Join the Peoria Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, a collaboration between the Peoria Women’s Club and Bradley University’s OLLI program. Discover the oldest continuous book club in the U.S., founded in 1878, dedicated to promoting reading across various disciplines. This semester’s selection includes four books from the Chautauqua Institution’s annual list:
Friday, September 6: The Excellent Lombards (2017 Book Selection) by Jane Hamilton
Friday, October 4: The Devil’s Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance (2024 Book Selection) by Dan Egan
Friday, November 1: The First Ladies (2024 Book Selection) by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
Friday, December 6: Strangers Drowning: Impossible Idealism, Drastic Choices, and the Urge to Help (2016 Book Selection) by Larissa MacFarquhar
The Excellent Lombards Description: Mary Frances "Frankie" Lombard cherishes her family's apple orchard and its lively cast of relatives. With her brother William, cousin Amanda, and father, she delights in orchard escapades and daily routines. Yet, the looming reality of family members leaving the farm unsettles her. Urbanization, inheritance issues, and impending college decisions disrupt Frankie's tranquil world. As she confronts the inevitability of change, Frankie must reconcile her idealized dreams with the complexities of family ties, questioning whether love means holding on or embracing change.
Start anytime for the opportunity to graduate nationally. Registration includes breakfast, snacks, coffee, and a $10 CLSC membership fee. We welcome all who are interested in literature and intellectual discussions.
Questions?
Contact Peoria CLSC Instructor Lynette Steger at (309) 642-2688 or stegerlynette@gmail.com.
Location: Peoria Women’s Club, 301 NE Madison Ave., Peoria, IL 61603
Here’s where you can find parking around PWC:
