Acropolis Discussion Group kicks off new season at public library

SAUGUS – The Acropolis Discussion Group has officially kicked off its second season, and it certainly has people in Saugus talking. Saugus Public Library Board of Trustees member Joanne Vannah formed Acropolis last year, and the group meets once a month to discuss everything from science to government to history.?The Golden Age of Greece has always been my favorite historical period to study, and using the question-and-answer format of the Socratic method can help us get a deeper understanding of any topic, and it adds an element of debate within the discussion. I wanted to spark that in Saugus,” said Vannah. “With the economy, we also wanted a discussion group that wasn?t dependent on finances, so we can take books out of the library and discuss them.”Acropolis members gathered at the Library on Monday evening to discuss international cuisine in observance of October being National Cookbook Month.Library Director Diane Wallace suggested the topic to support the cookbook theme at the library, which is being celebrated all month. Vannah said that Wallace has been “a tremendous asset to the library in terms of organization and programming.”According to Vannah – who reported on cultures that use insects as their primary source of protein – the Acropolis discussions attract anywhere from five to 25 people, depending on the topic. Vannah tries to make the topics as broad as possible so all members of the community can contribute to the discussion.?Ideally we?d like to have the same group of people every week, but a lot of people attend the ones that they have a background in, or that they want to take the time to research,” said Vannah. “We?re very open to suggestions for topics.”Last year Vannah put a list of suggested readings for each topic on reserve at the library. But because the members had to share the books, they weren?t able to take them home, which was inconvenient for some members. So members now choose their own book or readings related to each month?s topic and then share their findings with the group.?I really liked the format of writing a report and presenting it because it helps to organize your thoughts, but if people want to come and just discuss it that?s fine. The report isn?t necessary, but it can be helpful,” said Vannah.Vannah also added that people don?t have to be from Saugus to attend the Acropolis Discussion Group. In August, the topic “what would have happened if the South won the Civil War?” attracted 25 people, some from as far as Connecticut and Maine. One historian even attended in full Civil War garb.In light of the recent Nobel Prize announcements, November?s topic will be brain science. Vannah – who teaches science at Montserrat College of Art – said she hopes the topic will spark some interest in the sciences.If you have any questions or suggestions for future Acropolis discussions, please contact Joanne Vannah at [email protected].