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2 Years For the Men Who Don’t Know How to Knit

Before last months meeting I was convinced our book club was going to “crash and burn.” The club known as the “Men Who Love to Knit and the Little Dogs Who Love Them” has been in existence for a little over two years.  Every month, usually an hour or two before the appointed hour, I get a feeling of fear and dread that no one will attend.  So far, the smallest attendance has been five members, usually 8 to 10 attend, once or twice we’ve had more.  There are approximately 18 names on the books, with about five long term “no shows” we have started to call “emeritus members.”  I just don’t have the heart to take them off the list.

Last month I called Lyndia Carter, the wife of Feburary’s host D. Robert Carter, and told them not to expect more than three or four members.  I usually email members a week or two before our club night, I didn’t do this; I usually email a couple days before, this I didn’t do either; finally I “work the phones,” reminding members just before the meeting begins; this last chore never crossed my mind.

Eight attended last month including D. Robert Carter (host and presenter), Roger Layton, Bruce Bennett, John A. Taylor, Donnie Morris, Ken Warner, and two new members Ryan Nielson (a Utah County deputy from Spanish Fork) and Marcus Smith from Provo and the host of KBYU Radio’s Thinking Aloud

The last two books we have read, unintentionally, deals with genocide.  In January we read Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust (2006) by Immaculée Ilibagiza (we spent a lot of time talking about tragic process of dehumanization that seems to precede this horrific action) and this month Cheyenne Autumn (1953) by Mari Sandoz, a book that stemmed the tide of unflattering stereotypical depictions of the American Indian, and attempts to offer an Indian perspective on the destruction of the Plains Indian nation.  Collegiality, Civility and friendship rules the program, however Bob found out fast only he liked the book.

Next month — tonight– we are reading one of, if not the first, novels that started the mystery genre, The Woman in White (1860) by Wilkie Collins,

John A. Taylor, who is tonight’s host, tipped us off about Ann Cannon’s Deseret News column (01/01/09) that, in part, ponders the question: what’s it like to read a club book you really hate?

Gentleman, If you are interested in joining our club drop me a line.

I’ll Be Starting a New Job in a Brand-spanking New Building

I will begin working for the LDS Church Historical Department on January 26. Fortuntenly as I take on this new assignment, the LDS Church is completing a new building, designed exclusively for collecting, preserving and making availble historical materials.  To read more about this new facility see the post on I Love Libraries.

What Am I Doing Here?

P. Bradford Westwood — I grew up in the shadow of  Y Mountain in Provo, Utah; and spent many a summer vacation in Oregon.

The Men’s Book Club

This book club has two names (both declared publicly, accepted by some and reputed by others): “The Men Who Knit and the Little Dogs Who Love Them” (after a book found by Roger Layton, the Lee Library PR man) and “The Book Club That Must Not Be Named” (offered by John A. Taylor, after the prior name was so vehemently resisted by a member).

Oh, For the Love of Letters! Collecting Personal Handwritten Correspondence (16-21st Centuries)

This is the text I wrote for the 2008 A. Dean Larsen Book Collecting Conference booklet.  To see the complete booklet go to  2008 booklet.To read about the 2009 conference see ADL Conference.

The Motto of this seminar is Littera Scripta Manet, Latin for “The Written Word Remains,” taken from the motto of the Worshipful Company of Scriveners (scribes) of the City of London. This hands-on seminar is a primer for collecting and caring for personal correspondence.

The A. Dean Larsen Book Collecting Conference (March 26-27, 2009)

The A. Dean Larsen Book Collecting Conference (March 26-27, 2009)  www.lib.byu.edu/adl

Since 2003 the Harold B. Library at Brigham Young University has hosts America’s only conference created specifically for collectors of rare library materials.  Yes, there are lots of book fairs and festivals, history of book conferences, and a growing number of educational venues created for professionals; there is not, however a conference focusing specifically on the needs, interests and education of rare book collectors.  Here is where the A. Dean Larsen Book Collecting Conference fits into the world!

Provo — Historic Preservation & Historic Sites

Provo — Historic Preservation and Historic Sites

Below is a larger version of an article co-written with Stephen Hales.  To read the reduced and published version see:  Provo Daily Herald (Monday, 29 September 2008)- Local Opinion: Efforts Showcase Value of Provo history by Brad Westwood and Stephen A. Hales

Provo has received the designation as one of America’s Preserve America Cities (http://www.preserveamerica.gov/overview.html).  Why, because of the city’s efforts to preserve historic and cultural resources.   Provo was also recognized because it has tried to make history economically useful as well.

Picturesque Locations Out & About in Provo

Here is an idea I pitched to a friend and magazine publisher the other day –

I’d like to write an article about little known picturesque locations in Provo; known mostly to wondering locals and professional photographers, that are unique and out of the way, often with panoramic views and/or historical buildings or landscapes.  This is a brief listing largely missing the “whys” regarding uniqueness –  to come later.  I am listing only three  (I started with ten and cut down the list in order to get this posting out).

Westwood’s Cafe & Greyhound Bus Depot (229 So. University Avenue, Provo, UT)

Westwood’s Cafe closed in c. 1980; the Greyhound Bus Depot, located in the same building, closed c. 1990; however, both of these business, with my father Dick Westwood in the center (in his white short-sleeve shirts and dark bow ties) remains forever opened in my mind.

So periodically I want to write about this seminal influence in my life.