RAPS Group Reports The RAPS Book Group. The book group met on March 21 at the home of Felicia Wirtz and discussed A Man Called Ove by the Swedish writer Fredrik Backman. The discussion centered on the skill of the story-teller, the artful use of language, and the poignancy of the tale—as well as identifying the frequent episodes that were very funny. It was a book that we all enjoyed. True to our roots in academia, we tried to ground the events of the book in the culture of Sweden, about which we knew very little. The book selected for discussion in April is The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro. Set in post-Arthurian Britain, it is a tale of an elderly couple that set off on a journey to visit their son. The back cover describes it as “a luminous meditation on the art of forgetting, and the power of memory, an extraordinary tale of love, vengeance and war.” We will meet at the home of Phyllis Leonard which is in the complex called Hassalo on 8th. Her address is 1061 NE 9th Ave, Apartment #1623 at the Aster Tower. The entrance to the building is actually on Hassalo Street. Max red, blue, and green lines also are very close. Please telephone Phyllis at 503-930-5672 or e-mail her at leonard.pj@gmail.com and let her know whether you will be there. The book group meets the third Tuesday of every month at 1:30. New members are always welcome. -–Joan Shireman The RAPS Bridge Group. The RAPS bridge group meets in the afternoon on the first Tuesday of each month. We begin play at 12:15 pm. We try to finish up by 4 PM. We meet in Smith Center, usually on the second floor, but sometimes on the third floor. Please mark your calendars for the following upcoming months; bridge dates, rooms and times: Tuesday, April 4, 2017; 12:15 pm in SMSU 294 Note: May date is on Monday (not Tuesday) *** Monday, May 8, 2017; 12:15 pm in SMSU 296 Tuesday, June 6, 2017; 12:15 pm in SMSU 294 I will send out the reminder email notice about one week prior to each date we play. The RAPS bridge group members are very 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 Tom and Cilla Dieterich led the February hike of 8 hikers. They started out with a one hour walking tour of the Pendleton Woolen Mills in Washougal followed by a 4.5 mile birding hike at the Steigerwald Wildlife Refuge just outside of Washougal. Eleven species were identified with the naked eye. Most were waterfowl or raptors. The outing was completed with lunch at the Wild Flower and Cupcake Café in Washougal. By the time you read this the March 28 hike should have taken place. It will also be an aquatic birding hike in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. The April 25 hike will be along Catherine Creek in the Columbia Gorge to Coyote Wall. There is a shorter hike less than 2 miles and a longer hike to Coyote Wall at 8.2 miles and more elevation gain. There are several return options that will be decided upon by the hikers participating. Sack lunch on the trail. More details are available at www.pdx.edu/raps .. 4 --Larry Sawyer
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