For four decades, the International Club of Newtown (ICN) has been a social and cultural club made up of people from other countries, along with others who moved to the United States but previously resided overseas and speak the languages of those countries.

Members share their varying cultural backgrounds and welcome other new arrivals into the area; the club meets monthly, rotating among the homes of members.

"Whoever has a big house is sunk," Patricia Rapela of Argentina said, laughing. One of the program coordinators for ICN, Mrs Rapela admitted the program coordinators "are going to come after you to host" if you have a large home. The get-togethers at private homes generally celebrate the heritage of the host.

The club has maintained its mission of being a social, cultural club, Mrs Rapela said.

ICN President Hilde Brehm agreed, saying members have always found "friendship, support, and cultural exchange."

A native of Germany, Mrs Brehm arrived in the United States in 1959. She worked as an au pair, in a German club, when she arrived in New York City. She met her future husband, who was also from Germany, within a year. The couple eventually moved to a home on Lake Zoar in Newtown. Mrs Brehm now lives in Southbury, but stays very busy with ICN.

Over the years members have enjoyed everything from Halloween parties, end-of-summer gatherings and garden parties, to Tango Night, an Argentine-style "asado," South African-style Braai Vleis (barbecue events), Christmas parties, summer picnics, ladies lunches, and the occasional men's gatherings.

"One member did a bike trip across the country," Mrs Rapela said, "and then did a presentation to the club about that."

A monthly luncheon is also held in a local restaurant or member's home.

Last month it was a even larger location than someone's home that was used to host a club event. The International Club celebrated its 40th anniversary with a gala on October 8, at The Heritage Inn in Southbury.

Approximately 60 people attended, according to Mrs Brehm.

One part of the gala, according to ICN historian and publicist Doraliza Isgut (Argentina), was a special presentation for all of the guests.

"One of our original members, Michel Dolivo, took the gargantuan job of putting all ICN 40 years worth of photo albums into digital format and into the web for all members to enjoy," she said. "Thanks to Michel we were able to have a slide show on October 8."

Mrs Brehm was very pleased with the slide show.

There were also photos of current and former members and events, and of members who had died. "It was very nice. It was very touching to see them again," she said.

One of her favorite parts of the evening, Mrs Brehm said, was seeing two of the guests.

"Two members, Anne Marie and Henry Metzelard, were there with us," she said. "They moved back to France, but returned for our party, to celebrate with us."

Looking Back

The International Club was founded in 1976. At that time it was a program of Newtown Junior Women's Club, and was based at Trinity Episcopal Church.

According to a May 1998 feature in The Newtown Bee, it was Margarita Ross who had the idea that led to ICN's formation.

"A native of Costa Rica and chairman of the [Newtown Junior Women's Club's] international affairs department, she thought the Juniors should start a club for people who were interested in learning about other cultures," former Newtown Bee Associate Editor Kaaren Valenta wrote. "The first meeting, held at Trinity Church on November 16, 1976, attracted 40 people and created the International Club of Newtown."

Among the founding members were all three of the women who spoke with The Newtown Bee for this story (Mrs Brehm was also the club's first treasurer, and Mrs Isgut was also on the original board), as was Mrs Brehm's late husband Waly; former longtime residents Wendy and Charlie White; and Filis Fondo.

In recent years ICN has become a "very regional club," according to Mrs Isgut. "We have members who live in Danbury, Brookfield, Southbury, Woodbury, Monroe, and Waterbury."

Hilde Brehm pointed out recently that while ICN quickly became it own entity, its roots with NJWC was of great benefit.

"They really helped us get going," she said. "No one was familiar with club activities. They helped us get our first board together."

By its 20th anniversary - and still today - the club had approximately 80 members, representing enough countries to be a small scale United Nations. Members as of September 2016 represented Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Holland, India, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, the United States, and Wales, Mrs Isgut said, ticking off the names of countries while looking over her club roster.

Mrs Rapela remembers learning about and then joining the club after arriving in the United States from Argentina.

"I moved here in 1983, and joined the club right away," she said in September. "I started hooking up with Argentine people immediately."

The club, she said, was created because people were disconnected from each other.

"Wives and kids were home during the day, and did not have a way to meet with others," Mrs Rapela said. "In other cases, people came to us because their husband was transferred into town, and had immediate interaction with others. It usually takes the longest for the rest of the family to adapt to a new culture."

Mrs Brehm said meeting others in similar situations has been one of her favorite parts about ICN.

"The club over the years has become like family," she said. Included within her speech for the anniversary gala, Mrs Brehm told those in attendance that "while we all have our own families, we have also made many new ones.

"We have shared sad times and supported each other through difficult times," she continued. "We have also had very good times."

Mrs Isgut has also found camaraderie among the club's members.

"For me, it's important to be part of something like this," she said. "It's like a support group. We can talk and teach each other."

It is not unheard of, she said, for people to become friends and take care of each other outside of the club's activities.

"We'll cook for each other if someone is sick, and we'll visit each other if someone is in the hospital," she said. "It's a really nice group."

For all of its traditions, Mrs Rapela says the club has also evolved over time.

"The basics are still here," she said. "The board evolves, and new people come in with new ideas.

"At the same time, with all of the different things we do, the mission is still here: immerse yourself in the cultures of others."

Continuing Forward

This month the club will conduct its annual potluck event and elections for the new board. Terms go into effect January 1 each year.

In December there will be a Christmas luncheon, this year being celebrated at The Curtis House in Woodbury; and a cookie exchange.

The club has members who are in their 30s to their 80s. The majority of the members, however, are older. Younger people haven't stayed too involved with the International Club.

"We wouldn't have been able to continue with just Newtown," Mrs Rapela said.

"We don't have so many young people," Mrs Isgut said. "We have some people in their 30s, but teens don't usually care about their culture, and don't come to meetings yet. It's not a kids club, and young folks have so much to do.

"Empty nesters have fun though," she added.

Those interested in joining the International Club should reach out to a current member for sponsorship. Another option is to contact the Membership Chair Ursula Doliva, at 203-929-6497.

"The membership chair can suggest someone who shares your nationality," Mrs Brehm said.

Once a sponsor is arranged, a guest will need to attend at least two club events. They can then apply for membership.

Annual membership dues in the International Club of Newtown are $30 per person. Costs are covered by individuals when groups dine out or throw a party. The annual dues also help with some fees.

"The club subsidizes many things," Mrs Isgut pointed out, mentioning the recent anniversary party. "That's why we have the dues. We also like to have something in the kitty, for future planning."