‘Newcomers & Neighbors of the Scottsdale Area’ group welcomes new members

All residents of the greater Scottsdale area who are interested in making friends and having fun are welcome.”

Sue Newman, Newcomers & Neighbors of the Scottsdale Area activities director

Newcomers and neighbors in the area are welcomed to attend a rejuvenated Scottsdale social organization.

In 1968, the corner of Scottsdale Road and Shea Boulevard was the last outpost of civilization before heading to the desert and was also the year that a social organization – the Scottsdale Branch of Welcome Wagon International – was created to help residents settle in their new community.

The organization grew just as the area did, according to a press release. By 1976, the Scottsdale Welcome Wagon had over 300 members. By 1997, the club increased to over 900 members with 57 monthly activities. Two years later, its board withdrew from their association with Welcome Wagon International and changed the name to the Newcomers Club of Scottsdale.

Membership in the Newcomers Club peaked with a high of 909 participants in 2005-2006, the release said, due to a continuing housing boom in the Scottsdale area and an active marketing campaign as Scottsdale Newcomers became known as “the club to join.”

The organization emphasized that “Newcomer” not only meant new to the area, but also new to retirement, marriage/divorce, widowhood or other lifestyle changes, noted the release.

Additionally, the club was experiencing growing participation from outside of Scottsdale. Noting and adapting to the trends, the club eventually adopted its current name, “Newcomers & Neighbors of the Scottsdale Area,” the release said.

“After a year of isolation, people couldn’t wait for social contact,” said Sue Newman, the club’s activities director, in the release. “We now have over 40 regularly scheduled activities on the calendar for January, as well as a number of one-time 'pop-up' activities on our bulletin board.

In 2020 and the first half of 2021, other than a few attempts to socialize outdoors or via Zoom, the club’s activities mostly ceased in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Since implementing vaccination requirements, activities have resumed, the release said, describing the enthusiasm.

Activities include various physical, social and intellectual pursuits. Among the most popular are the food and beverage events such as “Wine Tasting,” “Appetizing Women,” and “Men at Work in the Kitchen,” said Newman. “There is something for every taste.”

The best way to view the assortment of activities is to go through the sample calendar on the club’s website. Although most are limited to members, there are three events each month that are open. These are an “Informational Coffee,” a “Monthly Luncheon,” and a “Mix & Mingle” happy hour.

“All residents of the greater Scottsdale area who are interested in making friends and having fun are welcome,” Newman said. “Everything people want to know can be found on our website. It has descriptions of our activities, a sample calendar, membership information and links to sign-up for our public events.”

Annual membership is $35 for up to two people in the same household.

For more information go to newcomersclubofscottsdale.com.