Lively and informative!
There was definitely “good company” at our November Meeting, as well as tea, coffee and treats.
“My idea of good company, Mr Elliot, is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.”
JASNA members of the SW Florida chapter were hosted by our dear member Cheryl at The Grind Coffee House and Roaster in Fort Myers. A short business meeting electing new officers quickly led to our member Ann’s adventures as part this past summer’s 10-day world wind Jane Austen tour in England. Husband and Wife members, Jerry and Nili followed with their highlights of the AGM Williamsburg, Virginia. (In case you are new to JASNA, AGM stands for Annual General Meeting.)
Ann of Fort Myers, Adventures in England!
Ann’s Adventures with JASNAs own, Tours of England. This one called, Seeking Adventures Abroad: 200 Years of Northanger Abbey.
Ann found the entire trip “exceptional” and “enjoyed tea everywhere”. Though rainy, the gardens “were incredible”.
From indulging in an entertaining dinner at Sir Walter Elliot’s House in Bath to attending a memorial service at Jane Austen’s grave, the tour featured activities and locales we Austenites on this side of the pond long to know more of. An architectural buff; Ann brought to life the places she visited.
Jerry and Nili at the AGM
Jerry and Nili have attended the AGM 35 times! They always “find something fantastic”. This year Jerry was most intrigued by the breakout session, Pretty Fairly Divided: Jane Austen on Gender. Nili found the Glass Harmonica session “fabulous”.
Getting out in Williamsburg!
Pemberley, Rosings, and Kellynch Hall for Sale?
Lady Catherine De Bourgh would be appalled! Dividing into three groups, each was given a list of properties featured in Austen novels and asked to write a real estate listing for one. This fun activity produced much laughter!
Looking Ahead…
Our member Karen, writing as Kerryn Reid, has authored a new book scheduled for Christmas release, Anna’s Refuge.
Jerry mentioned the vintage novel Belgravia, by Julian Fellowes, as a worthy read. You might recognize his name as the creator of Downton Abbey.
Member, Merari suggested the web series Black Girl in a Big Dress as a worthy watch. The series features an African American Anglophile cosplayer in love with the Victorian Era.
It was suggested perhaps all watch Becoming Mrs. Bennet. Is it a multi-layered story or a dumbing down of Austen? Further discussion is needed.
The next meeting of the SW Florida Chapter of JASNA will be an afternoon tea celebrating Jane Austen’s birthday. This December 14 event will be hosted by Laurie Nienhaus in her home on Fort Myers Beach from 1-3 pm.
Thank You Sara!
We would like to thank Sara Dustin for serving as our RC for the last four years and from the conception of our little group. It has been a pleasure to have such a wonderful person at the helm for these many years.
New Regional Coordinator!
Congratulations to our new Regional Coordinator Jerry Vetowich. Jerry has been a Co-Regional Coordinator in years past with his wife in the New York Region so he brings quite a bit of knowledge and experience to the role.