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Activities
We have many activities, described below. Those taking place this month are in bold.
- Book Club
- Charity
- Children's Activities
- Cook & Eat
- Cultural Outings
- Film Night
- Garden Club
- Holidays
- Informative Speaker Evenings
- Life Issues and the Bible
- Scriveners
- Walking Group
30 August 2010
BOOK CLUB
The Book Club is open to members. Newcomers are always welcome, and one does not need to have read the book(s) to attend the meetings - although in some cases it's a shame to "spoil" the ending. In the past, members have been so intrigued by our discussions that they have returned to books they had put down unfinished. We have developed a new list (see Articles). Several books from past discussions are in a mini-library. For further information or an e-mail copy of the booklist from the four past years, contact Maggie.
Down to a Soundless Sea by Thomas Steinbeck's.
When: Friday, September 10th, 2-4pm
Where: Le Bookshop (formerly Book-in-Bar, rue Bras de Fer (near the Halles Castellanes), Montpellier
We have all heard of the Nobel prize winning author John Steinbeck, but how many of us knew that his son Thomas is also a writer? At our first meeting after the summer break, we will be discussing Thomas Steinbeck's first book, Down to a Soundless Sea, which is a collection of short stories about the history and culture of the Monterrey coast in California from the turn of the century through the 1930's. The stories trace the dreams and fates of an eccentric cast of characters, and are full of compelling drama and historical authenticity, yet they read like stories told in person. The Steinbeck family valued the art of story-telling and the power of oral history. The book draws on folklore, historical research and tales that Thomas Steinbeck heard while he was growing up. With the hope of comparing the son's writing with the father's, we will each try to read at least one book by Papa John. According to the internet, no writer is more quintessentially American than John Steinbeck. Today, more than 40 years after his death, he remains one of America's greatest writers and cultural figures. Media reviews about Thomas Steinbeck's work have included remarks such as, "The family's literary legacy is in good hands," and "If John Steinbeck were my father, I would not have the courage to write a laundry list... But Thomas Steinbeck inherited his father's great love of story. It is a grand thing to have a Steinbeck back in American letters." Maggie suggested the Steinbecks, and will lead the discussion.
Please do not forget to bring along your suggestions for our October read as well, since timing requires that we choose it before the planning meeting
Annual planning meeting
When: Friday, September 24th, 10am
Where: home of Karen in Sête
We will hold our annual planning meeting on Friday, September 24th, at 10:00am at Karen's house in Sête. The meeting will be followed by a pot-luck lunch. Please contact Maggie to arrange car-pooling and let us know what dish you will bring for the luncheon. As in the past, members are requested to suggest one or two books and give a brief description, but this is not an obligation for attendance at the meeting. After all the books have been presented, we will vote to select 8 books and decide who will lead the discussion each month. The book list and dates will be posted on the website after our meeting. The usual rules apply: the book should be available in paperback (to help keep costs down) and at least one member present at the vote should have already read the book. (It does not necessarily have to be the person recommending the book, but it helps.) We read books originally written in English, but now allow one book per year translated from French (since that is the language of our host country). If you have a copy of a book that you would like to suggest, please bring it along, as that will help us to get a "feel" for the book. We will also set the dates for the monthly meetings, and will again try to avoid school holidays. (Bring along your calendars.)
CHARITY
Every year AWG selects a local association or institution to which it donates a sum of money collected through certain fundraising activities throughout the year. Some of the recent beneficiaries include La CLE (support for hospitalized children), the Little Sisters of the Poor (retirement home for women), l’Institut St Pierre (center for physically handicapped children), Envie (support to people living with the HIV/AIDS).
This year AWG has chosen to support the Restos Bébés de Montpellier, a specific activity within the Restaurants du Cœur Association. There are three Restos Bébés in Montpellier where volunteers are present 2 afternoons per week to welcome needy mothers of infants or expecting mothers. The women are given not only baby supplies but support, advice and encouragement. These restos are active throughout the school year. AWG has contacted the Association to inquire about volunteering. There are no specific requirements needed to be a volunteer. They would like the volunteer to commit to a certain time slot and be very regular. The fact that some of us don’t speak perfect French is NOT a problem. Our English may even be an advantage in certain cases. Perhaps there are two AWG members who would like to go together. Volunteering is possible at the Restos Bébés or at any of the Restaurants du Cœur sites in Montpellier.See special article on this (search on Charity Research) for more information.
One of AWG’s objectives is « service to the community ». If you are interested in volunteering and, thus, serving the community please note the following:
www.restosducoeur34.org, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES
We have children’s activities once a month for all different ages. Whether is a picnic in the park on a sunny day, going to the beach together, or baking Christmas cookies and making holiday crafts, moms and kids and anyone who enjoys being with children all get together and always have fun.
