Activity & Interest Groups

The Grand Blanc Newcomers Club has a wide variety of activity groups, and you're sure to find something to match your interests. Participate as much or as little as you like. If you have a special interest or talent you'd like to share, let us know. We're always looking for new ideas!

Leisure & Entertainment

Moms & Tots: Attention all Moms with little ones at home... here's a great way to get out of the house and meet some other moms, while your preschoolers have a blast playing with new friends, too. Our Moms & Tots group meets several times each month. We go on outings in-and-around town, meet at local playgrounds, or sometimes each other's homes. Take a break. Go play!
Movie Goers: Do you love going to the movies? We do! (We might even go see the newest chick flick that you can't drag you husband to!) We offer both afternoon and evening groups. The afternoon group is always back in time to meet the school bus, and sometimes we do lunch beforehand. The evening group may decide to meet for a quick meal or a drink before or after the show. For something a little different from the usual Cineplex fare, we also go to the Flint Institute of Arts for their weekend showings of independent and art films.

Whether joining us for a group outing or venturing out on your own (... so you've finally broken down and agreed to see the new martial arts-action-space adventure-special effects blockbuster he's been wanting to see), Newcomers offers discounted tickets to its members, good at participating area theaters.
Book Clubs: There's just nothing like a good book. Sharing great (and some not so great) literary works is what book clubs are all about. Don't be afraid to try something new and break out of the genre you usually enjoy reading. Discover new authors and new worlds. A different selection is chosen monthly. You do the reading and we'll get together for some lively discussion.

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed,
and some few to be chewed and digested.
--- Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626)
Breakfast Club: How do you like your eggs? Ah, what could be better than a hot cup of coffee and a satisfying breakfast? Not having to cook it! We meet on Friday mornings at a local restaurant to catch up with friends and relax. Can't stay for breakfast? That's OK too. Just sit down long enough for a cup-o-Joe and a quick hello.
Gourmet Lunch: Do you enjoy cooking? Are you up for trying something new and unusual? Several times throughout the year, we dream up a different menu theme. Well ahead of time, each participant receives a recipe for a specific dish to bring to lunch. Put it all together, add a little theme music, and you've got yourself a party! (Just how extreme is the "theme" thing...? as to that belly dancer costume somebody wore to the Middle Eastern luncheon a few years ago... well... perhaps that might have been a little too extreme. Just kidding. Really. No costumes are requested, let alone required.)
2-Gathering Night: We don't always leave our husbands at home. Here's a chance to get out for an evening with your spouse while you both get to know some other Newcomers couples. We meet several times a year member's homes. Bring a munchie to share and your favorite spirits, (especially fun at Halloween time) mixers provided.

Sports & Games

Bowling League: This is one of our most popular activities. Thursday mornings you'll find many a Newcomer at Galaxy Lanes in Grand Blanc, working toward that perfect 300. Don't worry if you're not ready for the Pro-Bowler Circuit. The competition is good natured and everyone has a great time. At the end of the season we'll have a banquet to honor all the winners and celebrate the year we've enjoyed together. If you're interested, but don't want to commit to a full league season, sign on as a substitute. If you've got some time to SPARE, feel free to come hang out and STRIKE up a conversation!
Skiing: Ah, majestic Mount Holly... all right, so it's kind of just a big hill... but it's still a blast to go skiing there! Join us on Mondays (when the snow finally flies) for the best bargain in all of ski-dom -- two for the price of one! Be you novice or expert, winter fun is just down the road!
Tennis: If you enjoy playing tennis, add your name to roster of Newcomer's tennis group. Here's how it works... you give us information regarding your skill level and what time/day is best for you to play. We will do our best to match up players with similar skills and scheduling preferences. Once you know who you're compatible with, you can set up your own game schedule. All levels are welcome to join in the fun.
Golf: What better way to spend a beautiful morning than on the links. Depending on the number of ladies signing up, we will either have league play or just a regular, set tee time.
Bicycling: Strap on your helmet (couldn't the manufacturers make these things just a little bit more fashionable?), fill your water bottle, and hit the road with us! You can handle this... we're not mountain biking here or pedaling the Tour de France -- it's just a leisurely ride through the 'burbs with friends.
Walking: Some of us get together to walk the neighborhoods (in fair weather) or stroll the Grand Mall (in not so fair weather). Others walk on their own. Keep track of your miles and report them to the leader or the Walking group. You'll be amazed how the miles add up through the year! Did you know that you can burn off the calories from the average fudge brownie with a brisk thirty minute walk? So go ahead and indulge. Just make sure you lace up those walking shoes too!

