Glass presents book review for Wednesday Study Club
The Wednesday Study Club met on April 12, 2023, at the D Brown Library with 14 members present.
Pat Runcie called the meeting to order. Sharon Skupin gave the invocation and flag pledges were recited. Runcie introduced Mary Frances Glass who gave a review of the book, Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson.
The author of the book and main character tells of his life of being blind and with the help of his guide dogs along with his wife, manages to live an extraordinary life.
Thanks to his parents’ hard work and perseverance, Michael was allowed to achieve more than the doctors had ever expected. His father taught him algebra mentally in his head when he was just six years old.
Michael maneuvered his neighborhood by feeling the bumps and cracks in the sidewalks and this ability later helped him learn braille. At the age of fourteen, Michael received his first guide dog, Squire, from Guide Dogs for the Blind and successfully completed high school and several years of college.
His next guide dog was a Golden Retriever named Holland who was with him throughout graduate school and his first job. His fifth dog, Roselle, was with him at his job at the World Trade Center.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Michael led by Roselle managed to get down 78 flights of stairs just before the World Trade Center collapsed. Michael was able to contact his wife, Karen, who was at home that he was safe. It was so important for her to know that he was alright because she was paralyzed and in a wheelchair. Throughout their 32 years of marriage, she had been his eyes and he had been her feet.
Michael later became a breeder for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Michael never considered himself blind. He was a son, husband, physics graduate, barbecue chef, humorist, man of prayer, and a geek. He flew an airplane as well as played golf and rode a horse. He was determined that being blind would not define the person that he was. Blindness does not mean inferiority. Glass mentioned that this book provided a lesson in history as well as showing that life is what you make it. She ended her review by telling the group that she was giving this book to the library as a memorial to her husband Tommy.
The book committee will work on a list of books to be ordered and Candy Fikes will select an appropriate book as a memorial for her husband David.
Norma Burns told the group that for the May meeting, members should bring a salad, dues, and a guest. The Administrative Board will provide table décor and paper goods.
The large oak table, highlighted with a colorful wildflower quilt made by Judy Smith was centered with a boot of similar colorful wildflowers.
Members enjoyed chicken salad with croissants and crackers along with a broccoli salad, deviled eggs, and carrot sticks. Strawberries and blueberries, along with lemon iced sugar cookies and lemon tea cake completed the refreshments. Hostesses were Carol Stock, Smith and Skupin. The next meeting on May 10, 2023, will be the last one for the year.