Note that the meetings in September and November are on the fourth Saturday of the month, a week later than usual, because of venue scheduling conflicts.

• 25 Sep 2010 - The Mystique of the Pineapple: A Lure for General Tilney

  Carrying the weight of international rivalry with the Dutch and the cachet of royal approval, the growing of pineapples in cool and cloudy England was an alluring challenge for many of the landed gentry during the Regency. Why did Jane Austen select the pinery as the appropriate part of the garden for General Tilney to highlight?

  Shannon Campbell of JASNA Edmonton, a botanist with an interest in the history of horticulture, agriculture, and climatology, is likely one of the few people who will answer this question (or ask it!). Since her presentation to us on Apples and Apple-blossom Time (Wherein Jane Austen's Reputation for Meticulous Observation is Vindicated), we've been waiting to hear more from her. This talk promises to be intriguing!

• 27 Nov 2010 - Reading in the Rectory: Did Jane Know These Books?

  Come and see contemporary books (yes, old books!) that Jane might have known, might have handled, who knows? Look at, touch some of what was there for her perusal.

  Amber Adams, a former librarian at the Queen's University of Belfast and current editor of Brontë Studies, presents a ramble round books published in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries from her collection. Some of these are referred to in Jane’s writing; some she may have seen in her father’s library; she may have been familiar with some of the plays. All of these books were available at the time from booksellers, grocers and pedlars. Ephemeral material, widely dispersed and used, will be featured too. Some of the books are unfortunately in poor condition – to be handled gently – but you will be introduced to the spread of publications.

• 15 Jan 2011 - Jane's Birthday Party

  Please join us as we celebrate Jane's birthday with a tea party (again)! Our beloved leader of the "Sprigged Muslin" dancers and experienced dance instructor, Pat Barton, will share with us on the Development of Dance: Climate, Building, and Clothing. Tickets and further details will be available soon.

• 19 Mar 2011 - To be announced

• 14 May 2011 - To be announced

Our Georgian Fayre was a great success! Thanks go to the wonderful members who planned and presented wonderful entertainments, and to those who brought delicious refreshments.

We gratefully acknowledged our new Regional Coordinator, Catherine Gardner. A great JASNA Calgary member, Catherine hosted our Fayre and made the Gooseberry Fool for our refreshments. The cucumber sandwiches were made by Elvee, Ann brought toasted walnuts, and the ginger sparkles were created by Linda. Linda also gave us a heritage recipe to try on our own.

Suzi began the fun by drawing Jane through a worm hole that ended in a cash cow! Perhaps you had to be there, but Suzi provided a summary to remind us of her convoluted, strangely convincing logic.

A long-time reader of Jane Austen, Tom posed difficult questions that have puzzled him over the years. His serious, deadpan delivery had us all in stitches.

Samantha Adkins read two chapters of her novel, Expectations. We were entertained with the Bennet sisters' desires for heirs in their respective families.

Ann Marie and Emma concluded the presentations by persuading us that Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has an unexpectedly respectable place in the Jane Austen world. If we can accept Elizabeth and Darcy kissing endlessly at the end of the Hollywood version of Pride and Prejudice, why not Zombies?!