Date: Fri 13-Mar-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

book-club-Ionna-Rochman

Full Text:

For 29 Years, The Ladies Literary League Has Always Enjoyed A Good Read

(with cuts)

By Joanne Greco Rochman

They meet once a month at a member's home, rotating the homes and alternating

the book discussion leaders. They are members of the Ladies Literary League,

which is 29 years old and going strong.

Marilyn Alexander, the hostess for February, welcomed members to her Newtown

home. As the enthusiastic members arrived, each with a copy of the Pulitzer

Prize-winning novel Angela's Ashes , the memoir by Frank McCourt, they

couldn't resist commenting on the book before the discussion formally got

under way.

"What a depressing book," said one woman, adding that it seemed that some

character or other was being buried in every chapter.

"This is about triumph over adversity," said another woman eager to point out

the positives in the best-seller.

"I liked the humor," piped up another.

"I like the fact that the narrator's voice was a child's and I like the

overall dignity of the book."

While first impressions flashed across the room via insightful, intelligent

remarks, members poured tea, helped themselves to delicious refreshments

prepared by Mrs Alexander, found comfortable seats and made themselves ready

for an afternoon of literary discussion. Theo Couture, leader for the book

talk, captured the group's attention with magazine and newspaper clippings

regarding the author and the book.

In short order the meeting turned serious, with discussion about Irish and

Irish-American history, culture and literature paving the way for discussion

on semantics and literary lyricism.

Mrs Couture, a longtime member and an experienced facilitator, had prepared

questions designed to spark discussion. After conducting research on the

author and the book, she prepared questions about the pertinence of the book

in today's society. As a member of the Ladies Literary League, she was

continuing a tradition that is nearly three decades old.

Currently, there are other literary groups in town. However, according to

Rodie Ionna, of Cincinnati, Ohio, formerly of Newtown and founder of the book

club in 1969, there were no other literary groups in Newtown in the 1960s.

"I had just had a baby and had just moved to Newtown from Atlanta. Newtown was

so rural then. I was desperate for companionship," Mrs Ionna recalled

recently. "I joined Welcome Wagon, but after the initial membership expired, I

needed to meet with other women.

"Newtown resident Lois McAuliffe suggested that I start a book club -- and I

did. I was sort of like a dictator at first. I didn't want members who weren't

serious about reading. I only wanted intelligent women to be a part of the

group. This book club was not going to read fluff," she said with a gentle

laugh.

"I was also very particular about choosing members who would not monopolize

the discussion. The first members were all in agreement that we wanted

intelligent discourse on serious books and we wanted everyone to have a chance

to express their views."

Some of the first members of the book club, all Newtown residents, included

Lois McAuliffe, Ruth Garrett, Birthe Melville, Jean Leahy, Sue Carey, Dee

DeSantis, Marie Collins, Yvonne Read and Carol Maurath. Eventually Carol

Maurath became chair of the group.

"One of the first books that we read was Cultural Shock by Vance Packard," Mrs

Ionna said. "We were all so interested because he was a social scientist.

Don't forget, this was during the 1960s, the members had all been uprooted and

social issues were important to us.

"We also read a book about open marriages by a husband-wife team of

psychologists who we discovered years later got divorced," she said laughing

again.

The format, rotating homes and alternating book discussion leaders, has

remained intact through the club's long history. A limited membership of

approximately 12 to 15 members has also stayed intact for the sake of active

participation and discussion. However, the first members of the book club met

in the morning, saving luncheon meetings for special occasions.

"I remember we had a luncheon meeting and served wine. After eating and

drinking wine, no one cared to discuss the book at all. After that we never

combined luncheons and book discussions again," said Ionna, who apparently not

only has a sharp eye for a good book, but a sharp wit as well. No matter where

Ionna has lived, she has always belonged to a book club.

After Ionna left Newtown, Carol Maurath became the chairman. Through the years

the membership has included Cookie Tinkler, Gloria Garvin, Olga Knoepke, Rita

Macdonald and Zeneida Northcott. While the format of selecting books three

months in advance of each reading has stayed the same, some things have

changed.

Some members were not Newtown residents and annual field trips to places that

had literary associations became a real treat. One particular trip to Edith

Wharton's house was especially memorable to veteran members.

"We packed a picnic lunch for the Wharton trip," said longtime member Shirley

Lawrenson. "It was no ordinary picnic. Considering we were allowed to picnic

on the Wharton estate, we went all out and used linen tablecloths, candles,

and crystal. People driving by actually stopped to look at our spectacular

picnic."

Currently, Lina Williams is the chairman of the club. "We used to refer to

ourselves simply as Book Club," said Mrs Williams. "However, after we read

Ladies of the Club , we started calling ourselves the Ladies Literary League.

It has stayed with us ever since."

According to Mrs Williams, she found that once she became a member of the

group, she found herself picking up books she normally wouldn't be attracted

to and reading them from start to finish.

Marilyn Alexander, another longtime member, said she loved the diversity of

the group and the many different perspectives and opinions that came from each

reading.

All the members in attendance at the February meeting felt that membership in

the group forced them to read books they normally might not choose. It

broadened their reading experience. They also felt that discourse with other

women who shared their love for reading enriched their lives.

The current roster for the Ladies Literary League includes Marilyn Alexander,

Theo Couture, Judy Craven, Pat Denlinger, Yvonne Kopins, Nancy Larin, Shirley

Lawrenson, Marsha Mark, Erma Raush, Zelda Schwartz, Sally Tepas and Lina

Williams.