When: Wed 15 Sep at 10h00
Where: Daumas Gassac Winery, Aniane
Meet: Winery car park at 10h00
RSVP: By 10 Sep to Lael
Please join us for a kid-focused vendange visit at the Daumas Gassac winery in Aniane. We will tour the vineyards and learn about vendange practices such as cutting grapes, sorting grapes, and wine-making basics.
Afterwards, weather permitting, those who wish can join us for a picnic lunch and beach fun at the Pont du Diable, also in Aniane. Please bring your own picnic and note that water shoes are a good idea at this beach, as there are stones and some lovely walks that require shoes sturdier than flip-flops. In case of bad weather, we could picnic at Lael’s house.
Please note that if you come across any books that your child has either out-grown or would like to pass on to someone else, we are currently taking donations. These books will be given to those less fortunate in the hope of spreading the joy of language and encouraging a flourishing imagination!
For more information contact Lael or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
COOK AND EAT
When: Wed 22 Sep at 09h30
Where: Chez Caroline ,
RSVP: By Thu 16 Sep to Sue or Caroline
We are beginning our third year together - can you believe it? The menuwill focus on seafood, which Caroline will purchase at the Sete fish market and our dessert will feature seasonal fruits. We try with all menus to use those fresh products that are found nearby and in season since we believe them to be most flavorsome.
Menu:
Ecudorean Shrimp Ceviche
Antilles Courtbouillion de Poisson
Figue et raisin blanc tarte tatin
CULTURAL OUTING
There is no lack of interesting days out in Languedoc, and our events coordinators schedule interesting days out to visit museums, old abbeys, private gardens etc. throughout the region, always with the opportunity for lunch after the visit. While many outings lend themselves more to the fine-weather days of summer, winter allows for cultural enrichment within Montpellier’s own Musée Fabre, site of the stunning Impressionist exhibit in 2007, the Opéra at the Comédie in Montpellier, and the Fine Art Museum in Lodève.
DUFY en Méditerranée
When: Thu 16 Sep at 10h45
Where: Musée Paul Valery in Sete
Meet: In Musée car park (148 rue François Desnoyer)
Price: 7 €
Lunch: At the Musée’s cafeteria
RSVP : By Mon 13 Sep to Elisabeth
Raoul DUFY (1887-1953) was born and educated in Normandy. He discovered the Mediterranean world in 1903 and spent the last 12 years of his life in the South of France. The newly re-opened Musée Paul Valéry is showing about 60 paintings (oils and watercolors) illustrating Dufy's faithful relationship with the Mediterranean region throughout his different style periods: Impressionism, Fauvism, Cubism and at last his own distinctive ‘stenographic’ style.
FILM NIGHT
Held on an ad hoc basis, screenings have included An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore’s film about the environment, and Eleanor Roosevelt, about the First Lady who was the driving force behind the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The screening is preceded by an aperitif and finger food.
GARDEN GROUP
One of AWG’s newest offerings is the Garden Group – and it’s growing … like a grapevine!
Any member of AWG may join. Our members’ “gardens” range from one pot of herbs on the windowsill to acres in the garrigue. What draws us together is a love of plants, nature, the environment – and of course socializing! Gourmet meals usually close our working meetings at members’ houses. We also take tours; to plant nurseries, and to beautiful gardens in the region….with possible visits to famous gardens further away on our discussion list. See the Calendar and separate entries in Activities for more details. Also, do not miss the Garden Club Tips under Articles.
Any member of AWG may join. Our members’ “gardens” range from one pot of herbs on the windowsill to acres in the garrigue. What draws us together is a love of plants, nature, the environment – and of course socializing! Gourmet meals usually close our working meetings at members’ houses. We also take tours; to plant nurseries, and to beautiful gardens in the region….with possible visits to famous gardens further away on our discussion list. See the Calendar and separate entries in Activities for more details. Also, do not miss the Garden Club Tips under Articles.
The winter months find us celebrating Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Come spring we schedule Easter events. We celebrate America’s national holiday, the 4th of July, which also marks the end of the club year. Contact AWG for more information.
Pot-lunch at Sue’s, followed by a discussion of activities for the year ahead.
When: Friday 17th September.
Where: At the home of Sue at St.Clément de Rivière.
We’ll prolong the summer with lunch in the garden beside the pool. We count on all our previous participants and hopefully lots of new ones, to come, not only with summer food, but also ideas for our new activities. Some interesting ones have already been suggested and need to be discussed.
We will take the opportunity to exchange some end of summer gardening tips, so come prepared.
Contact : Sue by 13th September and let her know what food you will bring.
