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Resident makes new connections at Oakville Newcomers Club by Abigail Cukier Special to the Beaver 19 | Friday, March 20, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com When Zelda Middleton's husband started a job in Oakville in 2010, the whole family moved with him from Johannesburg, South Africa. With two children, ages seven and 10 and unable to continue working as a communications professional, Middleton, 44, had to build a new network of friends. She joined the Oakville Newcomers Club. Part of an international network of newcomer clubs, the group runs activities for women, couples and moms with babies. Clubs include mom and tot groups, book clubs, gardening and wine. Activities include downhill skiing, golfing, hiking, quilting and restaurant outings. The club also supports charities through volunteering and fundraisthere is a very strong and warm sense of ing. For example, its 2014 Christmas party welcoming. supported the Halton Learning Foundation "I needn't have worried that I wasn't goand the Lighthouse program for grieving ing to make friends. So many people have children. become my friends and it just made the "The newcomer club is for any new faces transition into Canadian life that much to the community. You can be from Missiseasier." sauga or Montreal or Paris. It doesn't really For information on the Oakville Newmatter. The only criterion is that you are new comers Club or Oakville Newcomers to the area," Middleton said. Alumni Association, visit oakvillenewcom"I found it incredibly helpful to suddenly ersclub.com or email info@oakvillenewhave a group of people who you had things comersclub.com. in common with. The newness and strangeness is exactly what you Carpet Cleaning Specialists Since 1952 have in common." After three years in the newcomer club, members can join the Oakville Newcomers Alumni Association, of which Middleton became president last fall. Members Residential & commeRcial participate in similar activities but Wall to Wall FURnitURe & UPHolsteRY without the focus on settling in provided in the newcomer group. aRea RUGs PeRsian & oRiental There, members can also get help with immigration and obtaining Truck Mount In-Plant Service health cards, driver's licence, etc. Water damage Restoration The newcomer club has about 100 members and the alumni asSee the transformation of what sociation has 185. Middleton says we can do in relation to others! the newcomer club tends to have younger members, but includes women of all ages, including grandmothers who have moved to be closer to their grandchildren. "It is a great opportunity to get to know new people. It allows for great exposure to different cultures. So many women have made connections and formed friendships, many who will transfer with them to alumni association." Middleton has been involved VOTED BEST CARPET in many activities, including the & RUG CLEANERS walking and running clubs and is 15 YEARS IN A ROW! drop-off in her fifth year of dragon boating. discount! "If you can get up the courage to join, there are so many ways FREE 250 mL SPOTTING BOTTLE in which you can fill your hours and get support from people in the www.onthespotcleaning.ca same situation as you," Middleton 1446 WaLLacE Rd. said. "It is a really fun bunch of QEW ladies. It seems people who have OakvILLE, ON Speers crossed borders know what it feels Wallace like to be new and unfamiliar so Members of the Newcomes Club can enjoy a variety of fun activities, including dragon boating. At left, the Oakville group gets ready to go for a paddle. | submitted photos Easter · Confirmation · First Communion Books and Gifts For Moments We Treasure 588 Kerr Street, Oakville | 905-844-3102 www.goodbookschristian.com | goodbooks@on.aibn.com 588 Kerr Street · 905-844-3102 · www.goodbookschristian.com · goodbooks@on.aibn.com We make custom foot orthotics! chiropodist - foot specialist Call Today and book your `Complimentary' 3D Foot Scan! Book online at: Schedulicity.com - Search `Atlantic Foot Care' or call 905-338-5558. Book with Frank Keogh, D.CH. Oakville Injury & Pain Relief Center On The Spot! No Referral Necessary · 30 Years Experience All fees covered by most insurance plans. · sport orthotics · Golf · diabetic · dress orthotics · Tennis · Orthopaedic Footwear · hockey/skate · Childrens · Compression Stockings 2169 sixth Line, unit 2 (north of upper middLe road) 905-338-5558 | www.oakvilleinjuryandpainrelief.com Ready to buy a New Car? Visit www.carcostcanada.com first. Canada's #1 resourCe for wholesale priCe reports. We'll show you all advertised & non-advertised factory incentives & discounts. 25% Denis from Oakville saved over $3,500 with his CarCostCanada report. DIAMOND Bronte 905-825-4256 Call us at 289-813-3200