Member Feature: Laura Muhl

Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club? 
Although I had already lived in town for 2 years, I had recently stopped working (and travelling out of town for business each week) . I had received a mailing from Newcomers when we first moved in, and now had the time to actually attend events – and I really needed a chance to meet people in town. In those 2 years, I had only met my immediate next door neighbors!

Where did you recently move from? 
We moved here from Rockville, Maryland – although my husband grew up in this area and his extended family lives nearby.

Where did you grow up? 
I grew up in Fairfield, Connecticut. My town had 5 different public beaches on Long Island sound – the more I move – the more land-locked I get! I still have a brother and 2 sisters in Connecticut, another brother and my parents in Virginia, and a sister who splits her time between Florida and Pittsburgh (her 2 oldest kids now live in Pittsburgh too – so I now have my niece and nephew in town representing my side of the family).

Where did you go to college and what did you study? 
I attended the University of Connecticut, and have a BS in Public Relations (in which I never found employment….)

What do you do for your day job? 
I’m currently a stay-at-home Mom. I was 41 before we were able to start our family through adoption, and we waited so long for a family, we decided it was best for me to suspend my career for a few years. Previously, I was a business consultant for a large healthcare company called Kaiser Permanente, helping with process improvements and IT system implementations.

Do you have any kids? If so what are their names and ages? 
We have a son, Teddy. He is three (and a half, he’ll tell you.)

Do you have any pets? 
We have a mini-Dachshund named Gus.

What do you like to do for fun? 
I like to quilt, watch movies, read, and play with my son. I enjoy cooking and baking (but hate dishes).

What books on your shelf are begging to be read? 
I have a stack of books on my nightstand right now – a mix of fun fiction books and parenting books. Some are partially read, some are begging me nightly to be read. I used to read about 2-3 books a month, but now with a 3 year old, it just doesn’t seem to work out that way….it’s a New Year’s Resolution to read more and use my iPad for internet surfing less.

What’s the biggest goal you are working on now? 
I’m trying to declutter our house. Too much stuff seems to suck the life out of my soul. When we lived in Maryland, I used to volunteer once a month at our church’s thrift store, which helped me to constantly weed out our belongings and bring in donations once a month. Without that monthly reminder, things have piled up….THIS YEAR – I swear – I’m going to finally have a tag sale (a New England term – I think here they’re garage sales? Even though I’m not selling my garage?). And learn to sell on EBay. And give more often to Goodwill.

What upcoming Newcomers’ event are you looking forward to attending? 
We belong to a weekly playgroup, but I enjoy the Craft Nights the most. It’s nice to have sounding boards in my fellow crafters (although I’m not always working on a craft per se: I’ve completed thank you cards, invitations, and once just went empty handed to talk to some women).

What other things do you want your fellow newcomers to know about yourself? 
I found one of the hardest things to do was walk into my first few Newcomers coffees by myself – I’m not very outgoing until I know people better….but I’m so glad I forced myself out of my comfort zone! Our club has something for everyone – watch the calendar and Facebook page – and GO to something. I look forward to meeting you!

Spring Membership Open House

Saturday January 25th, 2014 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Come out for an afternoon of coffee and pastries to socialize with fellow members and welcome prospective members to our club. Stop by anytime between 1-4; we will be happy to see you! All are welcome at this recruitment event, so consider inviting or bringing a new neighbor! Or, just come to chat and share all the wonderful opportunities our club has to offer.

Event Location:

McLaughlin Run Road USC Community Rec Center

Cost of event/person:

Free!

Flyer – Spring Membership 2014 Open House

Please RSVP Here:

RSVP for the Spring Open House

 

Member Feature: Heather Holtschlag

Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club?
In addition to wanting to meet new people and make new friends, my husband and I knew that we would be raising a family in USC. So, I wanted to meet other mothers in similar situations and offer the opportunity for my sons to make new friends, too!

