Torch Club of The Fox Valley

Meeting Minutes
Torch Club of the Fox Valley
May 14, 2015
Atlas Coffee Mill & Café

Notes taken by Cam Maurice

MEMBERS PRESENT: Richard Schoenbohm, Barbara Kelly, Bill Kelly, Amy Oberg, Donna Weis, Paul Freiberg, Jan Smith, Janet Wullner-Fais Cloak, Jean Jepson, Webb Shaw, Walt Hedges, Mary Paulson, Nancy Bodway, Peter Thiel, Helen Thiel, Bob Swain, Marge Swain, Marcia Debbink, Dave Debbink, Camille Maurice.

Guests: none

BUSINESS MEETING

Meeting called to order at 6:38 p.m.

1. Minutes from 4/9/15 meeting were accepted, motioned and approved.
2. Treasurer’s report balanced is $1,605.42.  No changes since April meeting.

Report was accepted, motioned and approved.
3.         New Business:

A.  Richard asked if anyone was planning to attend the IATC Convention in
      June.  Donna Weis expressed interest.  Richard said he might attend.
B.  Paul Freiberg passed out a sign up sheet for next year's programs.
C.  Richard commented on the quality of articles in the current issue of Torch.
D.  Summer gathering will be held in August hosted by the Kellys.

4.         Announcements:

A.   Jan Smith recommended the William Morris exhibit currently at the  Bergstrom-Mahler. 
B.   Richard Schoenbohm announced that Alabama will be performing on July 11th  sponsored by the Lion’s Club of Greenville.

5.         Business segment adjourned at 6:58 for dinner.

Mary Paulson presented:         “Frederic Chopin and George Sand”

Both were geniuses in their field and much has been written about them including a book just published by Elizabeth Berg entitled “The Dream Lover.
Frederic Chopin (1811-1849) was born in Warsaw.  A child prodigy, he completed his musical education and composed many of his works in Warsaw before leaving Poland at the age of 20.  He settled in Paris which he embraced and never returned to Warsaw.
Chopin was considered a musical wonder but never published during his lifetime.
He supported himself by teaching and selling his compositions. 
He told his students, “You must sing with your fingers”.
George Sand (1804-1876) was born in Paris but raised for much of her childhood by her grandmother at her estate, Nohant.

Considered a tomboy and difficult to handle, full of “mystical fervor” she moved to Paris to live with her mother and married Casimir Dudevant at the age of eighteen and had two children.  She left her husband nine years later and engaged in a period of romantic rebellion.   She began dressing as a male and smoking cigars, etc...so she would have entry into male only groups and establishments.  Her writing at this time became more political in nature.  She was particularly concerned about the rights of women and the plight of children.  During this time she engaged in a intimate friendship with actress Marie Dorval which led to rumors of a lesbian affair.
Sand was introduced to Chopin by Franz Liszt.  Their ten year relationship was often troubled; Chopin was already ill when they met and Sand played the role of caretaker during most of the relationship which ended two years before Chopin died.  
George Sand’s books were popular during her life and there is a periodic resurgence of interest in her work.
Chopin’s works remain popular and he has been the subject of numerous films and biographies.