Written by From President, Denise Berrebi
GREETINGS Members!
If you know anyone who is new to our community, please tell them about us. Or round up your neighbors who may have been here for a while! Some events allow guests and we have a policy that allows future members to come and meet us first before joining.
And if you haven’t been able to attend our activities as much as you wished- you can make a goal to become more active. We would love to see more of our members! There is so much to choose from (see below!)
WELCOME to our New Members!
Rebecca Moore
Debra Houlison
Teresa Bock
Christine Raymond
Cathy Woerner
Kelly Burke
JoAnn Barrett
Vickie Graymire
Kathy Molnar
BOARD OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS 2025-2026
President Denise Berrebi
Vice President Joey White
Treasurer Fred Minnear
Assistant Treasurer Carol Spears
Secretary Diana McCarty
Coffee Director Ann Siochi
Luncheon Director Denise Minnear
Program Director Sally Kirkpatrick
Interest Group Director Melinda Edwards
Membership Director Denise Minnear
Membership Information Carol Spears
Website and Technology Shari Lynn Bennett
Publicity Anne Sroka
COFFEES AND LUNCHEONS
We have our wonderful Coffee hosts lined up on the first Wednesday of the month and great places for our Luncheons to be held on the third Wednesday. Also, you might win a FREE lunch in our monthly raffle! You will receive Invitations via email.
Our Program Speakers will be announced and we hope to see everyone attend! Mark your calendars:
COFFEES at 10:00 AM:
October 1 at Fred and Denise Minnear’s
November 5 at Dorothy Measure’s
December 3 at Sally Kirkpatrick’s ( members will have the opportunity to make holiday wreathes)
Bring a dish to share.
Coffee and Tea provided.
LUNCHEONS at 11:30 AM:
October 15 at Black Bear
November 19 at The Draft
December 17 at the Tea Shoppe
Cost will be announced.
Interest Groups
There are so many ways to follow your interests and as a member, you can join a group any time! We have some groups that may be right for you, or if you would like to form a new one, please contact Melinda Edwards, our Interest Group Director.
At this time, we offer the following activities to get involved with, so pick one, pick two, or pick them ALL! Please go to the website, join a Group (which allows you to get emails from the Leader) and click on Calendar, and RSVP for the events you would like to attend.
Walking Group (Leader Ann Siochi)
Meet for a nice morning walk on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 am at trails in the Morgantown area.
Adventures in Dining (Leader Bjorn Soderberg)
The group meets at local restaurants and venues. Have a friendly lunch or dinner or enjoy Happy Hour! Guests are welcome.
Book Group (Leaders Ann Siochi and Ann Soderberg)
The group meets the 2nd Wednesday, 10:30 am at local cafes or member homes. Book titles are chosen by the members.
Bridge (Leader Kris Kullman) This is in person play (not online). We are always looking for players!
Bunco (Leader Denise Minnear)
Fun and easy dice game with a bit of betting ($5) and treats. The group usually meets the last Tuesday at 1:00pm and scheduled Evening Bunco nights. No need to know how to play!
Mahjongg (Leaders Melinda Edwards and Susan Cook)
Looking for more members to play! We will teach you or you can watch until you feel comfortable.
Chicks at the Flicks (Leader Carol Spears)
See movies the 1st Tuesday with the group.
Wine Tasting (Leader Sally Kirkpatrick)
This popular group meets on the 3rd or 4th Saturday evenings. Bring a spouse or guest. The food members bring is always delicious and so is the spirit!
What’s Cooking (Leader Ann Soderberg)
Come and learn new recipes, or a new skill, or find out how the newest kitchen gadgets work.
Special Events (Leader Melinda Edwards)
Look for emails about special activities. If you have an idea please contact our Leader!
Music Meet Ups (Leader Shari Lynn Bennett, currently, but looking for someone to take charge of this group, call Shari 412-231-8599 if you are interested)
Enjoy getting together for good music at local venues.
*Please check the Calendar on the website for ALL current events and please RSVP. Activities will vary over each month and Interest Group Leaders will be posting all the information about their groups on the Calendar website.FUNDRAISERS
-Mini Raffles have been fun and successful. In the past we held auctions, but during the Covid pandemic we were forced to cancel.
If you have any gently used jewelry, household items, or decorative pieces that you no longer have a place or use for…donate to Denise Berrebi and we will add to our Raffles!
-ENJOY Coupon Books will be available soon at the cost of $40. We make $10 for each book sold. The books include a Dining Card for buy one dinner, get one free and also coupons for golfing, bowling, fast foods, bakeries and many other discounts on purchases.
OTHER NEWS
Updated Newcomers Brochures are here! These will be placed in various establishments around town and given to local realtors.
Updated Newcomers website. Please be patient as we have WVNet and our Website Director working on our website.
We need your input on any problems you have with the website or if you are having any issues using it, so please call Shari Lynn Bennett at (412) 231-8599 or email at shari@shari.us.
Please update your Profile with any edits you wish to make. Also update your email preferences for each Group you are in to “All” or “Daily” or “Weekly Summary” to receive news about the Groups you have joined.
If you have trouble getting on to the website try typing www. In front of morgantownnewcomers.org.
For those of us who only see a circle on our club calendar to indicate an event, we have been told it is because the screen settings on your computer / phone / iPad are zoomed in to 150% or more. Please try to zoom out / reduce your screen size or the zoom / distance setting in your web browser.
Look for more information in October for our Club to host dinner for the Circle of Friends Ministry.
Thanks to Sally Kirkpatrick for organizing our Annual Picnic at Coopers Rock. The food was amazing and we had a nice turn out on a perfect sunny day!
The Botanic Garden hosts a Scarecrow walk every fall. It would be great if we could get some volunteers to make one for our Club! If you get a chance take a stroll through the Reservoir Loop to see the other non-profits scarecrow displays and contact a Board member if you are interested in doing this next Fall to let others know about Newcomers Club.
SPECIAL NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Please accept my regrets as I am going to step down from the President’s position. As many of you know, I love this Club and have been very active since 2012. After I retired, I met wonderful people and enjoyed the many activities and events that the Club offers. I look forward to staying involved, and supporting new leadership.
My first role was as Program Director, and then I chaired Casual Dining, Game Nights, and Kayaking, and served as Publicity Director. I have been Co President and President since 2019.
Every year we have a dedicated and energetic Board of volunteer members that run the show! We need someone who will chair the Board Meetings and lead the Club (or if preferred, Co-Presidents). The new President (s) can come on board as soon as possible and I will help with the transition. Please contact me at dberrebi@yahoo.com or call 304 686-1291 if you are interested.
