Are you NEW to Statesboro and Bulloch County or the area and want to meet new friends? Or maybe you're restarting your life after personal changes like retirement or stopping work, widowhood, divorce, or even child-sitting? Well, now is your chance to reset your personal life. Lifestyle changes are difficult. Transitioning to a new environment, meeting people, developing new friendships, or seeking a “new found future" as a Senior Adult: it's radical, but It can be done successfully.
The Newcomers Club might just be your answer! It was mine!
Being a transplant to beautiful Statesboro, Georgia at the age of (hmmm) mid 60’s, I wanted desperately to restart a new life. Being the very ‘BEST COOL GRANDMA,’ I was looking for a common ground to start over. I had the desire to make friends and have some form of entertainment with other Senior Adults in a similar milieu (same place and circumstances).
Well, I was introduced to the Newcomers Club by a woman named Nancy Collins, who was a volunteer at the PAC (Performing Arts Center) at Georgia Southern University. She invited me to the Newcomers Club to meet people and learn more about this community. I accepted, and the rest helped develop my NEW life in Statesboro.
I would like to introduce you to a couple Senior Adults that have become very active with Newcomers. Although they have different backgrounds, their needs all are fairly SIMILAR.
Nancy Collins, a native of the San Francisco Bay area, moved to Statesboro in 1975.
Nancy said she joined Statesboro’s Newcomers Club to be able to meet ladies and find more about the community. Currently, she is an active member and enjoys her friendships, plays Canasta twice monthly, and holds the position of Sunshine Chairperson (4 years running). She sends birthdays, get well, sympathy, and encouraging cards to all members. A special way to be remembered, appreciated, and involved.
Fran Wade, current Historian for the Newcomers Club, moved to Statesboro from Savannah in 1997 with her husband and two sons. She heard about Newcomers from a lady that came to her yard sale. Her first meeting was at the bank (see more in the history below) with some very interesting ladies. Fran left to return to work and after retirement rejoined. She loves the old and new friends she has made and developed close relationships with.
History of the Newcomers Club
The ‘Newcomers Club’ traces its early beginnings to 1974-75 when new transplant Joyce Banks Bohler (now 88) moved from Texas to Statesboro in 1973. She saw the NEED for women new to the area to have a chance to get acquainted outside of church or family groups. Along with Karen Shiels and Carma Smith, Joyce began working to organize the Statesboro Newcomers Club, and their first meeting was in September of 1976.
Joyce asked the Statesboro Chamber of Commerce for support and received it. At the first meeting, 35 women met at the hotel on North Main where the Bulloch County Administration offices are now. A luncheon was provided by a local bank, Joyce informed me. Later meetings were held in the community room of a the former First Bulloch Bank Mall Branch roughly located where Starbucks at the Statesboro Mall is now. The numbers grew to a high of 98 members.
“Early members including wives of Wiss Scissors and Brooks Instruments employees who had transferred to Statesboro joined our meetings. Later women whose family members were associated with Georgia Southern became members,” said Joyce.
Joyce continued saying, “The main PURPOSE of the club was to make and to develop relationships, the need to meet people and have FUN in the process. We wanted to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!”
Ginger Gregory moved here from Tifton, GA in 1966. She said, “Yes, I remember Joyce being a big part of the Newcomers Club. I was working at the time and wasn't involved with filling in at the Bridge games. They would invite local people to play bridge with new people in Statesboro to get to know them! Joyce was definitely a ‘Mover and Shaker’ of her time. We ladies became the BEST of friends, raising our children together and sharing almost 45+ years of LIFE. Some even called Joyce, 'Aunt Joyce.'"
YOUR INVITATION!
Newcomers Club invites individuals that are fairly new residents or transitioning in life and wanting to get a FRESH START to attend one of their meetings. Make friends and have something to do. WE also invite those who have never gotten established in Statesboro and would like to MEET others to build friendships and find out about local activities.
Kathy Jako, President says, “The purpose of Newcomers is to acquaint Adult Residents in the area with their neighbors by means of social activities and orientation to Civic Activities in the community.” Kathy relocated from Florida, to be closer to her daughter and her family.
Joining Newcomers in 2014, she said, “Newcomers gave me an opportunity to socialize and meet others. It is sad to say our membership has declined due to the pandemic and various other life-style changes. We are trying to rebuild our Club, so as president, I would like to ‘Freshen-up and Rebuild’."
YES!! All the ladies mentioned above have a “Common Thread" from their early beginnings in 1976 to today, and now YOU can join them!
The FUN activities include a monthly Cook's Night-Out, Book Club/Exchange, Canasta group (2x monthly -- they will teach you!), chartered tours, crafts, and monthly meetings with speakers from the community.
Newcomers meets the 1st Tuesday of every month from September-May. They meet at 10:15am at St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Fair Road.
The October 3, 2023, Newcomers Club’s program topic will be: “WHAT’S Happening in Statesboro? And HOW Do I Find Out?"
Tiffany Burgess, Adult 50+ Program Supervisor for the Bulloch County Rec & Parks Department, and I will present. I will acquaint you with Grice Connect and all we have to offer!
Please bring your mobile phone device and/or iPad.
Come and enjoy our presentation and meet new friends!
Arrive by 10:00 a.m. The meeting starts at 10:15. The meeting is followed by refreshments and socializing. The membership fee is $10, which covers refreshments & the hall. Here's where to find us:
St Paul's Lutheran Church
Parish Hall
1608 Fair Rd.
Statesboro 30458
Here is your opportunity for a ‘Fresh Start’ and a ‘FUN’ Senior Moment!
