NOTL Newcomers

06/03/2026

President’s Message – June 2026

Here we are – June 2026- has summer finally found us?

NOTL Newcomers has a long history – this year we are celebrating 35 years as a social club, welcoming and supporting women moving to NOTL or who have had a life change and would like to become involved in the community again – to meet new people and engage in new activities- make new friends and find supporting women. The 35-year history of NOTL Newcomers can be found on our website: notlnewcomers.com.

Thank you to those members who attended the AGM on May 20.

Our guest speakers at the AGM came from our Volunteer Fire Department. We heard an informative presentation discussing home safety and how we can all keep ourselves safe. How fast do you think a fire can engulf your living room, with synthetic materials?

4 minutes - before you can get out safely- before the black smoke takes over- Flashover, they call it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtMmymOxdjc

Take home message – have smoke detectors on all levels, in all bedrooms. Have a practiced escape route and plan your escape with 2 exits per room and keep them clear – be prepared.

CO2 detectors on all levels are mandatory now.

You can sign up for the Alarm Assistance Program if you are over 65. This is an amazing program offered by the town of NOTL and the Fire Department – information and the sign-up form can be found here:

www.notl.com/alarm-assistance-program

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Our year end lunch is booked at the Queenston Heights Restaurant. As in other years, we need to commit to a certain number of attendees and pay deposits ahead of time. We only recoup this money when members buy tickets.

Tickets to this lovely lunch and celebration are available on our website.

Register now – registration closes on June 7, 2026.

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Reminder – Please renew your Newcomers membership by July 1, to allow the new board to plan activities and outings. Without our membership fees, and show of interest, we cannot book our Festive/Holiday lunch or other outings that require numbers and prepayments.

Wishing you all a safe and healthy summer – may you enjoy all the blessings and wonders that NOTL offers – And remember what NOTLNewcomers strives to be- a group of local women here to welcome and support other women moving to NOTL or experiencing a significant life change.

The Alarm Assistance Program (AAP) is a free program intended to assist Niagara-on-the-Lake homeowners aged 65 and over and anyone with a disability or limited mobility. A member of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Fire & Emergency Services Community Risk Reduction Division will attend your property to ensur...

05/29/2026

Come on out to the last Coffee & Conversation before we break for summer!
Open to members and anyone interested in joining our group.
Buy a coffee and a treat provided by Sweets & Swirls and enjoy a conversation with old friends or have a chance to meet new friends.
New members - Come join our new member liaison table for more information on our beautiful town and enjoy your first coffee & treat on us!
NOTL Newcomers Coffee & Conversation – Friday, May 29th 10:00 - 11:30 am
NOTL Community Centre, Simpson Room 14 Anderson Lane, Niagara-on-the-Lake

04/08/2026

Coming up is our second-to-last Coffee & Conversation before we break for summer!

Open to members and anyone interested in joining our group.

Buy a coffee and a treat provided by Sweets & Swirls and enjoy a conversation with old friends or have a chance to meet new friends.

New members - Come join our new member liaison table for more information on our beautiful town and enjoy your first coffee & treat on us!

NOTL Newcomers Coffee & Conversation – Friday, April 24th 10:00 - 11:30 am
NOTL Community Centre, Simpson Room 14 Anderson Lane, Niagara-on-the-Lake

01/28/2026

First Coffee & Conversation of 2026!
Open to members and anyone interested in joining our group
New members - Come join our new member liaison table for more information on our beautiful town and enjoy your first coffee & treat on us!
NOTL Newcomers Coffee & Conversation – Friday, January 30 10:00 - 11:30 am
NOTL Community Centre, Simpson Room 14 Anderson Lane, Niagara-on-the-Lake

01/02/2026

President's Message – January 2026

What a productive year 2025 was for Newcomers – we updated our website, our membership renewal process and our payment options to maximize ease of use and minimize manpower.

We added new programs, we tried new things – some worked, some did not but that’s okay - we will continue to try new things going forward.

Our membership continues to grow as we welcome new neighbours and new friends.

In December, we celebrated our Festive Lunch at a new venue, The Gate House Restaurant, allowing 102 members to all be together to celebrate.

Our groups were busy sharing festive treats and outings to celebrate the season.

A big shout out to all the Convenors who make our groups prosper!

A new year always brings new energy, new hopes and dreams and new plans for the coming year. 2026 is the year of the Fire Horse, ushering in a new cycle of momentum, energy and drive to move forward into a new era, for all of us.

Newcomers has the same spirit – we are planning new activities to keep us busy for the winter and moving into the spring. Keep an eye on both the website and Newsletter for postings from our Program team, to learn more and to register.

A new year is a terrific opportunity to find new passions, interests, or ways to volunteer. We are always looking for interested members to join our Executive team in July. If you have been a Newcomer for a while, have some time to spare, appreciate what Newcomers offers to members and would like to give back and make a difference, please step forward. We love to have new ideas and new energy to continue this wonderful organization. Do you have website experience, do you like planning programs, would you like to learn leadership skills? It is never too early to explore the idea of joining the Executive Board for this coming year or future years. Don’t be shy – let any Board member know of your interest.

I wish you all a very happy and healthy 2026 – may your dreams be realized this year.

12/29/2025

Sign up for the January Trivia event at the Limited Distillery in Virgil.
https://www.notlnewcomers.com/events.php?id=306

12/10/2025

President’s Message – December, 2025

A chill is in the air! We have had our first snow fall already with more promised.

The Festive Season is upon us!!!

Somehow, the calendar has filled up quickly with activities and holiday events. As soon as the Shaw Festival’s performances start, “A Christmas Carol” and “White Christmas,” that signals the start of the Holiday season. Queen Street gets all dressed up and our small town shines!

Newcomers had a great November with members busy decorating outdoor lanterns, baking cookies, tasting wines, and enjoying our group activities. Many of our groups are busy, with new members joining in and learning new things. Some of our programs will be changing for the new year, so keep an eye on the Website for updates.

We had a successful Community Awareness Day, with 30 nonprofit vendors taking part. It is open to all residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake, highlighting the many nonprofit organizations we have. This is our way of giving back to this beautiful community we are all lucky enough to call home.

On Remembrance Day, I had the honour of laying a wreath at the Cenotaph, on behalf of the NOTL Newcomers Association.

Our Festive lunch is coming up quickly at the beautiful Gatehouse restaurant. We have over 100 members joining for lunch and we look forward to seeing everyone there. Those ladies registered for the event should have received an email with all of the details.

A reminder – doors open at 11:30 am - no earlier, and we have a “no saving seats for people who haven’t arrived” policy. We do not want other members to be told “sorry, this seat is taken.” This is especially true for very new members who do not know many people.

If you want to sit with your friends, please arrive together and take your seats. Let’s make everyone feel welcome.

I would like to wish you all a wonderful holiday season – no matter how you celebrate or with whom, I hope you have a wonderful time. Safe traveling to those on the roads.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS- MERRY CHRISTMAS – HAPPY HANUKKAH

12/09/2025

Last Coffee & Conversation of 2025. Join us at the Community Centre this Friday.

12/03/2025

Festive Lunch - Dec 10
Bring a toy