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32 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MAY 2016 The next meeting of the Book Club will be on Tuesday, May 10 at the Lodge. We will be discussing Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian. It is a contemporary novel set in Vermont in the aftermath of a nuclear meltdown. This is a powerful book written by a meticulous author. The subject is scary and heart wrenching and told from the point of view of 16 year-old Emily Shepard, the only child of parents who work at a nuclear plant in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. Her father is the chief administrator of the plant and her mother works there as a communications specialist. Apparently, they are alcoholics and her father has been disciplined for his drinking. When the nuclear meltdown occurs, her father is blamed for its cause. He is dead; he has no defense to offer. Her mother, too, is dead. Rather than enter a conventional environment after the meltdown, Emily, aka Abby Bliss, opts to fend for herself on the streets, selling herself for food and shelter. Bohjalian depicts two Emily's: one is kind and cares for a 9 year-old foster child, keeping him safe. The other is a drug addict who cuts herself out of self-loathing. In either one of these personalities, she can outwit the system and escape capture. She is capable of being alone and possesses insights that make her powerful. Emily serves as an excellent commentary on nuclear catastrophes as she experiences the sheer pain of missing her parents and her dog and needing a friend. Please join us for a lively discussion of this interesting novel. For further information, please contact Doreen Sanders at (951) 769-1913. ~ Irene Welker Book Club Note from Joseph Laurin: Everything in the universe has its seasons, including human life. I recognize now in my own life that one season is ending here at the Four Seasons where, in spite of my dear wife's illness, I have been so happy. Thank you staff, good neighbors and friends, especially those of the Writers' Club, for the comfort and joy you gave me for nearly eight years. My best wishes to you all. Writers' Club The Computer and Technology Group was formed by some residents who had skills in various technology areas and were willing to share those skills with other community members. Our hope is that we can present topics which will enhance our understanding and use of all the technological gadgets available to us today. We ask attendees what devices they would like to learn more about and then try to find expertise within our community. When the skills are not available within the community, we try to get outside speakers to address those topics. April's subject of iPhone and iPad usage was presented by Eric Zarr, the assistant manager of our on-site management company. May's topic on social networking will be a networked presentation (the speaker will present the topic via Skype). Come join us for some interesting learning experiences, and suggest topics for future meetings. We meet the second Tuesday of the month at 10:30 am in the Lodge Ballroom. Meetings are typically one hour long. ~ Howard Lyon Computer Technology The Writers Club will welcome a new club leader at the meeting on May 10. Joseph Laurin is the founder of the club and has been our leader over the last three years. His broad experience as an author and university instructor has benefited every member of the club. He has opened our minds and our ears to new experiences and how to write about them. He has been an excellent leader, encouraging all members to do their best in whichever genre they want to write. We have technical writers, fiction writers, non-fiction writers, science- fiction writers and every other genre. He has helped them all. He will be missed. As he resigns, he has found the club a new leader, Ms. Alda Dyal Chand. She is a university instructor and is already preparing some ideas for future programs. We look forward to meeting and working with her. Info., (760) 832-4676. ~Jean Laurin-Lawrence

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