Rotary Happenings: Rotarians hear from Chautauqua Institute representative
The arts has always been a form of entertainment for many people. During the pandemic, we all searched for things to do to occupy our minds and help us cope with the lack of socialization. Many of the institutions that provide a format of the arts stepped up to the plate and heard the call of the public who were missing their normally scheduled programs. They also began to reach out to new patrons who would benefit from their programs.
Many groups that normally were leading the way in providing programs for the arts had to do some quick maneuvering in order to continue to provide those programs for a now virtual based public. This was most definitely the case with our very own BIG ARTS, as well as the Chautauqua Institute in New York. Recently, the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club heard from Emily Morris, chief brand officer for the institution.
The Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit, 750-acre community on Chautauqua Lake in southwest New York. Approximately 7,500 persons are in residence on any day during the season. Morris explained how normally the institute provides experiences during its summer assembly and “shoulder” seasons. Every summer, over the course of nine weeks, more than 100,000 people visit to engage in numerous activities, everything from a lecture series, dance, music, theater and art — and the list is ever growing. The Chautauqua Institute is now providing experiences for a growing number of people all year long via the Internet with its online lecture series. We are thankful for the institutions that provide us with programs to explore, learn, relax and grow, either local or afar.
The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club holds a meeting on Fridays at 7:30 a.m. at the Dunes Golf and Tennis Club, at 949 Sand Castle Road, Sanibel, and via Zoom. To attend in person, email Bill Harkey at William.Harkey@gmail.com; attendance is limited to 30 people. To take part via Zoom, call 239-472-7257. For more information, visit sanibelrotary.org or www.facebook.com/sancaprotary.