BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Editor’s Note: Make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for more photos from this fun event.
The Prattville-Millbrook (and surrounding areas) Friends and Newcomers Club celebrated 10 years of memories and friendship May 2 at the Millbrook Civic Center. But it was so much more than that.
If you ask the local chapter founder Nancy Schrull how it came about, she will tell you she just wanted to make some new friends. She based the club on a similar organization where she once lived. She expected to have a group of around 10 ladies to meet and greet, enjoy lunches, and be a support group for each other in life’s ups and downs. She stressed this club isn’t just about friends and newcomers. It welcomes ladies who have lived in the area their entire life, but need a change of pace, or just to expand their social circles.
Her original thought of “around 10 ladies” is was enormously under estimated. The truth of what this local organization has truly become is staggering. They recently welcomed their 71st member – and they will welcome other area ladies with open arms. (Husbands are often invited to events as well.)
The Mission Statement of the organization is cut and dry.
“To provide a means for ladies to become acquainted with one another. To become acquainted with the community around them. To promote friendship through various club activities.”
Sitting in the Civic Center last week, looking at the faces of these ladies was truly joyful.
What the mission statement doesn’t say is how many tears could be seen as many of the women told their own stories of how they came to be members. Some referred to it as life changing. It won’t tell you of the long, lonesome nights of a widow, who had lost her best friend and her support group. But chance meetings or an article in the newspaper spurred her on to make that first contact.
A mission statement cannot explain how a single phone call checking in has the ability to completely turn a horrible day into one that is joyful. It can’t show the hands that were held during cancer treatments, or healing from health issues and surgeries. Or the food! This group really likes their lunch and dinner gatherings.
Life is meant to be lived! While many of the members are older ladies, or we shall call them well-seasoned, there is nothing dull or boring about the Friends and Newcomers.
There are too many interest groups and activities to name here. I encourage you to visit their website at www.friendsandnewcomers.org for a wealth of information.
But to truly understand what can await you still won’t be completely clear. It won’t show the games, the variety of opportunities, the trips, the lunches and dinners, the comradrie….to understand, you would have to join and become a part of this marvelous organization.
During the celebration, there were door prizes, great food, memories shared, presentations and even a hilarious skit performed. But by far, to me, the most inspiring were the stories from individual members of how they feel the club saved their lives or brought new life to their world where they believed their best days were behind them.
Unfortunately, I had other appointments to make and had to leave at the close of the official presentation. But the ladies stayed for a great part of the day to visit, talk, play games and enjoy. That is what Friends and Newcomers is all about. I am so thankful to be invited to help celebrate their day. I look forward to covering future events and sharing their good news!
The Caterer for the event was A Lil’ Something Extra (Barbara Porter.) The cake was made by Ashlyn’s Cake Cottage. Special thanks to the Committee of Charter Members: Nancy Schrull, Beverly Vinson, Elizabeth Champion, Deede Smith and President Patsy Persons.
A Tribute to the Newcomers Club
Newcomers Club, you saved my life.
I was lonesome, scared and blue
I figured my friendships were all in the past.
I’d convinced myself it was true.
Then, just at low ebb, you came to me
In the form of a telephone call.
“I’m a Newcomer, too,” said a friendly voice.
“And I’ve learned to say Y’all.”
From that humble beginning, there followed
More new friends than you could believe.
But, it wasn’t until I became involved
That the fun really started for me.
Now, I’m the voice on the telephone
Saying, “Welcome – we are glad you’re here.”
I’m an older Newcomer, you might say
And richer for both, it’s clear.
Newcomers Club, hats off to you!!
May your flag be forever unfurled
To the lonely, awed, you’ll continue to be
Friends of friends in this moving world.
Written by: Kay Shrider – High Point NC Newcomers Club
If YOU are interested in learning more about Friends and Newcomers, please visit this link to make contact: https://www.friendsandnewcomers.org/contact-us
SEE MORE PHOTOS OF THE CELEBRATION AND THOSE WHO SPOKE BELOW.
