When Ginny Konieczki moved to Columbus from Missouri 12 years ago she didn”t “know a soul,” as the saying goes, and wasn”t quite sure where to start. Fortunately, someone in the neighborhood helped the newcomer ease into the local scene by inviting her to a Friends and Neighbors meeting. Today, Ginny is a three-time past president of the social and networking group and relies on lifelong friendships she”s made within its ranks.
“Now, I can”t do without those connections,” she freely admits.
The organization once dubbed the Welcome Wagon has evolved into an active ambassador on a mission — to spread the word that Columbus is a “fun, interesting and charming place to live.”
“When you move to a new city and don”t know anyone, and especially if you don”t have small children, with the automatic connections to other parents that gives you, you can really feel like an outsider,” said Konieczki, who, like several others in the group, is an industry-related transplant. Her husband, now deceased, relocated to Mississippi to work at the former Cal-Jac in Macon.
Through twice-monthly gatherings, the group”s objectives are “to promote an immediate opportunity to become acquainted with others, promote local charitable and civic causes, and provide helpful information and an atmosphere of goodwill.” While the emphasis is on helping newer residents feel at home, “oldcomers” are encouraged to participate, too.
Current Friends and Neighbors president Mary Pat Curtis said, “We”re just ladies of all ages who enjoy getting together on a regular basis to share common interests, learn more about the city and visit new places in the Golden Triangle.”
Monthly business meetings at the Columbus Country Club bring in speakers ranging from the city”s police chief to physicians on women”s health issues. The second gathering each month is a social outing or special program in the Golden Triangle.
Decorating for fall
Wednesday the organization will host “Fun With Fall: Decorating for the Season,” a morning program by Columbus freelance floral designer Ashley Youngblood, owner of A Blooming Touch. Visitors are welcome, but reservations are required. For details, contact member Sharon Hudspeth at 662-242-0275.
In addition to exploring Columbus, the group has gone antiquing in West Point and dining in Starkville. A tour of Palmer Home, as well as a casino trip, are among other outings being planned.
“These are designed to introduce people to interesting places and things in Columbus and surrounding areas,” said Hudspeth. “We want to help newer residents get to know the area. We”ve got all these new companies coming in, all these spouses. We just want to help them get to know us and to feel welcome.”
Friends and Neighbors is also about giving back. A November in-club auction will enable the group to continue charitable contributions to agencies including the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society and Helping Hands.
“And at Christmas, we always adopt a family and provide them everything for the holiday,” said Curtis.
Friends and Neighbors is open to women 18 and older. Dues are $15 annually. For more information, contact Hudspeth at the number above, Konieczki at 662-244-7043, or Joanie Thompson at 662-327-9301.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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