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with cut: Newcomers' Club Offers Something For Everyone

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Donna Rahtelli, the new president of Newtown Newcomers' Club, is certain her

club offers something for everyone who wants to develop friendships and

interests - regardless of whether or not you've lived in town all your life or

just moved in last week.

"I'd like to attract people who have been in town for awhile. We were thinking

about changing the name of the group to Newcomers and Neighbors," she said.

"When I moved here I felt I needed more. I really wanted to be involved in

clubs and the community."

But her first two brushes with the group, then called Welcome Wagon Club, were

overwhelming. Mrs Rahtelli said she went to an open house two different times

and just felt lost in the crowd. Three years after moving to town, she joined

a friend at a smaller event and has been active in the organization ever

since.

Mrs Rahtelli said, after her initial experience, it is ironic that she is now

president of the organization. One of her first official acts, however, was to

make sure anyone who attends an open house is greeted at the door and assigned

a "buddy" who can introduce them to others.

"I'm so happy I finally did join because I met a lot of people, and developed

a hobby - folk art painting," she said. "The relationships you develop are

very close."

Mrs Rahtelli and her husband, Joe, moved here from Danbury six years ago. They

have two children, four-year-old Michelle, and one-year-old and Matthew. Mrs

Rahtelli graduated from Marist College where she earned a BS in business with

concentrations in marketing and finance. She was in marketing research for an

economic consulting firm, and later, was a licensed day care provider in

Danbury. She taught religion for the past five years at St Rose, and is a

eucharist minister at the church. She has been involved in Newcomers' for the

past three years.

Newtown Newcomers' has 175 members and is open to anyone in town who has had a

"recent lifestyle change" which is broadly interpreted, according to Mrs

Rahtelli. There are 20 different activity groups including tours for tots,

couples nite out, play groups, men's softball through Parks and Recreation,

folk art painting, co-ed volleyball in the winter, men's fishing group, men's

poker group, Labor Day float group, and a recipe group. "It's for all ages,

for families, single people, career people - anybody," said the new president.

"And we're open to any ideas or suggestions for groups or projects."

Although Newcomers' is primarily a social organization, members can also

become involved in civic activities, said Mrs Rahtelli. "We've been given so

much by the community, we wanted to give something back," she said.

The group adopted a family in town and annually provide them with items and

clothing for school, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and summer (a pool

pass). Members also make sandwiches for blood drives, sews ABC quilts for

medically fragile infants and children, and this year will assist with the

Family Life Center's Christmas tour.

"We're a very friendly group," said Mrs Rahtelli. "There's a spot in there

somewhere for you. Take it from me - I tried so many times!"

Anyone interested in finding out more about the group is invited to attend the

Newtown Newcomers' Club Open House at 7:30 pm on September 18 in the

Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall. The informal event will offer a chance to

get acquainted with members and see what activities are offered. First

Selectman Bob Cascella is the special guest that evening. Appetizers, dessert,

and beverages will be served. Membership for the year is $30 which includes

all family members. For information about the organization, contact Donna

Rahtelli at 426-7776, or Julie Untiedt at 426-5052. Newcomers' also mails out

a monthly newsletter listing its activities. Anyone new to town or who has

recently had a baby and would like a visit from the local Welcome Wagon

representative may call Susan Schneider at 426-3506.