INFORMATIVE SPEAKER EVENINGS
LIFE ISSUES AND THE BIBLE
What do they have in common?This study assumes no previous Bible knowledge. If fact, you may wonder if the Bible or the Christian faith is even true. This will be an opportunity for you to study the foundational and original document of the Christian faith, the Holy Bible, and come to your own conclusion. The study will not try to convince you that the Bible is true, nor will it try to convince you that God even exists. It will simply reveal what the Bible states about God, his creation, and how you fit into God's plan.
Hey Everyone... It's time again to start up our "Life Issues and the Bible" group.
When: Tue 14 September
Time: 19h30-21h00
What: Light dinner and a movie! (A short film to be discussed over dinner)
RSVP: By noon on Tue 14 September Sheri (and Steve)
Come and join us as we face some of life’s hard issues. Last year we talked about things like: bitterness, change, forgiveness, and being accepted. This is an adult group. Feel free to bring your spouse or friend.
It is NOT necessary to know the Bible, have the Bible, or even be a Christian. The group is for those who are seeking and have questions; contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
SCRIVENERS
Write-ups from recent AWG festive events can be found at Scriveners, AWG’s blog for members only. AWG photos are also posted – our Thanksgiving lunch, the apéro for Larry Foster and the Christmas potluck luncheon at Pam’s. December’s postings include articles on Cap and Trade; on Clint Eastwood’s movie Invictus, and on David Hockney. And if you have a box of Kleenex handy, check out the photos of the friendship between an orangutan and a sad-eyed old hound, and look at the story (plus link to YouTube) on the surf riding service dog that helps a quadriplegic man to surf. Aawwwhh!
Scriveners was launched in May 2009, and in the first month there were 22 postings. Despite its being summer, there were 36 postings in July. Visit the blog, and send Kate your contribution – a photo/joke/review of a cultural event/travel write-up, whatever you would like to share - for posting on the site. Everyone is encouraged to participate; just email Kate, or contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and she will post your written word/poem/report of your vacation/family news and photos. And a special note to those members who aren’t currently living in Languedoc –we would love to hear something of your lives and what you’re currently doing. This is a wonderful way for friends to keep in touch. Remember, none of your personal information is at risk as the site is not linked to the AWG website. Scriveners also welcomes comments on the posts, which Kate will put up for you (some people have experienced difficulty in doing this).
Throughout my life, my mantra has been "If you can write a birthday card - then you can write". None of us claims to be a Shakespeare, but all of us have a story to tell, or maybe a special photograph that we have taken. Under the auspices of AWG, and therefore only open to its members, we are starting an on-line writing group called "Scriveners".
The name is derived from The Worshipful Company of Scriveners of the City of London, whose motto is Littera Scripta Manet, Latin for the Written Word Remains. (A Scrivener who worked for Chaucer did such a rubbish job that Chaucer called down a plague of scabs on the poor man! Be sure that as Editor, I shall be far kinder, and will warmly welcome your offerings.)
The site will operate in the form of a Blog, and here are a few hints and tips:
*Your name and the date will appear in the subject line; in this way, readers can follow your different items.
* Remember that readers will not wade through long paragraphs.
*Let the spellchecker be your friend.
*Read your piece out loud to anyone who is prepared to listen to it. In reading it you will often pick up typos and grammatical hiccups, and a sense of how well your writing flows.
*If your piece is longer than 750 -1000 words, you need to pick up those literary sécateurs and do a little pruning.
*Write your piece in Word, so that you can attach it and send it to me by email once you have it the way you want it. As Editor, I won't make any major changes but hope to do my job in spotting problems.
But most of all - have fun. Let your imagination take you on a journey; recall some strange story that your grandmother told you, a piece of poetry that you wrote to a long lost love, or your take on the last AWG function that you attended. Maybe you are still here in the Languedoc, or you have moved on. Remember, this is your site, and nobody is here to judge you, there will be no “critiquing” of members’ submissions. Most importantly, this is a "locked blog" and unless a member of AWGLR asks to be on the access list, nobody can read what you have written. This is a site written by us, and for us. So come on AWG members, put fingers to keyboards and discover the writer within.
WALKING GROUP
The Walking Group does monthly easy hikes of a few hours (10 to 12 km).
Walk: Plateau du Thaurac
When: Thu 30 Sep
Meet: At 09h30 at Casino Supermarket car park just off the roundabout ‘La Lyre’, North Montpellier, on the Route de Ganges, for carpooling.
RSVP: No deadine but let Jan know that you would like to go
Let's walk off some of those summer lunches! Come join us for a walk/hike on the 'Plateau du Thaurac' which starts from the village of Laroque, about 25 km north of Montpellier. This is not a difficult walk - about 3 hours. We wil back between 16h00 and 16h30.
Bring a picnic/water and good walking shoes.