2011-2012 AAUW Book Study Selections

Here are the book selections for the upcoming year. Contact Jeanne Jensen with questions or comments, japjens@hotmail.com. The book studies are all held at noon at the Mill Street Residence.

**Monday, October 31—Classic Fiction—Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
(Has anyone read The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler? And if so, would that be a good companion read?)  **Since that is the same week as the Home Tour, if that would seem to be a conflict, we could pick another date.

Monday January 30—Nonfiction/Historical—Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand—The story of Louie Zamperini, Olympic athlete, airman in WWII, Japanese prisoner-of-war, and inspirational speaker

February/March—Fergus Reads selection, Huckleberry Finn

Thursday, March 29—Fiction/World Cultures--Shanghai Girls, by Lisa See—The story of sister Pearl and May Chin, living a life of privilege in 1937 Shanghai, until their father tells them he is broke and has sold them to American suitors. 

Monday, April 30—Biography—Molly Ivins: A Rebel Life, by Bill Minutaglio and W. Michael Smith
Molly was a wealthy Houston debutante who reinvented herself as one of the most provocative and courageous journalists in American history; a fascinating look at the behind the scenes of national media and politics and a sobering account of the toll of addiction and cancer.

Sign up now for 2011 Fall Cultural Trip!

WHEN: October 7-9, 2011

WHERE: Bayfield, WI

WHY: 50^th Annual Bayfield Apple Festival—"A festival of family, food, and fun featuring orchards selling their bounties, apple cider, caramel apples, apple pie, apple tortes, Bayfield’s own famous apple "brats" along with over 60 festival food booths, ongoing stage entertainment, fish boils, dance, rides and games, pie contests, an evening Venetian Boat Parade, a Grand Parade featuring the Wisconsin Mass Band of over 500 band members, orchard visits, vendors, arts and crafts, pie and apple peeling contests, Apple Dumpling Contest and street musicians."

WHO: The first people to contact me with a commitment by September 1st. All of the hotels in the area require a 2-night minimum. I have been told that there are no rooms available in Bayfield, so I have reserved 4 rooms at an Americinn in Ashland, which is about 20 miles away. (At this time, they have 3 additional rooms if I get overwhelming interest.) Originally, I had hoped to stay in Duluth on Friday night, and in the Bayfield area Saturday night, but with the 2-night minimum, that doesn’t work. And since Duluth is 1 ½ hours from Bayfield, I didn’t think we would want to drive back there Saturday night.

One thought is to leave Fergus Falls on Friday in time for an early dinner in Duluth, before driving to Ashland. Or for those of you working, who don’t want to, or can’t get away Friday afternoon, you could consider driving to Duluth Friday night, and meeting us in Bayfield or Ashland Saturday morning, and doubling up in the reserved rooms Saturday night. Each room has 2 queen beds at the AARP rate of $143.99. The hotel has an "activity pool" with water slide, sauna, etc. and extensive continental breakfast.

Bayfield and Ashland are situated in bays on Lake Superior, and the drive to Wisconsin should be beautiful in October.

PLEASE EMAIL JEANNE JENSEN DIRECTLY WITH YOUR INTEREST OR QUESTIONS: japjens@hotmail.com