Spring fashion luncheon helps newcomers feel right at home

To look at the room of more than 60 women talking and laughing on April 19, you might not notice that most of them just met! 

The New Westsiders Club's spring fashion luncheon took place at Westwood Country Club in Rocky River. New friendships were formed and existing friends reconnected while enjoying a delicious meal and lovely fashions provided by Chico's of Crocker Park.

While the club's motto is "Bloom where you are planted," the New Westsiders Club is more accurately a way to make Cleveland feel like home, even when home may be far away. The mission is refreshingly simple: a social club. The club has been around since the 1970s, and remains strong, even in an economic climate where employers are not relocating employees and their families as frequently.

When I arrived in Cleveland in 2007, my helpful realtor, Joan Reynard, mentioned a newcomers group, and after a couple of months of unpacking and navigating new doctors, new hair stylist, new everything, I was ready to make some friends.  The New Westsiders gave me a jumpstart into the community with other people who knew the challenges of moving into a new area. 

Suddenly, I had connections here in Cleveland! Enjoying meals in new locations with the club gave me ideas on where to take my family. The monthly "Discover Cleveland" field trips were fun as I explored museums, shops and tours of local companies. The membership directory was a big comfort because it signified people that I could call with a question or for help in a pinch. I learned my way around with those other "new to Cleveland" women, and I'm very grateful for their support!   

Mostly, the group and their events are about fun! Carpooling, we learned about our city while hearing how the others arrived in Cleveland or where else they've lived. Tackling those relocation issues together made me feel right at home in Cleveland's west side. I'm proud to call Westlake home for my family. 

While I have "graduated" (after four years) to the Associated New Westsiders club, I still feel "new." Joining events, like the April 19 fashion luncheon, the blend of newcomers and "those of us who used to be new" is rewarding. The activity calendar is full of opportunities to meet new people with similar interests, and explore the potentially-overlooked positive aspects of Cleveland.

So, for any women new to the Cleveland-area: Welcome! You're not alone and we look forward to meeting you! You're going to love it here!

For more information about the New Westsiders, please email newwestsiders@gmail.com.