Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-02-06
The Vacation Habit.

1t is not possible for everyone to go
to the seashore, or to the mountains,
or to the numerous pleasure resorts
that this country affords. Especially
is this true of the man possessing the
true home spirit. who believes that
wherever he goes his family should
go and if he enjoys himself his family
should share the pleasure But it
must be man of very moderate
means-a mean man probably, who
cannot afford tire small expense in
cident to taking his family to Chau-
tauqua.
A modest beginning is easily made
and avoids costly mistakes. There
are responsible concerns that stand
ready to furnish practically all the
necessary equipment, including can
vas auditorium and the seating ar
engagements Tents for campers can
be secured readily at any time and in
any numbers. 1t can be safely as
serted that no concerted efforts on the
part of the principal men and women
of this town would pay such large
dividends in the way of an increase
in the ethical and civic virtue of the
community. There is no movement
which would so readily and solidly
unite the best elements of the com.
munity as becoming vitality interested
in the successful establishment of
Chautauqua.
Some form of entertainment and
amusement is in constant demand
these days. This condition arises
from two causes: one is the continued
prosperity of the country which re-
suits in a large amount of leisure time
and more money to spend The Sec
ond is the demand made by the over
worked man for some relaxation from
the intense business struggle.
The cry comes equally from the rur-
al district and the smaller towns as
from the large cities and metropolitan
centers. There is this difference in
desire The former class want an
opportunity to hear and see some of the
best things. The day of palming off
the cheap entertainer and entertain
meut on these communities is past.
The responsibility for this should be
credited wholly to the Chautauqua
and Lyceum movements and there is
no surer way in securing the best that
is being offered throughout the coun-
try than by making the small towns
and county seats of this state the per-
manent home of Chautauqua.
In addition to entertainment and
amusement there is education and Gull
ture; all opportunity to live the SIM
pie life of camp and woods the privi-
leges of meeting and enjoying the
people; those most worth knowing-of
this part Of the state.
To the Chautauqua modelled on the
most successful lines thousands GO
each year for inspiration and recrea-
ton. The influence of few days
spent in this way produces mental
stimulation that lasts through the
year. 1t is unique school for the
education of the adult population.
It's influence is reflected in the desire
for civic Improvement. good roads,
and better forms of local. state and
national government,
There is no pleasure quite equal to
the one of listening to a man or worn
an who has done something that is
really great or is engaged in a life
work in which the public is vitality
interested. 1t may be the preacher,
politician. or in-entor; it makes no
difference. 1t is the personal touch;
it gives the event an association in
the future no other way affords. The
general spread of the Chautauqua
movement is educating the people and
endowing the people with pleasant
memories on scale never possib lie
before