Stories Related to Venerable Augusta Social Club Finally Headed By Woman

AUGUSTA — Lisa Newell, the first woman to be elected president of the nearly 1,000-member Le Club Calumet, recognizes her election represents a big change for the Franco-American social group that only began admitting women as members 12 years ago. While she anticipates she and the new slate of officers elected with her, who take office just after the start of the new year, will bring some fresh ideas to the prominent Augusta club, she wants to keep its focus on celebrating Franco-American heritage. That’s a large part of what drew her to join the club in the first place. “It’s kind of surreal, it’s exciting and scary at the same time,” Newell, 51, said of being the first woman to hold the club’s top elected position.