The Potomac Area Newcomers Club offers new Potomac residents the opportunity to explore the area and develop friendships through a variety of social activities. The club of 250 members, mostly women, convenes once a month for general meetings and throughout the year for various scheduled events.
“It’s such a friendly and welcoming group,” said Mary Ruth Benson, club president. She herself moved from Houston to Potomac a few years ago. “The members really recognize how hard it is to be a newcomer.”
In 1966, a group of women founded the organization, calling it the Potomac Welcome Wagon Club. Members got together for antiquing, bridge and bowling.
In present day, Benson loves to take advantage of the club’s many activities, especially book club, bridge, and trips around the Washington D.C. area. The club also offers tennis, golf, mahjong, museum tours, gourmet cooking activities, restaurant outings, community service functions, painting, jogging, dog walking, gardening and much more.
Susan Swayze, membership coordinator, moved from Connecticut to Potomac just last year. Joining the club is, “a great way to explore the area and connect with people in the same situation. Other than join in on the social aspects, members can exchange referrals from doctors to shopping,” said Swayze.
The club’s membership fee of $25 includes a directory and monthly newsletter.
“Some people join for a few years, make connections, and then move on. But overall, most members join and want to stay in,” said Swayze.
Call Susan Swayze at 301-320-3514 for membership, e-mail wswayze@comcast.net or visit www.geocities.com/potomacnc.