Max and Janet Uhlemann moved to the South Okanagan back in August after living in Victoria for more than 30 years, where they both worked as teachers. In an attempt to meet new friends and remain active, the Uhlemanns have started the South Okanagan Newcomers Group, which will be holding its first meeting in early January. Photo by Keith Lacey.

One of the most difficult challenges whenever somebody moves to a new town or city is making new friends.
Max and Janet Uhlemann know all about this as they recently moved to the South Okanagan back in August.
Realizing the Oliver-Osoyoos area attracts numerous retirees because of its beautiful scenery and fantastic weather, the Uhlemann’s have organized the South Okanagan Newcomers Group, which is designed to bring newcomers to the area together to participate in numerous social and recreational activities.
“When we lived in Victoria we had two sets of friends who came to live there from Ontario and they started up the Peninsula Newcomers and they found it a great way to meet new friends who shared similar interests,” said Max, who along with his wife, are retired school teachers.
The Uhlemanns moved to Oliver back in August to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
They have thoroughly enjoyed their first four months living in the South Okanagan, but they do miss their friends back in Victoria and are confident starting up the Newcomers Group is going to be a great way to meet new friends and allow other newcomers to this area an opportunity to do the same, said Janet.
“My experience is that people over age 50 already have a strong group of friends, and we most certainly do, but we’re new to the area and we would like to make new friends in this area,” she said. “We had heard so much about the Newcomers Group back in Victoria we thought we would offer our time and services to start a similar group here in the South Okanagan.”
The Uhlemanns lived in Victoria for 33 years.  With two grown children in the Oliver area and their first grandchild due in November, they decided a move to the Okanagan valley was a great idea.
Looking to make new connections with others in the community, they joined the Oliver Senior Centre.
When they approached management at the senior centre about starting up a Newcomers Group, they received nothing but support and encouragement.
“We  believed the existing organizations were great, but we were looking for additional ways to connect with other new people to the South Okanagan community with the same needs as we have being new to the area,” said Max.
The purpose of the group is to welcome individuals and couples to the South Okanagan, provide them with useful information about the area, meet in friendship on a regular basis and provide social and recreational events for members.
The Newcomers Group will build on the activities existing at the Oliver Senior Centre and will develop new activities based on the interests of the members.
“The group can be as active as its members choose for it to be.  The sky is the limit,” said Max.
The group will hold its first official meeting on Thursday, Jan. 10 at the Oliver Senior Centre from 2-3:30 p.m. and meetings will be held on the second and fourth Thursdays each month moving forward. The Oliver Senior Centre address is 5876 Airport Street and is located just behind the RCMP station.
Some of the ideas the Uhlemanns would like to see discussed once members join is forming walking groups for men, women and couples, pool leagues for men and women, bridge clubs, cooking classes, dog walking and hiking.
“Those are just some of the ideas,” said Max. “We’re willing to listen to whatever ideas our members come up with. This is all about meeting new people and having some fun together as a group.”
While the Oliver Senior Centre will remain home base for the group, Max said he’s hoping numerous newcomers in the Town of Osoyoos will be interested in joining as well.
“That’s why we called it the South Okanagan Newcomers Group,” he said. “We will be based out of Oliver, but we’re inviting all newcomers from Osoyoos and Okanagan Falls to join us … we’re hoping to attract members from the (American) border to Penticton.
“We know a lot of snowbirds come to this region for the winter months and they would also be welcome.”
For more information, contact the Uhlemanns at  250-498-2121.