Tag Archives: chautauqua fund
Yvonne and Jack McCredie, 2012 co-chairs of the Chautauqua Fund, speak during a recent luncheon at the Athenaeum Hotel recognizing annual fund volunteers. Photo by Adam Birkan.

Fund chairs continue work beyond season to meet goal

August 21, 2012 by The Chautauquan Daily 0 Comments

Though the season is winding down, Chautauqua Fund Chairs Jack and Yvonne McCredie will not be winding down their efforts to gather support for Chautauqua.

“There’s still a lot of work to do,” Jack said.

The job of the McCredies is a year-round one. From conversations with their team of volunteers, the 2012 Chautauqua Fund has so far been a success. All 110 annual fund volunteers meet several times with their teams and team captains during the season, and the 12 team captains meet four times each summer.

Read more
Community
, , , , , ,
John Jureller and Mary Giegengack Jureller. Photo by Michelle Kanaar.

Jurellers’ support for Chautauqua grounded in interfaith programming

August 20, 2012 by The Chautauquan Daily 0 Comments

Like so many vacationers, John Jureller and Mary Giegengack Jureller expected their trip in the summer of 1992 to result in relaxation, with entertainment and quaint sights and, maybe, if they were lucky enough to stumble upon a decent place, church on Sunday morning. But the Jurellers were going to Chautauqua.

“You can’t often find a vacation place where you can expect to have your spiritual life nourished and expanded. Mostly you go searching about for a church that’s tolerable,” Mary said. “We found the Sunday morning ecumenical service here just wonderfully enriching.”

Since finding Chautauqua much better than “tolerable” — both spiritually and in other regards — the Jurellers of Syracuse, N.Y., have returned for another 20 seasons.

Read more
Community
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Sigo and Jean Falk with Amy Pikler. Photo by Lauren Rock.

Through scholarships to arts students, Falks help keep music in the mix

August 9, 2012 by The Chautauquan Daily 0 Comments

It’s no secret — though the outside world may think classical music is dying, those on the grounds know it is alive and well at Chautauqua.

The Falk family certainly believes so. Each year, the Falk Scholarship Fund supports one of the many students studying the arts at Chautauqua. This year, the scholarship was awarded to Amy Pikler, a violist in the School of Music.

“I had heard about the program through other people who have gone here,” she said. “I was looking for a program that provided merit scholarships for music study, and Chautauqua offered that.”

Read more
Community
, , , , , , , , , ,
Neal and Linda Rhoads Photo by Michelle Kanaar.

After miserable first Chautauqua experience, Rhoadses mold family legacy

August 8, 2012 by The Chautauquan Daily 0 Comments

Better Homes and Gardens ran a page about Chautauqua Institution in 1975 under the title of “Great family vacations.” The page happened to catch Linda Rhoads’ eye, and she and her husband, Neal, decided to venture from Hershey, Pa., to New York.

But their first visit to Chautauqua was less than idyllic.

“I don’t know why we ever came back, because we lived in the top of a house — it was the third floor, and there was no porch,” Linda said. “The floors were all at different angles, and we had to step over a toilet to get into the bedroom.”

Despite the conditions, something about the Institution resonated with Neal and Linda and their two daughters.

“We’ve come every year since,” Linda said.

Read more
Community
, , , , , , ,
The book, titled “We Thank You,” presented to Chautauqua Reorganization Corporation leader Sam Hazlett in appreciation of his work to ensure Chautauqua’s future.

For 75 years, a Foundation of support for Chautauqua

August 7, 2012 by The Chautauquan Daily 0 Comments

The Chautauqua Foundation celebrates 75 years this season with a nod to the past. This year, the foundation honors those leaders who helped lift Chautauqua to prosperity by establishing a charitable organization to support the Institution.

In 1933, the nation was entrenched in the bitter effects of the Great Depression. The previous year saw the highest level of unemployment in United States history: 22 percent. Chautauqua Institution, 60 years old but already rich in history, faced foreclosure.

In what was perhaps Chautauqua’s first case statement, according to former Institution President Dan Bratton in a memo to senior staff in 1993, former President Dr. Arthur Bestor is quoted as saying, “An institution of this character cannot stand still; it must either go forward or it will go backward.”

Read more
History/Archives
, , , , ,

Annual Fund Day spreads word of how to ‘mind the gap’

August 7, 2012 by The Chautauquan Daily 0 Comments

The name “Old First Night” may generate some ambiguity. Certainly, Chautauquans know what happens that night — they celebrate the Institution’s birthday. But what happens during the day, in the hours that lead up to the traditional evening festivities?

This year, those anticipatory hours before Old First Night are dubbed Annual Fund Day — a day set aside to celebrate the significant role philanthropy plays in maintaining Chautauqua’s legacy.

Annual Fund Day kicks off with breakfast and brunch at the Tally Ho from 8 to 11 a.m. A take-out buffet is $3, and dine-in by reservation is $4. All donations are welcome, and proceeds go to the Chautauqua Fund.

Read more
Community
, , , , ,
Eleanor B. Franks with her granddogs. Photo by Lauren Rock.

Franks makes commitment to ensure ‘special place’ Chautauqua keeps going

August 2, 2012 by The Chautauquan Daily 0 Comments

Eleanor B. Franks recalls the days when her mother would stand in line for opera tickets. As a teenager, she and her mother would go to opera performances — back when the Metropolitan Opera traveled.

“I guess I’ve been a fan ever since,” Franks said.

Franks’ late husband, Myron B. Franks, was also an opera enthusiast. The two came to Chautauqua every summer for years, and she still looks forward to it each season.

In her honor, Myron established the Eleanor B. Franks Fund for the Opera in 1981.

Read more
Community
, , , , , , ,
John and Eleanor Pless Photo by Lauren Rock.

Plesses’ chance encounter leads to life of love for each other, and Chautauqua

July 27, 2012 by The Chautauquan Daily 0 Comments

In 1955, John and Eleanor Pless just happened to be on the same day trip. The trip just happened to bring them to Chautauqua. And they just happened to fall in love with the Institution — and with each other.

Fifty-seven years later, the couple loves the place where they met almost as much as they love each other.

“John says I’d rather give him up than Chautauqua,” Eleanor said. “And he’d probably rather give me up than the opera.”

Their involvement with the Chautauqua Opera Company prompted them to “adopt” Studio and Apprentice Artists and now also Voice students in the School of Music.

Read more
Community
, , , , , , , , ,
Older Entries