Brandon Newcomers Open To All, Marks the Holidays on Sadie Street

The Brandon Newcomers held their annual Christmas celebration on Wednesday morning, Dec. 21, at the with a potluck meal, plenty of gift bags and a cash-prize drawing.

The name "newcomers" is deceiving, as most of the members are senior ladies who are not new to the area. The name reflects the concept that birthed the club in 1961, when a two-year membership was all that was allowed. Since then, the club's presidents have kept it as a social club, which now boasts 120 members who take part in a number of special interest clubs.

"The Newcomers Club is like an umbrella that brings together all of our smaller clubs," Newcomers president Emma Jean Smith said. "We have so many, a Bunco club, a bridge club, book club, etcetera. We have Flick Chicks, where we go to breakfast and a movie, and out-and-about aays, where we go on a day trip. It's really a great way for all these gals to keep occupied."

The group raises money throughout the year for local charities and has contributed funds on numerous occasions to people who need service dogs.

Meetings for the club take place several times throughout the year and usually involve some sort of guest speaker or entertainment.

For members, the most important aspect of what the Newcomers offer is friendship.

In fact, the group's banner that hangs on the wall of the Brandon Community Center on Sadie Street provides the perfect slogan: "A Beacon of Friendship."

"The greatest thing about the Newcomers is the friends that I've made," said Elizabeth "Betty" Cocchiola, chair of the Opinionated Ladies Club.

"We all love each other and help each other however we can," she added. "I've lived in Brandon 21 years, and I remember I got involved in this group when I went bowling with a neighbor and met some people from the Newcomers. It's been great ever since."

The Newcomers have thought about changing the club's name over the years to reflect the fact that their doors are open to anyone — new to the area or not. In the end, they stuck with the name that brought them all together, but they still have to explain that anyone is welcome.

"We want people to know that they don't have to be new to the area to join us," Smith said. "We're not a strictly women's organization either, although the men don't usually stay too long when they do come. We're always open to new people, and we'd love to extend an invitation to anyone who wants to come."

The Brandon Newcomers meet on the third Wednesday of every month. For more information, call 813-685-4206