Program of Events
The Region holds four meetings per year, one per quarter on alternating Saturdays and Sundays. Our regular meeting dates are the last Saturday in March, the first Sunday in May, the last Saturday in September, and either the first or second Sunday of December. The date may fluctuate by a week or two if there are scheduling difficulties, conflicting holidays, weather emergencies, or other circumstances. We announce all meeting dates and programs at the beginning of the calendar year; detailed information about the 2013 program will be available by January 31, 2013.
Note the date change for the "summer" meeting.
The 2012 meeting dates are: Saturday, March 31, 2012; Saturday, April 28, 2012 (Jane Austen Day); Saturday, September 29, 2012; and Sunday, December 9, 2012.
2012 Events
Spring Program
Event: Our speakers will be Michael Gamer, Associate Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania, and Sarah Kotlova, Digital Marketing Specialist at Digitaria JWT. They will explore Jane Austen as a social media phenomenon in their presentation, "Jane Austen and Social Media." Mentioned once every five minutes across global media channels, Jane Austen has an Internet presence that includes 25,000 user-created stories, videos, and other creative projects. Yet, social media's dynamics -- the power to accelerate, decentralize, and democratize communication, and its ability to make private matters public -- were hardly new in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. What perspectives does Austen bring to this quasi-new phenomenon? We will explore this question and more in this examination of our favorite author's timelessness.
Location: The Bonniemeade/Wheelwright Rooms of the Joseph Ambler Inn, 1005 Horsham Road, North Wales, PA 19073, 215.362.7000
Date: Saturday, March 31, 2012
Time: 11:30 AM to 3:00 p.m.; Luncheon to be served promptly at noon.
Directions: If traveling from a distance, use the PA turnpike and exit at Fort Washington, Exit 339. Take Route 309 north, immediately upon exiting from the turnpike. (Note that this exit is under construction and signs are difficult to see.) Travel approximately seven miles to Upper State Road in North Wales. Turn right onto Upper State Road. Approximately a mile later, turn right onto Horsham Road (toward Chalfont) at the traffic light. The inn is on the left. Please visit the Inn's website if you require more detailed directions.
Menu: Stationary hors-d'oeuvres of grilled seasonal vegetables, served with fresh herb aioli will be available before the luncheon. You may select from among the following luncheon entrees: (1) Parmesan crusted breast of chicken with lemon and chardonnay butter sauce ($39 for JASNA members; $49 for guests and non-members), (2) Herb roasted filet of salmon with citrus beurre blanc sauce ($39 for JASNA members; $49 for guests and non-members), or (3) Petite filet mignon with Dijon brandy cream sauce ($49 for JASNA members; $59 for guests and non-members). All entrees are served with a salad of mixed baby lettuces with red onions, grape tomatoes, and white balsamic vinaigrette. Dessert will be brownie sundae with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. Coffee, tea, and rolls will be provided.
This meeting is open to the public, and reservations are required to attend this event. The reservation form will be available on this website or you may find it in the February issue of "Bits & Scraps," the regional newsletter sent to all members. Please note that online and credit card processing are not available.
Summer Program
Event: This year we will hold our first ever Jane Austen Day - a complete day devoted to "Elizabeth Bennet: Delightful Creature." For details of the day's events see our Jane Austen Day page.
Location: Sheraton Society Hill Hotel, One Dock Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Telephone: 215.238.6000
Date: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Price: The price for this special event will be $95. The program features three outstanding speakers: Joan Ray (past president of JASNA and author of Jane Austen for Dummies), Carrie Rickey (former film critic for the Philadelphia Inquirer), and Mary Bly (Professor of English at Fordham University and romance author also known as Eloisa James). Luncheon, emporium, and tote bag are included.
Registration: Registration begins February 8. The registration form will be available on this website on that date. This event is open to the public. Please note that online and credit card processing are not available.
Directions: Please visit the hotel's website for directions. Hotel parking is available at the discounted rate of $21.00 for this event. Metered parking is also available in the hotel's vicinity. Parking garages are located on Walnut, Spruce, 2nd and 3rd Streets.
This meeting is open to the public, and reservations are required to attend this event. The registration form will be available to download from this site on February 8, 2012. We anticipate this event will sell out, so please register promptly.
Autumn Program
Event: Mill Grove was the first American home of John James Audubon, renowned artist and naturalist, and it inspired his passion for drawing birds in their natural habitats. He arrived at Mill Grove in 1803, the year Jane Austen sold her manuscript, Susan (which would later become Northanger Abbey) to Benjamin Crosby. The museum houses one of the finest collections of Audubon art including Birds of America, considered one of the finest ornithological works ever completed.
Location: 1201 Pawlings Road, Audubon, PA 19403. The John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove lies approximately 6 miles west of Norristown, 5 miles north of Valley Forge exit #326 (old exit #24) on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (King of Prussia), 18 miles east of Pottstown, 24 miles west of Philadelphia, and 12 miles south of the Lansdale area. The entrance to the center is situated at the junction of Audubon and Pawlings Roads in the village of Audubon, Pennsylvania. Telephone: 610.666.5593.
Date: Saturday, September 29, 2012
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mill Grove has a pavilion and members are welcome to bring a picnic luncheon so that, following the tour, we can enjoy more time together.
Directions: Please visit the museum's website for detailed driving directions.
Reservations are required to attend this event. The reservation form will be available on this website or you will find it in the reservation form in the August issue of "Bits & Scraps," the regional newsletter which is sent to all members. This event is limited to JASNA members in good standing and their guests (Members and guests: $6 per person). Please note that online and credit card processing are not available.
Winter Program
Event: We gather to celebrate the 237th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth by making merry with fellow Janeites. What entertainment awaits us this year? Games, quizzes, charades? Most certainly good conversation in the best of company. Please join us to delight in each other's company as we cavort merrily and behave in ways "most profligate and shocking."
Location: Ellerslie at Crosslands, Kennett Square, PA 19348
Date: Sunday, December 9, 2012
Time: 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Directions: Follow Route 1, north or south depending upon one's starting point, to Route 52 north. Turn onto Route 52 north, then follow Route 52 north, until turning onto Route 926 east. OR follow Route 3, east or west depending on one's starting point, then turn onto Rout 926 west. Turn into Crosslands parking lot from Route 926.
Please bring a sweet or savory to share. Coffee and tea will be provided. Another Birthday Basket will be offered. Take a chance!
Photo Credit: Photographs courtesy of the Joseph Ambler Inn, the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove (M.J. Ticcino, photographer), and the Kendal Corporation.