New Neighbors League makes move to area more friendly

Anne Puchala and fellow members of the New Neighbors League of Dayton gathering for their July social in Bellbrook. The group meets in Bellbrook on the first Friday morning of each month (from left): Rosemarie Driver, Eileen Wilson, Stacia Worndle, Lisa Glinski, Susan Aiello, Anne Puchala, Donna Gibbs and Eileen Beyland.

Contributed Photo Anne Puchala and fellow members of the New Neighbors League of Dayton gathering for their July social in Bellbrook. The group meets in Bellbrook on the first Friday morning of each month (from left): Rosemarie Driver, Eileen Wilson, Stacia Worndle, Lisa Glinski, Susan Aiello, Anne Puchala, Donna Gibbs and Eileen Beyland.

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By Sandra Baer, Contributing Writer 9:48 AM Thursday, July 15, 2010

Moving away from Kalamazoo, Mich. was difficult for Anne Puchala, but meeting friendly neighbors in Bellbrook and the Dayton area made her feel right at home.

“It was the first time I’d really moved away from my family in Michigan,” said Puchala, who was salutatorian and prom queen at Hacket Catholic Central High School.

“I was lucky, because a co-worker of my husband told me about New Neighbors League, a group formed in Dayton to provide fun and friendship to new residents in the area,” said Puchala.

After graduating from high school in 1972, Puchala attended the University of Michigan where she met her husband, Marty, and earned a degree in pharmacy in 1978.

“Marty lived in the same dormitory, and I met him on the first day of classes,” said Puchala, who wed Marty in 1978 after graduating and then returned with him to Kalamazoo where she worked for the Upjohn Company.

In 1982, Puchala stopped working to care for her four children. Brian, a graduate of Hackett High School, earned a bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate in materials science engineering from the University of Michigan and is currently working as a researcher for the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Emily Puchala Kosmerl graduated from Carroll High School and earned a degree in business marketing from the University of Dayton; she currently lives in Columbus with her husband, Paul, and works at the DSW Shoe Warehouse Headquarters. Joseph, a 2005 Carroll High School graduate, earned a degree in architecture from Miami University in 2009 and is employed at Reynolds & Reynolds as a computer programmer. Sarah, a 2009 Carroll High School graduate, is a student at The Ohio State University, where she is studying food science and nutrition.

“Puchala is Polish, and Marty’s parents lived in Hamtramck and spoke Polish,” said Puchala, who is of Irish and Dutch descent. “Our kids grew up eating pierogies, kielbasa and challah bread as holiday treats.”

In 2000, with one son in college, Puchala moved to Bellbrook after her husband, who worked for National City Bank, was transferred to Dayton. Marty Puchala currently works for Freddie Mac.

“I really like the small town character of Bellbrook and the fact that it is so close to shopping areas,” said Puchala, who was active in the schools as a room mother, school library volunteer and Girl Scout leader.

“I especially like to go to the Sugar Maple Festival because it starts off the festival season. I really love the New Neighbors group — it’s what made living here wonderful for me,” said Puchala.

Puchala has served in numerous board positions including secretary, handling luncheon reservations, ways and means and working in an advisory capacity helping other new members. She also chaired the committee to build the New Neighbors League website at: www.newneighborsdayton.com. In addition to the board position, Puchala is the contact chair for the morning social, Bible study and started the dessert activity groups.

Contact this columnist at (937) 432-9054 or jjbaer@aol.com.

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