"Plant the seeds of friendship, then watch the blessings grow!" is the motto of the Potomac Area Neighbor’s Club (PANC) — formerly the Potomac Area Newcomer’s Club.

PANC began in 1966 as the Potomac Welcome Wagon Club to help women who had recently moved to the area adjust to their new lives in Potomac. Through the organization, members formed friendships and learned about the community and the many opportunities available to them in the Washington D.C. area. This organization expanded to include a myriad of activities including bridge, book clubs, couples’ gourmet groups, writing, current affairs and film buff groups, power walkers, educational tours, cooking classes and more. The organization now numbers 140 women.

PANC commemorated its 50th Anniversary with a Celebration Luncheon at the Bretton Woods Club House on Nov. 9. Seventy members (including nine past presidents) attended the luncheon. A highlight was Co-President Alexa Kempel‘s collection of vintage hats which were modeled by members and their husbands.

Kempel gave the opening remarks at the celebration: “Our PANC membership is made up of proud moms, prouder grandmothers, tireless caregivers — and all of us are accomplished women. Our members include artists, university professors, research scientists, psychologists, counselors, authors, government workers, nurses, accountants, computer whizzes, diplomats, business owners, women who sit on boards and Realtors. Friendships grew out of our shared experiences — and PANC was instrumental in forging those close friendships. Fifty years is a milestone. We have all seen a lot of changes since the 1960s — but what has not changed are our friendships.”

A theme of the luncheon was “Change over Fifty Years” since the founding of PANC. As Kempel said, “Let us think back 50 years. Perhaps you were in elementary school, like me, wishing I could be Diana Ross and sing like the Supremes with the Motown sound. Perhaps you were attending your first prom, like my friend and Co-President Kathy Kurgen. Maybe you were a young bride or dealing with the angst of teenage children, or helping care for aging parents. Or maybe you were living overseas and the thought of moving to Potomac, Md. was a little hard to fathom. Music was changing, fashions spanned from the ‘little black dress’ to micro-minis and psychedelic prints and — for one season, paper dresses were in style. Who can forget the white go-go boots that were all the rage and Nancy Sinatra singing “These Boots Are Made for Walking?”

She went on to discuss the social upheaval in the 1960s, the war in Vietnam, the Civil Rights movement and the fact that the National Organization of Women is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Women were following their husbands as they moved up the corporate ladder, raising their families and starting a new movement of working spouses.

Over the 50 years, PANC has changed from Welcome Wagon to the Potomac Newcomer’s Club and now the Potomac Area Neighbor’s Club. Many women have been members for more than 20 years — but now, one does not have to be a “newcomer” to Potomac — nor does she have to live in Potomac to become a member. New members are welcome and may choose whatever activities they would like to join. The club welcomed 24 new members this year and one of the goals for 2017 is to reach out to friends and neighbors to join. The cost is $30 per year.

For more information concerning PANC, go to www.potomacneighbors.com or check them out on their Facebook page.

"Plant the seeds of friendship, then watch the blessings grow!" is the motto of the Potomac Area Neighbor’s Club (PANC) — formerly the Potomac Area Newcomer’s Club.

PANC began in 1966 as the Potomac Welcome Wagon Club to help women who had recently moved to the area adjust to their new lives in Potomac. Through the organization, members formed friendships and learned about the community and the many opportunities available to them in the Washington D.C. area. This organization expanded to include a myriad of activities including bridge, book clubs, couples’ gourmet groups, writing, current affairs and film buff groups, power walkers, educational tours, cooking classes and more. The organization now numbers 140 women.

PANC commemorated its 50th Anniversary with a Celebration Luncheon at the Bretton Woods Club House on Nov. 9. Seventy members (including nine past presidents) attended the luncheon. A highlight was Co-President Alexa Kempel‘s collection of vintage hats which were modeled by members and their husbands.

Kempel gave the opening remarks at the celebration: “Our PANC membership is made up of proud moms, prouder grandmothers, tireless caregivers — and all of us are accomplished women. Our members include artists, university professors, research scientists, psychologists, counselors, authors, government workers, nurses, accountants, computer whizzes, diplomats, business owners, women who sit on boards and Realtors. Friendships grew out of our shared experiences — and PANC was instrumental in forging those close friendships. Fifty years is a milestone. We have all seen a lot of changes since the 1960s — but what has not changed are our friendships.”

A theme of the luncheon was “Change over Fifty Years” since the founding of PANC. As Kempel said, “Let us think back 50 years. Perhaps you were in elementary school, like me, wishing I could be Diana Ross and sing like the Supremes with the Motown sound. Perhaps you were attending your first prom, like my friend and Co-President Kathy Kurgen. Maybe you were a young bride or dealing with the angst of teenage children, or helping care for aging parents. Or maybe you were living overseas and the thought of moving to Potomac, Md. was a little hard to fathom. Music was changing, fashions spanned from the ‘little black dress’ to micro-minis and psychedelic prints and — for one season, paper dresses were in style. Who can forget the white go-go boots that were all the rage and Nancy Sinatra singing “These Boots Are Made for Walking?”

She went on to discuss the social upheaval in the 1960s, the war in Vietnam, the Civil Rights movement and the fact that the National Organization of Women is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Women were following their husbands as they moved up the corporate ladder, raising their families and starting a new movement of working spouses.

Over the 50 years, PANC has changed from Welcome Wagon to the Potomac Newcomer’s Club and now the Potomac Area Neighbor’s Club. Many women have been members for more than 20 years — but now, one does not have to be a “newcomer” to Potomac — nor does she have to live in Potomac to become a member. New members are welcome and may choose whatever activities they would like to join. The club welcomed 24 new members this year and one of the goals for 2017 is to reach out to friends and neighbors to join. The cost is $30 per year.

For more information concerning PANC, go to www.potomacneighbors.com or check them out on their Facebook page.