Newtown Newcomers and Neighbors—

Local Club Welcomes Everyone, New To Town Or Otherwise

By Nancy K. Crevier

“People think that they have to be new to Newtown to join the club,” said Jayne Long, president, and Shari Sadowski, publicist, for the Newtown Newcomers and Neighbors organization. It is a stereotype that they would like to dispel. Newcomers and Neighbors is as much for as for the longtime resident who may be going through a lifestyle change or is simply looking for new social interaction as it is for the person brand new to the area.

Established in June 1995, the club was formerly known as The Welcome Wagon Club of Newtown. The name change was made in order broaden the membership and to provide more fundraising opportunities. The season for Newcomers and Neighbors runs from September to June, with a membership of nearly 150 men and women.

“We would love to see that number at 200 or more this year,” said Ms Long.

Another myth that the women dismissed is that of the club catering to stay-at-home moms. While the club is a wonderful venue for mothers and fathers to find play dates in one of the several organized playgroups, go on Tot Tours with toddlers, find a special connection for special needs children, or pack up the kids for a Whine and Dine outing at a local restaurant, the group offers so much more to residents of the town, they said.

“If you look at our activities, there are a lot of events for couples,” said Ms Long. “TGIF Night is a monthly event on the last Friday of each month at a local pub. We have hosted wine tastings, including one this past month on Washington wines; there is a couple’s game night each month and a very popular summer barbeque for the whole family. We also host an annual Christmas party for adults,” she said. Bridge, golf, Bunco dice game night, and the Healthy Gourmet Group are popular with couples, as well as with singles.

“We welcome singles, too,” emphasized Ms Sadowski. “Newcomers and Neighbors is open to men, women, families, couples, everyone,” she said.

Also popular with singles are the Bridge and Bunco activities, said Ms Long, and many unattached adults enjoy either the morning or evening book clubs, ladies’ night out, chick-flick night, golfing, doggy park outings, and bird watching.

“We are starting to bring in activities for the more mature members of the club,” Ms Long said. Empty nesters, whether new to Newtown or longtime residents, find themselves with extra time to indulge their interests, or sometimes divorce or death of a spouse may put an individual in the position of seeking new social outlets. Restaurant Reviewers is a group within the club that has been particularly well liked by mature members of Newcomers and Neighbors, as has the theater group and “adult playgroup,” Ms Long said.

The club is not just for socialization, however, said Ms Sadowski.

“People want to be a part of the community. Our emphasis [in the club] is on making people feel comfortable, but we also do a lot of charitable work. That is one reason we would love to see membership increase. The more members we have, the more resources we have to support charities. Newcomers and Neighbors is very involved in the community, we are not a cloistered club.”

Over the years, Newcomers and Neighbors has supported many local aid organizations, said the women. The club sponsors a Newtown family year around through Newtown Youth & Family Services, providing everything from holiday gifts and gas cards to hair cuts for family members. Members collected a large number of canned goods for the Newtown Middle School Can-struction project last year, and staffs a table at the Pootatuck Duck Race each year during the Memorial Day Weekend event in Sandy Hook. Many members take part in Relay For Life each June, as well, said Ms Sadowski.

This year, Newcomers and Neighbors is proud to partner with the national Dress For Success charity.

“This is for women who are transitioning into the workplace. Dress For Success provides not only the proper work clothes, but mentoring and training, as well, for women who may find themselves suddenly in the work world after either never having been there or having been away for a long time,” Ms Sadowski explained. Newcomers and Neighbors will be collecting gently-used or new office-appropriate clothing this year for Dress For Success, and is planning a kick-off event in late winter.

For people who are new to the town, the club is an easy way to reach out and get to know people from all parts of the town, said Ms Long. With Newtown covering so much area, traveling from home to home for different events allows new-to-the-area residents a chance to familiarize themselves with the roads and general layout of the town.

Membership in Newtown Newcomers and Neighbors is $35 a year and covers the cost for many group activities.

“Most of our events are free to current members and we try to have only a nominal charge for the children’s events and holiday parties,” said Ms Long.

Residents of other towns are invited to join the Newtown Newcomers and Neighbors, she added. “We have members who are from Monroe, Southbury, and Bethel. [The club] is inclusive, not exclusive. We’re open to all.”

Prospective members can try three monthly events at no cost before joining, although children’s playgroups and events are not included in this promotion.

Upcoming events for Newtown Newcomers and Neighbors include a children’s Halloween party at Edmond Town Hall on October 26 at 3:30 pm for current members, and two other events open to members and those curious about the club are scheduled.

Shop ‘Til You Drop will take place on November 8 from 7 to 11 pm at Ms Long’s residence, 34 Woodbine Lane. It is an opportunity to socialize, partake of appetizers, and patronize a number of area vendors. “Usborne Books will be there, as will Joanne Sherwood’s children’s art,” said Ms Long. I’m Still Me is a specialty diaper bag company, Candy Belts, Body Shop, and handcrafted, one-of-a-kind holiday wreaths will be offered.

“Tastefully Simple is one of the vendors, with gourmet food mixes, and Aerosoles is actually going to be one of our vendors,” she said. A special discount on shoes ordered from Aerosoles at Shop ‘Til You Drop will be available to shoppers that evening. Heiffe children’s books will be on hand, as well. “We will have a lot of ‘quirky’ stuff, not the usual,” Ms Long added. “It’s social, it’s fun.”

Also coming in November is the return of Made In Newtown Craft Fair, scheduled this year for Saturday, November 10, from 10 am to 5 pm, at C.H. Booth Library. Sales from the purchases of locally handcrafted arts will go to support community service projects, said Ms Sadowski.

For anyone who wants to meet new people, experience new things, and make new friends, Newtown Newcomers and Neighbors offers something for everyone, said the two women.

For more information about Newtown Newcomers and Neighbors, visit NewtownNewcomers.com or contact club president Jayne Long at 426-0783 or jaynelong@charter.net.

“You don’t need to be new in Newtown.” That’s the word the members of Newtown Newcomers and Neighbors want to spread.