May Meeting: Special Guest Paige Johnson

Our May 15 meeting will be hosted by Judy Isaacs and feature a presentation by Paige Johnson on "Jane Austen in the Garden." Paige, who holds a degree in Garden History from the University of Bristol, is highly regarded for research which ranges from the Atomic Gardens of the 1950s to the Art Deco gardens of 1920s and 30s to the hydraulically engineered seventeenth-century gardens of Wilton House in Wiltshire, England. In addition to her monograph Gatsby’s Garden, she has published articles in Apollo and Garden History, among others, and maintains the Garden History Girl blog. She is currently at work on a book of literary garden history, which is expected to appear next year.  Paige is also a doyenne of playground design and the internationally cited author of the enormously popular blog and website Playscapes (www.play-scapes.com). She lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she is employed as a nanotechnology researcher. 

The Middle Tennessee Region is grateful to the JASNA grants committee for their support of Paige's visit.

The Sunday, May 15 meeting is from 2 to 4 p.m., and Region members are asked to confirm their attendance and bring a treat to share. If you need directions, please contact us at janeaustenmidtn@gmail.com.

Looking Good at 200!

Thanks to Betsy Fleetwood for hosting the first JASNA MidTn meeting of the year -- a delightful afternoon all around! A special treat was a photo report by Jo Ann and Phil Staples about their recent visit to Biltmore Estate to see the exhibit Fashionable Romance: Wedding Gowns in Films, featuring several worn by Austen characters. (There was much sighing over Colonel Brandon's glorious red coat.)

Then we turned to a spirited discussion all about Emma, steered by Anna Groom, covering the residents of Hartfield, Donwell Abbey, Randalls and Highbury. A round of "shu-rahds" capped the afternoon.

This was also the first meeting for the new regional coordinators, Caroline Davis and Andrea Hearn (whew!). Pictured are Andrea Hearn, Anna Groom, Caroline Davis and Betsy Fleetwood.

And make a note: The next meeting is now set for Sunday, May 15, 2 to 4 pm. It was originally announced for May 22, but May 15 is indeed the confirmed date. We hope you'll join us for a presentation by noted garden historian Paige Johnson, who's traveling from Oklahoma to share her expertise!

"Pride and Prejudice and Zombies," Oh My!

JASNA Middle Tennessee members were recently invited to a special preview screening of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, coming to theaters nationwide on February 5. 

The film is based on the 2009 novel of the same name (authored by Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen) in which England is overrun with the undead. Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet and her sisters -- skilled in martial arts and weaponry -- prove too much for the zombie apocalypse. Was there ever a doubt?

There are plenty of laughs and fabulous costumes, and this may be the most memorable Mr. Collins of all time. All things considered, it's a tasteful level of gore! 

Pictured following fearless zombie hunter Debbie Carroll (dead center) are Adam and Anna Groom, Betsy Fleetwood, Rachel Agee, Shellie Odin, Caroline Davis and JoAnn and Phil Staples.

Roger Moore is Guest Speaker at Dec JASNA Meeting

You are cordially invited to a special

December JASNA meeting

hosted by Mildred Tilley and Jo Ann Staples

When: Sunday, December 6, 2015,  from 2:00-4:00 pm

Where:  4413 Howell Place, Nashville, TN 372

Program : “Jane Austen and the Dissolution of the Monasteries”

presented by Roger E. Moore

Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences at Vanderbilt University

Jane Austen refers to the medieval abbeys, churches, and chapels quite frequently in her writings.  In this talk Professor Moore will explore how her representation of these places reveals her critical attitude toward the Reformation, specifically the Dissolution of the Monasteries. From considering how the Tilney ancestors obtained Northanger Abbey, to exploring Fanny Price’s preference for monastic architecture, to examining the medieval history of the Royal Garrison Chapel in Mansfield Park, he will suggest the richness of Austen’s engagement with England’s sacred landscape.

Prior to Professor Moore’s talk, we will celebrate the 230^th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth

with toasts and birthday cake

as well as honor incoming JASNA Regional Coordinators:

Andrea Hearn and Caroline Davis

Please RSVP to Mildred Tilley at:  millietilley@gmail.com

Refreshments will be provided

Fall JASNA Meeting Features Field Trip to Andrew Jackson's Hermitage

Since the theme of JASNA's 2015 Annual General Meeting (AGM) is "Living in Jane Austen's World," the program committee thought a trip to Andrew Jackson's Hermitage might complement and enhance the information presented for Middle TN JASNA members.who were able to attend the AGM as well as for others who were unable to make the trip to Louisville in October.

Although Andrew Jackson's "world" on the frontier of Tennessee seems far removed from Jane Austen's "world" in Regency England, their lives overlapped in history as well as in other ways.  Jackson's career as a general in the American Army during the War of 1812 contrasts with Austen's interest in  Britain's Navy during the Napoleonic Wars.  Although Jackson married, he had no children, so his family consisted of adopted children, some of whom were children of relatives.  Likewise, Austen never married, but was extremely close to her nephews and nieces.  Most importantly, Andrew Jackson and Jane Austen were both eloquent writers.  We know about Austen's ironic humor and deep understanding of human foibles in her classic novels, but Andrew Jackson was also a powerful writer and witty raconteur.

We hope that you will attend JASNA's Fall Meeting at Andrew Jackson's Hermitage on Sunday, Oct.18 from 2:00-4:00 pm. 

If you would like to eat a light snack/luncheon prior to the tour, The Kitchen Cafe will be open. Those who wish to eat together can do so @ 1:00 pm. We will meet in the lobby of the Visitor's Center and begin our tour promptly at 2:00 PM.

Cost is $20.00 for General Admission.  
For driving directions to The Hermitage as well as other information, go to the Hermitage Website at: http://thehermitage.com/visit/ or contact Mildred Tilley at: millietilley@gmail.com.

JASNA Members Get "Crafty" at Summer Meeting

Mildred Tilley proudly shows off her newly made Jane Austen collage

Led by expert crafter and JASNA member, Debbie Carrell, JASNA members spent a lovely July afternoon making unique Jane Austen collages using various mediums including:  paint, tissue paper, cloth, ribbon, ink,  rubber stamping, etc.  For those of us who were new to crafting, we were amazed at what we were capable of doing under Debbie's expert tutelage and organization of a plethora of materials.  In addition to enjoying the craft workshop, attendees were treated to wonderful snacks and beverages provided by hostess, Connie Little, at her Franklin-area home situated on a verdant hill that might be the perfect backdrop for a movie re-make of Sense and Sensibility!  Thanks again, Debbie and Connie!!

Tying Turbans in May: Something New for JASNA Members

Tonya Staggs (R) begins to wrap long strands of cloth into

a pretty turban for Andrea Hearn (L)

On May 3, Middle Tennessee JASNA members were introduced not only to the history of turbans as a fashion trend, but also learned techniques for wrapping a number of wonderful turban headpieces for themselves and their friends.  Through a wonderful power point presentation, Tonya Staggs, Education Director at Historic Traveller's Rest, shared numerous slides of turbans throughout history.  In her well-crafted presentation, Ms. Staggs shared examples of turbans of the Regency period like ones Jane Austen may have worn as well as turbans in other historic periods via their representation in beautiful portrait paintings and fashion plates.

  Caroline Davis (L) strikes a pose with Roberta Maguire (Center) and Andrea Hearn (R)

Tonya Staggs puts finishing touches on Anna Groom's turban

Mildred Tilley likes her brown turban fashioned by Betsy Fleetwood

Jo Ann Staples (R) admires Anna Groom's (L) beautiful turban!

A fluffy feather adds the right touch to finish this elegant turban.