Whether you just moved to town last week or last year--or maybe you've never moved out of Lexington--the Newcomers Club offers fun new experiences for anyone wanting to join.
The club was created in the early 1970s by a group of ladies who were transplanted here when their husbands took jobs with IBM. The wives needed a way to get out in the city, make friends, and have a little fun.
Since its early days, the club has grown to incorporate not only new arrivals to the city but anyone interested in meeting new people and getting to the know the city better.
"It used to be you had to move here within the last year but within the last two years, we decided to open [the club] to everyone," said Sally Towner, past president and member since 2002. "People retire, experience a change of lifestyle, and decide they would like to do our activities."
"Our main focus is to find these new people, get them involved, and make friends because it's so hard to meet people," added Towner. "So we dropped those restrictions--it used to be you had to move from so many miles away. It's a great club for new people though; it can be such a lifesaver."
Cathy Nohe heard about newcomers clubs from a friend in New Jersey. "It was ironic that a friend in Jersey told me about these clubs--they're everywhere," said Nohe, who has been editor of the Newcomers Club newsletter, The Welcome Mat, for the past two years. "The Newcomers Club really saved me when I moved here three years ago."
No stranger to moving or to finding similar clubs to join, Towner said she found Lexington's chapter in the yellow pages. "I moved here four years ago and since I've moved other times, I knew there would be some sort of welcoming club. I looked in the phone book and there it wasÖbut now we have pamphlets, plus the national Newcomers Web site [www.newcomersclub.com]."
Lexington's Newcomers Club offers members lots of way to get involved. They hold monthly "Welcome Coffee" gatherings for the entire membership (and potential members), then there are smaller, specialized groups like the Bridge, Canasta, and Pinochle groups. There's also a book club, investment club, and stitching club, just to name a few. A favorite activity to many are regular lunch outings and tours around the city. They even have a "Ladies Night Out."
"I enjoy the sports--tennis, hiking, bowling; the Book Clubs are always fascinating in that they force us beyond our 'comfort level' and challenge us," said Betty Coleman, who is the club's first vice president. "I stay involved because there are always new people joining the group with stories to tell!† I've been instrumental in starting new groups and introducing different things to the clubÖan option that is open to every member, so the club is constantly evolving."
The club is comprised of roughly 18 board members and averages 250 members per year. Membership is $20 for one year and helps fund the newsletter and member directory. The group doesn't normally make a profit, but when it does, it's donated to a good cause--usually to helping women and children, said Nohe.
Club President Sue Durkin said they pick up six to eight new members each month. "It's just so much fun when people find out about us," said Durkin.
"I lived in Andover and a lot of my friends and neighbors were involved," said Durkin. "You didn't have to be brand new, so I jumped in with both feet! We have so many activities. We love it--it's better than being retired in Florida."
Giving back to the community also tops the list of activities available for club members. Members can volunteer to usher at the Opera House or take part in the annual fashion show, said Towner. "It's so delightful when you move, and you don't know anyone, that you can come to this sort of thing," added Towner. "It gets you right in the swing of things."
"Moving into a new community creates anxiety for most:†the stress of leaving what is familiar in exchange for 'new', 'different', and 'unsure,'" said Coleman. "Our group reaches out to newcomers in an attempt to make them feel comfortable in their new location and to offer helpÖwith new social outlets, where to shop, and to simply ease the 'pain' of adjusting. We have all already been through it and can 'speak from experience'ÖI think that we provide confidence, enthusiasm, and a positive reinforcement to those who are making Lexington their home."
For more information or to become a
member of the Lexington Newcomers
Club, call 259-0407 or email lexnewcomers@yahoo.com.