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1514th Meeting

to northern Florida. The tree came to this country about 150 years ago from China (seeds
were used as packing material). The value of a twenty-year old tree now runs between
$500-800 so they are a potential cash crop. The wood is clear and strong, between poplar
and balsa in weight and is used especially for veneer. Caroline's question - as a member
of the Library Committee she invited helpful comments or suggestions. Chris and Caroline
Schauffler maintain the Community file.

Neka Thomas read some thoughts for everyone over 65 - such as - sizes don't run the
way they used to, they don't make good mirrors anymore, and when the writer bumped into
a friend the friend had aged so much"she didn't recognize me".

Sylvia Woodward had bought a book called Bible Stories You Can't Forget for her great
grandchildren and, fortunately, she decided to read the story of Samson and Delilah before
giving the book away. Samson was depicted as one of the great dummies of the Old Testament.
Delilah was identified as his girlfriend, and the Philistines were those rotten people
who went around breaking everything. Needless to say, the book was never gift-wrapped!

Kay Metcalfe had read a very thought-provoking article in the Princeton Alumni Weekly
on reading and its importance throughout history. Ovid, the Roman poet, tells us how to
read a loveletter but one must know history (by reading) to appreciate Ovid's writings.
Reading has changed the course of history. It is interesting that in the 19th century
artisans were read to while working. Kay's question - is it to late to feed azaleas?
Probably not.

Martha Ligon shared with us a poem of the new poet-laureate, Richard Wilbur, called
"Wedding Toast". Martha said his duties as a poet-laureate were to lecture and do poetry
readings. Her question - what is the picture on Caroline's wall? A batik rendering of a
llama.

Elizabeth Ligon recited one of her father's poems called "Henry W. Longfellow".
The recitation as well as the poem held a captive audience.

Rose Hutton said the Museum is in the process of organizing volunteers. Doris
Chickering is undertaking the job of soliciting help for different areas of the Museum
such as registration, research, conservation, display and maintenance of lawn and garden.

There being no reports, announcements or other business, the meeting adjourned to meet
with Mary Seiler in June.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Seiler