TRAVELS AROUND THE WORLD
With GLMS & Hand in Hand in Nicaragua
by nationally recognized guest artists . We could venture outside the grounds to visit nearby Jamestown , birthplace of Lucille Ball , with its amazing National Comedy Center . We could enjoy Bemus Point ’ s waterfront restaurants and gorgeous sunsets , or take a ride on the Chautauqua Belle , a “ Mini-me ” cousin sternwheeler of our own Belle of Louisville , plying the waters of Chautauqua Lake ( one of the Finger Lakes ). Further afield , there were wineries to explore , Panama Rocks to hike , Amish settlements and the home of the American Spiritualist Movement , Lily Dale .
For those folks who have only heard of the “ Chautauquas ” of the early 20th century , which were a series of traveling lectures , the “ original ” was the Assembly in New York . The first session was in 1874 and lasted only two weeks , intended as a camp to train Sunday school teachers . It was purposely located on the lake , away from city distractions , but accessible by the railroad connections available at either end of the narrow lake . The emphasis was on community , lifelong learning and “ honoring the Sabbath ” as a respite from labor . The inaugural was a success , and the tents and outdoor meeting places were eventually replaced by cottages and permanent buildings ; the arts were added to the learning activities . Education , specifically preschool and secondary school curricula , were greatly influenced by ideas generated during the meetings . The temperance movement had sway , and the offerings were considered wholesome , in contrast to burlesque , which was grouped with card-playing , alcohol and dancing , as undesirable activities .
The traveling lecture series throughout the Midwest did not have the sense of place that the original possessed and fizzled out in the 1920s . The circuits also became more populist in philosophy , whereas the Institution increasingly took a more internationalist stance . The
Great Depression almost cratered the Institution , putting it into receivership in 1933 , but the participants who valued the philosophy and mission of Chautauqua were able to revive the Institution in 1936 . A permanent community arose that supported the annual Assembly .
In its rebirth , there were now places for many faiths . The summer Assembly grew to nine weeks with a general theme , which was divided by week into different aspects for study and discussion . A gate pass would allow visitors to participate in most activities . On Sundays , however , the gates were open to anyone , albeit with fewer activities , to “ honor the Sabbath .” The “ dry ” status of the Institution , a haven surrounded by wineries , was finally lifted a few years back with the opening of a wine bar and a beer garden on the grounds .
As it exists today , the Institution ’ s annual Assembly remains a place to gather and share ideas , to rest and pursue leisure activities and to experience a feeling of true community . Every summer , participants make up a unique village . On our recent visits , we heard James and Deborah Fallows discuss their book Our Towns ( Louisville was one of the cities profiled ) and Jelani Cobb talking about the future of the American political system . We listened to Rob Reiner and his sister Annie reminisce about their father on the eve of a tribute to Carl Reiner at the National Comedy Center . We reveled in an evening with Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn , sang along with Straight No Chaser and clapped and whooped through an evening with Lyle Lovett and his Large Band . We spent a Fourth of July evening marveling at the bonfires all along the lake and fireworks unobscured by city lights . I learned how to make resin jewelry , and our grandson learned to fish and made friends he has reunited with for the past four years : all in one place !
I have a few more places on earth that I might like to visit , but if this hectic post-COVID-19 world has you rethinking long flights , jet lag and possible precarious health scenarios , I would suggest an alternative destination , where the world might come to you . We will be there during Week # 5 . For more information , go to : www . chq . org and plan away .
References :
1
Susan Pinker , “ The Village Effect ”, Random House , 2014
Dr . Rigby is a retired OB-GYN , but is still upright and aboveground as a medical and general volunteer .
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