Sunday, September 20, 2009
By LISA LOSASSO BELL
Scribblers members pen for their own pleasure
Members gather to share their writings while enjoying each other’s company.
The Scribblers, which began as a committee of the Junior League of Youngstown, has been meeting since 1934.
The brainchild of Roberta P. Adams, founding member and first chairwoman, the club was started as a monthly gathering of women — at different ages and stages of their lives — with one thing in common. They enjoyed writing.
According to Emily Powers, a member since 1952, almost every Junior League had a scribblers club. However, theirs is the only remaining group in existence.
The formula for their meetings is simple and, they say, “simply magical.”
Taking turns as hostess, the women meet nine months out of the year, on the first Monday of each month.
A couple of weeks ahead, the hostess sends out postcards to announce the meeting, and those who can attend R.S.V.P. in a timely fashion.
The hostess prepares a salad and dessert, and each member takes a sandwich to be shared. According to the current membership, peanut butter is the only no-no.
In addition, they take a recently written piece, such as poetry or prose, fiction or nonfiction, humor, commentary or current events. Written contributions can be anywhere in length from a short Haiku to five or six double-spaced pages.
Sometimes, because life can become quite hectic, members of the group can take a “bye” and arrive with a TOA or “Ticket of Admission,” which can be anything from a hand-written couplet to a simple paragraph.
Technically, each member gets one TOA per year, but members are quite understanding and accommodating when it comes to life’s little interruptions.
The group meets at noon to enjoy a glass of wine or juice and each other’s company. Their sandwiches are cut into fours and served on a platter along with the hostess’s contributions.
After coffee or tea, members hand out their anonymous pieces and each member reads a piece aloud.
“We listen, we share observations about what we’ve heard, we laugh, we cry and we talk,” said member Sarah Cart. “Sometimes spells are woven; sometimes, we solve all of the world’s problems.”
After all of the contributions have been read, the members have, what they refer to as “confessions,” when the author of each piece is revealed.
“Scribblers was always a wonderful respite from the writing you do as a lawyer,” said Susan Kats, member and retired lawyer.
Typically, the meetings can last until 2 or 3 p.m.
Exception to the rule
Exceptions to the “first Monday” rule are in September, due to Labor Day, and occasionally in January, depending on when the New Year falls. On occasion, meeting dates are changed during March and April, depending on Easter and spring break.
Although the hostess schedule is typically set up late each spring for the following year, it is subject to change.
According to Stephanie Hunter, the current chairwoman, attendance is not mandatory, and white gloves are a thing of the distant past.
“I’m not sure ‘leading light’ Roberta Adams would recognize all the details of a 21st-century Scribblers gathering, but I know she would enjoy seeing how her brainchild has evolved to handle modern realities while still preserving the magic,” said Cart.
Current members also include Becky Marx, who joined in 1993; Pat Cummins, who began attending in 1950 after her first child was born; Judy McCartney; Nancy Beeghly; Diane Armbrecht, a member since 1971; Jane Tims; Mary Beth Williamson; Toni Beard; and Fran Into.
Where there’s a will ...
Of course, there are times when life takes you away from your little pleasures. Members sometimes move away or can’t attend due to life circumstances.
Such is the case with Tims, a former Youngstowner who moved to Virginia but keeps involved by e-mailing her work.
“That’s one good thing about Scribblers,” said Beeghly. “You can always come back.”