The newcomers club that everyone is referring to was sponsored by the YWCA.  There were a lot of activities involved such as those mentioned in a previous letter.  I know because I joined and belonged to the group and have friends yet who also joined the club when they came to town.
 
I truly don't recall why it ended but I suspect that it was lack of leadership stepping forward to keep it going.    I know that we have had a Welcome Wagon Hostess off and on through the years also.  I know two people who worked as hostesses.  I will try to find out a little more about why it dropped out of sight.  I do know that the businesses and Churches of Winona sponsored the Welcome Wagon and that they paid a fee for having their business place represented by the Hostess when she called on newcomers.  Privacy issues, like how to get names of new people in town may have contributed but I don't know that for sure. 
 
As with many other things, more women entering the workforce, the pressures of career, family etc just leave a person with so many hours and so leadership is lost, membership is lost and things die. 
 
How does one get it going again?  That is the question?  It really just takes someone interested enough to step forward, investigate what other communities offer and go forward.  The key is the "someone interested and committed".  Be it an individual or a group.
 
Hope this helps clear up the questions of the former group.
Joliene Olson
507-454-1236
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

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