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 On Tuesday, to book clubs- Sarah Atwater Denman 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 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 , 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. His father and strangers (he’s a good listener), and inspections!” Which kitchens? The was a quiet man and taught him, “Talk reading! How many of us can say we Hampton, The Grill, and the Grande are when you need to and be have read the World recipients of his expertise. quiet when you have to.” Book Encyclopedia! Cedric Bernard Robinson grew up Cedric has been mar- He is proud to take and went to school in College Park, ried for 14 years to Susan. care of his mother and Georgia. Cedric’s military father They have not had chil- father, and honor and worked at Lockheed Martin and was 41 dren together, but share respect them in their lat- years with the Southern Railroad. each other’s children from er years. Cedric is the oldest of three children. He previous relationships, Cedric’s advice: “Life is has a brother in Jacksonville, Florida. which includes a 27-year- like a diaper. When and a sister in Duluth, Georgia. old daughter and a 33-year things start to stink, it’s He has always had an interest in art -old son! time to make a change.” and a love of the beach, and has found a He not only helps out We are glad that he ap- way to connect that interest. He collects in our kitchens, but is “on plied, and Debra called sea shells and attaches them to frames, call“ as a shuttle driver for him to join us at Ster- then writes something inside that frame the Parking Spot, a job he ling!

The Avid Readers Bookshelf Jack VandeVate

• MBS: The Rise to Power of Mohammed Bin Salman by Ben Hubbard- The rise of Saudi Arabia’s secre- tive and mercurial new ruler. • Lights Out: Pride, Delusion, and the Fall of General Electric by Thomas Gryta and Ted Mann- The fall of General Electric. • The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee- A great biography of cancer. • The Unwanted: America, Auschwitz, and A Village Caught In Between by Michael Dobbs. • Into the Abyss by Carol Shaben- An extraordinary true story. • 50 years in the OR by Ron Whitchurch- True stories of life, loss and laughter while giving anesthesia. Resident Spotlight by Ron Lewis States in 1966 where he was appointed Associate Pastor of Our independent resident spotlight this month is Richard First United Methodist Church at a 5000-member suburban (Dick) Allen Petry. Dick was born on July 4, 1930, in Jackson- church in Orlando, Florida. What a cultural shock! From 1968 ville, Florida, to Susie Allen and Rich- to 1976 he served as senior pastor in a downtown multi-racial ard Petry. His father was a Dupont congregation in Jacksonville. There he established a paint distributor for eastern Florida and school for pregnant teenage girls and a daily Georgia, and his mother raised the fam- program for the homeless. This became an urban min- ily of three other siblings (two older sis- istry center. ters and one younger brother) who have Dick continued to serve at different congregations. all passed away. His father died at age In 1976 he worked as a pastor of an “Anglo” congre- 47 years old when Dick was only 12 gation with an Hispanic co-pastor who served a pre- years of age. Dick played football in dominant Cuban congregation in south Florida. Then high school, lettering in multiple years from 1979-1981, he served as pastor of an upper class and serving as captain of the team his community in Coral Springs, Florida. Then from 1981 senior year. Dick also participated in to 1985 he worked in North Hialeah, Florida, at a track as a shot-putter and won Florida Methodist church in greater Miami. There he orga- nized a day-care, pre-school program, and served an state championship as a senior in high Dick and Mary Petry school. He and his siblings grew up sur- Hispanic congregation with a recently arrived Cuban Pas- rounded by the wildlife of northeast Florida. tor. In 1985, he completed a Master of Science degree with em- After high school, he enrolled at the University of Florida phasis in Community Counseling from Barry University in Mi- and played football during his freshman year at the position of ami Shores, Florida. From 1985 until retirement in 1992 he “running guard.” His majors were in English, Sociology, and served at a multi-cultural and multi-racial congregation (14 dif- Religion. After attending an international work camp in Mexi- ferent nationalities) in south Miami. co organized by the Methodist Church, he began to concentrate Even after retirement, he served at his home church in Jack- on religion, giving up football to become secretary for Reli- sonville as Director of Adult Ministry for six years and served gious Affairs at the University. He graduated with a Bachelor as interim minister in several areas. Dick and Mary served with of Arts at the University of Florida in Gainesville in 1953. He a congregation on Grindstone, Maine, three summers from late obtained a Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of June to Labor Day. Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1956. Mary and Dick had four children. The oldest, Richard, was His first church assignment was a Methodist Church in born in Jacksonville after they married, and met an unfortunate Jacksonville where he met his wife, Mary Willis, a school death when hit by a truck as a cyclist. The first daughter, Eliza- teacher (who was the “bread winner” of the family since her beth, was born in , The third and fourth children, a salary as a teacher more than doubled his salary as a clergy daughter, Mary, and a son, Andy, were born in Lima, Peru. The member- married for money, huh, Dick). He then was drawn to three children live in the area. They have ten grandchildren and mission work. Dick and Mary were accepted by the Board of six great-grandchildren. Dick and Mary will be married 65 Global Ministries of the Methodist Church in 1958. Dick years in November of this year. worked on a Master’s degree in Foreign Service at Scarritt Col- Dick enjoys his hobbies of caning (restoring caned furni- lege in Nashville, Tennessee completing 24 credit hours to- ture) and stained-glass making. A visit to the Sterling butterfly wards the degree. garden will demonstrate his talent in the latter. After spending a year in Costa Rica, they were assigned in One of his recent awards was recognition from his fraterni- late-1960 to Lima, Peru, where he worked in pastoral ministry, ty, Sigma Chi, in 2019 as a “Significant Sig”. He is also a evangelistic outreach, teaching at a Lay Bible Institute, and in a member of the University of Florida Hall of Fame. Chinese high school. He and Mary returned to the United Dick has a phenomenal gift of remembering names. All of us appreciate and recognize his love of all God’s people.