Where did you recently move from?
South Fayette, PA

Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Scott Township.

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

What do you do for your day job?
I manage a freelance writing and PR business — Heather Holtschlag Public Relations — and offer a wide variety of writing and PR services to clients in the health and fitness industries. Though my most important and rewarding roles are as a wife and SAHM.

Do you have any kids? If so what are their names and ages?
I have two sons: Matthew is 5, and Luke is 3.

Do you have any pets?
No, though we promised Luke a goldfish as a reward for potty training, which he recently successfully accomplished. So, it looks like soon “Uncle David” the fish will be coming to our house to live!

What do you like to do for fun?
I LOVE working out and ironically, love to cook. Though anyone who has ever tasted my cooking can attest, I have a lot of room for improvement.

What books on your shelf are begging to be read?
Believe it or not, 50 Shades of Grey is only halfway done, and has been sitting on my shelf for about a year. I would love to read more, but am too easily distracted.

What’s the biggest goal you are working on now?
In addition to being the best mom I can possibly be, I aspire to build my freelance business to  more of a fulltime job when both boys are in school all day.

What upcoming Newcomers’ event are you looking forward to attending?
I haven’t been able to get to much this year because of a crazy schedule. But I’m hoping that will change in the new year!

What other things do you want your fellow newcomers to know about yourself?
My husband, Jim, owns and operates a Grease Monkey in Canonsburg and also does car detailing on the side (when he doesn’t have a small child’s arms wrapped around his legs). I also write for USC Today magazine and am always looking for story ideas!

Member Feature: April Jackson

Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club?

To get to know people on the area and to get support from the organization.

Where did you recently move from?
We moved here from a suburb of Metro Atlanta, Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in California. Born in Northern California and raised in Southern California.

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I attended the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB). I began as a Molecular Biology major and graduated with a BA in History. I also attended California State University of Dominguez Hills for my education credential.

What do you do for your day job?

I am primarily a Stay at home Mom BUT, I am now an entrepreneur of my company Sweat Everyday LLC. I have also been teaching group fitness classes for the past ten years, training and coaching clients.

Do you have any kids? If so what are their names and ages?
We have three sons Kahlil – 13, Kaden – 11 and Kaamil – 7

Do you have any pets?
One hamster named Ani

What do you like to do for fun?
For fun I enjoy taking yoga classes, spending time with friends and family, reading and having time to myself at a spa!!!

What books on your shelf are begging to be read?
The Black Count by,Tom Reiss
Blink by, Malcolm Gladwell
Personal Trainers Guide to Success
The Bible

What’s the biggest goal you are working on now?
My biggest goal right now is working to my business a success

What upcoming Newcomers’ event are you looking forward to attending?
The New Years Ladies Day Out Re-Gift Champagne Brunch!

What other things do you want your fellow newcomers to know about yourself?
My husband and I have been married for seventeen years and, we relocated here for his job. We both really like it here! I am very glad we made the decision to come and I have really enjoyed meeting new people and experiencing new things in this city. Yes, even living in the snow!

Member Feature: Sydna Burns

Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club?
To meet other newcomers in the area

Where did you recently move from?
South Carolina

Where did you grow up?
South Carolina

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
Finance and Economics at University of South Carolina

What do you do for your day job?
Business Analyst with UPMC Health Plan

Do you have any kids? If so what are their names and ages?
Two boys: Whit (7) and Liam (4)

Do you have any pets?
cat named Belle

What do you like to do for fun?
spend time with family, read, bake, watch movies, anything outside, going to the beach, watching college football and Braves baseball

What books on your shelf are begging to be read?
Gone with the Wind (saw movie again over Thanksgiving and realized I’ve never read it, but want to)

What’s the biggest goal you are working on now?
Learning SQL for work

What upcoming Newcomers’ event are you looking forward to attending?
Tacky Sweater Bowling

Where New Neighbors Become Old Friends