Cassadaga Branch Library Association
CASSADAGA - The Cassadaga Branch Library Association met recently as June Woollett hosted the meeting in the community room of her apartment complex.
Chairman Lois Franz presided at the business meeting and gave the treasurer's report in the absence of Treasurer Kathi Runkle. The minutes were read and approved.
The association is having a "Grocery Give Away" to raise funds for repairs to the Cassadaga Library building. Prizes are three $50 gift certificates for Cassadaga Shur-Fine. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and are available from any member. The drawing will be held Nov. 14, in time for Thanksgiving.
John and Susan Sipos will host the next meeting at the Washington House, 94 Maple Ave., on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. New members are always welcome.
Northern Chautauqua County Club Association
The regular monthly meeting of the Northern Chautauqua County Club Association was recently held at the Brocton Legion Post 434, East Main Street, in Brocton.
President Joe Rozen opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a moment of silence for deceased members of the clubs.
Post Commander Henry Link welcomed the group to his post. Guests included Charlie St. George, Sam Gerace, Mary Lou Weaver and Shane Boyle.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read by Secretary Janet Rozen, followed by a financial report by Treasurer Janis Dibb. Motions were made and seconded to approve them both.
A "thank you" was received from Compeer for a donation made to their summer golf tournament. Donations were also made to the Portland Bicentennial Committee and the Chau-tauqua County American Legion Spring Raffle.
Clubs were reminded that applications should soon be submitted in the near future if they wish to stay open longer on New Year's Eve. An update was given as to penalties and appeals for violations involving serving minors.
The clubs were also reminded, if having legal poker tournaments in their establishments, how they need to adhere to the many regulations that apply.
The association also changed a by-law to allow larger donations to be made to charitable causes on a case by case basis.
The next meeting will be held at the Dunkirk Veterans of World War II Club, 216 Lake Shore Drive East, in Dunkirk, on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Members of all clubs are welcome.
Fredonia Shakespeare Club
The Fredonia Shakespeare Club held its second regular meeting of the 2012-2013 year at the home of Mrs. Homer Garretson. The topic for the year is "Authors as Social Commentators." Members heard a paper by Dr. Susan Besemer on H. L. Mencken which she summarizes as follows:
Mencken was one of the leading literary voices of the first half of the 20th century. From German immigrant stock, he rose as the son of a Baltimore cigar maker to become one of the most famous names of the 1920s, '30s and '40s.
He wrote on many subjects: about literature and language, politics, government, medicine, daily life and his own brand of prickly philosophy. He liked nothing better than to rattle the cages of what he called the "booboisee" or the middle and working classes. A curmudgeonly character, he is best known for his witty, satiric quotes from newspaper and magazine pieces which brought publicity and revenue to the publications for which he wrote for more than 50 years.
"In Defense of Women" is a series of essays about the complex and sometimes comic relationships between men and women. Intended to be a humorous commentary on the battle between the sexes, when read today it is seen as a clever but shallow and cynical view of both women and men.
Mencken's most lasting contributions may be his books on the American language, the first of which was published in 1919, which cataloged the differences between American usage and British English.
Mencken died in the house where he was born, in Baltimore, in 1956.
Garretson was assisted at the tea table by Mrs. Louis Richardson. The next meeting will be held on Thursday at the home of Joyce Haines.
