Lunch 4 Literacy turns 30; goes virtual because of the pandemic
D. Ray Smith/Historically Speaking
One of the most enjoyable and highly successful annual events in Oak Ridge celebrates its 30th anniversary with its Tuesday, March 23, 2021, virtual event at 11:30 a.m. It is the Lunch 4 Literacy event co-sponsored by Altrusa International of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club.
Our speaker this year, Ruta Sepetys, is a Lithuanian-American writer of historical fiction, a No.1 New York Times bestselling author, an international bestselling author, and winner of the Carnegie Medal. She is expected to delight the audience with her stories and is renowned for giving voice to underrepresented history and those who experienced it. See her website: https://rutasepetys.com/.
The Philologos Society hosted a debate with the USC Hybrid High School debate team in the fall of 2020, via Zoom. The event was moderated by sophomore Lillian Goodwin. (Photo courtesy of Richard Petrosyan)
Two mottos guide the work of the Philologos Society, an organization founded by Richard Petrosyan in 2019: “Live a century and learn a century” and “succeed to serve.” Since its start, the organization, which aims to promote the intellectual growth of its members while serving the Los Angeles area, has been doing just that.
The Philologos Society got its name from the Ancient Greek word
philos meaning friend/love and
Christmas really is a magical time. The music, the decorations, the vibe are evident of a joyous, family time. Radio stations and SiriusXM started playing Christmas music the day after Halloween…and for good reason.
For many folks this year is just plain difficult. COVID, separation, loss of what’s normal, and loss of loved ones during the year call for a more somber Christmas. I know, the Christmas in 2000 and 2012 were notable for the absence of my dad and mom respectively and in 1995 and 2007 for Terri’s dad and mom.
Yet, somehow, the Guth and O’Shields’ clans persevered through the pain. Christmas was never quite the same but for us the deeper meaning of the season brought comfort and peace.