April 2023 - Gad-Abouts Lunch at Paul’s Landing located in the newly-renovated Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort!
Our Book Club is a vibrant social literary hub! Beth Davey (center) facilitated our review of State of Wonder by Ann Patchett in February. A robust and engaging discussion with a range of perspectives was shared by 20+ attendees. If you are an avid reader, dive in and join the party! (left: Bobbie Rise right: Leanne Burke)
Nature Walks in the mornings with friends is a time to breathe in our fresh air, see and feel nature, and get some exercise. In February, Leslie Randall led 14 Newcomers on a 2.5 mile walk in a local park. If you love being outdoors with nature, please join us!
Twelve Newcomers scored a private 2 1/2 hour behind the scenes tour at Raymond James Stadium in November on a Gad-About coordinated by Judi Yokum. Did you know there is a jail at RJS? Indeed there is and our ladies heard very interesting stories about the inmates! They also toured the Club Suites, Visitor Locker Room, walked through the tunnel and onto the field, and climbed aboard the Pirate Ship in Buccaneer Cove. Our she-pirates had a blast!
Chick Flick November Pick was RomCom, Ticket to Paradise ~ George Clooney and Julia Roberts reunite on the big screen as exes who find themselves on a shared mission to stop their lovestruck daughter from making the same mistake they once made. Do you believe in second chances?? Gal Pals in attendance: Back Row, L-R: Dee Lehman, Linda Leone, Rebecca Macintyre, Connie Meade, Mary Banks, Joan Morrow, and Sharry Effinger. Front row, L-R: Lynn Dansereau, Liz Stoller, Patricia Korducavich, and Judi Yokum
Making friends, having fun, and creating great memories! Newcomers is a vibrant Ladies' Social Group providing our members with numerous opportunities to learn about and become involved in their new community!
Our ladies were thrilled to take a fascinating tour of the Henry B. Plant Museum, a National Historic Landmark at the University of Tampa.
During our Gad-About behind-the-scenes tour of the Tampa International Airport, we were absolutely amazed as we walked through the Airport Operations Center, considered the nerve center of the Airport. It enlightened us of how much work is taking place out of sight. Much of the airport’s operation, it turns out, churns away under passengers’ feet every single day. As we followed the path of departing and arriving passengers we understood what it takes to be named, "one of “America’s Favorite Airports.” Such an informative and fun time!
By joining our club, you're bound to meet and connect with new and old friends. The benefits are significant in providing you with a healthy lifestyle! Did you know that friendship increases your sense of belonging and purpose, contributes to health and increases overall happiness? Sociologists recommend that to build friendships as adults, people should engage in group activities such as sports, tabletop games or music. Why not join and start participating in activities that are meaningful to you and benefit your mind, spirit, and body?
Perhaps, like nearly half of all Americans, you made a New Year’s resolution! To turn a resolution into reality, experts recommend these steps: (1) Set a goal that motivates you (2) Make the goal specific, and (3) If you fall off track, get back on quick. This hiking group chooses to meet on Wednesday mornings to spend more time outside while discovering new trails. The group covers 6 to 7 miles at a moderately brisk pace. If you are new to hiking or a devoted hiker, please consider joining us!
Led by a History Center-trained docent, Newcomers' Gad-About Gals walked through 12,000 years of history to learn about Tampa Bay area's first native inhabitants, Spanish conquistadors, and historical figures who shaped the area's history, as well as a reproduction of a 1920s cigar store. During the 90-minute tour, we also set sail with explorers and pirates in the History Center's Treasure Seekers gallery, journeyed through the everglades with Florida Seminoles, and roamed through the beautiful Touchton Map Library. The Center boasts 3 floors of permanent and temporary exhibition galleries. Afterward, we dined at the Columbia Café, a branch of the world-famous Columbia Restaurant, featuring signature Spanish-Cuban cuisine, a staple of Tampa’s iconic immigrant community of Ybor City!
Pictured from left to right: BJ Newberger, Kim Amburgey, Mary Young, and Leslie Randall ~ Hiking offers a connection to Nature which is so powerful for our health and well-being. Hiker Jo Ann Wong, shared her experience of Newcomers' recent hike at Cypress Creek Preserve, "I know the ladies are in the background but the composition was intentional. I think that’s what many of us like about hiking…we’re drawn to the beauty and peace of the woods and it’s a reminder that there are things bigger than us." If you were "born to hike" and wish to join our club, please reach out to Jo Ann at Membership2.Newcomers@yahoo.com ~ You can view more hiking photos and information by selecting the "more photos" tab!
We all had a grand time wearing green at our Casual Luncheon on St. Patrick's Day, 2022! Our group meets monthly for a luncheon in the comfort of local restaurants. This casual setting enlivens our connection with each other and offers an opportunity to share stories of vacations and family get togethers, new discoveries in stores and/or services in our community and more!
Wine Time offers our members the opportunity to not only sample wine but offers a fun and educational experience. If you are interested in learning more about wine, Newcomers is a great place to start. Each month, the Newcomers Wine Time group hosts an event that highlights a different wine growing region or varietal. The gatherings are tagged in advance as either “ladies only” or “couples/singles”. In May, the group learned how Portuguese wine is marked with the words "DOC" and "Vinho Regional” to signify the region and area where the wine was produced. The group tasted varieties from the white wines of Vinho Verde to the areas famous Port wines.
Ybor City Historical Tour Guide, Max Herman, delivered a memorable, entertaining, and informative tour of this city.
Our Cycling Group enjoying our beautiful Florida weather, water views, and nature while getting in a great cardiovascular exercise!
Take a side trip to Cuba without needing passports? Yes! Our members discovered Tampa Bay’s historic Latin Quarter, Ybor City, home to a genuine piece of Cuban territory – The José Martí Park.
We really do enjoy meeting-up to play their best hand and understand that it's the atmosphere, friendships, and the chance to have some genuine fun that makes it an enjoyable past-time that demands an encore! For women interested in finding friends and engaging in a new social activity, you can join our ladies at any of Newcomer's variety of games. These range from casual play affairs like Bunco, Mah Jongg, and Bridge. The groups meet on different weekdays at local libraries or at the homes of members. With an abundance of activities to choose from, you’ll undoubtedly love Newcomers.
Chick Flicks is back! - Back row, left to right: Liz Stoller, Connie Meade, Mary Jane Skornschek, and Linda Leone Front row: Marilyn Smith and our Chick Flicks Chair, Rebecca Macintyre ~ Grabbing lunch followed by watching a great movie with your gal pals is always a great time! Whether you're in the market for something to make you lol or you'd rather cry your eyes out for an hour and a half or more, we've got you covered. You'll be enjoying beautiful rom-coms, transportive period dramas, empowering true stories, and more. Please pencil in some time to join us every first Wednesday of the month!
Newcomer member Jeanne LaPensee discovered a passion for watercolors and enjoys painting full time. Jeanne's artwork was recently exhibited at the Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library in Tampa.
Shirley Paolini, Ursula Popovich, Fran Wolfson, Irene Urban, all in the money with Judy Geller! ~ May Bunco
If you want to combine learning about the Tampa Bay area with new friends, Gad-Abouts Town may offer the comradery that you are looking for. In February, the group learned how to cook a flavorful chicken piccata at AJ’s Kitchen Drawer on Hillsborough Avenue in Tampa. Gad-Abouts Town visits a different location each month exploring different interests such as food, art, tours, dolphin cruises, music and theater.