Program of Events
The Eastern Pennsylvania Region of JASNA holds three or four meetings a year. Our meetings are typically held in March or April (spring meeting), June (summer meeting), September (autumn meeting) and December (winter meeting). Specific dates in any year may fluctuate to account for holidays and the availability of speakers and sites of interest to JASNA members and their guests. JASNA members affiliated with the Region will receive up-to-date information about the Region's events through e-mail notices and Bits and Scraps, the Region's quarterly newletter. Some meetings may be open only to members of JASNA. If you are not a member of JASNA, we encourage you to join by visiting the JASNA Membership Page.
In 2017, the Region's meeting dates are: March 4th (spring meeting); June 11th (summer meeting); September 24th (autumn meeting); and Sunday, December 3rd (winter meeting).
2017 Region Events
Spring Meeting
Whispering in Her Ear: The Sonnets of William Shakespeare
Luncheon and Presentation by Darrel Walters, Ph.D.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
11:30 AM — 3:30 PM
Joseph Ambler Inn
Bonniemeade Room
1005 Horsham Road
North Wales, PA 19454
After a delicious lunch (with a choice of entrée) at the historic Joseph Ambler Inn, former Temple University professor Darrel Walters will delight us with a talk about Jane Austen's admiration of William Shakespeare. Although Austen lived two hundred years after the Bard, she was greatly influenced by his writings, especially his sonnets. Dr. Walters will reveal places in Austen's works that reflect this influence and will interpret and recite, for our enjoyment, the corresponding sonnets. "Anyone can put words on paper" says Walters, "but only a few preeminent authors — Shakespeare and Austen among them — offer readers a treasure trove of the kind of fun that Frost writes about [when he says], 'all the fun's in how you say a thing.'"
About our guest speaker: Dr. Darrel Walters, a former educator with his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, retired recently to a writing career from a professorship at Temple University, where he chair of the Music Education and Music Therapy program. In addition to his concentration in music, Dr. Walters has had a life-long passion for great literature and writing. He has published books on writing and education assessment, a book for teens, and a collection of children's verses. In 2016, his book, The Wit and Wisdom of Shakespeare: 32 Sonnets Made Thoroughly Accessible was published by Rowman and Littlefield. A collection of poetry by Dr. Walters is awaiting publication.
Meeting fees:
$25 for JASNA members
$35 for non-JASNA members
Fee includes three-course luncheon with a mixed green salad, tea and coffee and a choice of entrée and dessert
Entrée choices:
- Citrus Marinated Salmon Filet with Dill Sauce
- Sliced Marinated Flank Steak with Bourbon Glaze
- Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast with Lemon Chardonnay Sauce
- Vegetarian option (Chef's choice)
Dessert choices:
- Chocolate mousse
- Cheesecake
Registration for this program is now closed
Summer Meeting
From Hampshire to Haverford — Jane Austen, Autograph Collection, and One Letter's Journey
Luncheon and Talk by Sarah Horowitz, Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts at Haverford College
Sunday, June 11
12 PM — 3 PM
Haverford College
370 West Lancaster Avenue
Haverford, PA 19041
Sarah M. Horowitz, Haverford College
On June 23, 1814, Jane Austen wrote, as she frequently did, to her sister Cassandra. After Cassandra's death the letter was passed down in the family, and eventually became part of the collections of Haverford College through a gift from the noted autograph collector Charles Roberts. What can this letter and its journey tell us about Jane Austen and interest in her work? In her talk, Sarah Horowitz will explore these and other questions about why this letter's journey matters. Attendees will be able to view this extraordinary Austen letter.
About Our Speaker: Sarah M. Horowitz is Curator of Rare Books & Manuscripts and Head of Quaker & Special Collections at Haverford College. She holds a master's of library science with a specialization in rare books from Indiana University and an MA in English from Western Illinois University. She has written on teaching undergraduates with primary sources, and late nineteenth century illustrated books, including the work of Jane Austen.
Meeting fees:
Members $25
Non-Members: $35
Fee Includes buffet luncheon of delicious summer salads and sandwiches.
Registration for the summer meeting is now closed.
The Summer Event is supported in part with funds provided by the Eastern Pennsylvania Region of JASNA
Autumn Meeting
What Jane Saw at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Tour of the Museum's British Art and Architecture Collection
Sunday, September 24, 2017
11 AM
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Details to come
Winter Meeting
Jane Austen Talks About Turning 242- A Celebration of Her Life and Legacy
Our annual birthday party for Jane with our usual food, fun and games
Sunday, December 3, 2017
1 PM - 4 PM
Rosemont College
1400 Montgomery Avenue
Rosemont, PA 19010
Details to come
Photo Credit: Photographs courtesy of our speakers