The Rochester "Janeiacs"--the "Action Jane" members of JASNA Rochester--are at it again! This time, they've scheduled a number of activities to take place in the village of Canandaigua in honor of Pride and Prejudice's 200th anniversary. Canandaigua is southeast of Rochester (and an easy drive south from Exit 44 of the NY State Thruway, for many Syracuse Region members). Here's a list of what will be happening in the next few weeks.
Unless otherwise noted, all activities will take place at the Granger Homestead, an historic landmark property at 295 N. Main St., Canandaigua (585-394-1472; go here for the website). The Granger's usual admission charge will be waived for these events.
- Guest speaker Kathi Nacca (from the Wood Library in Canandaigua) will lead a discussion of P&P at the Granger on Saturday, February 23, from 1 to 3 pm, with tea to follow.
- Aniela Wolkonowski of JASNA Rochester will lead a discussion of JA sequels, focusing on Pamela Aidan's An Assembly Such as This (a retelling of part of P&P from Mr. Darcy's perspective), on Saturday, March 2 at the Granger, starting at 1 pm. An 1813-style tea will follow.
- JASNA Syracuse/JASNA Rochester Co-Coordinator Lisa Brown will present her ever-popular Regency Fashion Show (featuring both ladies' and gentlemen's clothing styles) on Sunday, March 3, starting at 1 pm. Note: This event will take place at the Wood Library, 134 N. Main St., Canandaigua (585-394-1381). It too is free of charge and open to the public.
- Finally, the Country Dancers of Rochester will give a demonstration of dances popular during JA's lifetime on Saturday, March 9 at the Granger, starting at 1 pm.
The Binghamton English Country Dancers have given us the sad news that Cheryl Suzanna Spiese died on February 12 at age 65, after a long and bravely borne illness. She was a Special Collections Librarian and a Translation Research & Instruction Program Faculty Associate at Binghamton University. In addition, she was actively involved with the Binghamton ECD group in many capacities--as dancer, caller, teacher, organizer, and musician. JASNA Syracuse will always remember Suzanna gratefully for performing with Charlene Thomson, her friend and fellow musician in the group "Greenwood," at the first Syracuse Region meeting at RiverRead Books in Binghamton--and thus getting the RiverRead meetings off to a delightful start. We send our sympathies to Suzanna's family in Lancaster, PA, and to her BU colleagues and ECD friends in Binghamton. This year's Binghamton ECD Ball, on Saturday, April 6, will be dedicated to her.
