Woman finds, now leads Newcomers group

Cathy Schlesinger had spent three decades in Charlotte, N.C., before the desire to be closer to her son's family led her to Hinsdale in 2021.

"I had moved a lot in my earlier years, but 30 years in Charlotte was a lot to give up," she said.

A couple of new neighbors invited Schlesinger to a coffee gathering sponsored by Newcomers and Neighbors of the Greater Hinsdale Area. Not only did she find a circle of fellowship - she's now president of the social organization.

"It's very welcoming, The nice thing is it's for newcomers, but also people stay with the group," Schlesinger said.

Newcomers and Neighbors aims to help both recently arrived and established residents develop friendships through activities and special interest gatherings. Members come from Hinsdale and other neighboring communities.

Annual large-scale events include the spring luncheon, summer social, holiday party, chili cook-off and next month's fall kickoff luncheon. Monthly activities include Lunch Bunch and Dinner Club to explore the area's dining scene. For those into games, there are meet-ups for euchre, canasta and Bunco.

"So you can do what you want and maybe explore new activities," Schlesinger said. "It's great for connecting with people as well as trying some new things.

"I think it's so important to have that face-to-face connection and support," she added.

Diving into the planning and coordinating of activities helped her get her bearings in her new home, she said.

"I got involved with planning the luncheons initially and got very fulfilled with the activities," she related. "That was the best way to get to know people."

She said the majority of participants fall between the ages of 40 and 80, but everyone is welcome.

"Singles as well as couples," she noted.

Schlesinger is a retired educator, serving as a classroom teacher and a counselor before spending the last 16 years of her career as the top administrator of a private school for students with learning disabilities in Charlotte.

"I was lucky enough to move from one path of education to another, so it always kept it fresh and interesting," she said. "I just like kids, and I'd just laugh everyday because there was alway something amusing and fun."

Those are the same benefits Schlesinger has reaped through Newcomers and Neighbors.

"There are very interesting people who have been a tremendous source for gaining information to make adjusting to the community easier, as well as having someone to spend time with," she said.

The Morton Arboretum has become a favorite destination, and Schlesinger appreciates the abundance of good eateries in the western suburbs. But above all she treasures the relationships she's forged in the last couple of years.

"I've always found great people every place I've ever lived, and I was able to find a group here, and that has made all the difference," she said.

"I'm very, very fortunate to live in Hinsdale. It's been just a really great place," she said.

The group's Fall Kick-Off Luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. Visit https://hinsdalenewcomers.clubexpress.com.

- story by Ken Knutson, photo by Jim Slonoff