there as well.) The three of us who lived in an dish; and , a Caribbean staple dish; Food for Thought- The apartment two blocks away could always count , a version of rice, on this for Monday night. , and ; Pabellon criollo, a Venezue- Culture and Diversity Other staples included: fried lan version of rice and black with pulled of Food by Ron Lewis, M.D. chicken, fried catfish, chitterlings, neck bones, beef; , a Colombian traditional OK, enough about Creole and Cajun influ- collard greens, sweet potatoes, corn bread, and dish of kidney beans and rice; Casamiento, a ences on . Soul food was created by grits (the latter two also culturally influenced traditional dish in El Salvador and Honduras; the African-American descendants of slaves, into “soul” food from native Americans). I , a Brazilian ; Platillo the version, closely related to never understood the popularity of collard Moros y Cristiano, a Cuban version of fully other such food of the South, but a little more greens until I tasted some made by a black chef mixed rice and black beans; , a spiciness added. Creole and island influences in Augusta, Georgia. The preparation of soul Nicaraguan/Costa Rican version of rice and are also present in the soul food of New Orle- food dishes often incorporates or beans; Hoppin John, a black eyed peas dish ans. The expression “soul food” originated in hock in the vegetable dishes such as black from the southern United States; Kongbap, a the mid-1960’s, when “soul” was a common eyed peas or collards. Korean beans and rice dish; word used to describe African American cul- But in keeping with the , an Indian bean dish ture. theme of understanding usually served with rice; One of the most popular soul food dishes diversity and cultural sim- Waakye, a Ghanaian beans and in New Orleans is . Monday ilarities I would like to rice dish; and Orez Ahu’it, a was washday in the homes in New Orleans, share the many different traditional Israeli beans and and the people of color who would wash the ways beans and rice are rice dish. You can’t go to an bedding and clothes were also expected to pre- present in favorite dishes American Mexican restaurant pare supper as well. So, a simmering pot of red from different regions of without seeing rice and (Camellia Brand preferred) were put on the world. Rice and bean beans or other beans as the the stove to simmer the whole day after soak- dishes can be vegan, the beans are usually sea- side items. ing the beans the night before. To this was soned. The common bean originated in Mesoa- To us Louisianians, we will take any bean or added ham or to cook with the beans merica. Asian rice was introduced into and it up with the addition also of (more recently the sausage of choice for more and Brazil during the colonial era of the Span- ham or sausage and serve with rice. Last week spiciness was ). The rice was cooked ish and Portuguese. Many historians think that my wife, Barbara, prepared a wonderful dish prior to serving and the wonderful simple dish the enslaved Africans may have played an ac- of white beans and rice with - with such flavor became a Monday night treat. tive role in the establishment of rice in the wrapped Ponce (sausage like variant some- (My medical school fraternity house on St. New World. times sewn up in a pig’s stomach or, in this Charles Avenue where we would be fed each Examples are numerous: Arroz con gan- case wrapped with Tasso ham- also called night would be pervaded with the aroma of this dules, part of Puerto Rico’s national dish of “”- French word for stomach)). Rice dish, which the cooks would prepare while rice and pigeon peas; similarly, Moro de and beans come in all forms and are rib washing the bedding of the members who lived guandules, a Dominican rice and pigeon peas “stickin” good! Page Turners Corner May 2021 has never known, and depending on his older sister, Maeve, by Anne Strand for support. When his father remarries, he is sent off to When Ann Patchett, owner of a Nashville book store and boarding school and eventually exiled from the “Dutch author of our April book, The Dutch House, was inter- House” after his father’s death. In spite of his New York viewed, she described her book as “A Picture of Entitle- success, with a wife and children and as owner of Manhat- ment”. This was a reference to the main character, Danny, tan properties, Danny and his sister Maeve are still obsessed who is the first-person narrator of the book. with the “Dutch House”. From time to time, they sit in their Danny grows up outside Philadelphia in the magnificent car outside the mansion, lamenting how much they have mansion known as the “Dutch House”. Named after wealthy lost. Dutch merchants who were the original owners, the opu- The mystery of Danny’s missing mother is an important lence of the home is described in detail. Although there is no theme of the story. It’s not clear how and why she left the authentic “Dutch House”, a luxurious Nashville mansion and deserted the family, whether she is still alive, mansion is the backdrop of the interview video we and how Danny and Maeve would react if she can watched. Danny’s mother has “left” the mansion, be found. The servants who were a part of Danny’s and Danny is surrounded by caring servants who young life reappear in the story and play important raise him. An inheritance enables Danny to attend a roles. prestigious New York medical school, but he has no The Dutch House is a novel set over five dec- interest in practicing medicine. As the son of a ades. In the end, the “Dutch House” remains as wealthy man who owned and leased-out local prop- much a part of the family’s story as it was at the erties, Danny is completely captivated by the same beginning of the book. ambition. In the lucrative real estate market of New Our May book is a work of non-fiction by Da- York City, he succeeds in acquiring profitable rental vid Grann. It is a tale of the Osage Indians com- properties. From this perspective, Danny is the pic- pelled to settle in Oklahoma where oil is later dis- covered. Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage ture of entitlement. May Book Club Title The picture of Danny that our club discussed, Murders and the Birth of the FBI. however, was that of a lonely boy, longing for a mother he

