Are you new to friendly Newberry County? Or… Have you relocated back to the county after an absence? We would like to welcome you to our club to join in our fellowship and activities!
Our members come from far and near with fascinating personal stories, careers, talents and connections. As a newcomer to Newberry in 2017, I joined the club 18 days after my moving date, prompted by Liz McDonald and Michelle Boozer Long of the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce, and am SO grateful for their recommendation!
Our club is enjoying its 59th year, being formed in 1961 by Taddy Buddin and Jane Ragland. Our founders’ four-fold vision continues: 1) to welcome new ladies and to ease their transition into our town and county; 2) to familiarize them with the offering of various local businesses, organization and recreational sites; 3) to highlight the rich historical and cultural opportunities in Newberry County; and 4) to form new friendships and strengthen old acquaintances.
We meet on the third Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the months of September through November, resuming in January through April. In December we first “Deck the Hall” of the Community Center; we then share our Annual Christmas Banquet with our alumni and spouses held later in the Hall. In May, we celebrate our grand finale at our Reunion Luncheon with our alumni.
We meet at various locations in the county – primarily in the City of Newberry. We learn about the activities of organizations and local talented folks who serve as our meeting venues. In the past, to name a few, we have been hosted by Caroline Pride Pastures Alpaca Farm, Boys Farm, the Newberry Firehouse Conference Center, the Newberry Arts Center, Pride Pantry of the Ruth S. Pugh Foundation, Agnes Routon’s amazing Decorative Doll Houses, Newberry College, Historic Macedonia Lutheran Church, Newberry Opera House, Carter and Holmes Orchids, Ann Hester’s Soap Making Firm, Oakland Mill, and Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
Remaining meetings for 2020 will be held at the YMCA with Scott Sandor, City of Newberry Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department with Collin Shealy and Mary Alex Kopp, Newberry County Career Center with Beverly Leslie, and the Historic DeWalt House tour with Rose Marie Favor. We also take recreational and historical excursions around the county and state, in addition to our meetings for all who wish to explore further.
As a member, your input is appreciated as we continually search for ideas to explore and plan for interesting meetings and excursions. We also encourage members to search out and welcome new residents, inviting them to join us in our fun and explorations. We collect dues of $15 for the full year, $10 for those joining in January or thereafter.
Our constitution currently states that membership is limited to ladies with a membership lasting for four consecutive years. We have an Advisory Board of five members whose term of office is three consecutive years. Officers include president, vice president, secretary and treasurer with seven committees to carry out specific functions. Our constitution may be revised and amended with a two-thirds membership approval.
We encourage any of you who want further information to explore our website at www.NewberryNewcomersClub.com or email at [email protected]., or like us on Facebook. We look forward to hearing from you, and welcome!
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