Sterling Siren
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Sterling Siren Issue 11, May 2021 ‘nearly every town and village’ in the Tidbits in History U.S. had some kind of female literary th Editorial Staff by Ron Lewis group….” Throughout the 19 centu- An article entitled “How women ry, women’s reading circles expanded invented book clubs” by Jess McHugh and some became outspoken on social in the Living section of the Atlanta issues…Well into the 1900s, book Editor: Ronald W. Lewis MD Journal-Constitution on March 30, clubs continued to serve these dual 2021, inspired me to select this topic purposes: functioning as both an intel- Section Contributors: for this month’s history. lectual outlet and a radical political Friends in Council is the oldest tool… women turned to book clubs in Maureen (Mo) Birckhead- continuous women’s literary club in times of upheaval, as a way of seeking Health Issues America. Founded by Sarah Atwater wisdom both from books and from Denman in November of 1866 by in- one another.” They “turned to book John Eadie- Wildlife and Gardening viting 11 ladies to her home in Quincy, clubs to really construct important so- Illinois, to create a cial networks, and that Judy Glauner- What’s New study plan. Over proved incredibly valua- time, “Friends in ble.” Barbara Lewis- Gardening Council” con- “The first half of the sumed great works 20th century was the Marvin Moss- General Interest Articles of history and phi- heyday of the Book of Anne Strand- Page Turner’s Club Corner losophy. Sarah had the Month Club and the a close friendship Great Books movement, Jack VandeVate- The Avid Reader Bookshelf with Ralph Waldo both of which encour- Emerson and the aged average Americans Copy Editors and Proofreaders: philosopher Alcott to take on hefty literary (father of Louisa novels. As women con- Marilyn Moyle May Alcott)- both tinued to be barred from George Neil of whom met with many top universities, “Friends in Coun- the craving for a space Layout Editor: Jill Hughes cil” on multiple to explore big ideas occasions. through books never “In the late 18th went away. After wom- and early 19th cen- en began being accepted turies, the first to institutions of higher WHAT’S NEW by Judy Glauner American reading education en masse in circles- a precursor the 1960s, the role of Sarah Atwater Denman On Tuesday, to book clubs- these groups flipped: April 27, you may required little more Where women once have seen three than a thirst for lit- joined book clubs to (that’s correct, three) erature and a desire to discuss it with make up for the education they were Sterling Estate buses like-minded women.” Journalist Mar- denied, now they joined to extend the lined up at the Hamp- ton. Why so many? garet Fuller of Boston- “the first pleasures they enjoyed at college.” A. No one wanted to American female war correspondent, a “Oprah Winfrey’s launch of her sit by another person; magazine editor, and all-around fe- book club in 1996 was a turning point B. Sterling decided to buy a new bus, and everyone male renegade-saw her club as any- in the history of book clubs- a moment wanted a ride; OR C. The Sterling Dinner Club was thing but a substitute for embroi- that Toni Morrison called a ‘reading going to dinner. If you said “C” you are correct! dery…As one attendee recounted, revolution’. In the first three years, There were so many interested in dining out after our long confinement, that they needed 3 buses! Fuller ‘opened the book of life and each book Oprah chose averaged 1.4 Sterling East came to the rescue with the use of helped us read it for ourselves’.” million copies each….Once on the their bus. When asked if it was going to be washed “Women may have been excluded fringes, women are now one of the and cleaned before returning it, the answer was from philosophical clubs and universi- most important driving forces in the “No, we’ll give it back the way it was given to us!” ties, but they found other ways of en- book world. They continue to amount Where did they go to dinner? The Trackside in gaging with literature… American for a staggering 80% of all fiction Kennesaw! women had been getting together to sales.” On Wednesday, April 28, th a group met around the Boc- study the Bible since the 17 century, No matter where we lived my wife, th ce Court. After eating pizza but it wasn’t until the late 18 century Barbara, has participated in multiple and beer and exchanging that secular reading circles emerged, book clubs. While in Rochester, Min- words, such as, “good luck” around the same time