Port Clinton’s 88 Circle Book Club celebrates 136th anniversary

Ginny Parks is the oldest member of 88 Circle. She has been attending club meetings for over 50 years. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TUSTY

In 1888, a group of women met in Port Clinton to discuss the books they had read. The club, which called itself the 88 Circle, stimulated the intellect and inspired social contact. Today, 136 years later, the club is still active.

On June 11, members of the 88 Circle met for lunch at Ciao Bello restaurant in Port Clinton to celebrate the club’s 2023-2024 season. They had been meeting monthly since the fall to discuss books about World War II.

“This year’s theme was ‘World War II, the Greatest Generation,’” said longtime member Bonnie Seegard.

The 88 Circle is unique not only because of its longevity. For one thing, not all members read the book they want to talk about. One member is assigned to read the book and then talk about it at the monthly meeting. Those who have read it can join in the discussion, and those who haven’t read it can learn enough from it to decide if they want to.

Second, each meeting begins with discussion questions related to the topic.

Judith Tertuliani was the guest speaker at the 88 Circle Club’s end-of-season party at Ciao Bello on June 11. She shared stories about her childhood in Italy during World War II. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“Everyone gets a chance to have their say and we get to know each other better,” said member Lois Evans.

Seegard said these personal conversations were the best part of the meeting.

“That’s my favorite part. We learn so much about each other,” said Seegard. “We have so much fun together.”

Each summer, three members of the 88 Circle are chosen to select the theme and books for the next season, which begins in the fall. Evans announced that the theme for 2024-2025 is “Bee Your Best.” The group will read a series of self-help books.

During the closing party at Ciao Bella, guest speaker Judith Tertuliani of Toledo, who was just five years old when World War II reached her small village in Italy, spoke about her early life. Tertuliani was born in 1935 in the small Italian village of Cavasso Nuovo. The story of her life was a tangible experience for the group, bringing the books they read to life.

“I remember it so well. It was unimaginable,” she said. “The Germans came through there and took you to Dachau (concentration camp) or shot you. That’s how I grew up.”

Her family grew their own food, made lye soap and sewed clothes from scraps of fabric.

88 Circle’s theme for 2024-2025 is “Bee Your Best” and will focus on self-help books. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“When I outgrew a dress, my mother would take the best part of the dress and put it in the next one,” Tertuliani said.

Living with limited means was not a big problem compared to the horrors Tertuliani saw her neighbors endure.

“The worst thing was seeing the young people being sent away,” she said. “I had a neighbor who was a prisoner of war. When he came back, he couldn’t hold his head up. People should fall on their knees and thank God for what we have here.”

Among the 88 Circle members who heard Tertuliani was Ginny Parks, the oldest member of the group.

“I’m not sure how long I’ve been a member, but it’s been more than 50 years,” Parks said. “I really enjoy the group. It inspires me to read things I wouldn’t otherwise read. It keeps me interested.”