Notes from a Reading Club
Friday, April 24, 2020
Librarian Responds to COVID-19 Pandemic
Below, shared by Jacquie Weitzman, how one librarian used her ability to sort books to respond to our current pandemic
Saturday, April 18, 2020
Minutes March 11, 2020
Was it prudence or hysterical overreaction that closed her granddaughter’s nursery school in Brooklyn and prevented Fran Greenberg, nominee for President of the Literature Club, from attending our Annual Meeting on March 11? This was a question that could still be asked, on that March afternoon, as thirteen members of the Club met and shared coronavirus stories. We were going to the movies, eating in restaurants, talking about our theater and opera tickets. Yes, there were some trips we were not going to take, some colleges that might not reopen after spring break. But I think few of us imagined that the Hastings Library would close at the end of the week, or that the following week the Met would cancel the rest of its season and Broadway go dark. Illness was still a metaphor.
President Carol Barkin conducted the business meeting, at which the minutes were accepted as corrected and the treasury reported at $10.67. The slate of candidates was presented and unanimously elected, with Fran Greenberg as President, Connie Stewart as Vice President, and Lori Walsh as Treasurer, filling out the remaining year of Connie’s term. Congratulations and thanks were given to all. They will assume their duties at the next meeting of the Club, when Carol will pass the President’s bell on to Fran, and Lori will collect $15 annual dues.
A discussion followed of the list of Literature Club topics, which seems to grow longer every year, despite our efforts at pruning. Children’s Literature was added to the list, and several members voiced their support for Humor. The Literature of Illness was suggested, but seemed too dark for a full program year.
Finally, members recommended books they have read recently, from classic novels and prize-winning new fiction to memoirs and mysteries. A list of these books was sent to members separately.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Morrow
Recording Secretary
Addendum: Shortly after this Literature Club meeting, “stay at home” guidelines were issued at the state and local levels to limit the spread of Covid-19 cases. President Fran Greenberg canceled April meetings and added meetings in May and June. Elections for our topic for next program year will be held by email. Lori Walsh asked members to mail her their dues checks or send dues electronically. Fran started a Literature Club blog and included many of the emails members sent to one another during the first weeks of the “lockdown.”
President Carol Barkin conducted the business meeting, at which the minutes were accepted as corrected and the treasury reported at $10.67. The slate of candidates was presented and unanimously elected, with Fran Greenberg as President, Connie Stewart as Vice President, and Lori Walsh as Treasurer, filling out the remaining year of Connie’s term. Congratulations and thanks were given to all. They will assume their duties at the next meeting of the Club, when Carol will pass the President’s bell on to Fran, and Lori will collect $15 annual dues.
A discussion followed of the list of Literature Club topics, which seems to grow longer every year, despite our efforts at pruning. Children’s Literature was added to the list, and several members voiced their support for Humor. The Literature of Illness was suggested, but seemed too dark for a full program year.
Finally, members recommended books they have read recently, from classic novels and prize-winning new fiction to memoirs and mysteries. A list of these books was sent to members separately.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Morrow
Recording Secretary
Addendum: Shortly after this Literature Club meeting, “stay at home” guidelines were issued at the state and local levels to limit the spread of Covid-19 cases. President Fran Greenberg canceled April meetings and added meetings in May and June. Elections for our topic for next program year will be held by email. Lori Walsh asked members to mail her their dues checks or send dues electronically. Fran started a Literature Club blog and included many of the emails members sent to one another during the first weeks of the “lockdown.”
Art of the Roll
It isn't easy, but there are some things to laugh about even during the COVID-19 pandemic
April 16, 2020 Jacquie
My sister and her daughter are going a little stir crazy in Chicago, sheltering in place with my niece's 3 kids under the age of 5. Inspired by Wayne Thiebaud, this is what they did before 8:48 this morning. Usually, I'm jealous of my sister's cake plate collection (this is but a fraction). Now I'm just impressed they have this many extra rolls of toilet paper! Enjoy
April 16, 2020 Joanna
That’s amazing. Someone sent me a photo of their daughter dressed/made up as Frida Kahlo (with two chicks on her shoulder)- a HHS art assignment to recreate a painting. (Not sure I am permitted to share.). Maybe this would be a good RiverArts online contest. Jacquie, May I share this photo?
April 16, 2020 Elizabeth (Associate Member living in New Jersery)
This is priceless! By the way, as a hostess gift for a cousin dropping off Easter dinner at her home, my friend gave the cousin a 12 count pack of Scott toilet paper, the last one on the shelf at Stop @ Shop!
April 16, 2020 Christine
Jacquie - That is incredible. I have never heard of anyone collecting cake plates before, so that alone is intriguing. And then the cleverness -- Is everyone in the Weitzman family as talented as the two sisters? xx
April 16, 2020 Barbara
A marvelous array, so elegant, so inventive. What fun to think up something like this
April 16, 2020 Diana
Those are amazing! this morning I saw a picture of a more graphic cake somebody made. Apologies in advance for sending picture, but it made me laugh!
April 16, 2020 Lori
Omg! hysterical. The zeitgeist is right there in that cake!
April 16, 2020 Fran
Does this mean there is a whole genre of toilet paper art being created now? Will we be seeing the show at MOMA next year? Is this why there's a shortage for those of us who use it in more prosaic ways?
April 16, 2020 Jacquie
I’ve actually been curious about the art and literature that will be coming out of this pandemic. Perhaps that will be a theme for a Literature Club if the future
April 16, 2020 Jacquie
My sister and her daughter are going a little stir crazy in Chicago, sheltering in place with my niece's 3 kids under the age of 5. Inspired by Wayne Thiebaud, this is what they did before 8:48 this morning. Usually, I'm jealous of my sister's cake plate collection (this is but a fraction). Now I'm just impressed they have this many extra rolls of toilet paper! Enjoy
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Jacquie's sister and niece's "cakes"
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April 16, 2020 Lori
That’s amazing. At first I thought they baked all those cakes before 9 am - the simulations look that real! That’s such a fun project. April 16, 2020 Joanna
That’s amazing. Someone sent me a photo of their daughter dressed/made up as Frida Kahlo (with two chicks on her shoulder)- a HHS art assignment to recreate a painting. (Not sure I am permitted to share.). Maybe this would be a good RiverArts online contest. Jacquie, May I share this photo?
April 16, 2020 Elizabeth (Associate Member living in New Jersery)
This is priceless! By the way, as a hostess gift for a cousin dropping off Easter dinner at her home, my friend gave the cousin a 12 count pack of Scott toilet paper, the last one on the shelf at Stop @ Shop!
April 16, 2020 Christine
Jacquie - That is incredible. I have never heard of anyone collecting cake plates before, so that alone is intriguing. And then the cleverness -- Is everyone in the Weitzman family as talented as the two sisters? xx
April 16, 2020 Barbara
A marvelous array, so elegant, so inventive. What fun to think up something like this
April 16, 2020 Diana
Those are amazing! this morning I saw a picture of a more graphic cake somebody made. Apologies in advance for sending picture, but it made me laugh!
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Another cake in the genre
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April 16, 2020 Lori
Omg! hysterical. The zeitgeist is right there in that cake!
April 16, 2020 Fran
Does this mean there is a whole genre of toilet paper art being created now? Will we be seeing the show at MOMA next year? Is this why there's a shortage for those of us who use it in more prosaic ways?
April 16, 2020 Jacquie
I’ve actually been curious about the art and literature that will be coming out of this pandemic. Perhaps that will be a theme for a Literature Club if the future
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