We met at the Mt. Ivy Cafe on December 3, 2018 to discuss Jim DeFede's book The Day the World Came To Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland. I chose this book after we read White Chrysanthemum, because I needed to find something uplifting. Although this book brought us back to some terrible memories of 9/11, DeFede's book was filled with stories that reaffirmed our faith in humanity, and the inherent goodness in people.
We discussed many issues, including where we had been at the moment the WTC was hit. We also talked about some of the characters in the book, and which we related to the most. Laughing and learning about "Newfie language" was fun. I shared a few of the pictures Steven and I have of our wonderful summer vacation in Newfoundland.
I was disappointed in Mt. Ivy Cafe as a restaurant, and did not like that there was not a round table big enough for the 12 of us. Instead, we were seated at one big round table, and a smaller round table pushed up against it. However, the company and the discussion made up for the mediocre food and place settings. Perhaps over the summer, we can get together to see the Broadway play, entitled Come From Away, based on the book.
Wishing you all meaningful time with your families and loved ones on the holidays, and a Happy 2019 New Year!
XXOO,
Robin L.
