Archive for the Category »Chautauqua «

Oct
08

Fall In Chautauqua New York

Denise
Thanks for stopping by again!

Predictions for the leaves turning are at 55% for this coming weekend in Chautauqua County and Warren County.

two and a half
Creative Commons License photo credit: psyberartist

Many people travel for hours to see the leaves peak in N.W. NY. and PA. Between Chautauqua Lake, the Allegheny reservoir, the Great Lakes and the rolling foothills each scene holds the beauty and peace of fall.

For a relaxing trip the Chautauqua Lake Erie Wine trail combines fall reflections in lake Erie with two lighthouses, one in Westfield, NY and the other in Dunkirk, NY. The Chautauqua gorge is also beautiful at this time of year.

Bemus Point is also enjoyable, particularly if you dine at one of the restaurants on the Chautauqua Lake. Often after dinner we take a walk in the village and end up sitting on the porch of the Lenhart Hotel to watch the sun set over the water. Once in a while we will see the Chautauqua Belle or Summer Wind on one of its lake tours.

And if you have time for a canoe trip, floating down the Conewango Creek and through the remains of the glacial lakes just past Jamestown NY near Akeley Pa offer a peaceful and colorful ride at this time of year. You may see the Canadian Geese gathering for their migrating flight. I haven’t seen the Blue Heron lately so they must be headed south.

Fall isn’t complete to me without a trip to the Kinzua Dam, Lookout Point and if time permits, the Tionesta Scenic point. Many throughout the history on Warren PA have admired the hills and mini waterfalls in the Kinzua area.

Check out the original article,  Colors of the National Allegheny Forest at Allegheny Almanac for  Fall images by Chris Lareau.

The weather look great for a weekend of fall photography. I better make sure I have extra batteries for the camera!


Category: Chautauqua  Tags: , , , ,  One Comment
Sep
30

Chautauqua Lake Erie Wine Trail

Denise

With the fall leaves about to burst into brilliant color now is the perfect time to travel The Chautauqua Lake Erie Wine Trail.Home Made Concord Grape Juice
Creative Commons License photo credit: Odalaigh

The Chautauqua Lake Erie Wine Trail wanders through one of the largest grape growing region east of the Rockies. The trail is roughly 40 miles long and extends from Silver Creek, NY (which is in Chautauqua County) to North East, Pennsylvania.

There are over 21 commercial and estate wineries along the trail. Each has their unique history and atmosphere. For those who enjoy a wide range of flavor you are sure to find a wine fro just about any occasion. The varieties range from fruity native Labruscas to European-style wines. My favorites are the French-American wines.

One year when we had the Studebaker weekender at Chautauqua Institution, we organized a caravan of vintage Studebakers and toured the entire trail. It made for an interesting day.

studebaker
Creative Commons License photo credit: McBeth

Creation of the Chautauqua Wine area

Grapes need a particular climate to grow well. It was due to the Ice age that helped to create an area where the grapes would thrive.

Glaciers descended from the north during the Ice Age and gouged out great trenches in the Chautauqua Area. The glaciers also brought with them large quantities of Canadian soil, rocks and boulders. When the temperatures began to warm, the glaciers receded and filled the trenches with water to form the Great Lakes.

They also left behind ridges of soil and gravel along the Lake Erie shore. These glacial ridges are the basis for ideal growing conditions for wine grapes and the many fruit trees that also grow well in the area.

The moderating effect of the lake on spring and fall temperatures and glacial ridges that is comprised of a gravel-loam mix that drains well, combine to create a perfect growing environment for healthy vineyards.

The Chautauqua area is prone to early and late frosts so the area is challenging for growing a consistent grape crop each year but many families have managed a winery business for generations.

Welch’s Food Company is also located in Westfield New York,  is a small town nestled along the Lake Erie shore. Welch’s has become very well knows for their grape juice and jams and jellies, which use the Concord Grape.

A trip on the Chautauqua Lake Erie Wine Trail in the fall will be a relaxing day. Besides the beautiful fall foliage there are still many vegetable stands open that offer an amazing variety of fruits, vegetables and crafts.

Veg on the Left, Fruit on the Right
Creative Commons License photo credit: Kevin H.


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Sep
22

Chautauqua Institution Jazz Weekend 2009

Denise

The Jazz weekend sponsored by Jazz Lives at Chautauqua Institution Sept. 17 – 20, 2009,  was again a success After 12 years the weekend continues to grow and become a part of the activities and atmosphere of the Chautauqua Institution.

The weekend’s weather was perfect for September in Chautauqua County. It made walking around the grounds while enjoying the music a perfect experience in relaxation and entertainment.

I didn’t find any you tubes of the performers that participated at the weekend event but what really struck me this weekend is how timeless jazz is and whether you like piano, trumpet or the sax, there is a style of Jazz that you will enjoy.

As the weekend wrapped up, I gathered my new collection of CD’s and said my goodbyes to my friends, many of which I will not see until next year and the Jazz weekend.


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Aug
10

About Chautauqua

Denise

Chautauqua as a town offers that small town feel that many areas have lost with growth and time.Colonial Inns in Upstate New York
Creative Commons License photo credit: jerochan1

Its small diners,  bread and breakfast accomodations and being located close to Lake Erie and Chautauqua lake help form a recreational area that will appeal to all.

And of course there is the Chautauqua Institution, which offers a rich history and classes in many artistic areas. The lectures they offer daily also fill out a schedule that will appeal to all ages.

About Chautauqua, a book written about Chautauqua show an insight into the area of Chautauqua, its history through the ice age, American Indian and later when it was developed into a town and as a” Chautauqua Assembly.”

The following link should take you to a PDF form of the About Chautauqua Book written in the late 1800′s.

Emily Kayaking
Creative Commons License photo credit: rick020200


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Jul
18

Chautauqua: The Florida Chautauqua

Denise

Chautauqua: The Florida Chautauqua

Chautauqua

Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, NY.

Creative Commons License photo credit: colecamp

As those who attend the programs at the Chautauqua Institution know, the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua NY was the “Mother Chautauqua”.

Many Chautauqua’s started in the United States and Canada in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. But with the introduction of radio and televsion the popularity of the chautauqua programs declined.

There are only a few Chautauqua’s that still offer a program and one of the more well known of these is located in DeFuniak Springs, Walton County, Fla.

Below is an excerpt from Our Florida Travel on the “Florida Chautauqua, written by Diana Strittmatter.

Often referred to as an “Independent Daughter” of the movement, the Florida Chautauqua began on February 10, 1885 in DeFuniak Springs located in Walton County. The format of the group emphasized religious training and educational activities in areas of philosophy, theology, music and art. Entertainment was also established in the form of concerts and lectures geared to be educational in nature. History tells us that by 1886 visitors to the Assembly attended lectures on Julius Caesar, Cicero’s writings, Rome and Hannibal, Marius and Sulla as well as diverse topics on health, astronomy, and even love and marriage.

Several speakers took turns in giving lectures at the Florida Chautauqua but one of the first speakers was Wallace Bruce, a man who would play a key role in the direction of the Chautauqua Assembly. In 1888, Wallace Bruce was elected President of the Florida Chautauqua Association and he built his first home on Lake DeFuniak. It was through his efforts that the Hall of Brotherhood building was constructed.

To read the rest of the article click here: Florida’s Historic Chautauqua.

Being a fan of the Chautauqua Institution I enjoy learning about the other Chautauqua’s that flourished in the United States.

hallofbro-southeast

photo courtesy of florida chautauqua.com

Thanks Diana for a great article.


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