Chautauqua - August 6

Tonight, as promised. . . . I will attempt a description of perhaps the most unique tradition up here. I got to see this for the first time this week. . . it happens every year during the week of First Night.

Our story begins with the establishment of a book club all those many years ago. This is no ordinary book club like the ones that are popular now, thanks to Oprah! This club is called the CLSC - Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle. One of the impressive buildings on the grounds is Alumni Hall. . . and now I know who the alumni are. . .they are graduates of this book club group. Here's how it works. . . just as it did 135 years ago. The group posts a list of books at the beginning of the season. I don't know if it was always this way, but now a days the books are coordinated with the theme of the weeks. This year there are 10 selections. Some of the titles this year are: If Today Be Sweet by Thrity Umrigar, The World Without Us by Alan Weisman, Proust Was A Neuroscientist by Jonah Lehrer, Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden, A Person of Interest by Susan Choi, The Hemingses of Monticello by Annette Gordon-Reed, etc. etc.

A person becomes a member by going to the CLSC office, signing up, and paying the yearly fee. They then begin to read books off the list. This is a list now of over 800 books, dating back to the very first year. It's quite an impressive list, and most readers will find books they have already read on the list. In order to "graduate" one must read any 14 selections off the list and pay 4 years of CLSC membership dues. You can count books you've already read. The year before your graduation, you join a "class" (ie - the class of 2010). The class forms and meets on the grounds during the summer before graduation. They decide a Class Name, Class Motto, design and arrange to produce a banner, and plan their Vigil Service (one of several ceremonies that the class goes through at graduation).

Okay, so flash forward to the graduation year. This is what I observed this year. In keeping with tradition, the graduation process is almost exactly like it was all those years ago. It's unbelievable the pageantry that accompanies the simple act of reading books.

During the graduation week, the class attends one of the church services that serves as its Baccalaureate. There is an evening vigil service on another night where the graduates, dressed in white, carry candles into the Hall of Philosphy. They name their class honoree - in this case an author who has written a couple of great books about Chautauqua. The honoree's name is associated with the class (the class name). This year the honoree was in attendance and spoke.

The graduation ceremony itself is unforgetable. A small brass band, lead by two men dressed as the Chautauqua founders, marches through the grounds to Alumni Hall where all the banners of previous classes are lined up in a procession back to the Plaza. Then the graduates join the procession behind the band and march to the lower level of the Hall of Philosophy. Here they have constructed large golden gates which is ceremonially unlocked by a giant key held by one of the costumed men. The key has the word READ written on it. The graduates are dressed all in white. Men and women. One this year was so elderly he had to be physically helped up the stairs after the unlocking of the gate. As they come through the gate and up the steps, small children are dropping flower petals on the ground in front of them and a choir (me this time) is at the top of the stairs singing the same hymn to learning that was sung in the first ceremony. The graduates come up the stairs and into the open-air Hall of Philosophy. The choir sings a second song. They recognize people from the "graduate school" level of the club. . .those who continue to read and acquire patches for the stoles they wear. You can get up to 4 extra patches. . .each patch represents 14 more books. After the service, complete with diplomas and introduction of the class banner, the brass band leads the graduates through the grounds and into the amphitheater where they are given the best seats for the morning lecture. Amazing. It reminds me of a fraternity or sorority initiation.

This place is a shrine to lifelong learning, and they put their money where their mouth is on that front.

And that, my friends is how the oldest continuous book club in America does business. Now they are members of the alumni association.

In other Chautauqua news: I am nearly finished with my woven piece, which is just that. . . .a piece which I have not decided the function it will perform. But it was fun and I would like to take this class again next year when I know what I'm doing.

Went to the brown bag discussion in the theater at noon where they discussed the play I will see tonight. I was able to catch part of the dress rehearsal of the orchestra concert I will miss tonight. And I got a little gym time in as well.

The week is cranking down. But I have a very full day tomorrow! RP