Karen Daly Peltier
The Saddlebrooke Ranch Library Volunteer Committee announced in December the “Read America 250” Program for 2026, to coincide with the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Committee will choose three books, which will be followed by a discussion session on a future date. All SaddleBrooke Ranch residents are invited to participate.
The first chosen book is “Declaration: The Nine Tumultuous Weeks When America Became Independent, May 1-July 4, 1776” by William Hogeland.
This book chronicles the events that led the Continental Congress in Philadelphia to declare independence from Great Britain. Not all members of the Continental Congress were seeking complete independence. Several, known as “reconciliationists,” were more interested in paving a way to recover rights they felt were lost and remain within the British Empire. Other members, considered activists, were seeking a complete break from the crown.
Declaration examines how the reconciliationists were convinced that independence was the only solution to their situation.
The Library Committee will host a discussion of Declaration on Wednesday, Feb. 18, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the La Vista Room of the Hacienda Club.
All community members are welcome to read the books and participate in the discussions. Additional dates for book discussion have been set for Wednesday, April 15 and Wednesday June 17, also from 4 to 6 p.m. at the La Vista Room in the Hacienda Club. Titles for future books will be included in future Ranch Roundup articles, and posted in the library.