Roller Skating: There may not be live organ music anymore, or even disco tunes under the glitter ball, but you can still meet us at Rollhaven Roller Rink on Saginaw Road for some good ole fashioned fun on wheels. Bring your own skates or rent them there. 2x2's and inline are both available. Safety gear is encouraged.
Euchre: Euchre is kind of a regional thing. Lots of people moving into the area have never heard of it, but if you're from Michigan, odds are you grew up playing it. Here's all you need:; 1. a partner (husband or friend, it doesn't matter); 2. your favorite snack to share; 3. your beverage of choice; It doesn't matter if you played all your life or are brand new to the game. We'll teach you. It's fun and easy! Can we deal you in?
Bingo: OK, it's B-I-N-G-O, but it's a heck of a lot more fun with Newcomers!
Bring a snack to share with the group and get ready for some laughs!

Arts & Crafts

Scrap Bookers: Do you know where your photos are? If you're like most people, they're jammed in junk drawers, stuffed in shoeboxes, or left languishing in the little paper envelopes you picked them up in from the film processor. If you've been diligent in the past and put them into photo albums, they may be fading and deteriorating despite your best efforts. Pull up a chair to the cropping table and have fun while you learn all the newest techniques to keep your treasured memories in tip-top condition. We meet twice a month. Drop by to chat while you put together some fantastic photo albums that will be enjoyed for years to come. (This group is not affiliated with any retail company.)
Hookers: It's not how it sounds. The Hookers are totally innocent. (We're a non-profit group, remember?) How they came upon their name is a mystery that only the original Newcomers Club members know, and they're not telling. Who would guess they're just a nice bunch of ladies getting together to cross-stitch, sew, knit, or needlepoint. Bring along that piece you started long ago, but never finished. You'll get something accomplished while you inspire others to do the same.
Quilting: Do you have to hide fabric store purchases in the trunk of you car until you can safely bring them inside without your husband finding out that you've actually bought more fabric? Have you got one of those Fibber McGee kinds of closets hiding your stash, where if you were to open the door you'd be buried in yards and yards of calico? Perhaps this is just the goal you've set for yourself - get together with the Newcomers Quilters and let that fabric become the beautiful butterfly it was always meant to be.

Not a quilter yet? Not a problem. We're a friendly bunch who can introduce you to the world of quilting. Whether you prefer to stitch by hand or do machine work, you're welcome to join us. Bring your finished works to show off or your quilts-in-progress to work on. In the past, we've also made quilts to donate during our "Quilt-a-thon" and we've made special quilts for our annual auction fundraiser.
Rug Hookers: You've seen these gorgeous rugs in magazines and museums. Make your own masterpiece! This is not the run of the mill canvas and yarn latch hooking you learned to do as a child. It's art. Wool strips are used to fill in an outlined design on monk's cloth, burlap, or linen. Some rug hookers even dye their own wool, making their palette of colors as limitless as their imaginations.
The Rug Hookers usually gather twice a month to learn and practice their rug hooking technique over coffee and conversation.

Crafts: Calling all crafters...we are bringing back the crafts group this year. The plan is to meet in each other's homes once a month to learn the basics of one new craft each time. We're looking for members with special crafting talents who are willing to share them with the group. It could be painting, jewelry making, stamping, basketry, floral arranging, calligraphy... the possibilities are endless.

Service

S.O.S.: All Newcomers Club members are considered part of this very special group. Lennon and McCartney said it best, "I get by with a little help from my friends." When life hands one of our members a challenge, we're here to help each other out. Whether it's a joyful but exhausting experience, such as bringing home a new baby, or a tough hurdle such as serious illness or death in the family, Newcomers can count on (an be counted on for) the extension of a helping hand. The situation may call for a hot homemade meal, transportation to a doctor appointment, a few hours of child care, or maybe just a supportive shoulder to cry on.
Community Service: We all need to do our part, and each and everyone of us has something to give. Although Newcomers contributes to the community financially through college scholarships and donations to several worthy causes and organizations, we also contribute something of ourselves - our time. This year we'd like to step up our efforts.; Possible avenues to follow include answering phones for the local PBS station pledge drive, adopting a section of highway, substituting for full-time Meals on Wheels volunteers, or possibly shelving books at McFarlen Library. We plan to explore the volunteering options out there and let our members know exactly what our club can do to help. Stay tuned.
Babysitting Co-op*: Do you need an hour or two off from the kids for that dreaded annual check-up? Do you dream of grocery shopping without having to run the gauntlet (a.k.a. - the candy display) at the checkout line with your sweet-toothed tyke? Have a dozen errands to run and just can't face the thought of buckling and unbuckling your little darling from the car seat umpteen times? (If you've got one of those 3-point safety systems, that's 72 procedures!); Ta-ta-taaah! Newcomers to the rescue! There are other moms just like you in our club who've joined forces to form the Babysitting Co-op. If you need a brief respite from motherhood, give the co-op chairperson a call. When another mom needs a hand, she might just call on YOU! (Play fair... no avoiding the calls with Caller ID!) The chairperson of the co-op will keep a log of time used and hours spent volunteering.

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