Food For Thought : A Literary Feast

The Salem Athenaeum

What an enticing presentation is at the Salem Athenaeum throughout the spring/ summer months. It's entitled, "Food For Tthought:A Literary Feast."

Elaine von Bruns, honorary curator at the Salem Athenaeum is just one of a team of persons behind various events, programs, and displays that are put together throughout the year. Currently on the spring/summer menu features appetizing "Food For thought : A Literary Feast." She explains that she was not the originator of ideas for previous exhibits of years ago as she has only been with the Salem Athenaeum for four years. "they (themed presentations) were taking place way before my time."

Elaine von Bruns, honorary curator at the Salem Athenaeum.

As a former columnist for a Vermont newspaper and for The Boston Phoenix, she fully understands research and delves into each of her projects with enthusiasm. Ideas evolve, not only from those involved in the inner circle of the museum, but in its membership and from the visiting public. Continuing to compliment her colleagues and others, von Bruns reiterates,"Sometimes people suggest it" (an idea or project). At the Salem Athenaeum she says the institution holds," such outstanding books" for each exhibit housed within its walls. The current exhibit i,"Food for Thought : A Literary Feast," is now open to the public. Once a decision is made,von Bruns then goes to work looking at each exhibit as "an adventure." "The research," she adds," takes approximately 9 months before it goes up to members and then to the public."

This table setting displays a literary feast.

Why the lengthy amount of time? It's due to "background research that has to be done, then time to find the appropriate books" she will use in each themed presentation. She needs to "find all the books, research them, accumulate the quotations for each topic being presented." As von Bruns pours through the pages of the books and researches documentation, she looks for quotes that will match each project that will eventually "go on display." It takes time to"type the quotations, make posters and laminate them." It appears as if the preparation behind this literary feast was a grueling task, yet she doesn't consider it such. Instead, her exuberance for the job was evident as she mentions that she delights in each upcoming exhibit's project, "It's treat to be associated with this place."

Creative genius of the staff at Salem Athenaeum, reminding one of the term, "devouring books." Read each title. Can you match these titles to the actual book titles of these classics?

It is her "love of rare books" that originally brought her to the Salem Athenaeum. She had volunteered at the Peabody Essex Museum Library when the opportunity for the job she currently holds came about. She is surrounded by rare books, literary classics and more. It's not easy for her to choose just one author as her favorite, but in discussion, the first writer she mentions is Nathaniel Hawthorne. According to von Bruns, Hawthorne was one of the first members of the Salem Athenaeum. Upon his death, he left the institution his personal collection of all the books he penned. Hawthorne isis just one of many writers she enjoys.

Pages and pages of Nathaniel Hawthorne to feast your eyes upon, along with many other great authors.

She also mentions Mark Twain, commenting that he is an author that she considers, "pithy and funny." She loves devouring his words and loves what he says on any given subject, adding, "we need him now."

On the menu of Mark Twain's contributions to the feast are the following quotations:

"Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education" and

"Part of the secret to success in life is to eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside."

This crow/raven often appears in many of Salem Athenaeum's themed presentations.

Attributed to author Herman Melville, plates full of quotations within his books are the following :

"Chowders for breakfast, chowders for dinner and chowders for supper, till you begin to look for fishbones coming through your clothes."

Another of von Bruns' interests is "nature and Mass Audubon." She points to a rare print currently posted on one of the library walls.

Her role at The Salem Athenaeum is one that often changes. Many events take place, bookclubs meet, writing groups meet, discussing authors and their works, and a variety of programs take place, including speaking engagements by authors, lectures, concerts by musicians and children's activities. Each of the series are educational and serve both the members of the Salem Athenaeum and the public.

However, von Bruns does not solely take the credit for all the projects. She credits many others as she speaks throughout the interview On the day of tis writer's visit, she proudly points to displays placed around the room for the Salem Athenaeum's current theme, "Food For Thought : A Literary Feast," then introduces first year volunteer Lori Pino. Pino is noted as the one who literally cooked up some of the decorations on display to spice up the presentation.

Lori Pino creator of some dessert display in "Food for Thought.:A Literary Feast."

She is the creator of many of the mouthwatering morsels that have been mixed into the presentation. She says,"I enjoy cake decorating and baking but you can only eat so much before it catches up with you." Part of her story began when she discovered she had "some antique cake plates" and decided she would " try and make fake cakes." Her secret ingredients folded into these "fake cakes." recipes consist of "pieces of styrofoam, paint, wax and a bit of some spackling."

These treats, created by volunteer, Lori Pino, at the Salem Atheneum, appear good enough to eat but are they?

She calls her creations,"a nice alternative to the more caloric desserts." Dinner guests to her home often view the various foods she sets out on her own tables as decorations and ask, "Is that what we are having for dessert?"

Spring and summer - time for picnics, friends and reading good books.

"Food For Thought : A Literary Feast," runs throughout the spring and summer months.

Guia Golden (Melrose) and Susan Smith (Malden) are both members of the North of Boston Branch (NOBB) Dickens Fellowship Society. The book club meets each month at Salem Athenaeum . The pair took the time, following their meeting, to sample bits of literary works showcased in "Food For Thought : A Literary Feast."

Book a trip there this season. It's worth volumes.

No reservations necessary.

The exhibition is free and open to the public during regular Salem Athenaeum hours. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 1 PM – 5 PM, Thursday: 5 PM – 9 PM and Saturday: 10 AM – 2 PM. The Salem Athenaeum is located at 337 Essex Street, Salem, Ma.