All posts by MJS
5/5 for book about Nikola Tesla
Jeanne C gives Away from the Dead a 5/5
Title: Away From the Dead
Author: David Bergen
Bergen crafted a novel based on accounts written by two very different sources, a Mennonite farmer who immigrated from Ukraine to Canada and a Russian writer of this time period. The book is loosely based on the lives of several generations of family members who were affected by the events of the Russian Revolution and whose surviving members came to live in Canada in the 1920’s. I enjoyed the author’s simple prose and thoughtful character development. The family members, with their fears and faults, kept me reading to learn how their lives would unfold.
Marion’s plea for a better selection of large print books
Like all of us book club members, Marion W is a smart and avid reader but she’s noticed that the selection of library books available in large print may be good for some avid readers, but not so great for discerning readers. She held up this book and said with frustration, “I don’t recommend this one. Too Harlequinesque.” Are large print readers doomed to read mediocre fiction? One hopes not.
The Pull of Stars by Emma Donaghue — 5/5
Symposium Cafe is the perfect place for bookish lunches
Our book group has been meeting over lunch-brunch at Brantford’s Symposium Cafe ever since we ventured out for post-pandemic non-zoom gatherings. Always, the service is stellar and always the food is beautifully presented, tasty and not too expensive. The staff at Symposium never rush us out and they are so very pleasant and friendly. This is Annette. Her smile says it all!
Enjoying the artwork on the plywood patch bridge.
The 9:30am walkers decided to walk over the plywood patch bridge on the Dike Trail to enjoy the artwork. It was a glorious day to do that and it was also great to see the improvements that have been made on the trails.
Season’s celebration at the Golden Teapot, Glenhyrst
The Golden Teapot is a wonderful place to gather with friends for good food and great conversation.
Thursday night’s reading of The Maid by Nita Prose
The Thursday night Reading group read The Maid by Nita Prose, a Canadian mystery writer in Toronto.
“I am your maid. I am the one who cleans your hotel room, who enters like a phantom when you are out gallivanting for the day, no care at all for what you left behind the mess or what I might see when you are gone.” Molly maid, Regency Grand Hotel.
What if, what’s left behind is a dead body? What follows are the twists and turns of a murder mystery. Within the group of possibilities group of possibilities are an unhappy family and the staff of the Regency — not the least is Molly herself who discovers the dead body. This is a delightful mystery full of interesting characters, relationships of staff and guests in a big hotel and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing right to the end. Both Thursday night groups enjoyed the book which led to a lively discussion.
CFUW Brantford presents Nova Vita with a donation of $3000.00
Thanks to the generosity of our members, on December 6th, CFUW Brantford presented Nova Vita with a donation of $3,000.00 for their 2023 Hope for the Holidays campaign
Serving Brantford and the County of Brant for over 40 years, Nova Vita provides trauma-informed emergency shelter, outreach sup- port, and counselling services to individuals and families experienc- ing abuse, as well as counselling for individuals who have caused harm in their relationships. Throughout these four decades, CFUW Brantford has supported Nova Vita with sponsorships, volunteering, and initiatives such as Basketeers, International Women’s Day events, and annual events.
Hope for the Holidays was introduced in December 2020 in re- sponse to the Pandemic and the alarming escalation of domestic violence.
To date, over the four Hope for the Holiday campaigns from 2020 to date, we have raised $9,235.00 to help Nova Vita make a difference for women and families who are in Nova Vita’s care during the Holiday season.
Here are a couple of comments from the women who were in the shelter last year after receiving our donation:
“Wow, the holiday gifts and gift cards are incredibly helpful at such a stressful time of year. Thank you….we are moved by your kindness. I don’t know how to express it well enough.”
“The love care and support we received …was over the moon. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us because of every one we have met here. Thank you!”
“My Kids thought they were at a “kid’s hotel” where they played and learned with new “teachers.”
“…I safe and valued. Food was fantastic too.”
