They hungered for a broader view, And thus more culture did pursue. They read deep books, gave vast reports, And wrote fine papers, what good sports.

To celebrate a 95–year tradition, a cadre of ladies, as amusing and colorful as the characters they have read about since they first gathered for a festive luncheon as members of the Current Literature Club.

For nearly a century now, names of voracious readers and book lovers have filled club’s roster, and oftentimes membership in the organization has been passed along as a treasured bequest.

At this winter’s celebration, four examples of such legacies were present. Georgianna Wheeler’s great aunt was Sarah Davis; Betty Murdaugh’s grandmother-–in–law was Ella Murdaugh; and Ellen Verner Scoville’s mother was Elise Verner.

Sandy Sanders is the legacy of her mother, Mary Reed; the two were at the luncheon together. Katherine McCaskill, whose mother was Annie Sloan Cathcart, had guests of her own on the day of the anniversary party and could not attend.

Hazel Fitzsimons, Mary Reed, Sandy Sanders, Mason Hawley, and Dot Triangali celebrate the Current Literature Club’s 95th anniversary. Seated with them are Ginny Meynard and Rosa Lumpkin. The highlight of the noon gathering at the Palmetto Club was the recounting of the club’s history. Ellen Verner Scoville poured through the tomes at the Caroliniana Library on USC’s Historic Horseshoe in her pursuit of the facts she included in the draft. She offered to continue adding to the history and to present an updated version five years from now when the club turns 100.

Her findings, complimented by her charming presentation style, kept members and guests laughing throughout her concise report.

See page 8 for the history.

Carol B. Fowles, Caroline Matthews, Nancy Bunch, Mary Ross, Betty Murdaugh, and Carol K. Fowles pose behind Ethel Bowman and Margaret Wyman before the the Current Literature Club’s celebration. Sarah Linder, Nancy Duvall, Molly Sullivan, Nell Barr, and Linda Barton pose behind Ellen Scoville and her daughter Lucy McCants at the 95th celebration of the Current Literature Club.