RAPS Group Reports The RAPS Book Group met on January 19 at the home of Marge and Leif Terdal. We had a most interesting discussion of Elizabeth Gilbert’s historical novel The Signature of All Things. The book had many themes to explore as the woman at the center of the novel struggled to overcome the isolation of her intellectual and wealthy upbringing, and to understand both her personal and scientific world. The role of a woman in science, at the time when Darwin’s theories were being developed, provided a fascinating setting. Our February meeting, February 16, will be at the home of Eileen and Steve Brennan, 5945 SW 152nd Ave., Beaverton. Email Eileen at brennane@pdx.edu or telephone a 503-646-6297 to let her know whether you will attend. We will be discussing A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunity by Nicolas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. From the back cover: “With scrupulous research and on-the-ground reporting, the authors explore how altruism affects us, what the markers are for success, and how to avoid pitfalls. In their recounting of astonishing stories from the front lines of social progress, we see the compelling, inspiring truth of how real people have changed the world, underscoring that one person can make a difference.” For those of you who like to read ahead, we will be discussing The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah at our March meeting, at the home of Felicia Wirth. The Book Group meets at 1:30 on the third Tuesday of every month. New members are always welcome. –Joan Shireman The RAPS Bridge Group will meet (or already has met) on Tuesday, February 2, 2016. We meet regularly on the first Tuesday of each month. Given the timing of the monthly RAPS Sheet let me inform you of a couple of upcoming bridge sessions: March 1, 2016 and April 5, 2016. On February 2, we will gather in Cascade Room (Room 236) of Smith Memorial Student Center at PSU. Playing begins at 1:00 pm and continues to about 4:30 pm. The RAPS Bridge Group members are friendly and are always looking for new players. If you wish to join us, please contact Steve Brennan, 503-646-6297. My email address is the.steve.brennan@gmail.com. --Steve Brennan The RAPS Hiking Group met on January 12, and six RAPS hikers braved the rain in Tryon Creek State Park. We hiked some of the loop trails in the upper part of the park as we were told those would be the least muddy. The total distance was probably less than 2.5 miles, but we decided to have an early lunch rather than hike any of the lower trails. Lunch was at an Italian restaurant in Lake Oswego. The February hike will be on Tuesday February 9, in Milo McIver State Park. Meet at the park entrance at 9:30 am. We will hike the bat barn trail at one end of the park and the trails around the disc golf course at the other end of the park. Lunch will be a sack lunch at one of the Clackamas River view points. The visitor guide with driving instructions and trail maps can be viewed at http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=main.loadFile&load=_siteFiles/publications/38229_mciver114 651.pdf. This is a day- use-fee park. Bring your state park pass if you have one. If you plan to attend, please contact larry_sawyer@comcast.net (there is an underscore between “larry” and “sawyer” in that email address) or call him at 503-771-1616 by Monday, February 9. --Larry Sawyer 3
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