Celebrate the Birthday of Rome

“Writing Your Memories”: Gifts Given and Received   

Saturdays, Oct. 15, Nov. 19 and Dec. 3, 2022
10 to 11:45 am

No experience necessary, just a notebook, pen and sense of curiosity and fun! 

Join us for this series of workshops that will help you unearth memories of gifts you’ve given and/or received—tangible and not so tangible–and the relationships connected to them. The first two workshops will include short, vibrant readings and prompts that will help you create your own original writing on the theme, and the third is a revision workshop in which you’ll receive constructive feedback on a piece of writing you submit in advance.  

Register for one, two, or all three workshops.
Part 1: Saturday, Oct. 15
Part 2: Saturday, Nov. 19
Part 3: Saturday, Dec. 3

Monday, December 5 • 4:00-5:00 pm
Buon Natale! Christmas cookies.

Monday, December 5 • 7:00-9:00 pm
Buon Natale! Christmas baking: Sugar Cookies and Brutti ma Buoni!

Tuesday, December 6 • 4:00-5:00 pm
Buon Natale! Christmas cookies.

Tuesday, December 6 • 7:00-9:00 pm
Buon Natale! Christmas baking: Sugar Cookies and Brutti ma Buoni!

A special Author Visit 

“Hotel of the Siren” presented by author Antoinette Carone
In-person event on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at 7 pm
A limited number of books will be available for sale at this event – a great holiday gift! 

“Hotel of the Siren” is a work of literary fiction set mostly in Naples, Italy. Although it is the story of lovers, Naples itself is also a protagonist. In Naples, reality differs from appearance, fate operates relentlessly, and expectations are overturned.

The lovers’ story takes place sometime in the late 20th century but before cell phones and the internet became essential to daily life. Lucy, an artist’s wife, is unexpectedly widowed. At his funeral, Lucy watches a woman wearing a green scarf stand over his grave. While cleaning his studio, Lucy discovers an airline ticket to Naples, Italy. Her husband was planning to leave with his model, Mina. Lucy uses the ticket and goes to Naples instead.

There, Lucy reverts to her true name, Lucia. She resides in Hotel of the Siren, occupying one floor of an 18th-century building. Here she begins an affair with Antonio. There are things Lucia does not know about him, however. One is that Antonio’s father is plotting to acquire this building from its owner. The second is that Mina and Antonio are relatives.

In “Hotel of the Siren,” Naples is central to Lucia’s journey. The way of life and the history of this ancient city frame the narrative and elucidate the culture, revealing the city’s contrasts and contradictions.

Tombola and Christmas Social on Tuesday, Dec. 13

Doors open at 5:30 pm for a casual Holiday Social before the games begin. Christmas Market items, snacks and drinks will be available for purchase - cash preferred. 

Tombola games begin at 6:30 pm. Entry: Members free; non-members $10 per person. Tombola cards must be purchased for each round at $3 each.

Tombola is a game that originated in Southern Italy. Similar to Bingo, the game is fun to play, easy to learn and for all ages. In order to win, players need to match a variety of winning combinations or patterns on cards. The game begins with a ball draw and ends when all 90 numbers are drawn or when a winner is declared for all the patterns of the game, whichever comes first.