3. Swallows insisting on have a nest above the ceiling Garden Notes by Barbara Lewis fan over the table in the shed despite a needle-sharp barrier installed. MAN-1 X NATURE-2 There is another contest going on at Sterling besides At present the swallows and chipmunks have won and the Bocce Ball tournament. There is a battle between the vegetable plants survived or were replanted. "Nature and Man" in the garden plots: 1. Unusual late freeze damaging many vegetable plants newly set out. 2. Chipmunks insisting on using plot 1, pushing large rocks, used to keep them out, aside.

Tree Swallows Nest

Evidence of Chipmunk Activity

April Lunch and Learn- Stress Reduc-  Practice yoga or deep breathing techniques.  Find TV shows or movies that broaden your perspective tion Report by Mo Birckhead and/or make you laugh.  Eat three healthy meals a day. Sterling residents who at-  Adopt a pet. tended the April 26th Wellness  Volunteer. Center “Lunch and Learn” fo-  Decrease your intake of alcohol or stimulant medications. cusing on Stress Reduction were treated to a chair massage Our May Wellness “Lunch and Learn” will be by professional masseuse, Den- held on Monday, May 24th at 12:00 noon in the ise Leslie, of Medical and Hampton Club. Bring your own lunch. May is Sports Massage in Sandy Springs, GA. Denise also shared with the group how regular Skin Cancer Awareness month. massages can help reduce stress in the geriatric population Our featured speaker will be a skin cancer spe- and potentially reduce the need for certain medications such cialist. We hope to see you there! as those commonly prescribed for high blood pressure, anxi- ety and depression. Other things seniors can do to reduce stress:  Spend time outside in nature every day.  Connect with other seniors in large or small group activi- ties.  Attend support groups or individual therapy.  Get daily exercise.