Meet two of our own Sarah Barsness & Molly Harmel Turner. They met at one of JASNA-MN monthly meeting and have been friends ever since.
Sarah Barsness
JASNA-MN: How did you hear about JASNAMN?
Sarah: I discovered JASNA when I picked up the book Among the Janeites by Deborah Yaffe. I finished the book in a day and knew I had to find out more about JASNA!
JASNA-MN: What is your favorite Jane Austen’s book or movies?
Sarah: I absolutely love Pride and Prejudice, and it's probably my favorite novel. If I'm allowed to list a runner-up I will admit that I love Mansfield Park because I'm a sucker for stories where the heroine discovers her own power and voice, and that's really what Fanny does.
JASNA-MN: What was your favorite meeting/event so far? Any idea what fun stuff we should do?
Sarah: I love the annual country dancing meeting! I used to dabble in reels and jigs outside of JASNA, so I always love the chance to boogie down Regency-style. I also had the great fortune to meet Molly at last year's dance; we've been friends ever since!
JASNA-MN: How long have you been a member?
Sarah: I joined in 2013, tragically right after the AGM was here in Minneapolis -- I completely missed out!
JASNA-MN: Tell me a little bit about yourself: hobbies?, hidden talent?
Sarah: I'm a digital archivist at the Minnesota Historical Society, which is a job I absolutely love! When I'm not at work, I'm involved in lots of fiber arts (weaving, crochet, spinning, etc.) and HEMA, which stands for Historical European Martial Arts (a fancy way of saying I know my way around a longsword).
Molly Harmel Turner
JASNA-MN: How did you hear about JASNAMN?
Molly: Google search! Every six months or so I go on a big Jane Austen movie marathon, so January 2016 was no exception. My Jane thirst wasn’t quenched after watching all my favorites so I took to the internet to see what other Jane stuff I could find, and JASNA was brought to my attention through that query!
JASNA-MN: What is your favorite Jane Austen’s book or movies?
Molly: 1995 was a very good year for Jane Austen movies. I absolutely adore “Sense and Sensibility” with Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet, and “Persuasion” is a very close second. They are my favorite Jane books as well. My favorite Jane inspired movie is “Austenland”. This is one of those rare instances that I prefer the film over the book. It is my favorite movie of all time and I probably watch it once a month. I wish someone would take the idea and make it a real place!
JASNA-MN: What was your favorite meeting/event so far? Any idea what fun stuff we should do?
Molly: Without a doubt English country dance is my favorite event! I brought my husband to last year’s dance and we had a blast. It was also at this event that I met Sarah. On the dancing note, I know there are a few living history societies in town that put on balls. I would be the first one to purchase tickets if we partnered with one of them to put on a Regency ball.
JASNA-MN: How long have you been a member?
Molly: I’ve been a member since December 2016. My first year’s membership was a birthday gift from my mother in law.
JASNA-MN: Tell me a little bit about yourself: hobbies?, hidden talent?
Molly: When I’m not spending time with my husband or chihuahua you can find me cooking up recipes from vintage Betty Crocker cookbooks, learning how to sew, and drinking copious amounts of tea.
JASNA-MN: Thank you both Sarah & Molly for your times and we'll see you at next meeting...
*If you are interested to be our next featured member please email us at
Molly and Sarah, thanks for sharing your JASNA story with us.
This is a great segment, can't wait to see more of these.