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November 2008 at The Faculty Club

"The gloomy month of November, when the people of England hang and drown themselves..."

So Wrote an Anonymous Frenchman at a time when his rivals across the channel were experiencing some economic hardships. Joseph Addison, taking a dim view of such gratuitous schadenfreude, devoted an entire issue of The Spectator (May 24, 1712) to the importance of maintaining a cheerful temper in times of national crisis. His recipe for this happy state required one's indulgence in "...those considerations which...give a serenity of mind, and enable [one] to bear up under misfortunes." Need we remind you that such considerations are our specialty. Especially those that are aimed at bringing joy and raising serotonin levels.

For instant sunshine there is nothing to beat Breakfast in the Conservatory. Emily Dickinson herself, who opined that "November always seemed to me the Norway of the year,* might spare a smile for a little coddled blue egg and a pot of steaming Earl Grey. But why not go for a satisfied chortle? Colombian born chef, Luis Montes, displaying cosmopolitan talent, has created the most succulent New England Corn Beef Hash you ever did encounter. With a couple of poached eggs on top, a glass of icy just-squeezed orange juice, a stack of hot buttered toast and all the coffee you can drink, well you might begin to think there was a brass band playing somewhere in the house.

We are all very grateful for the appointment of Ed Forst, Harvard's new Executive Vice-President and Knight in Shining Armor, who has promised to deal with the goose bumps of November and put what appears to be a world-wide economic down-turn into perspective. Harvard is certainly not sitting still. The university's leaders across the schools and throughout the administration are hard at work weighing issues and studying the options brought about by the crisis

Your Club Pledges that uncertain times need not keep guests from the Club tables, meetings and events or put a crimp in family celebrations. Our experienced staff understands that our traditional values must be sustained, that diluting quality is not an option. Elise and Sandra, Faculty Club events planners par excellence, are prepared to help you with solutions to the thorniest problems.

Lobsters! We think Pete Wells, NYT restaurant critic, said it all. Instead of hungering for comfort food in times of national crisis, Pete craves "...urchin pasta, duck rillettes, and a double bourbon." November's Prix Fixe, created by Executive Chef Michael Brentana, is a five course Lobster extravaganza guaranteed to banish blues. To justify your confidence in our promises, the price will be 10% lower than a year ago. And what better way to begin than with our drink of the month, a Champagne Cocktail!

A Little Party has been planned for you in the Conservatory on Thursday afternoons through November from 5PM to 6PM. Leigh Keenan, a club chef who is curious about everything from jewelry design to raising goats, has been studying cheese making and would like you all to come in and taste some cheeses made on the remarkable Catapano Dairy Farm, a small family operated goat dairy located on the North Fork of Long Island. She not only fell in love with the goats, but was enchanted by the cheeses. Complimentary, with the purchase of a glass of wine.

Keep in Mind: Even in the middle of our bloody Civil War, Abraham Lincoln found heart and reason to think about gratitude. In order to celebrate "...these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come," he declared that government offices be closed on the last Thursday of each November for a Day of Thanksgiving.

*Today she probably would have substituted "Iceland" for "Norway."