“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet.”
This well-known Shakespearean quote from Romeo and Juliet is the dilemma with which the Natchez Newcomers Club must often wrestle. To some the name “Natchez Newcomers” implies that the organization is only for ladies who have recently moved to the Miss-Lou. Oftentimes when members invite other ladies to attend, they respond with, “Well, I am not a newcomer.” When in fact who better for a true “newcomer” to learn from other than a longstanding resident?  The Natchez Newcomers Club’s purpose is to provide a social environment where newcomers to the Miss-Lou can meet and interact with area residents and help them become acquainted with and contribute to the betterment of our community. This fun-loving group of ladies has monthly coffee/brunches in member homes September through May and periodically hosts luncheons at various venues with the intent of attracting new residents in the Miss-Lou area to come and meet not only other new residents but also those who have been in the area for a while. Guest speakers at the luncheons notify the group about upcoming events and educate the ladies regarding our area’s historic significance. Three times a year, an evening event is hosted so that members may bring friends and spouses to enjoy the festivities. The Natchez Newcomers also has a bridge group which meets twice a month for those who wish to play. There is something of interest for everyone. Natchez Newcomers has a Facebook page, and a monthly newsletter is published to keep members abreast of future activities.

The Natchez Newcomers’ community projects chairman identifies ways in which club members can become involved in advancing our community.  Our annual cookie swap/auction fundraiser in December each year allows us to donate proceeds to a local charity selected by the group. The Natchez-Adams County Humane Society benefited last year. In addition, the club donated commemorative benches and flower baskets to help beautify the downtown area during the Natchez Tricentennial celebration. Ladies provided food for visiting artists during the month of May for the Natchez Festival of Music. We delivered appreciation cakes to both the Natchez Police Department and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office during the summer. We are currently involved in collecting needed items and financial aid for our neighboring town of Crosby so greatly damaged in recent flooding. These are the kinds of activities our club supports and for which we receive much more in return than what goes into these efforts.

Details about the coffees, luncheons and other gatherings will be publicized via Tracings in The Natchez Democrat each month. Truly the best way for ladies to learn about our activities is to attend one of our functions to see first-hand the diverse and wonderful group of ladies that we have as members. The next meeting is this Wednesday. Our year is just beginning, so ladies consider this your invitation to come and meet some of the most congenial and hospitable ladies in the Miss-Lou. For more information about the Natchez Newcomers Club, you may contact me at 601-597-8221.
Ginger Schwager is the 2016-2017 president of the Natchez Newcomers Club.