Book clubs, writing workshops bring people together at this luxury retirement community
A library card and a book can take a reader around the world many times over — for free.
At Jubilation by Silver Companies, the exquisite 207-luxury apartment home community for retirees located in downtown Fredericksburg, members have the opportunity to do just that — circle the globe, one book and one story at a time.
Through its multiple book clubs, writing classes and Library on the Go visits, members have the opportunity to wander through and explore a variety of places, themes and characters, either on their own or with a group.
Trudy Kelley, who moved to the community two years ago, lives with her sister, Sue. Their brother, Marc, lives on the floor above them. All three are avid members of the Jubilation book club, which meets monthly to discuss alternating fiction and nonfiction selections.
Trudy Kelley said the setting provides a great backdrop for reading and learning.
“I didn’t have much extra time before moving here,” she said of having to maintain a home. “I had a busy schedule and trying to fit in a book club just never seemed to work for me. Here, the book club leader arrives from the library with a new selection in her bag every month. And in between her visits, I wander down to the lobby to pick up extra books from Library on the Go.”
Jenny McGee, the Library on the Go specialist, visits Jubilation on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, sharing book recommendations, books and library cards. Her colorful blue and white van holds thousands of literary characters ready to share their stories with whoever thumbs through their adventures. After loading selections and the personalized requests onto her cart, she greets the members in the Jubilation lobby. Visits typically last about an hour and a half.
“It’s such a convenient service and doesn’t cost anything,” McGee said. “A lot of members come down to socialize and talk about the books they’ve just read or to recommend books to other members or sometimes to ask for research help. I’m like a little self-contained branch of the library wherever I go.”
McGee said in her 20 years of working at the library, she’s interacted with all different types of readers.
“But there’s something super special about being able to cater to those who have worked so hard for so long, and for so many people, and now it is their time to rest, relax and do what they love to do — get a book and go back up to their favorite reading nook and just read.”
On some days, Kelley said, the line for a new library card is just as long as the one for members picking up their selections. She’s quick to point out that library cards are free, never expire and books checked out with them do not acquire late fees if returned past the due date.
Jubilation members looking to create a little wonder of their own on a page can do just that in Jen Furlong’s writing and story class.
Furlong, an area author of several young adult and middle grade book series, helps members to tell their own stories.
“I try to impress on them that everyone has an amazing story, a treasure trove of experiences that have probably not seen the light of day. And that’s true of all humans,” Furlong said. “More importantly, however, is that everyone already has the tools to write their story. All you need is a pen or pencil, tablet or computer and your thoughts. My job is to help them activate their own voice in an engaging way, so that someone else will want to read them.”
The writing class at Jubilation helps build community among the members. Each month, a student’s work is displayed alongside the art in the main gallery.
“It provides members the opportunity to learn something about one of their neighbors and can even serve as a conversation starter,” Furlong said.
In each class, students spend time writing down thoughts or story ideas, listening to Furlong talk about how to best use language to make a story more engaging, sharing their stories among one another and learning how to offer positive feedback to help someone grow their work even more.
For more information, please visit jubilation.com or call (540) 858-1521.