Newcomers Say ‘Welcome Back’ in Style

By Maureen Chodaba

The Newcomers Club of Marco Island recently welcomed back their snowbird members with a lavish event at the Marco Island Yacht Club.

The annual Welcome Back luncheon and fashion show, chaired by Carol Schwalje and Lael Kilpatrick, featured a Red Carpet theme, delicious food, and fashions by Georgie’s and The Shoe Resort, Kay’s On the Beach and Patchington Boutique. From jeans to evening wear, the clothing was modeled by Newcomers members Donna Kaczka, Jodie Morgan, Trish Pease,

Laura Geberth, Grace Cheng, Caitlin Robinson, Kim Merkl, Emmy Meijer, Liz Knapp, Caryle Herr, Flo Toczik and Maureen Chodaba.

Newcomers President Jodi Pree welcomed the crowd, which included several prospective members. Five new members were inducted by the membership chairwomen, Donna Dubey and Kim Heinemann.

The Newcomers Club of Marco Island was founded 47 years ago. Since then, it has welcomed over 6,000 women, fostering friendships through arts and entertainment groups, book clubs, cooking clubs, girl’s nights out and much

more.

For me, modeling in the Welcome Back fashion show was part of that “much more.” Having the opportunity to view and model the ultimate in new fashion trends is a delight in itself. But the real joy came about from the sense of sisterhood that developed among the models

backstage.

As we first indulged in a succulent luncheon feast crowned in glory with a dessert of white chocolate peach soufflé, we joked about not being able to squeeze into the outfits we would be wearing.