The Newcomers Club of Greater Park City was founded in 1995 to help new residents of the Wasatch back adjust to their communities. Although the phrase ‘newcomer’ is in the title of the club, many residents have been members for over 20 years. On Wednesday September 12th the group has their annual luncheon where Park City Mayor Andy Beerman will be speaking. co-president Araby Leary explains the mayor will be at the luncheon to talk about local issues.
“He said he’s going to talk about on-going local issues, and among them will be affordable housing, transportation, social equity. He’s going to have a short presentation and then it will be open up to questions. We’re looking forward to having him there.”
The luncheon is $52 for non-members and $42 for members. You can sign up to be a member of the club at the event. Co-president Patty Schloesser says yearly membership dues are $35.
“The $35 go to help put our newsletter (together).” Schloesser said, “You know make our newsletter with the printing and the postage. We have very few costs but it’s the typical insurance, all those little administrative tasks.”
The club hovers between 300 and 350 members. The club is an opportunity to meet new people.
“Some of them have lived here a long time. I’ve only been here two years.” Leary said, “At my first meeting, I was so excited to be a new person and I said, ‘how long have you been here?’ and the person said, ’18 years.’ So, you tend to join it and then you make a lot of friends there and stay. Some people are only here four months a year and they are active during those four months and then some people are here forever.”
The Newcomers club offers over 20 activities to its members.
“The activity chairs volunteer, and as Araby stated she’s been here for two-years. She came in because of the book club. She is working on the book club, so not only is she co-president but she’s also activity chair. I’ve previously done girls night out and first VP our events, our monthly events.” Schloesser said, “But we have book club, bowling, two types of bridge, bunco, canasta, fine dining, gardening, girl’s night out, golf, hiking, lunch and leisure, mahjong, pickleball, shooting, skiing, social singles, stitch and chat, supper club, wine tasting, writers circle and yoga.” Leary continued, “So, there’s lot of activities outside, hiking and being outdoors and then lots of activities inside too. So, this is for active people either mentally or physically or both.”
