This article was originally published in the Nov. 8 edition of the Enterprise-Record
By MARY NUGENT
CHICO — Bernice Weborg just happened to be at City Plaza on a Thursday afternoon in September, when Mayor Andy Holcombe read a proclamation naming the book "Three Cups of Tea" as a common read for the city.
Weborg, 85, was intrigued with the idea of a Book in Common. Reading a book along with her community was appealing.
While downtown, she met Maria Shahid, a Butte College instructor. "I stopped by Lyon Books and picked up a copy. I thought I might start a book discussion group, and Maria said I could go to the (Chico) library and borrow the books for a month," Weborg recalled.
Weborg, who lives at Jarvis Gardens apartments, did start a group. A retired teacher, Weborg said organization comes easily to her. She also loves to read, and has shelves upon shelves of books.
"I got the ("Three Cups of Tea") books from the library and a list of discussion questions," she said.
The book, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin, is the true story of one man's campaign to build schools in the most dangerous, remote and anti-American area of Pakistan.
It lent itself to a fine weekly discussion, Weborg said. "There have been 14 of us, all retired, ages 60 to 90. Everyone loved the book. Only one woman was a little negative about it, but altogether, it was really a wonderful experience."
She said Shahid also visited one of the group's meetings, and shared her experiences married to an Afghan. The final meeting was Oct. 30.
Oliver Allen, senior library assistant at Chico library, said he has seen interest in groups such as Weborg's, and added the library has a few "Book Club in a Box" starter kits.
"We have three of them, and each has 11 copies of the book plus a handout for discussion."
Allen said since "Three Cups of Tea" was introduced in September, the community has shown steady interest. "It's been pretty fluid. We have 150 copies throughout the county. It does seem this book is well-liked," he said.
Staff writer Mary Nugent can be reached at 896-7764 or mnugent@chicoer.com.
There is an upcoming benefit talent show for the Central Asian Institute coming up in February.
It will be on Feb. 6 at Theatre, ETC, located at 14 Hillary Lane in Chico.
Signups for the talent show, which could include singing, dancing, poetry reading, recitations and instrumental music, is Jan. 29. All acts must be under five minutes.
If you have questions about the show, e-mail rhansen@sbcglobal.net
I send $20.00 quartly to the Asia Institue in Monntana for the expense of books and school materials for them. $20.00 supports a girl for a year. Also they need help in training teachers. Money very well spent. The address is on the back of his book.
On january 22nd, Butte County Library Oroville Branch held a Tea Tasting Party in honor of BIC "Three Cups of Tea" for over 50 people who came from Chico, Paradise and Oroville for this cultural event. Nahid Chopan, Maria Shadid and Zhrlasht Ansary provided tastes of sweet Pakistani tea and Afghani tea. A variety of traditional accompaniments were served and the culture behind each was discussed. Maria told the group about her traditional Pakistan dress. Participants asked questions of culture, education and political situation. Discussion of various aspects of the book came up, and those who had not yet read it checked out a library copy before leaving for the afternoon. I was very pleased to have a successful program on one of our few rainy days.
Brenda Crotts