as their Europe- nesota, she participated in a Mayo “may the best men win” etc., an counterparts.” staff women’s study group that had the game began with two “Hannah Mather Crocker, who been in existence for over a 100 years. very even, skilled teams. th Clayton Ramsey and John founded a reading circle in 18 centu- “Kudos” to the West Cobb Sterling Eadie (the mature players) vs ry Boston, was an advocate for wom- Estates book clubs! Don Skiba and Bob Steele (the young’uns). Several en’s participation in free masonry.” (Quotation marks set off direct quotes times the score was tied, then one side would score “Reading circles crossed racial and from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution a point and the other side would answer with a class lines, too. In 1827, Black women article mentioned in the introduction point. When the game had a winning team, it was the…..Mature Players!! Good game, guys. Hope in Lynn, Massachusetts, formed one of which first appeared some days before you finally got to drink your beer or wine! Heard the first reading groups for Black in The Washington Post.) after the game: “This is a participatory sport, not a women, the Society of Young Ladies.” spectator sport. It’s like watching paint dry!” “By the onset of the Civil War, Jacquin A. Hopkins by Judy Glauner The biggest influence in his life was the suicide of his fa- Jacquin was born in Savannah, ther, leaving his mother with the four children to raise. He is Georgia, but grew up in Poughkeep- married to Corinne and they have four daughters; three from sie, New York, with his three older a previous relationship, and a stepdaughter, plus four grand- sisters! Yes, he was the baby of the daughters! Remember one of his favorite interests growing family and the only boy! His mother up? CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN ARE ALL currently lives in Savannah, one sis- GIRLS! ter in Jacksonville, Florida, and an- Jacquin enjoys the residents of Sterling, and no wonder! other in Orlando, FL. Was he If you have a request, consider it done. Special diet? No prob- spoiled? The answer was “Yes!” lem! He knows what certain residents can or cannot eat and In high school he played football, will make sure they get it. learned Muay Thai, and Jiu-jitsu. When asked what he is most proud of, Jacquin stated, “I These sports he liked, but none held am defined by what people think of me. The opinion that his interest as much as these three counts most, is mine. I never went to jail!” He has a sense of very interesting choices: food, music, and women! From humor! those three he had to choose what he would like to do for life, Jacquin’s advice: “Find the thing that you love and do it. and food won! So, at the age of 16 he started at Red Lobster Time is short. You may have to sit and reflect. Be you.” as a dishwasher, and by summer he was working on the line! Corinne and Jacquin have a new home in Rome, GA. This has led to 33 years in food service. The month of May What a commute! We wish them well! will mark four years he has been at Sterling Estates West Cobb. Editor’s note. When the Sterling group studied Hamlet, I was For hobbies he reads, writes, and plays guitar, but he has surprised that Jacquin was able to directly quote the Hamlet also boxed, wrestled, and knows Karate (Kenpo). Those resi- soliloquy from memory. He told me, when I wanted to add dents that saw the first Sterling Estates West Talent Show this fact to his history above, that he always loved Shake- have seen and heard Jacquin and his guitar perform! speare but that this particular part was a solace to him after his father’s suicide. Cedric Bernard Robinson that is inspirational or meaningful to the has had for 11 years. It fits that he also by Judy Glauner recipient. Ask him about old wine bot- likes (loves) to travel and has been to Maybe you have seen him, and may- tles and sand! Very interesting! Bahamas, the Caribbean, Turks and Cai- be you haven’t, but this guy gets around Cedric’s grandmother was a big in- cos Islands, as well as places here in the the Sterling kitchens with expertise and fluence in his life. She “enlightened” US. know-how. Comments heard: “I wish him and others by telling parables as I mentioned that art is a high interest we could clone him three times. We lessons of life. His mother was wise in for him, but his other hobbies include need three of him.” “He is the reason we teaching him values of money. That is, drawing, bowling, counseling of friends scored so high on the kitchens’ health save half of what you earn.