Tuesday Lit may be celebrating its diamond jubilee this year – that’s 75 to the rest of us – but it’s definitely not showing its age. The lively members are still having fun, learning and giving to their community.
On Tuesday, they gathered at the home of Bee Atwood for their Spring Picnic, a potluck, with a chance to look back at the year, talk about summer plans and, for the grand finale, learn what the next year’s program will be.
Of course, members showed off their cooking skills for a delightful repast, enjoyed on the Atwood lawn overlooking the Animas Valley, before ending on a sweet note with cupcakes, chocolate-frosted cookies and a yummy tiramisù.
Last year’s theme was women explorers, and the club enjoyed some interesting takes on women who have discovered everything from fossils to comets. Suzanne Zerbe, who also was a co-hostess of the picnic, took a look at Margaret Humphreys, who, in 1987, exposed the British government’s shipment of an estimated 150,000 poor children, often without their parents’ knowledge, to its colonial possessions during a period of 20 years. Children were often told their parents had died, and parents were told their children had been placed for adoption in other parts of the United Kingdom. Saving money was one of the reasons. Yikes!
Sue Griffith researched the life of Caroline Herschel, an influential astronomer in the 1700s, and K Redford explored the adventures of Alexandra David Néel, who visited Tibet in 1924, when it was closed to foreigners. Néel lived to within a month of her 101st birthday and influenced writers such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg.
And Elvira England’s program about Mary Anning, whom the Natural History Museum in London calls the greatest fossil hunter ever known, was illuminating. Anning, who lived from 1799 to 1847, proved there was much to be learned from the Jurassic-period fossils she discovered along the coast near Lyme Regis in England, where she lived. Her discoveries helped establish geology as a scientific discipline.
One of the highlights is getting a chance to catch up with associate members, women who have been active for a number of years before deciding to stay involved without all the responsibilities of hosting and giving programs. A bumper crop of associates turned out, including Barbara Acosta, Sheila Casey, Shelly Maycock, Penny O’Keefe and the matriarchs of the club, Barbara Cornelius and Betty Gale Hogan. (Both have been associated with Tuesday Lit for more than 50 years.)
I love this club, which has generously made me an honorary member. When members were asked to start thinking about what might be a fun way to celebrate the club’s 75th birthday, Atwood showed the younger members how to think: “Pop a cork and drink some champagne!” she said.
Taking it further, Kate Errett thought they should buy 75 bottles of champagne and break a few out at every meeting during the 2013-14 program year. Hmm, I might be attending more meetings next year.
In any case, they’re all quite excited about next year’s theme: “Humor – From Aristophanes to Ephron,” courtesy of associate Joan Rhoades and her husband, Bill.
Who needs champagne? Those programs will be a draw on their own.
HHH
It’s the last of the Taurus birthdays and the first of the Geminis for Bill Hoffman, Sarah Leavitt, Shep Shepherd, Harold Young, Ashley Hening, Lucas Hoffman, Pat James, Richard Byrd, Carrie Betts, Virginia Martin, Sharon McCullagh-McGrath, Izzy Riley, Adam Roessler, Susan Siegele, Dan Tucker, Molly Black, Beth Barnhardt, David Bulen, Duane Heidenreich, Graham Wendland, Paul Sheppard, Riley Wanzek, Della Patton and Luke Barker.
Special greetings to Heidi Ochsner Mugler, who has had a rough year, and the grande dame of the Animas Valley, Roberta Barr, who turns 99 today.
HHH
On May 4, High Noon Rotary Club’s Casino Royale had more than 120 people shooting craps, playing Texas hold ’em, trying not to bust on blackjack and taking a ride on the roulette wheel for a good cause – the many programs the club sponsors, both locally and on the international level.
Last year’s theme at Durango Arts Center was Old West all the way (but didn’t we learn our lesson about hay bales indoors after the senior prank at Durango High School?), and it was fun. But it was great to see so many gentlemen looking dapper in their tuxedos and the women aglitter in evening and cocktail gowns at the DoubleTree Hotel. The location was appropriate because that’s where the club meets every Thursday for lunch.
A carving station with some delicious and interesting sauces, pulled pork with pita chips and an antipasto canapé, along with some sweet desserts helped everyone stay fueled for the gambling.
Mandy Miller Winn of Celebrations helped with the decor, including centerpieces of white flowers and white feathers in tall vases that gave the feeling of showgirls. She said it was a convenient theme because she had done the Durango High School Prom the week before, and its theme was 007.
My dealer at blackjack, Rich Kolb, who also volunteers as the treasurer for Habitat for Humanity, was generous with the chips – it’s the only way a novice like me increases her take from a stake of “$5,000,” to more than “$28,000” – but dealer Moni Grushkin was so generous, she ran out of chips more than once.
Winners earned tickets for a chance to win trips to Las Vegas, Mexico and to a Rockies game against the Giants.
President Justin Osborn said the variety of silent-auction items helped the club meet its goal of $12,000 for the evening.
The club’s outbound exchange student to France next year, Sophie Hickox, collected a tableful of silent-auction items of her own to raise money for her year abroad and brought in about $1,000.
HHH
The weather promises to be cooler – more cuddling? – for the anniversaries of Brad and Monique Monson, Earle and Betty Beasley, George and Susan Rambo and Paul and Pat Wainwright.
