No Anna Karenina, We Read Short Stories Instead

The two secretaries, recording and corresponding, were again missing in action. Jacquie reprised her former position as corresponding secretary. The minutes are a compendium of emails and notes from Kathy, written up by Frances.

Jacquie's Email Hello Literary Ladies! FYI regarding tomorrow's program, our fearless leader and retired Hastings High School English teacher extraordinaire, Laura, writes, “In honor of Carla and our Russian afternoon, I would like to read two stories. The first, quite brief, is Three Hermits by Leo Tolstoy. It is direct and affecting. The second, Gooseberries by Anton Chekov, is more complicated, but rich for discussion. I will take care of having copies for everyone. I hope these choices meet your approval!”

Carla, we will all mis your presentation, but we will be in good hands, so not to fret. 

I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy this beautiful day! x Jacquie

Minutes Christine, for the third time this year, welcomed us into her elegant 19th century house. Carla sent us an email the day before, full of regret, and also as wonderfully amusing as she is, explaining her absence and why she couldn't present: 

My presentation tomorrow was going to take a playbook from Jeff Spurgeon/WQXR’s 3 minute opera synopsis. Here goes!
Long ago, far away, a beautiful woman and handsome man fall in love. No happy ending in store. She was married, with pompous husband and a child. An affair follow, she is snubbed by her aristocratic peers. The pair leave their land, have a child together, she can’tget a divorce from her spouse, can’t be with her son. She begins to doubt her lover, becomes distraught and kills herself. He mourns and goes off to join his regiment! The End!
Yes. Much more to amplify! It’s Tolstoy!

And responses followed:

 

Carla, that is an EXCELLENT synopsis of Anna Karenina! I should do that for some of the books I've read but can't remember! Hope you're feeling better! — Diana

I always thought Anna Karenina would be so much more “fun” without all that stuff about farming! —  Jacquie

 

Carla, there is your wit and humor where I thought it would not tread! Thanks!  — Laura

 

Thank you, Carla. I love Jeff Sprugeon's opera synopses, and I love yours.   — Linda

At 1 PM, President Laura called the meeting to order.

Connie discussed a gift of books to Children's Village in Dobbs Ferry. Former member, Susan Meigs, taught reading there for many years. Susan passed away last month. In her memory, we are thinking of having a bookshelf dedicated to her at the Children's Village library. 

We read the two stories suggested by Laura. We have decided to continue short story or play readings at one or two of our meeting next year. 

This is the last meeting of the year. We will have our traditional summer meeting around Christine's pool, date TBD. Next year's topic will be New York: Writers, Novels, Stories.