Our Branch Program will meet via ZOOM on September 29 from 1PM – 2PM.

Our speaker will be Lifespan Greater Rochester President and CEO Ann Marie Cook who is a well-qualified community leader who in 2019 won the Leadership Award from the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Top Workplace Award. Her expertise has paved the way for her to serve on the Council of Agency Executives, the Al Sigl Community of Agencies, and the Regional Health Information Organiza- tion, among others.

Ms. Cook has been involved in local actions and discussions about how Covid 19 has impacted our community and she has served as an advocate for the older adult population who have been especially affected by the virus.

In addition to her remarks about her experiences since March’s virus appearance, she will inform us about her life’s career journey and the mission and ongoing services of Lifespan where she has been employed for over 24 years.

Bring pertinent inquiries for our guest. If you wish you could submit questions ahead of the event to Eileen Hartmann via email or call her at 585-704-4876.

Book Group will meet via Zoom on Monday, September 28, at 3:30 PM.

Please RSVP to Judy DuPre by email or call her at 223-0276 on or before September 26 if you plan to attend.

The September selection is The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson.

It is a novel based on a representative of the WPA era Pack Horse library project who was a member of the rare Blue People (historically the blue Fugates) who originated in Normandy.Weaving the story around these two historically factual circumstances, we find the heroine, Cussy Mary. She is the courageous, determined protagonist of a heartbreaking and heartwarm- ing tale as she faces discrimination and danger to delivers literature she believes will have the power to transform the impoverished existence of 1930s folks of backwoods Kentucky.

It seems this one has a “hook” to capture everyone.

Great Decisions will meet via Zoom on September 14, at 3:30 PM.

Pat Sulouff will lead the discussion of Reading #7, The Philippines and the U.S.

The Philippines has had a special relationship with the United States since the islands were ceded by Spain to the United States after the Spanish-American War at the end of the 19th century. However, since the election of  Rodrigo Duterte, the country has pivoted more toward China, and away from the U.S. Duterte has also launched a large-scale war on drugs that many criticize for its brutality. What does the future hold for U.S. relations with the Philippines?

More detailed information will be sent to members closer to the actual date via email.

New members are always welcome. For more information please contact Judy DuPre at 223-0276

The lunch group meets on the first Wednesday of each month all summer.These meetings will be replaced by FAB Cocktail hours at 4 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month until the restaurants are open

Book group will be a zoom meeting on June 1@ 3:00 p.m.to select books for next year.Please send your suggestions to Judy DePre by May 25th. Contact Carol Richardson if you want to participate in the Zoom meeting and are not currently on the book group mailing list.

Nancy Bellini is the hostess volunteer for the June 1^st meeting to discuss Jon Meacham’s The Soul of America:  The Battle for our Better Angels.  She will retain the responsibility of leading discussion on this book.   Please submit your RSVP notices by May 28^th to Carol Richardson  via email or call her at 585-223-5954). She  will set up a Zoom meeting at 3:00 p.m. on June 1.  Carol will forward an invitation to the meeting by May 30^th .

Book reviews of Jon Meacham’s 2018 book indicate that this book gives a hopeful perspective that Americans have ultimately always sought to do the right thing.  It would seem that this message would help our season end on a high note.  I am looking forward to digesting Meacham’s uplifting historical presentation and discussing with all of you!

FAB’s 2020 annual meeting will be a Zoom meeting on Monday, May 18^th at 4:00 p.m. The agenda and attachments for this meeting will be provided to all branch members by May 14^th.

Our by-laws require that the proposed slate of branch officers be provided to our members ten days before the annual meeting.  Please go to the password protected Members Only page to view online the May Canal Chronicle for the list of proposed slate of branch officers.

Other agenda items will be: approval of the minutes of the last annual meeting, a treasurer report, a program report, and announcement of the dates of the summer planning meetings.   Please contact Carol Richardson at 223-5954 or email her  if you have other agenda items for this meeting.

Our next meeting will take place via Zoom on May 11, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. Jean Keplinger will be our Zoom hostess as we discuss Reading #4: Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.

The Foreign Policy Association (FPA) has placed all DVDs on YouTube so we can view them prior to our discussion. Please note that the best way to access the DVDs is via the FPA website, not on YouTube directly. The website takes you to the actual DVD while the other may lead you to a series of long-winded lectures on the given topic.

Join our Cocktail Hour at 4:00 PM  on May 6, via  Zoom meeting coordinated by Carol Richardson. Call Carol at 223-5954 if you need a practice session with Zoo beforehand.

Join our Coffee Klatsch at 10:00 am via  Zoom meeting coordinated by Carol Richardson. Call Carol at 223-5954 if you need a practice session with Zoo beforehand.

Subject to change and/or cancellation due to the COVID-19 situation.

The April 27^th book group selection is Women Rowing North: Navigating Life’s Currents and Flourishing as we Age by Mary Pipher. It is scheduled to be held at the home of Judy DuPre at 3:00 p.m.

Please watch for a future announcement about the option to meet and delve into the book while you await confirmation of the meeting. It’s a good time to order the book for home delivery and prepare for advice from this distinguished author.