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26 | THE COLONY NEWS | JULY 2024 | In July, we will be discussing Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly. It is a historical fiction novel about three strong women who live worlds apart and of their experiences during and just after World War I and the 1917 Russian Revolution. Their stories entwine in very different ways. Lost Roses is the second book in the Lilac Girls series, but it actually is a prequel to the first book, Lilac Girls. The writing is beautiful, with the descriptions transporting the reader to a different time and often a different place — be it New England, Paris or Russia. The characters in Lost Roses are one of the book's strengths. Eliza and Sofya were strong, good women. They fought not only for their families but for others, taking a stand to do what was right. I couldn't help but feel for them when they suffered and smile when they achieved something. Lost Roses was inspired by historical figures, as the author details in the postscript at the end of the novel, but as you're reading through it, you can tell that it is well-researched. The Book Readers gather in the Meeting Room on the second Wednesday of each month at 10:30 am, which for July is the 10th. If you enjoy reading, we invite you to join us. You're welcome to sit in on a discussion to see if this is something you would be interested in. Book Readers By Rhae Frazier, 562-233-3958 Our watercolor class meets on the last Thursday of each month in the Annex from 9 am to 12:30 pm. We welcome all watercolorists, both advanced and beginners. Experienced painters, your participation is greatly appreciated as our beginners learn from you as well as the instructor. If you have any questions, please call me at the above phone number. I look forward to seeing all of you and ask that you please bring your own art supplies. Our goal is not only to paint but for everyone to have fun. Happy painting! Watercolor Classes By Sylvia Maxwell, 818-667-1766 The Colony Guitar Society is currently recruiting new members. The Society was established in May 2022 and the four founding members are still very active. We hope to invite six to eight new members and increase the organization to a maximum membership of 12. There is no charge to belong to the Society except for contributing to an honorarium when we have a program with a paid guest presenter. All members must agree to provide a master class or program for the membership regularly based on the rotation of all members. (For example, with 12 members, each member would provide a master class every 12 months or once a year). Our meetings are not casual "jam sessions," but rather are organized classroom-style gatherings offering interactive learning opportunities, with the goal of all of us becoming better musicians. Activities include social/fellowship opportunities with like- minded musicians/guitarists, monthly meetings that always include a master class or similar presentation, sometimes by music professionals we invite from outside this community. Soon we will begin to offer public play opportunities for our members. Those activities will include first-class sound equipment and technical support provided by members of the Society. Our regular meetings are held on the second Monday of each month from 1 to 2:30 pm in the Card Room at the Clubhouse. Monthly Society meetings are reserved for members and invited guests. To be invited into the Society you must agree to all rules and conditions specified in the current by-laws. You must agree to an interview with the existing membership and provide an in-person music audition. Based on that interview and audition, you must be considered at least an intermediate-level player with a sincere interest in what we do, by a majority vote of the existing members. After that, you must attend at least 75 percent of the monthly meetings. We will assume those who don't meet this attendance criteria to have resigned and we will invite another to fill their chair. A copy of the bylaws and an outline of a sample master class is available to anyone interested in membership and wishing to schedule an interview and audition by contacting The Colony Guitar Society co-founder Manny Gomez at finegtrplayer@yahoo.com. Guitar Society By Manny Gomez