The Bertrand Russell Society

Hosted by: Dr. David White
Thursday, March 11
Admission: Free to W&B Members/ $3 General Public

The Bertrand Russell Society was formed shortly after Russell’s death in 1970. Russell was born in 1872 and worked in fields such as mathematical logic; philosophy; social, religious, and educational reform; anti-war protests and politics. An accomplished writer, Russell received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950. This ongoing lecture series promises to enlighten and entertain. Monthly meetings are open to everyone, not just to members of the society.

Monthly Story Slam

March. 17, 7 pm
Signup: 6:30 pm
Host: Carol Roberts

An open mic of true loose and spontaneous stories based on one’s own life! Themes include: “Brush with the Law,” “Love Life,” “Embarassing Moment,” “True Tales from College”...but stories can be independent of the theme. This is an event where participants tell stories about their lives. The stories are loose and spontaneous, and the emphasis is on authenticity. See examples on Youtube by searching MothUp Story Slam. According to The New York Times: “Like the folk revival in the 70s or standup comedy in the 80s, all of a sudden everyone is doing it....Storytelling has exploded into a thriving genre all its own, a new avenue to prominence for writers and, increasingly, for actors and comedians.” Each performer gets approximately 5 minutes. Signup list at front desk 1/2 hour before. or sign up by emailing Carol Roberts at crobert8@rochester.rr.com with “Monthly Sign Up” in the subject line.

Valley Manor Book Discussions

1570 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14610
Thursday, March 18th from 10:30 a.m. - Noon. Music Room. .
Each event is Free and Open to the public.

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. This is the “If All of Rochester Read the Same Book”.

History Reading Group

Hosted by Steve Huff
Thurs. March 18
Topic: Vaudeville
Free to WAB members & students/$3 general public

Join Writers & Books’s history buffs as they explore the big issues and personalities of history. We do not choose particular books, but only subjects. You can read any book or other material on the subject and join the discussion. Meets on the third

Wide Open Mic

Monday, March 22
7:30 p.m., W&B
Free to W&B members,/$3 suggested admission general public

W&B is proud to sponsor Rochester’s longest-running open mic, hosted by Norm Davis, poet and editor of HazMat Review. Known for its eclectic mix, Wide Open Mic welcomes poets, performers, and writers of all kinds.

25 & Under

Tues. March 23
7 p.m. W&B
Free to WAB members & students/$3 general public
Hosted by Sally Bittner Bonn

More than a quarter century ago W&B first opened its doors. To celebrate that milestone anniversary we initiated a monthly reading series featuring writers who are 25 and younger. Join us as we discover a new generation of writers for the next quarter century.

The Gell House Overnight guests will stay in the Gell House, a completely furnished hillside house surrounded by a landscaped yard and acres of woodlands. This charming house consists of two bedrooms, two baths, a living room, dining room, fully equipped kitchen and indoor/outdoor porch areas. Several large windows overlook the yard, which slopes down to a brook and valley beyond. This quiet retreat is the perfect setting for study, writing, reading, discussion and reflection. [ Residency Application ] Living Room Study Kitchen and Dining Room Breakfast Nook Master Bedroom Second Bedroom Gell House Rates $50/night for one guest $100/night for two guests $150/night for three guests $200/night for four guests $15/night for each additional guest, 8 maximum Daytime group rate: $150 per day Restrictions: No charge for guests 16 and under when accompanied by adult No pets or smoking indoors Guests must be members of Writers & Books Fees include full use of facilities and grounds Linens and kitchen utensils are provided Guests must provide their own meals

The Gleason Lodge The Gleason Lodge is located on a secluded hillside with a magnificent view of the Bristol Valley. The Great room of this building provides an inspiring meeting place, with its stone fireplace, high ceiling, and bookshelf-lined wall. It can accommodate up to 74 people for social gatherings and 50 people for day-long meetings, seminars, or workshops. The Lodge also includes a dining area that seats up to 25 people, and a commercially-equipped kitchen. The Gleason Lodge is completely handicapped-accessible. Surrounded by fields and woods, the Gleason Lodge provides the ideal environment for groups seeking a unique and refreshing experience. Front Deck Great Room Library Dining Area Kitchen Gleason Lodge Rates Price per day 1-35 people    $250.00  36-74 people  $500.00 For groups of 75 people or more, an additional group fee of $250 will be charged. $100 security deposit Restrictions We require an outdoor tent be set up to accommodate larger groups. No pets or smoking allowed indoors. Businesses renting the lodge must have a Writers & Books Gell Business Membership. Individuals renting the lodge must be members of Writers & Books.

The Tree House The Treehouse, 200 square feet in size, can be used as a class-room-in-the-sky, and as a writer's cabin. With an outside deck providing beautiful views of the nearby stream and surrounding woods, the house is nestled in a cathedreal of trees of many sizes and species. The foundation is attatched to four separate trees with a fifth tree passing through the interior of the house. There is a desk at which to sit and write, a bookcase stacked with appropriate titles, and a built-in bench and table with space for a group to assemble All wood used in the construction of the house was recycled, including beams from Bayonne, NJ, marine terminal. It is safe to say that there is no structure quite like it in all of western New York. Guests at the house may access to the Gell House or Gleason Lodge for Kitchen and bathroom usage Tree House Rates $60/day visit $75/overnight stay Restrictions: Two guest maximum

The Thoreau Cabin Dr. Kenneth Gell was a great admirer of Henry David Thoreau, and so when he and his wife Geraldine first bought the property in the Bristol Hills and needed a place to stay when they visited on weekends and throughout the summer, he designed and built a small cabin built to the exact dimensions of Thoreau’s cabin at Walden Pond. In later years the Gell’s would build a more permanent house on the property in which they would live for the remainder of their lives, but that original cabin still exists and is now, after some minor renovations, in once again available for daytime and overnight use. Nestled between a pair of grand, old-forest pine trees, the Thoreau Cabin provides a rustic and inspiring setting for writing and reflection, as well as close-to-nature overnight accommodations for one person or a couple. There is no plumbing or electricity available in the cabin but facilities are available nearby in either the Gell House or the Gleason Lodge.   Thoreu Cabin Rates $35/Day use and/or overnight Restrictions:m Two guest maximum

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