Westside Newcomers Offers Warm Welcome

Moving to a new area can be a bit overwhelming.

There's so much to do. Packing, unpacking, getting kids signed up for school and learning where the grocery store is.

Building a grown-up social life for yourself should also be on the to-do list and one local group is making that task a little easier. 

The New Westsiders, which was founded in the 1970s, is open to women and hoping to foster friendships, provide social activities and to support each other.

"A member lived down the street from me," said Stephanie Gleason of Avon, who moved here in 2010 from Virginia. "I'm a stay-at-home mom and didn't know anyone. It's been a great way to get out and get to know the area and do things you wouldn't necessarily do on your own."

Incoming president Shawna Corbin said current membership ranges from women as far away as W. 6^th in Cleveland and includes members who have lived less than two years in any of Cleveland’s west-side cities including Avon, Avon Lake, Bay Village, Lakewood, Rocky River and Westlake. 

The focus of the group is social. They meet once a month for lunch and in addition, get together to enjoy Cleveland-area events including trips to the new aquarium, ball games, and recently, an outing to the Great Lakes Brewing Company.

They also get together for crafts, bunco and euchre games, and meal-and-a-movie outings.

Lunches include a short program that can range from wine tasting and exercise to financial planning and decorating. This week's luncheon included a fashion show by with members modeling the latest styles.

To find out more about the New Westsiders, email newwestsiders@gmail.com.