Well, I have been writing about activities during the “Shoulder Seasons”. We wanted to enjoy lacrosse and visiting maple syrup farms but Central New York rain and cold dampened the events and encouraged the grandparents and grand babies to stay home and read. However, one activity for a grandmother remained. A tea party with Fortnightly! I collected the extra table settings from my relatives, arranged some flowers, made some decaf tea and coffee, bought a cake from The Patisserie, and hosted a tea. However, this was not an ordinary tea. I consider this monthly tea as a way of memorializing and continuing a woman’s study group which helped many woman enjoy the winter months and the “Shoulder Seasons” of Auburn, Skaneateles, and Central New York. It provided a topic on which to focus their readings and also provided companions with whom the topic could be discussed. The meetings begin in the Fall and the last meeting is held in the Spring so members can anticipate and enjoy Central New York’s beautiful summers (see pictures of summer below).
The club originated on January 28th, 1884 when thirteen ladies met at the home of Mrs. James P. Knapp for the purpose of organizing a literary club for “mutual improvement by a systematic course of reading or study of some subject in History, Literature, Art or any topic which the club shall select.” Mrs. Knapp was elected president. She served 13 years until Mrs. W.H. Seward Jr. (wife of William Seward, Secretary of State under Lincoln), became president. The presidency now rotates yearly but the traditions established at that time continue to bond the members together.In the beginning the ladies met at least once every 2 weeks, thus the name Fortnightly. The number of members was limited because a “large circle was not desirable.” Membership was limited to 24 and often more than one paper was given, which was to be 45 minutes long. No refreshments were served. I suppose they were just feeding their minds! Over time the number of meetings was reduced to 12 and the membership was increased to 35 (but was then reduced back to 25). In 1907 a tea party became an integral part of the program. Today a member hosts a tea party once every 2 years. At the tea party each member not hosting a tea party that year delivers a paper on the selected topic of the year. There is only one paper given per meeting.
Although Fortnightly has made changes over the years, it continues on as a study group that gives its members something to read and study about over the “Shoulder Seasons” and winter. It provides discussions on various topics and a pleasant afternoon. The Internet has been added to the library as a great source of information and the members of Fortnightly continue to pursue their topics of interest. Last year, the topic was the great romances of history and this year it is China.
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