These beauteous forms, Through a long absence, have not been to me As is a landscape to a blind man's eye: But oft, in lonely rooms, and 'mid the din Of towns and cities, I have owed to them, In hours of weariness, sensations sweet, Felt in the blood, and felt along the heart
Hi Dan, I love this piece! I am a life-long Chautauquan and have the same love-hate relationship with the place that you do (or did). I spent entire summers there as a child and had a blast. Then I grew up and moved on: I visited my parents for a week or two every summer; then I had a kid and started spending 3 or 4 weeks there. (As everyone knows, it's a great place for young kids and parents of young kids.) Then my son grew up, my parents died and I am now, at 64, free to spend the entire summer there once again! But it is a LaLa land for sure! I am a fiction writer and visual artist and find the "Ground Hog Day" effect stultifying, not to mention the property taxes, the gate tickets, endless fees and troublesome politics. Every other day I want to run for the hills (instead I ride my bike on them). In short, I appreciate the honesty of your essay and your description of the emotional somersaults the place has put you through. (FYI - The drinking age was 18 when I was a teenager so we drank "properly" starting at the age of 16 at the Chautauqua Manor - Smokes - the bar in Mayville and got high under the willow trees by the lake.) For now, I'm taking it year by year and keeping my bike at the ready. Best, Mary www.mkbaileyauthor.com
PS Text me when you're at CHQ if you feel like connecting. 203 228-4360
Thank you, Mary! Yes, I have phases where I think it’s a nightmare but when I see my nieces soaking up the joy it offers to kids, I remember it’s a good place. Maybe I’ll see you there! I’m in week five to see Boy II Men
Hi Dan, I love this piece! I am a life-long Chautauquan and have the same love-hate relationship with the place that you do (or did). I spent entire summers there as a child and had a blast. Then I grew up and moved on: I visited my parents for a week or two every summer; then I had a kid and started spending 3 or 4 weeks there. (As everyone knows, it's a great place for young kids and parents of young kids.) Then my son grew up, my parents died and I am now, at 64, free to spend the entire summer there once again! But it is a LaLa land for sure! I am a fiction writer and visual artist and find the "Ground Hog Day" effect stultifying, not to mention the property taxes, the gate tickets, endless fees and troublesome politics. Every other day I want to run for the hills (instead I ride my bike on them). In short, I appreciate the honesty of your essay and your description of the emotional somersaults the place has put you through. (FYI - The drinking age was 18 when I was a teenager so we drank "properly" starting at the age of 16 at the Chautauqua Manor - Smokes - the bar in Mayville and got high under the willow trees by the lake.) For now, I'm taking it year by year and keeping my bike at the ready. Best, Mary www.mkbaileyauthor.com
PS Text me when you're at CHQ if you feel like connecting. 203 228-4360
Thank you, Mary! Yes, I have phases where I think it’s a nightmare but when I see my nieces soaking up the joy it offers to kids, I remember it’s a good place. Maybe I’ll see you there! I’m in week five to see Boy II Men