Responses are funny! I'm a member of the Newcomers Club in our area (some of the members have been in the club for 25+ years, so it isn't really a "new"comers club). We have a group called "Stitch and *itch where we get together for an hour or two, drink coffee/tea, snacks, and some of the members do hand-sewing, crocheting, knitting, other crafts, or just come to visit. We also have a group called "Wine and Dine" that meets once a month (husbands can attend, generally at someone's house or at a restaurant.
On the road where I live (out in the country), there are FIVE women who are quilters. I'm good friends with a couple of them, but the other two I hardly know, sadly. Three of the women own longarm machines. Maybe this next year I will try to get to know the other two women. My husband and I are the "new" people " (five years!), but neither of those two have ventured over to visit.