April 2025 President’s Letter
Dear Austin Newcomers (new and old),
Welcome to Spring in Austin! The grass is getting green, and the temperatures are mildly warm. The rain is coming(hopefully!). Be on the lookout for heavy downpours, thunder and lightning and low water crossings (Turn around, don’t drown). I’m starting to see butterflies in the yard and hummingbirds should make their appearance soon. Now is the time to put out your feeders to attract them to your yards.
Austin is amassed with activities! The ABC Zilker Kite Festival, the nation’s longest running kite fest, is April 5th, 10am-5pm in Zilker Park. Buy a kite or make your own to participate in this free fun fest! There will be kite flying and contests, music, kid and pet activities as well as food trucks. There is even a shuttle from Tony Burger Activity Center and Stadium for ease of parking. April is also the time for another type of flying. The Austin Mexican Free-tail bats are starting to roost under the Congress Ave Bridge. If you’ve never seen them, don’t miss out! The sight is spectacular! Thousands exit the bridge every night around dusk for their night feeding of bugs and mosquitoes. They always go east and are not remotely interested in getting into your hair (old wives’ tale). They’re very hi-tech using echolocation to find their food. You can view them from the bridge, take a cruise on Lady Bird Lake (LoneStar River Boat or Capital Cruises), rent a kayak to paddle under the bridge for a close-up view. The Stateman Bat Observation Center is another great viewing area, and it has free parking.
There is no flying in the Austin Newcomers Club, but our activities will make your heart soar! Check out the Members’ Calendar for so many things to do. Read a book for one of our many Book Clubs, take a hike with Hearty Hikers or Happy Trails, enjoy some Chilian wine at Wines of the World, play Mahjongg , Canasta, or Euchre, go to Game Night for fun and laughter, see a movie and get together with friends to discuss it at Cinema North or South, do some needle work with Knit and Stitch. If none of that piques your interest, start a new group! We are always open to new ideas!
There is no Luncheon in April. It will be back on May 21th with a great speaker, at Balcones Country Club. Be sure to sign up on the Calendar.
Get out there and enjoy Spring in Austin!
Bev the Prez
Beverly Tallinger, Austin Newcomers Club President