RAPS group reports Book Group THE BOOK GROUP met on January 16 at the home of Nancy Chapman and discussed A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. It is a novel set in Russia in 1922, telling the story of a former member of the aristocracy sentenced by a Bolshevik tribunal to spend the rest of his life under house arrest in a Moscow hotel. We were as enthusiastic about the book as the reviewers had been, admiring the writing, the character development, the structure of the novel, and (we must admit) struggling to remember the details of the historical background. In February we will read Jodi Picoult’s Plain Truth, and will meet at the home of Gwen Pierce, 512 SW Maplecrest Drive, in Portland. This is an older novel by an author many of us have liked, set in Amish culture. It is, according to the back cover, “a riveting story of a murder that shatters the picturesque calm of Amish country and tests the heart and soul of the lawyer defending the woman at the heart of the storm.” Call Gwen at 503-246-9632 or email her at gwenpierce@comcast.net to let her know whether you will be there. In March we plan to read Exit West by Moshid Hamid, the story of two young people who leave the conflict of their homeland and settle in the West. We will meet at the home of Steve and Eileen Brennan. The Book Group meets the third Tuesday of every month at 1:30 pm. New members are always welcome. And we welcome suggestions of books that are interesting to read and full of issues for discussion. —Joan Shireman Bridge Group THE RAPS BRIDGE GROUPmeets 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 dates, rooms, and times: Monday (not Tuesday!), February 5, 2018; in SMSU 294 Tuesday, March 6, 2018; in SMSU 294 Tuesday, April 3, 2018; in SMSU 294 Tuesday, May 1, 2018; in SMSU 294 Tuesday, June 5, 2018; 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 Hiking Group THE FEBRUARY HIKE will be along the Old River Road in Lake Oswego. A description of this hike is available at https://www.oregonmetro.gov/tools-living/gettingaround/walk-there The Tuesday, February 27, hike begins at George Rogers Park, which is located at 611 State Street in Lake Oswego. Turn east on Green Street at State Street to access the parking lot, and park east of Furnace Street in the park’s lot. Hikers will meet in the George Rogers parking lot at 9:30 am. The Old River Road trail is on a paved path that is 1.3 miles long, for a total out and back of 2.6 miles with only minor elevation gain. Even on rainy days, the trail provides wonderful views of the Willamette River and the surrounding area, including seasonal waterfalls. The trail also features historical information about the Native Americans who settled in the area and the early industrial buildings that brought the iron and wood products industries to the town that is now Lake Oswego. Ruins of some of these early industrial buildings can be viewed along the hiking trail. There is also access to the waterfront, and a path to Marylhurst University for those who might like to hike farther. We plan to eat lunch at Nicoletta’s Table at 333 South State Street, Suite M, about a 5 minute walk from George Rogers Park. The January hike was a 7 mile loop across the Willamette River involving two bridges: the Sellwood Bridge and the Tilikum Crossing. Seven hikers participated and ate lunch in the Sellwood area at Grand Central Bakery. If you plan to hike in February, contact Larry Sawyer at 503771-1616 or larry_sawyer@comcast.net. For more details, please consult the RAPS hikers’ website: https://www.pdx.edu/raps/RAPS-Hikers —Larry Sawyer —-Photograph by Larry Sawyer 3 Dedicated hikers enjoying a well-deserved lunch at GrandCentral Bakery after a 7-mile loop hike over the Sellwood Bridge and the Tilikum Crossing.
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