Fall Book Groups on Zoom

You may want to start reading — or rereading — the books the club will be discussing on Zoom this fall:

  • Their Eyes Were Watching God — We’ll meet virtually on Saturday, September 26, to discuss this classic novel of the Harlem Renaissance by Zora Neale Hurston.
  • The 1619 Project (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html) — Later in the fall, we’ll meet again to consider Mount Holyoke’s 2020 Common Read, prose essays from this award-winning initiative of the New York Times. You can read more about the Common Read selection at https://www.mtholyoke.edu/media/2020-aug/1619-project-common-read-2020.

Watch your email for more information on the book discussions.

Virtual events for Summer 2020

Wednesday, July 8, 7:30-8:30 p.m.

Thinking About Our Lives Post-COVID: Technology, Work and Education

Discussion facilitated by Laurie Molinari ’86

Have you been musing about where our lives are going post-COVID, particularly with regard to greater and different use of technology in education and work settings? Brainstorm with Laurie, an attorney and mother of two daughters in college.

To receive Zoom meeting information, RSVP to Carolyn Dorais (cedorais@comcast.net) by Monday, July 6.

Tuesday, July 14, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Mount Holyoke Club of Hartford Annual Meeting and Virtual Happy Hour

Following a short business meeting to report on the club’s 2019-20 program year and elect a new board to serve in 2020-21, we’ll socialize informally online. “Drop your books, pick up your glasses….”

To receive Zoom meeting information, RSVP to Carolyn Dorais (cedorais@comcast.net) by Friday, July 10.

Saturday, July 25, 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Barbara Pym’s Quartet in Autumn

Book discussion facilitated by Carolyn Dorais ’68

Through the lives of four elderly people, this novel explores aging, retirement, loneliness and death with sympathy and gentle humor. You might want to bring tea and biscuits to our discussion.

To receive Zoom meeting information, RSVP to Carolyn Dorais (cedorais@comcast.net) by Thursday, July 23.

New Britain Museum of American Art visit

On February 2, 26 alumnae, family members and friends visited the New Britain Museum of American Art to hear Stephanie Sparling Williams, associate curator of the Mount Holyoke College Art Museum, give the Robert Lehman Distinguished Lecture on “Truth Be Told: Kara Walker and Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War.” Lynn Hayden Wadhams ’65 (center, photo) and Susan Simonds FP ’96, both docents at the museum, led gallery tours of the exhibition before the lecture.

Dear Mount Holyoke Alumnae,

The Hartford Wellesley Club has postponed the March 26 Three College Luncheon at the Pond House because of concerns about COVID-19. Their club is working with the guest speaker and venue to reschedule this event in October. The Wellesley Club will be in touch with you if you have already sent an RSVP or a check.
 

The Mount Holyoke Club of Hartford held our annual Mary Lyon’s Birthday Tea on March 1, when we welcomed the Alumnae Association’s Executive Director, Nancy Bellows Perez ’76. The tea featured good food, great company, and a stimulating exchange of ideas about the future of the College and the Mount Holyoke community. Sadly, this event will be the last one we hold for at least the next two months.

 
Our club, like Mount Holyoke clubs across the country and around the world, will not hold any events between now and May 5. In the coming weeks, the club’s board will continue to evaluate the situation. We may need to postpone the Mary Lyon Dinner and Annual Meeting previously scheduled for June 3 and to continue the hiatus of club events into the summer. We will do our best to stay in touch virtually, and will plan a special event to mark the end of social distancing for Connecticut alumnae. We look forward to celebrating with you!
 
With sincere wishes for your health and the health of the entire Mount Holyoke community,
 
The Board of the Mount Holyoke Club of Hartford
Carolyn Dorais ’68, President
Marnie Clark ’68, Vice President
Laurie Molinari ’86, Secretary
Carrie Field ’97, Treasurer
Jane Lehman ’80
Jill Morawski ’73
Ada Schnake ’18
Sara Taylor ’95