FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 21st at nine o’clock in the sanctuary of First Methodist Church, DeFuniak Springs will summon the past to the present as Florida Chautauqua Assembly President Ann Robinson and Mayor Harold Carpenter deliver the traditional “ three taps of the gavel” to open the 2008 Winter Assembly in the Land of Summer.
Through Sunday, February 24th, the Chautauqua Assembly will host over forty events with a range of speakers from nationally known keynotes (Carlton Ward, Reverend Harry Pritchett and Mark Jones) to talented members of the local community who are willing to share their areas of expertise.
Following the program model in place for over one hundred years at the Chautauqua Institution in New York, each day will open with a devotional, followed by the keynote address. Afternoon sessions will be located at sites around the Circle from 1:30- to 2:45 and from 3:15 to 4:30. Visitors will have a hard time choosing which class to attend! Topics will range from advice on investing in turbulent times, to spirituality and meditation classes, plus historical and political events. Katie Ott’s harp ensemble will perform, Alex Alexander will host a pictorial visit to New York’s Chautauqua, Brenda Rees will talk about Walton County history and Chautauqua favorite Jan Turnquist will return as Louisa May Alcott, as well as other historical characters she has created for a delightful look at Early American history.
This is just a small sampling of the classes offered. Pick up a program at locations all over Walton County to find complete scheduling information, including the Walton County Library and Chamber of Commerce, and the Heritage museum at the Depot. Complete information can also be found at
www.floridachautauqua.org.
But speakers and classes make up only one part of this year’s Winter Assembly. As in New York, speaking sessions are bracketed on both sides by attractions that have involved an enormous number of community organizations and volunteers.
Paulette Morrison has organized a spectacular group of over forty artists for an art show and sale opened free of charge to the public at the Community Center on 10th Avenue, Thursday through Saturday from 9 until 4. Buses will be available to transport Chautauqua attendees from the Hall of Brotherhood.
On Saturday morning, the DeFuniak Women’s Club is hosting a 5-K run that is drawing regional participation.
Every morning from 7:00 until 11:00, the parishioners of St.Agatha’s Episcopal Church will offer a complete, sit-down breakfast to Chautauqua visitors. Priced by menu items, this is one of the best deals in town! The Women’s Club will host a delicious Spaghetti Supper at the Methodist Church on Friday night from 5 until 7pm.
Every morning at 7:30, patrons are invited to a free yoga session “on the porch” at the Hall of Brotherhood, overlooking the lake and led by June Enfinger (who is also presenting sessions later in the day).
Carol Puckett will lead a walking tour around the lake at 11:45 Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The tour will begin with a Brown Bag lunch lecture (bring your own or purchase one there for $6.00) at the Hall of Brotherhood. Participants will learn about the city’s historical ties to New York and step into several architecturally significant homes on the Circle. In case of inclement weather, transportation will be available.
Ellen Mayfield and the Tea Ladies and Gentlemen will offer a Grand Afternoon Tea Serenade Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 2 until 5.
The Florida Chautauqua Theater will be the site of lavish special events each night. On Thursday, the first annual Chautauqua Film Festival premieres with the focus this year on the movies of Frank Capra. Friday night the “Chautauqua Radio Companion” will fill the stage with the music of Dread Clampitt, Matt Miller and Ruthie Puckett; hosted by Sonny Yates and with comedy provided by Jennifer Steele Saunders and the Radio Players. On Saturday night Bill Oberest presents “Lewis Grizzard One More Time”.
Representing over thirty organizations, the Panhandle Preservation Alliance will offer an exhibit on the second floor of the Hall of Brotherhood and the Walton County Heritage Museum is keeping its doors opened for the entire Assembly.
Sunday afternoon, the whole community is invited for free events including Porch Parties around the Lake from 1:30 until 4:30 featuring a broad range of talented performers including Muskogee story-tellers, Middle School vocal ensembles and the “Grit and Grace” Road Show. The highlight of the afternoon will be a stirring performance at the Hall of Brotherhood at 4:00 by the Panama City Pipes and Drums, processing around the Lake to the Methodist Sanctuary for closing ceremonies. The inspirational and powerful South Walton Ecumenical Choir will be the centerpiece for the final "three taps of the gavel", ending this years Winter Assembly.
For questions, please visit
www.floridachautauqua.org or call the Chautauqua office at 850-892-3696. We look forward to seeing you this weekend in DeFuniak Springs!
