Rockwall Newcomers & Friends welcomes new members to join in all their fun

ROCKWALL, TX (August 10, 2021) If you love to meet new people, cook, read, craft or play games, Rockwall County Newcomers & Friends is for you!

Rockwall Newcomers is an active organization that meets the second Thursday of each month, September through May, at Occasions at Stone River, 1250 FM 2453 in Royse City. Occasions is a beautiful events venue just off I-30 that features a pond with swans and a meeting room large enough to hold the Newcomers whose membership is currently close to 200 ladies. The buffet-style lunches are delicious, and the programs are always entertaining.

Carol Greenhalgh, Barb Stenburg, Jo Anderson, Donna Williamson

In the past, Newcomers has hosted television anchor Gloria Campos, Dallas Morning News columnist Dave Lieber, Rockwall Summer Musicals, the Dallas Arboretum, Rockwall Community Playhouse, writers, magicians, singers, dancers, and comedians. This year will be no exception with a Chico’s fashion show (September 9th), an Elvis impersonator (October 14th), Kahula Voyage hula dancers (November 11th), Vocal Magic Victorian holiday carolers (December 9th), comedian/musician Al Fike (January 13th), the Garland Symphony (February 10th), Irish band Plunk Murray (March 10th), Patriot Paws (April 14th) and a Tribute to Mothers & Creative Hat Contest (May 8th). The cost is just $20, and the morning starts with a social hour at 10 a.m. then entertainment followed by lunch. Reservations are required and must be made by 6 p.m. the Monday of the week before the luncheon by calling Jo at (214)244-4017.

Many towns have Newcomer groups that require members to leave after two years. The Rockwall County group decided that they were having too much fun together, so they expanded their organization’s title to include “friends”. That means that you can remain a member as long as you like!

From left: Karen Nelson, Patty Vigneau, Carol Greenhalgh, Sherry Perry, Becky Grass, Marilyn Rose, and Judy Buffington

There are many ways to get involved. For those who love to eat, there is a casual dining group that meets at various restaurants in Rockwall and Dallas. For gamers, there is an almost endless variety including Bridge, Canasta, Bunco, Farkle, Hand & Foot, Joker, Mexican Train, Mah-Jongg, Shanghai Rummy and Spades.

There are book clubs, cooking clubs, even a crafting club. It doesn’t matter whether you’re single or married, working or retired–they have activities for you!

From left: Carol Greenhalgh, Becky Grass, Lizl Estanislao, Sally Yorks, Elena DeLeon, Elizabeth Williamson, and Rhea Heskett

If you’d like to explore locations across the I-30 bridge, Newcomer Carol Greenhalgh heads up Rendezvous and has organized outings to plays, musicals, consignment shops, race tracks, comedy clubs and the circus. They’ve even taken an antique train ride and experienced Ice! at Gaylord Texan. The best thing is, if there is something you love to do, but there isn’t a group already formed, you can start one. Membership is just $25 a year and includes a member directory. Visit NewcomersRock.com for more information.

Submitted by Mary Thacker, Newcomers, for publication in Blue Ribbon News.