Outgoing president reflects on successful tenure with Newcomers Club

Members of the Park City area's Newcomers Club taking a hike in the autumn leaves. Photo: Newcomers Club

Sue Niblock passes the torch to Heather Tourkin

PARK CITY, Utah — July 1 was the last day that Sue Niblock served as the president of The Newcomers Club of the Greater Park City Area. Her replacement is Heather Tourkin, who Niblock is sure “will be terrific.” 

The Newcomers Club of Greater Park City is for people who are relatively new in town and/or for locals who want to make new friends and expand their social network. Since 1995, the 501(c)(7) nonprofit social club has been entirely made up of volunteers: women, men, singles, and couples. 

Niblock served for two years, from June 2022 to June 2024. She was elected for one year but then asked by the board to run again for a second year. “We had a lot going on coming out of COVID. I am pleased to say our numbers are strong. We continue to attract new members each month, and the ‘old’ ones stay. I had a wonderful board, and that helped,” she said.

Niblock will remain on the board as one of the activity co-chairs.

“What’s special about Newcomers is that we are friendly, welcoming and a great way for people to make connections in the community. This is what I hear all the time and what was reaffirmed to me recently too. People feel like we are open and welcoming and it is easy to make friends. They also love that we offer so many different activities and events, i.e., something for everyone. And we get great speakers at our monthly coffees,” stated Niblock.

“A big part of what keeps Newcomers vibrant is our willingness to try new things,” shares Niblock. One example: overnight trips.

Last summer, 23 “Newcomers” went to the Shakespeare Festival as a group for several days for the first time. It was such a success that they are going again this summer.

Earlier in June, 22 members went to Boise, Idaho, for a three-night, two-and-a-half-day wine-tasting excursion. They also had a successful overnight visit to Dinosaur National Monument and Nine Mile Canyon in May with 13 people, and they are planning an overnight at Great Basin National Park in September. The overnight trips are new, but clearly, there is interest.

The club added several new activity groups, such as more skiing options, an art group, and another dining group, to the well-established Bridge Club, Garden Group, Stitch-n-Chat, and Writers Circle.

They visited the Rio Tinto Mine, went to Deer Valley concerts, went to the Soldier Hollow Champion Sheepdog competition, went to the SkiJoring competition in Heber in the winter, toured the National Ability Center, went to the Follies, toured the Summit County Courthouse and Museum, went to the Bison Roundup at Antelope Island together, toured Ritual Chocolate, went to the Tulip Festival at Ashton Gardens, had a tour of the Kearns mansion in Salt Lake City, also of the historic Salt Lake City and County building, went to the Witchfest at Gardner Village, and went to the Oakley Rodeo… all in the past two years. 

“It’s such a great, fun-loving organization,” Niblock affirmed.

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