Tag Archives: Old First Night
Chautauqua Foundation CEO Geof Follansbee, a lifelong Chautauquan, celebrates the Foundation’s 75th anniversary. Photo by Eric Shea.

Photos: Make a wish, Chautauqua

August 11, 2012 by The Chautauquan Daily 0 Comments

Chautauqua Foundation CEO Geof Follansbee, a lifelong Chautauquan, celebrates the Foundation’s 75th anniversary.

Boys’ and Girls’ Club’s SAC Girls, overall champions of the 2012 Air Band competition, perform their routine, “We Are Legends,” just before the evening’s conclusion.

A spotlight shines on Ramona Weissbard as the last Chautauquan standing during Roll Call — she has been coming to Chautauqua for 98 years.

Audience members hold up hankerchiefs and tissues to take part in the traditional “Drooping of the Lilies” exercise to honor Chautauquans “who have joined the great majority.”

To purchase reprints of any Daily photographs published in the print edition or online, please contact the Editorial Office at 716-357-6205.

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Chautauquans participate in the annual Old First Night Run on Saturday morning, August 4.

Old First Night 2012 run/walk/swim results

August 8, 2012 by The Chautauquan Daily 0 Comments

Marc Parnell and Kylee Witchey-Clements cross the finish line as the first female and male finishers, respectively, in the run portion of the annual Old First Night Run/Walk/Swim Saturday. All names and times are courtesy of the Chautauqua Sports Club. Photos by Adam Birkan.

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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.”

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Students from Children’s School sing “Happy Birthday” to mark Chautauqua Institution’s 137th birthday during last season’s Old First Night exercises. Daily file photo.

Chautauqua celebrates tradition, roots in annual Old First Night festivities

August 7, 2012 by The Chautauquan Daily 0 Comments

One hundred thirty-nine seasons. Innumerable traditions. More than 5,000 celebrants in the Amphitheater. A formidable number of birthday cakes. One night.

At 7:30 p.m. tonight, Old First Night will sweep the Amp again with all the mirth and merriment that accompanies the celebration of Chautauqua’s birthday each year. Founded in 1874, the Institution will pay homage to its roots with a number of the traditional programs Chautauquans new and seasoned look forward to each summer.

Dick Karslake, master of ceremonies for the past 23 celebrations, said he has more fun than anyone on Old First Night. He has noticed during the years that it offers something for everyone.

“There’s nothing there that is wasted effort or wasted energy, because it’s somebody’s favorite time,” he said of the traditional elements of the Old First Night program.

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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.

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Tally Ho serves up breakfast, brunch to benefit annual fund

August 4, 2012 by The Chautauquan Daily 0 Comments

Begin the celebration of Chautauqua’s birthday Tuesday at the Tally Ho. From 8 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the Tally Ho restaurant will offer breakfast and brunch, with proceeds going to support the Chautauqua Fund.

A fast-service take-out buffet is $3 or any donation, and dine-in by reservation is $4 or any donation. Three seating times are available: 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. Reservations may be made by calling 716-357-3325.

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Vacation Properties continues tradition of OFN Run support

August 4, 2012 by The Chautauquan Daily 0 Comments

ERA Team VP — formerly Vacation Properties Group — will sponsor the Old First Night Run/Walk/Swim on Saturday.

Founded at Chautauqua in the early 1980s, Vacation Properties retained their connections to the grounds by fulfilling the role of sponsor for many years.

“While we’ve expanded outside of Chautauqua to Chautauqua County and beyond, it’s still very important part of our business,” said Bill Soffel, owner and broker. “We continue to be very involved with real estate sales, and vacation rentals and property management on the grounds.”

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Don and Liz Novak from Grosse Ile, Mich. Photo by Michelle Kanaar.

All T’d up for OFN Run/Walk/Swim

August 3, 2012 by The Chautauquan Daily 0 Comments

The Old First Night Run/Walk/Swim attracts Chautauquans who love athletics, competition, exercise and T-shirts.

Peggy Ulasewicz, organizer of the OFN race, said she does not take the design of the vibrantly colored T-shirts lightly.

“Every time I’m out on the grounds, I’m looking for the inspiration for next season’s shirts,” she said.

Ulasewicz also takes pictures around the grounds and sends them to her friend, artist Dan Wintermantel, who creates the art for the T-shirts.

The rainbow of different OFN race shirts can be seen throughout the grounds every day of the season. Ulasewicz said seeing people still getting use out of the shirts is a good feeling.

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