It’s Nicer In Newtown

Even For Newcomers

By Jan Howard

The new president of the Newtown Newcomers Club moved to town in October 1997 and though she had been involved in several organizations in her former town, she had never belonged to a Newcomers Club before.

Now, less than three years after joining the Newtown Newcomers Club in January 1998, Peggy McIntyre has taken over the reins of the club as president for the upcoming year. She served last year as vice president for special programs.

Prior to moving to Newtown, Mrs McIntyre lived in Portchester, N.Y. She grew up in New City in Rockland County, N.Y.

“The Newcomers Club offers its members friendship,” Mrs McIntyre said. “It gives them a ways and means of getting to know the town itself. It has something for everyone, whether they are single or a family.”

The local club has a membership of about 100, she said. It held a kickoff meeting on September 22 in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall, and plans a coffee for prospective members and current members on October 10, from 10 to 11 am, at the Newtown Meeting House on Main Street. A board meeting will be held prior to the coffee from 9 to 10 am.

Coffees are held once a month on the second Tuesday of the month, Mrs McIntyre said. New members as well as current members are invited to attend. Meetings and activities are held from September to June, and membership can begin at any time during those months.

Dues are $30 per year, which includes a monthly newsletter that previews coming activities and programs.

The Newtown Newcomers Club offers a wide variety of activities during the day and in the evening, from community service to social activities and arts and crafts, for people of all ages. “We try to get everybody involved,” Mrs McIntyre said.

The club adopts a family each year through the town’s Social Services Department. Each month from September to June, the club does something for the adopted family, such as providing school supplies in September, holiday dinners and gifts, and candy on Valentine’s Day. In June, the club purchased swimming pool passes for the family.

The club also collects gently used toys for re-distribution to children in need.

A holiday house tour of four members’ houses, decorated with a common theme, helps raise money for the club’s adopted family as well as other community service projects, Mrs McIntyre said.

Mrs McIntyre and her husband Gene have been married for 12 years. They have three sons, Austin, 5½, a kindergarten student at Hawley School; Brandon, 4, a student at Trinity Day School; and Ryan, 2. A stay-at-home mom, Peggy McIntyre attended Iona College for business and BOCES in New York for practical nursing.

For now, “My three boys keep me busy,” she said.

She is a member of the Hawley School PTA and is class mom for the afternoon kindergarten class. Last year she was class mom at Trinity Day School. She enjoys sports, such as ice skating, and arts and crafts.

The Newtown Newcomers Club is not just for people new to Newtown, Mrs McIntyre said. “It is for everyone who has had a lifestyle change and would like to join.”

The club has added a Women’s Investment Group to its list of offerings this year, she said. “There is also a Men’s Interests Group so men will have the opportunity to get together outside of couples activities.”

The club officers in addition to Mrs McIntyre are: Carol Henry, vice president/membership; Janice Fields, co-vice president/special programs; Linda Ragusa, vice president, activities; Linda Elsenhans, co-vice president/special programs; Kristi Regan, secretary; Debbie DeLollis, treasurer; and Donna Rothenberg, newsletter.

Activities chairmen for the upcoming year are as follows: Dot Dwyer and Melissa Kraycir, co-historians; Lynn Dietrick, adult playgroup; Pat Marshall, book club evening; Mary Lou Sullivan, book club mornings; Tracy Yaegar, breakfast club; Donna Bloomberg, bunco; Kristi Regan, chic flick; Tricia Kraft, children’s playgroup; Lisa Carr and Tenley Granito, co-community service.

 Sandi Bodnar and Linda Ragusa, decorating and crafts; Kathy Hankins, dining out group; Pat Capito and Paula Toi, co-dinner social; Judy Loose and Shelley Kappauf, co-hospitality; Sandi Bodnar, publicity and recipe exchange am; Cordy Fuentes and Laura Warren, co-sunshine; Miryam Kuligowski, tot tours; and Nancy Obremski, ways and means.