43
Discussion group dines at Denny’s
Photo
Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem.The Coast to Coast AM Discussion Group met at Austintown's Denny's to discuss the advantages of wild vegetables. The group meets every third Saturday of the month.
Photo
Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem.Windham resident Rusty Quick (center) spoke to the Coast to Coast AM Discussion Group July 17 about wild vegetables. The group discusses a different topic each month.
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
Boardman resident Laura Tellman needed some good conversation. She spent years traveling to Cleveland and Pittsburgh to participate in conferences and seminars on topics that interested her.
But she got tired of driving long distances to stimulate her intellect. Thanks to her own idea, she doesn’t have to any more.
In 1997, she founded the Coast to Coast AM Discussion Group, a gathering of more than 30 intellectuals who meet at Denny’s on Mahoning Avenue, to learn and discuss various topics of interest.
“I wanted something right here, I was tired of having to travel outside of the area,” she said.
The group piggybacked its name and discussion topics from the radio talk show, “Coast to Coast AM,” which airs locally on 570 AM from 1 a.m. until 5 a.m.
The discussion group originally called itself the “Art Bell Discussion Group” after the main moderator on the radio show. Bell has since retired and the group changed its name.
Like the radio show, the discussion group tackles spiritual, metaphysical, holistic, meditation, nutritional and paranormal topics. Guest speakers have included group members as well as out-of-state guests.
“We have even had speakers from the radio show come and talk with us,” Tellman said.
Group member Tom Binnkley has been a part of the discussion group for more than 10 years. He enjoys the monthly chats, especially when they deal with physical improvement.
“I like when we have speakers who talk about healing through alternative medicine,” he said. “It is also good to socialize.”
The group meets in Austintown, but has had attendees from as far away as Cleveland and Steubenville. Tellman said the group provides a gathering ground for individuals who are interested in the same topics to socialize and discuss opinions.
“The friendships that have developed over the years is just inspiring to me,” Tellman said. “We have become a really close-knit group.”
The group meets at Denny’s the third Saturday of each month at 7 p.m. It is open to the public and there are no membership fees. The next discussion will be Aug. 21 on the topic of “spiritual enlightenment.”
For information, contact Tellman at 330-781-0330.