New to the area? These Wilmington-area clubs are here to welcome you

Cheryl M. Whitaker, Wilmington StarNews
·2 min read

As more people continue to move to the Wilmington area, a number of newcomer clubs have surfaced. How do they welcome people and how do they help them adjust?

The StarNews recently interviewed Marla Montemarano, publicity director for the North Brunswick Newcomers Club, about how her club works.

Who is considered a newcomer?

For the club purposes, Montemarano said "a newcomer is anyone who enjoys meeting new people and sharing new experiences." There are many members who are new to the North Brunswick area as well as those who have lived here for many years, but never got out to visit the sites within the community or Wilmington.

How does the club help?

The social club meets the second Friday of each month from September through June. It helps offering various activities in and around the Wilmington area. These activities may be a volunteering opportunity or visiting the various museums such as the Wilmington Railroad Museum or Cameron Art Museum. For "foodies," the club visits many restaurants that the Wilmington area has to offer. A person might also enjoy attending shows or athletic events that is planned by the club's activities team.

Why did they join the club?

Cheryl Sullivan at a ladies luncheon at the Calabash Garden Tea Room & Gift Shop in Calabash. Sullivan and her husband, John, are part of the North Brunswick Newcomers Club.
Cheryl Sullivan at a ladies luncheon at the Calabash Garden Tea Room & Gift Shop in Calabash. Sullivan and her husband, John, are part of the North Brunswick Newcomers Club.

Cheryl Sullivan and her husband, John, moved from Bethpage, New York, and joined the North Brunswick Newcomers Club in November 2022 when they moved to Leland.

"We had heard fabulous things about the club and how you meet new friends and get acquainted with the area," Sullivan said. "We have met wonderful new friends at the club."

Sullivan says there are speakers from an array of organizations, such as the Latimer House, Novant Health system and Cape Fear Honor Flight, who provide her with invaluable knowledge of the surrounding area.

There are also activities, tours and lunches posted on the club's website where people can sign up.

"Each time we attend we meet more like-minded retirees," Sullivan said.

For membership, contact Deb Mansir at Nbnewcomers.org.

More: In 'land that time forgot,' Brunswick development gains approval to nearly double

More newcomers clubs in the Wilmington area

North Brunswick Newcomers Club members enjoying bocce ball on the bocce ball court at Brunswick Beer and Cider in Leland.
North Brunswick Newcomers Club members enjoying bocce ball on the bocce ball court at Brunswick Beer and Cider in Leland.

Brunswick Newcomers (Southport). This nonprofit social group in Brunswick County with more than 500 members serves Southport, Boiling Spring Lakes, Leland, Shallotte and the surrounding area. The club holds a general membership meeting from September through May (except December) on the third Tuesday of each month, 9:30-11:30 a.m. For more information, email vice president Bev Mastorvich at southportbev1@gmail.com.

Wilmington Newcomers Club, a nonprofit social club, welcomes people who have moved to New Hanover and Pender counties within the last four years. Meetings are held usually the second Thursday of the month from 10:30 a.m.-noon. For more information, contact president Loretta Schmitzer at 301-461-4127.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Where to meet people as a newcomer to Wilmington, NC