Listed below are the available activities you can participate in as a member of the Simsbury Newcomers Club. If you are interested in trying any of these activities out before you decide to join (either the Club or the individual group, as an already existing member), you can contact any of the Activity Chairs to let them know you’re interested and you’d like to “try before you buy”.

If there’s a group you’d like to see that isn’t already here, and you’re interested in starting another new and fun activity, feel free to contact Jennifer Halbert – she’d be happy to help you bring your ideas to fruition.

Book Discussions

There are both Day and Evening discussion groups. Books are chosen at the beginning of each year, and everyone who is involved in these groups have a say in what is planned. This is a great group to join if you love to read – there’s a new book every month! – or just love to talk about books.

For Daytime meetings, feel free to contact Patrice Sala or Camilla Thompson. Evenings are headed up by Cindy Schafer.

Bridge

Love to play Bridge, but you can’t ever find enough people to play with you? This is the group for you. Feel free to get in on the action by contacting Mary Verbeke for the couple’s group, or Ida Coulter for the “ladies only” version.

Bunko

Bunko is a very old dice game that’s really easy to learn. And a lot of fun to play. It’s so easy that while you’re rolling the dice, your mind can be on your discussion, and you can have a fun social morning out with friends. This group plays one morning a month – so if you’re interested, give Arlene Zappile a call at 860-408-9044. Randi Stamboulis and Marion Paterson head up the evening version of this game, so you’re not relegated to mornings only.

Kid’s Playgroups

Do you have kids, but you don’t get to socialize often because you’re busy caring for them? Do you feel like having a conversation that uses words with multiple syllables is a rarity? Would you like for your children to interact and play with other kids more often? Then this is the group for you.

The Kid’s Playgroup puts parents and their kids together once a week – the children get to play together as a group, while the adults actually get to have adult conversations. It’s a nice breather from the usual routine. Contact Teo Pellegrino for more information.

Ladies’ Lunch Bunch

This is a fun group, where the ladies get together once a month to enjoy each others’ companionship and some good food. The leader of the group, Eileen Chilek-Wilder, makes reservations at different venues in the area so you can not only enjoy the atmosphere and lively conversation, but also try out a restaurant or two you may have never had the chance to go to before.

Men’s Night Out

An organized group for guys to get together and to have some fun. Activities include card playing, movies, beer tasting – essentially whatever the group would like to do. Hosted at a member’s home on a monthly (or so) rotating basis. The main goal is for guys to get out, to meet others, and to have some laughs. If the group becomes big enough we’ll hold an annual Beer and Men party, to which you will be able to invite your significant other. To sign up or to ask questions, please contact Brian Tomasino.

Movie Night

One evening a month, we get together to go see the latest Silver Screen temptation. You can come by yourself, or you can bring your family and friends (or any part thereof). Sometimes, dinner is involved, sometimes just popcorn. If you’re interested in getting out to see something before it comes out on DVD, contact Marylou Lavoie and come along!

Needlework

This is a social group of people who love to do any type of needlework, be it knotting, crocheting or needlepoint. We get together and socialize, and work on projects (and improve our skills). If you’re interested, contact Charlotte Ray .

Paddle Tennis

Would you like to hang out and socialize over a fun and competitive sport? Contact Camilla Thompson for the Couples’ games, Carolyn Brand for the Ladies’ edition, or Dick Clark for Mens.

Pinochle

Pinochle is a great game that’s really easy to learn, and this is a very supportive group to teach you. It’s a nice evening out, playing cards and socializing with others – and who knows? Maybe you’ll go home with a little more money in your pocket than you came in with. Contact Judy Rabinowitz to get in on the fun.

Potluck Dinner

This is a very active and popular group – every month one of the members hosts a potluck dinner at their home. There’s limited seating, so if you join, be sure to RSVP quickly or you’ll miss out. The fun is just as great as the food. Contact Janet Marcum or Marilyn Iezzi to get in on the next feast!

Walking/Ramble Group

This is a terrific group to join if you not only want to get some daily exercise into your life (yes! they meet every day!) but you’d also like to see parts of Simsbury you didn’t even know existed. Afterwards, a cup of coffee and grab conversation is to be had by all. Take some time out for yourself, and contact Charlotte Ray to join in.

Wine and Women

Another very popular group – we get together once a month for some good company, good food and great wines. If you love wine – tasting or talking about it – this is definitely the group for you. Drop Cheryl Sojkowski a line to enjoy your next sampling.

We also have a few groups that were active in the past, but they have fallen by the wayside. If you’re interested in reviving any of these groups, feel free to pick one and run with it. Please note that the descriptions were the formats used by previous chairholders, so they are not set in stone. If you like any of these groups, but would like to change the format, please talk it over with Jennifer Halbert to see how you can get started!

Cooking Club

Foodies rejoice! This is a wonderful group that meets once a month to share recipes and enjoy cooking together, and gets to bring home dinner to the family. It’s a way to experience culinary delights while saving money (since everyone pitches in), having good conversation, learn new cooking skills and just having a grand ol’ time in the heart of a house.

Quilting & Crafts

This is a lovely group that gets together once a week to enjoy each others’ company and create beautiful works, and learn new skills and “tricks of the trade” form each other. This group usually does at least one “group project” that goes towards the annual Silent Auction fundraiser.