(One of several magnificent homes that will be on the Newcomers Club House Tour. All proceeds go to a charity of each participating homeowner's choice.)

Corey Wisneski and Trish Ruttgers are Duxbury residents and active members of the Duxbury Newcomers Club. As House Tour chair and president of Newcomers, Wisneski and Ruttgers recently chatted with us about this weekend’s upcoming Spring House Tour and what Newcomers Club brings to our community.

Trish: In 2007, right when we first moved here.

Corey: I got involved after last year’s house tour when Trish asked me to chair this year’s tour.

What roles do you have and what is involved in them?

Trish: I started in 2008 as a co-newsletter and advertising chair. I held this position for two years, during which time I helped put together the monthly newsletter and coordinate ads and rates with our sponsors. In 2010, I became president; this is my second term. In this role, I oversee the club’s operations and different chair positions. It has been an amazing and rewarding experience serving as president.

Corey: My role as the House Tour Chair involves everything from finding the houses, recruiting the hostesses, running the Facebook page (Like us!), writing and printing the Tour Booklets…really, you name it.

How long have you both lived in Duxbury?

Trish: Five years

Corey: I grew up here, so I’ve lived here on and off since… many years.

Did Newcomers Club help you meet people and get involved as a new member of the community?

Trish: Yes, Newcomers has been a wonderful club to be a part of and helped me break into the town and start planting roots. I’ve met some amazing people and formed lasting bonds with other members.

Corey: Having grown up here, a lot of people wondered why I would be in the Newcomers Club. But while some of my friends from childhood have moved back with their families, a lot of them haven’t. The Newcomers Club is a great way to meet other people with whom you’ll be sharing your town.

What kind of events does the Newcomers Club host and get involved in around town?

Trish: What is wonderful about Newcomers is we offer something for everyone when it comes to activities. Our activities include adult and family social gatherings, book club, playgroups, kids crafts and we even take day outings outside of Duxbury through our Trips and Tix group to catch the theatre in Boston, for example. It’s also important for us to give back to the community as well, and we do this through donations to various community groups and charities, our annual house tour fundraiser and our annual senior luncheon.

Can you describe the Spring House Tour?

Corey: The Spring House Tour allows Duxbury residents with pride in their home, either with regard to décor and/or history, to show it off. At the same time, it lets those of us who have an interest in Duxbury history or beautiful interior design to ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ over some amazing properties. And the best part is that it’s all in the name of charity—all ticket proceeds are split evenly among charities designated by the homeowners. There are some great charities this year, too, including Best Buddies, the Duxbury Art Association, Jordan Hospital and Wounded Warriors.

How many houses are on the tour?

Corey: There are six houses, including the Nathaniel Winsor, Jr. house (479 Washington Street), which is our “home base” for the tour. All tour goers should go there first to check in, get tour booklets and wristbands, and have some refreshments while checking out one of the most architecturally significant houses in Duxbury.

How are the homes chosen to be included?

Corey: Well, a home’s inclusion in the tour is up to the homeowner. This year, I approached some homeowners with houses that I admired and asked them to feature their homes. I was pleasantly surprised with the response. It was a lot of work, though.

Do people from other towns come for the tour?

Corey: Oh yes! We get a lot of out-of-town people every year—I think it gets to be a tradition for some people to make the pilgrimage to Duxbury for the tour. Duxbury is known for our beautiful houses, so people are usually pretty excited to see what the tour holds every year.

How much are tickets and where may they be purchased?

Corey: Tickets are $25. They are available online at duxburynewcomers.com or in person at The Studio, Talbots in Snug Harbor or Foodie’s. They will also be available the day of the tour at the Nathaniel Winsor, Jr. house.

What is your favorite part about living in Duxbury?

Trish: I grew up in Florida close to the water, so I love that we’re a coastal community.

Corey: I love seeing people I know everywhere I go—it’s really the small town aspect that I love. I also appreciate that we are a quaint, rural community; people respect the Town’s history and most of those who are lucky enough to own a historic home take the stewardship of that home seriously. Finally, the beach, of course! Where else can you drive all your gear out with you and park alongside 350 of your closest friends? It’s an amazing privilege.

Where can we find you when you’re not volunteering your time to Newcomers Club?

Trish:  In the summer at the beach, but other seasons I enjoy being at the playground with my children or walking around North Hill with my family.

Corey: I work in town at Battelle so I am literally always around. We practically live at the beach in the summer, usually with a healthy contingent of other families with small kids.