Around East Aurora By Chris Gibbons It used to be that good manners dictated you never talked about politics (or religion) in a social setting; and heaven forbid you told anybody your party affiliation or whom you voted for–isn’t that why there are curtains on voting booths? It seems in our Internet age, when nothing is a secret and no subject is off-limits, that philosophy has fallen by the wayside, as we’re frequently bombarded by folks who can’t wait to share their opinions and vent their frustrations with incumbents and candidates alike. I confess I’ve been guilty of this myself, occasionally getting into heated discussions about ‘what’s wrong with this country,’ and sending my dinner companions into eye-rolling fits of boredom, frustration, or a combination of both. A new day dawned for me this past Saturday, though, when I got the third call of the weekend, asking whom I would vote for in Tuesday’s election. I knew the person on the other end of the phone was only doing a job they’re paid to do, so I politely (I thought) listened to the caller’s opening remarks, searching for a way to show how disinterested I was in participating in the survey, without appearing rude. That’s when I thought of that old saying and replied, “I was taught not to talk politics with anybody, and I really don’t want to do it over the phone.” Then I tried to use a chipper tone to say, “Thanks for calling, though!” All this probably meant nothing to the weary caller, who, no doubt, had some choice opinions of his own, but it made me feel like I had some control over my time and telephone, and then I thought it might be good to adopt this rule on a regular basis. I have to work on what I’ll have to say the next time I’m out with friends and the conversation turns to things political, but I’m confident they won’t miss hearing my opinions. And, yes, I know I’ll continue to get election survey calls right through the time I cast my vote on Nov. 4, so I plan to hit the polls early, and then see about arranging caller ID for the phone. ************** Whether you’re a beginning or experienced bridge player, a relaxed, fun-loving group of Southtowns bridge-playing women would love to have you join them from 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays. If you’re interested in learning more, call Shirley at 941-9001. ************** The Elma Page Turners Book Club is another group that welcomes new members when they meet the first Wednesday of the month at Elma United Methodist Church, 2991 Bowen Road. They’ll be discussing “Me Before You,” by Jojo Moyes when they gather at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5. In January they’ll be discussing “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Call Marcia at 655-1352 for information. ************** The East Aurora Garden Club, which is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its federation, will hold a standard flower show from noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, on the Roycroft Campus, Main and South Grove streets. The club maintains plantings at the Village Circle and the gardens at the Millard Fillmore Presidential Site, among their many community activities, so be sure to attend the show to see what they’ve been up to. ************** An Audubon naturalist brings live reptiles and amphibians to the Town of Aurora Library, 550 Main St., at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4; and the next day, six-to-12-year-olds are invited to the library to make a Thanksgiving themed craft at 3:45 p.m. Call 652-4440 to register for either program. ************** If you’d like to comment on something you’ve read in this column, call me at 714-5620, or email cgibbons@wnyps.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 15:22:35 +0000
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