Regional News

Please Note: Meeting information can be found on the Program of Events page.

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Lizzy Bennet Reading News

Publicity Begins for Region's 2012 Jane Austen Day

The Region has posted the first in a series of videos through the Region’s Facebook and YouTube accounts that promote Jane Austen Day, the theme of which is Elizabeth Bennet: Delightful Creature. The videos, which will be posted periodically during 2011 and 2012, were created by Zach Phillips of the Kitchen studio under the direction of board members Kim Kurz, Marietta Rizzone, Paul Savidge, and Elizabeth Steele. The Video Committee would like to thank Paul Savidge who chaired the committee and showed a generosity of spirit seldom surpassed. Catherine Slaymaker, region member since 2005, portrayed Elizabeth Bennet with “a mixture of sweetness and archness in her manner.” JASNA-Eastern Pennsylvania would like to thank the staff of None Such Farm Market in Buckingham, Pennsylvania, particularly George Berbaum and Karen Yerkes, and Region member Dan Macey for providing a delicious repast on the day of the shoot.

The Region is on Facebook

The Region now has a fan page on Facebook (FB)! Demonstrate Regional loyalty and devotion by becoming a Fan. Use this link to find us. Student members are encouraged to email photos of themselves with Jane Austen to be added to the "Jane Austen & I" album. View the Region's photo albums, read the posts, and check on events and meetings. The Facebook steward hopes you will behave in a most particular way by "liking" our page.

Student Workshop A Success

Villa Maria Academy was the site of the Region's first Student Workshop program. Volunteers from the region treated the students to snacks, gifts, and a Jane Austen program of "Pride and Prejudice: Book vs. Movie." Student volunteers read from the novel, and corresponding scenes from four versions of the movies and television series were shown. Thoughtful comments on the part of the students led to an interesting and entertaining afternoon. If you are a regional high school student, JASNA member or no, who would like JASNA-Eastern Pennsylvania to hold a student workshop at your school, please contact the Regional Coordinator.

Enter JASNA's Essay Contest

Would you like to attend this year's Annual General Meeting that will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Sense and Sensibility? You can, if you win first prize in JASNA's student essay contest. JASNA has posted this year's essay question, as well as information about submission rules and the wonderful prizes.

Does Captain Wentworth Have a Castle?

Wentworth Castle, built in 1730 by Thomas Wentworth, came to the attention of region members at the 2009 AGM through breakout speaker Dr. Janine Barchas.

Learn about Philadelphia AGMs

JASNA’s Fifth and 31st AGMs were held in Philadelphia. Learn more about the first Philadelphia AGM and the most recent AGM hosted by the region.

Region Member Oakley Strasser Winner of JASNA Essay Contests

JASNA-Eastern Pennsylvania is proud of member Oakley Strasser whose essay, "'Real Evils': Mr. Woodhouse's Creation of a Damsel in Distress," placed first in the High School Division of the 2007 JASNA Essay Contest. Oakley's second-place essay from the 2006 Essay Contest was "Sisterly Affection, Sisterly Competition: Sibling Rivalry in Jane Austen's Novels."

Visit JASNA's "Austen on Film" section for movie information

JASNA has a comprehensive "Austen on Film" section on its Web site, with cast lists and other information for adaptations of Jane Austen's novels. There also is a list of documentaries and film homages to Jane Austen's work.

Visit JASNA's Special Events page to learn about additional meetings in our area

The Special Events page on the JASNA website lists regional events besides our four regular yearly meetings. Check the page regularly to be sure you don't miss anything!

Additions to Pennsylvania Jane Austen Letterboxing Series

Janeites who are "very good walkers" might want to search Letterboxing.org to find the Jane Austen series of letterboxing adventures in our region. Learn about letterboxing through the site and combine two favorite pastimes. Hint: Search for boxes in Pennsylvania placed by "Clueless."

Visit the JASNA web site for the latest news about JASNA and Jane Austen

jasna.org is an excellent resource for learning more about Jane Austen and her work, with a biographical page, information about upcoming Annual General Meetings, and Persuasions (including full text of many out-of-print issues) and Persuasions On-Line.