to Prague, Czechoslovakia for special gymnastic coaching. A three-week, self-catering, camping road trip across Europe with twelve young gymnasts (including my sister) another family and a set of Asymmetric Bars, all packed into a small minibus and car! In Prague, I discovered I could explore an unknown city on my own without knowing the language. There was no stopping me now. I had been bitten by the travel adventure bug. The following year (still in my early/mid teens) Granddad took me on an amazing trip to Utah. I fell in love with the US and dreamed of living there one day, although I had no idea how to make it happen. Upon graduation from University, I went to work for Blythe Colors PLC, in Staffordshire, as an R&D Color Scientist where I developed Ceramic Pigments for Pottery, Fine China, Tiles and Bathrooms. At evening school, I gained additional qualifications in Management and Marketing and gave many presentations on Color. The “Dream” became a reality after a presentation I gave on Color Technology at a professional meeting and learned of an opportunity in the US. Following an infamous Champagne interview with the US hiring manager in England and 3 days of intensive interviews (Francis also) in Cleveland, Ohio, I was offered the job. In June 1987, Francis, myself, Purdie (our cat) and four suitcases, boarded the plane to the US.
I met my husband Francis whilst studying Color Chemistry and Color Technology at Bradford University in West Yorkshire. Ours was not "Love at first sight" rather more of a slow burn (pardon the pun). It wasn't until a fortuitous group snowball fight in the Yorkshire Dales where I threatened him with a snowball down the neck and he said there would be "Repercussions," laughing and grinning with a "More than mischievous" glint in his eye that made me think "You're on." The snowball went down his neck and we have celebrated 26 great years together. I hit the Jackpot. We both share a love for travel and have been to 45 States, Australia, and on several European self- touring trips. We also share love of music, theatre, movies, photography, food, wine and an appreciation of dry wit. I have always been sensitive to the plight of animals, particularly strays. We “Serve” seven rescued cats, all from different litters, each named after movie or TV characters (with the exception of Purdie II). There's Tasha named after Tasha Yar (StarTrek), Tinker after Tinkerbell (Peter Pan), Kira (Dark Crystal), Leah after Princess Leia (Star Wars), Simba (Lion King) and Maverick (Top Gun).
I have enjoyed a successful career and was the ICI Paints, North American Technical Manager Color R&D for seven and a half years, with four functional groups and up to eighteen staff in my Department. However, when the company’s main market declined I found myself on the wrong side of a cost cutting initiative. Whilst I was evaluating my options, Francis found a great opportunity within Bridgestone in Nashville as Department Quality Manager. Now it was my turn to follow him. We moved to Franklin in September 2007 and began to settle in. I joined Brentwood Camera Club and the Hosta Society. It wasn’t until April 2008 when I literally bumped into another Brit in the “British Asle” of the supermarket that I learned of the New Neighbors Club. I came to Dining Divas and Sipping Sisters, joined the club and immediately volunteered to become Membership Chair. I have been involved with committees throughout my career serving four years in all Officer positions, including President, for both the American Ceramic Society and the North Coast Thermal Analysis Society, so I was happy to volunteer in New Neighbors. Over the next few months I changed the membership process making it simpler, more efficient and much easier to use. I also created a portable kit allowing the membership chair to keep all of the necessary pieces organized and in one place. The next term I was asked to serve as President. I listened to members’ concerns and looked for ways to make things easier and better. I created a single spreadsheet so that we could easily see who the Hostesses, Advisors and Caterers were for upcoming Board and Coffee meetings. This also allowed us to plan months in advance. I collated and reorganized into a 3-ring binder all of the materials needed as President so that all of the information was updated making it easier to plan and conduct Board, Coffee and Luncheon meetings. I created a schedule with dates for the proofing and publication of N&Q, to assist all those involved in the process. “Bella,” a loving little brass hand bell was introduced as a “Musical” call to order. The Presidents Greetings I wrote for the Notes and Quotes received many compliments from members and sponsors. I had great Executive and General Boards and gave each one of them a hand crafted, symbolic, three- piece gift (Thank You - today, tomorrow and forever) as a token of appreciation for all their hard work and accomplishments. Following an enjoyable term as President, I served on the Social Committee and chaired the Ways & Means Committee where the team organized an incredibly successful fundraiser, making almost double their target amount. Currently I co- chair the Expat activity, I am the Renewals & N&Q Subscriptions Chair, and recently designed and produced a pocket size Members Directory which many people have found very useful. I am an Advisor, Fashion Committee and Garden Club member. In addition to the official roles, I have assisted members with their activities, creating Powerpoint presentations for “Having fun losing weight,” catered a High Tea for “Beauty Babes” and worked on the committee for the 2008 NNOTY celebration. I also donated an Afternoon Tea Party for 8, craft items and several "Themed" gift baskets for the Silent Auction. I have had a terrific time meeting people and attending a host of Activities including Lettuce Become Friends, Evening Bunco, Canasta, Creative Stamping, Stitch & Chat, Wandering Neighbors, Culinary Adventures, Bridge, Friends Dining Out, Cocktails & Conversations Beauty Babes, Having Fun Losing Weight, and Out To Lunch. In the community I have helped build houses for Habitat for Humanity for two years and
volunteered as a photographer for the first Jingle Bell Run in Franklin, in aid of the Arthritis Foundation, Tennessee Chapter. I handled Publicity for the annual Hosta Society Plant Sale (primary fund raising event), issued their monthly meeting notices and presented crafts at "Rethinking Christmas."
I am eternally grateful to the New Neighbors Organization for helping me make the transition to Southern Living in Tennessee, for creating such a warm, welcoming atmosphere and providing countless, fun opportunities to meet so many wonderful people and make new friends.
Christine (Chris) Byrne
Our 2009 New Neighbor of the Year
Christine (Chris) Byrne (on the right)
receiving her certificate and flowers from
2008 NNOY Eva Rose