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May 16, 2005

Making Connections

I enjoy telling stories about the ways folks forge relationships in a largely transient community like north High Point.

Below is a story about one such group. I copied it from online, so it's lacking the "fastfax," which offers contact information.

So, here 'tis: 869-6176

HIGH POINT -- For three years, Lisa Harris did everything she could think of to her yard: laid sod, planted flowers, trimmed hedges.

At least it was something to do.

After moving to north High Point in 2000, she'd had trouble meeting new people. Harris met a few neighbors, but most of them were newcomers as well.

"What was I supposed to do?" she said. "Stand out in my front yard and wave and hope someone would stop?"

In 2003, she discovered the High Point Newcomers Club, which she considers a lifesaver. As north High Point and Jamestown continue to grow, adding new developments and newcomers, the 44-year-old club has grown as well.

Five years ago, it numbered about 40 people. Now, it's about 100, nearly all of whom live in north High Point or Jamestown. All of the members are women, whose ages range from 24 to 86.

On Friday, the club held a garden party at the home of member Debbie Mitchell. Sixty of the group's members were in attendance, including Polly Lattuada.

Lattuada moved 12 times during her married life, her husband's job taking the couple all across the nation. After her husband died, Lattuada moved to Jamestown to be near her grown children.

Like Harris, Lattuada found herself uncertain how to make friends.

"Folks who've been here forever already have their own social circles," Lattuada said. "So, we had to form our own. It (the High Point Newcomers Club) provides a social life and friendships."

Members of the club learned of it from other members, from neighbors or from brief newspaper items.

Though they've come from all over -- including foreign countries -- before settling in north High Point and Jamestown, club members share many traits, Harris said.

Most have moved repeatedly, typically because their husbands are or were in the military or in a company that moved them frequently.

Many have moved to the area to be near grown children. And most felt alone before they learned of the club.

Monique De Vries moved to High Point when her husband was sent to Volvo Trucks in the Triad. The Dutch couple had never been to America, and De Vries' grasp of English wasn't strong.

"I felt really a foreigner when I got here," De Vries said. "But they made me feel welcome."

The club meets from September through May, having monthly get-togethers as well as smaller groups that meet for card games, movies or other interests. The small groups meet year-round.

Club members look out for each other, said Marge Graven, who should know. When a fire burned her out of her north High Point home, insurance took care of repairs. But the newcomers club took care of the moral support.

For the seven weeks Graven lived in an extended-stay motel, she never had dinner there nor did she eat alone. She had dinner with a different club member every night.

When she moved back into her home, Graven said, "I had one hell of a party to thank them all, a yard party that wouldn't quit."

Veteran members of the club attended Friday's party along with actual newcomers. Once a member, always a member, said self-professed "recovering Yankee" Ginny Reetz, a 10-year alumna of the club.

"It's still nice to be an old newcomer and still meet new people," Reetz said.

Posted by at May 16, 2005 9:02 AM

Comments

How do I find out more about this High Point Newcomers club? My mom has just moved there and this sounds perfect for her. I tried calling a Jean Kelly who is the President? But no one ever answers and she does not answer e-mails either?? Any help would be great!

Posted by: Shayna at October 17, 2006 3:38 PM