23 OP Fall Senior Newsletter

SMITHS CROSSING

BUILDING A BOOK CLUB

the group of Smith Crossing residents to locations featured in her books, Camalliere will share details about Lemont’s fascinating history and join the members for lunch. Gather many opinions about book selections Both Hett and Ryan highly recommend conducting an annual survey to learn what book club members want to read. Ryan attends the Renaissance Academy program at Saint Xavier University. “Once a semester the Renaissance Academy hosts a book discussion luncheon for seniors,” says Ryan. “Usually about 75 to 100 people attend and participants are encouraged to talk about books their group enjoyed. It is a great way to get recommendations.” Work with the local library Both book clubs at Smith Crossing work with the librarians at the Orland Park Public Library to secure copies of their monthly book selections. The Orland Park Public Library offers a Book Nook, shelved with multiple copies of popular books for small book clubs.

Book clubs inspire camaraderie and conversation C.S. Lewis once wrote, “We read to know that we are not alone.” For senior citizens, the companionship of the books themselves can truly blossom when they share what they’ve read with others. “My favorite part of our book club absolutely is our camaraderie,” says Smith Crossing resident Bobbie Hett, who has moderated the women’s book club for seven years. “We meet new friends and get to know each other better when we express their views about the books we select for our group.” For seniors hoping to launch their own book club, Ryan and Hett offer advice about how to make it a success.

Explore beyond the book “The more outside elements we include in our discussion the more we enjoy it,” says Ryan. To enhance the book club conversations, Ryan often brings in speakers on topics related to the books the group is reading. Guest speakers on topics, ranging from the experiences of prisoners of war to the science of nuclear power. Lenox where Michael Portillo, vice president of restaurant support and son of the company founder, Dick Portillo, sat down to discuss Out of the Doghouse, from the restaurant’s origin story to its tremendous growth and acquisition. During October, both book clubs, which read The Mystery of Black Partridge Woods, will venture to Lemont for a personal tour with local author Pat Camalliere. As she leads Recently, the men’s book club moved its meeting to Portillo’s in New

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