The Real Chautauqua

Why don't we just have a Chautauqua every other weekend?

I swear, doesn't anything ever happen around here without some sort of controversy and people taking sides? I am waiting for Grit and Grace to fall into disarray, with the Grits vs. the Gracers, each holding true to their vision of the cultural resonance of Freeport.

The Grits vs Gracers. A new gang is born.

The name as one poster pointed out has been used by many different organizations. It's enough to confuse Einstein.

I'm just happy as a resident of DFS to have two events in this time span.

Both assembly's are different by the content they picked. They both will appeal to different segments of the population. I attended many events from the first assembly and will attend many of the second.

The first seemed to cater to nationally known speakers and focused on politics. That was their theme and they fulfilled it.

The second seems to focus on mind,body,spiritual and community connections.The film festival will bring the community together at the theater every night and I am really looking forward to the radio hour night held there as well.

Are we going to argue because we're getting too much culture in our little area??

Please read Dean DeBolt's extensive and accurate blog. This will provide you with the necessary and correct information that distinguishes the 13-year-old revival of Florida Chautauqua Assembly, first inititated by Ms. Pickett, under the organization now known as Florida Chautauqua Center, Inc. The 'newest' incarnation, that is sponsoring the event later this month, arose in a manner that many might call 'questionable.' I think there's a lot of small-town jealousy that has encircled the situation and the result is that the latest version comes off as an attempt to undermine the success of the 13-year-running revival. Quite sad, in some respects.

DeFuniak Springs is a lovely area for Chautauqua. Too bad that there couldn't be one in the winter and one in the summer or early fall. Two assemblies so close to each other has been confusing for many folks. Couldn't the two sponsoring organizations work to coexist in such an approach?

But, to be sure, the established revival of Florida Chautauqua in DeFuniak Springs is that of the Florida Chautauqua Center, Inc., which sponsored the most recent Assembly, and not - repeat, not - that of the newer organization. Wake up, people.

Gotta love small town jealousy and politics.

I'm just happy as a resident of DFS to have two events in this time span.

Are we going to argue because we're getting too much culture in our little area??

Agreed - there is no such thing as too much culture - especially in DeFuniak Springs. If anything, the presence of a second Assembly may bring to light the need for some changes to be made within the community as a whole.

So what ever happened to Miss Chatauqua and the Chatauqua Parade that we used to enjoy in the 1970's/1980's? I didn't stumble around in an evening formal in 1980 for nothing!

Note: this is meant as light-hearted diversion. Except that the stumbling around really did happen. It's a common occurence with me.

I remember a much different you at that time.

when you're a grit, you. stay. a. grit.

I remember a much different you at that time.

I was afraid of that. ;-)

It's interesting that the handful of people who say they know which is the 'real' Chautauqa have only two or three very accusatory posts in their history and seem to be from the same camp.

Oh, well. I don't have enough time to actively persue or debate this subject, as much as I'd like to.




Long live the Chautauqa, may she serve to unite rather than divide.

It's interesting that the handful of people who say they know which is the 'real' Chautauqa have only two or three very accusatory posts in their history and seem to be from the same camp.

Oh, well. I don't have enough time to actively persue or debate this subject, as much as I'd like to.




Long live the Chautauqa, may she serve to unite rather than divide.

Reply to Mrs. Rocket: The 'handful of people' to which you refer has not intended to be accusatory ... but, rather, to clarify the truth of the matter. The perception that they are 'from the same camp' stems from the mere fact that they happen to have direct knowledge of the issues that have been discussed in the posts. At no point have either of the current Chautauqua-sponsoring organizations claimed to be 'the real' Chautauqua. It's simply a matter of clarifying the organization that has been involved with the 13-year revival of FL Chautauqua, and the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the most recent organization. The facts support the notiont hat there is nothing 'accusatory' here.

And yes, in truest form, the concept and spirit of Chautauqua should unite, not divide. Unfortunately, small-town politics and petty jealousy have crept in and diminished this noble ideal.

I still wonder why two Assembly events couldn't occur in DeFuniak Springs each year, perhaps every six months. DFS is such a wonderful place for such events. I hate to see issues such as this divide a community.