20 Quincy St. Cambridge, MA 02138

Tel: 617 495 5758 | Fax: 617 496 8754

Email: hfc@harvard.edu

June 2008 at The Faculty Club

"What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade." - Legendary gardener, Gertrude Jekyll

How appropriate that Harvard's Commencement falls in June. And how intuitive the choice of speaker in an age where sound bites and clichés substitute for wisdom and good advice. Who, better than JK Rowlings, understands the power of hopes and dreams, of simple choices founded on the principles of what is right and what is wrong. Four years under the protecting wings of Harvard have given these students vision to recognize good and power to pursue it. Let us trust them to do so. HUZZAH FOR THE CLASS OF OTTY EIGHT!  SOAR YOUNG BEAUTIES!

What better metaphor exists than our Rose Garden where the tangible riot of color and aroma fulfills the promise of summer? We are very proud of our English Roses whose particular beauty is reminiscent of the delicacy and simplicity of the Old Roses and whose complexity of delicious fragrances give beauty and life to any garden. Our particular favorite is the famed Gertrude Jekyll, named after one of England's most renowned gardeners. Come and smell the quintessential rose fragrance given off by the perfect little scrolled buds as they open into glorious, full-cupped flowers.

Just for June: A taste of Luncheon Joy and Madness. For our members who do not spend their summers lolling about on a dock somewhere in Maine, we offer a neat jolt of whimsy designed to lighten the spirit. Summer is, after all, where you spread the cloth. When you are not up to not much more than resting your elbow on a soft pillow and dipping into John Donne, trot over to the Club Terrace and feast on a Fresh Lobster, hot-off-the-grill. Complete with crispy Slaw and all the Corn Bread you can eat, it is an opportunity so rare and at a price so reasonable we dare not mention it in this space.

Harvard chooses Green: We take the comfort of our guests very seriously. So seriously that just "Green" is not enough. We look for the "Best Green." Thanks to our brilliant director of Harvard Real Estate, Jim Gray, and his program "Trial and Expand," we are invited into the process of determining the best solutions for us here at the Club. Starting with water conservation, we quietly installed in bedroom 311 a new shower head (said to be favored by "high end" Las Vegas hotels where clients are not accustomed to being treated as guinea pigs.) Well, our first Faculty Club Trial has been a success. These little gems really do provide fantastic water pressure as well as a "superior quality" of spray, and all by using one half as much water! Come watch us expand!

Conservatory Goings On: our luncheon chefs extraordinaire announce the return of the Soft Shell Crab Sandwich. Redolent with the aroma of clarified butter, the crunchy critter is placed tenderly in a warm potato roll spread with paprika caper aioli and accompanied by a side of Savoy Cabbage Salad. You will find yourself in seventh heaven. If that isn't enough, the Faculty-Club Sandwich, a glorified toasted creation with crisp apple wood smoked bacon, turkey breast, lettuce and thick, ripe tomato slices slathered with spicy mayonnaise might just do the trick.

Taste of the Tropics: Leave it to Chef Michael Brentana when it comes to a night on the Club. After a "Grass Skirt" at the bar, sway into the dining room for your Island Experience. A quick perusal of the menu might at first give pause, but you will quickly discover that Callaloo is actually a delicious soup while Wahoo is a Jamaican fish, all spicy and served with hearts of palm and passion fruit. By the time you dip into the Banana Coconut Souffle, you might just give up and go native.