Members of the Twentieth Century Club held their first meeting of the new year at the home of Betty Finney on January 17. President Jean Hamil called the meeting to order. She recognized and welcomed new club member Janice Gage. Members responded to the roll call by stating "something I wish I could remember". Popular responses included passwords, the names of acquaintances and book plots. Jeannie Smith read a lovely thank you note from Tour of Homes participant Lynda Phillips and an invitation from the Gilmer Area Chamber of Commerce to attend the annual banquet being held on February 14 at the Civic Center. Project Chairman Sandy Dean and Treasurer Bettye Lou Smith gave a final report on the success of the Tour of Homes and Bake Sale conducted in December. Mrs. Hamil turned the meeting over to program leader Abby Stewart.

Ms. Stewart reviewed the self-help book Total Memory Makeover by Marilu Henner. Mrs. Henner is one of only twelve people in the world who are believed to possess the syndrome "Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory". From the age of twelve she has been able to recall in chronological order every moment of every day of her life. Physicians who has scanned her brain have reported that several regions of her brain are significantly larger than average individuals. She believes her skills were acquired through nurturing as well as nature and the book offers multiple ways to improve memory. First, she believes, it is important to know which senses are your strongest. Ms. Stewart conducted a short multiple choice quiz of members to determine which sense was their most prominent: sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell. Using this knowledge she suggests you strive to associate your strongest sense with daily activities which, theoretically should lead to better recall. Other tips including reviewing each days events in chronological order before going to bed at night and using "APR" (anticipation, participation, and recall) to better retain memories. In conclusion, Ms. Stewart said there were many more memory exercises in the book, but. she couldn't remember them!

Following the review, Mrs. Finney served a colorful plate of hot chicken salad, cucumber tea sandwiches, cranberry mousse, pickles, crackers, hot cranberry tea and coffee. Members present in addition to those named above were Cal Arnold, Annette Breazeale, Mikie Clark, Merle Cross, Bridgett Fowler, Annette Herrmann, Reta Lewis, Cindy Murry, Betty Orms, Mary Ann Patterson, Rebecca Skinner, Melinda Smith, Raye White, and Barbara Williams.