Carole Moore

Originally from New Jersey, Carole has also called Connecticut and Vermont home before settling with her family in the Princeton area. Over the course of a multifaceted career, she has worked as an administrator and teacher at schools in Greenwich and Princeton and served as Head of Speech Pathology at Morristown Memorial Hospital. Even in retirement, Carole’s passion for learning remains strong. She eagerly pursues new knowledge by taking courses, auditing classes at Princeton University, and participating in cooking and baking boot camps at the Culinary Institute of America. Community service has always been a vital part of Carole’s life. She has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, contributes on the Executive and Grants Committees for the Fund for Women and Girls, chairs the New Jersey Bar Foundation’s Law Adventure Mock Trial Program, tutors at HomeFront, and volunteers regularly at local soup kitchens. For Carole, every environment offers an opportunity to grow, give back, and build meaningful connections.

Mary Beth Scheild

Mary Beth grew up in Michigan.  She has worked or volunteered as an elementary teacher, community counselor and lay minister. She and her husband, Dan, have been married for 55 years and have lived in 8 different cities, finally moving to Princeton in 2010.  They have 2 daughters and 6 grandchildren. Mary Beth enjoys all kinds of needlecraft and tries to take advantage of all the Princeton area has to offer including all that Newcomers has to offer.

Maria Abrahamsen

Maria was a life-long Michigan resident, until moving to Princeton in 2024. She graduated from the University of Michigan undergrad and law school and spent her career in private practice as a corporate health care attorney. Maria and her husband moved to Princeton to be closer to their two adult children (in Brooklyn and Philly) and granddaughter. Newcomers has provided a welcoming network for making friends and pursuing interests. Maria enjoys hiking, reading, and cooking and forces herself to go to fitness classes at the YMCA.

Janet Perkins

A native of Memphis, Janet moved to Princeton in 1989 and made it home after living in many different states. Transitioning from teaching in public and private schools to arts management, Janet retired in 2012 after 17 years as the Executive Director of the Princeton Girlchoir, which is now part of the Westrick Music Academy. Super Storm Sandy did not slow her down, and she promptly joined Newcomers & Friends where she has served in various leadership roles. Supporting the community is important to Janet. She has served as a past board member of Princeton Pro Musica, Princeton Adult School, and Princeton Community Works. Passionate about the arts, she currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Princeton Festival and sings with Princeton Pro Musica, a symphonic chorus, as well as the Kingston Women’s Chorus, the Present Day Club’s Acabellas, and our own Newcomers’ Patio Singers. In addition to music, Janet enjoys traveling, playing bridge, attending the theater and visiting with her children and granddogs in Atlanta, GA and Charleston, SC.

Connie Chevalier

Connie was born a Jersey girl but is now bi-coastal, living in both NJ and CA. She was a Special Needs Administrator for Los Angeles Unified School District and is now retired. She loves being an active member of Newcomers and enjoys participating in many of the events and interest groups. She has traveled to over 100 countries. She loves to read, attend operas and plays, and play mahjong. 

Cathylee Healy

Cathylee grew up in NH and lived in Boston for many years before leaving New England to live one hour from NYC and 40 minutes from Philly. Cathylee still loves the activities she enjoyed in New England such as skiing, sailing, biking and exploring cities. She was an IT professional and she enjoys oil painting in her spare time. Cathylee loves the ocean and is glad that the boardwalk near Belmar is a straight shot east and only takes one hour. Moving to NJ without knowing a single soul, Cathylee was so happy to find NC&F and the group of wonderful ladies that make it up.

Betsy Fila

After raising her family for nearly 40 years in Morris County, working full & part-time, and a rich involvement in church, school and community activities, Betsy moved to the Princeton area in summer 2021 for an adventure! As she knew no one, joining Newcomers & Friends helped her to meet people, learn about the area and have fun in activities she enjoys!  Betsy participates in Out & About in NJ, Hiking, Broadway Bound, Biking & Kayaking and in 2025, Mahjong! She co-leads the monthly Social Singles Happy Hour.  She finds that NC& F’s ever expanding options welcome everyone whenever they can come!

Jill Barton

Jill was born and raised in the Adirondacks in upstate New York. In my early 20’s I married my husband Keith and became a military wife. For the next 24 years I moved 14 times and lived all over (Italy, California, DC, Hawaii and Guam just to name a few). We raised two boys, Will and Ryan while on this great adventure. I moved to Princeton two years ago following my husband's retirement and discovered this great group of women. I jumped right in as the Lunch Bunch Interest Group leader and Fall Cocktail Party host. I enjoy many of the IG’s including Mahjong, Lunch Bunch and Teen Talk. I’ve always said you never know when you’re going to meet your next friend, I have met many through Newcomers and Friends and I am very grateful!

Sarah Scanga

Sarah was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and lived in Dallas to 13 years and Florida for 19 years. Sarah is happy to have returned back to the Northeast since 2004. She joined Newcomers in 2017 and held the Board position of Recording Secretary for 3 years. Retiring in 2016 from a career in financial services, focusing on strategic planning, marketing and communications, retirement has allowed Sarah to pursue her favorite activities such as learning Italian, playing duplicate bridge and volunteering at Rise. Newcomers & Friends has allowed Sarah to make new friends and participate in a wide variety of activities. She is happy to be serving on the board again, of such a great organization and looks forward to participating in more interest groups.

Wendy Lazarus

Wendy joined Newcomers & Friends in 2003 after moving to the Princeton area with her husband and two daughters and was thrilled to find a club with so many opportunities for growth, friendship, and laughter.  While participating in many Newcomer activities, she also worked as a substitute teacher in the Montgomery Township School District and has now retired.  Wendy has a passion for genealogy.  She enjoys our Exploring Family History & Mah Jongg Interest Groups, as well as attending our monthly Friday With Friends luncheons and Social Coffees.

Jean Ricketts

Bio coming soon!