Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1915-08-27
THE CHAUTAUQUA.

terly opposes Chautauqua as an
educational movement. it has come
and went and a resume of the
seven joyous days must conclude
with a people satisfied-so satisfied
that Chautauqua is guaranteed fol-
another year.
No one thing on this seasons
varied program suited everybody
nor did any number fail to please
somebody. In its entirety. though
the program was well received
highly commended and thoroughly
enjoyed.
There were stellar attractions
during the entire week with some
stars outshining others, but none so
dim that they were not appreciated
Fortuate indeed was Woodstock
in having DR.. A. B. Van Ormer as
Superintendent, for the making or
marring of the success of Chatauqua
is dependent to a great extent on
the platform manager.
Combining a ready wit, an at
tractive personality and an eloquent
speech with an attractive theme, DR..
Van Ormer contributed largely to
the success and enjoyment of the
week. So much was he appreciated
that by unanimous voice he was
requested to return next year.
Beginning with the widow of
General Pickett in a reminiscent
lecture, Friends of Yesterday" and
ending with a Shakespeare play,
the program included so many good
things that it would require too
much space to give it all in detail.
Rabbi Levy. DR.. Tn os. E. Green
and Judge Ben. B. Lindsy left im-|
pressions which will prove lasting
and either one of them was we'll
worth the price of the entire series
of entertainments.
Without making invidious COM
parsons, DR.. Green's superb hand
ling of his subject The Burden of
the Nations was the big thing of
the week. In eloquent and per-
suasive logic he hammered the
and shattered the argu-l
ments of militarists and ammunition
makers for a great standing army.
The musical features were ex-l
ceptionally good during the entire
week. including Dunbar's Singing
Orchestra, Victors Italian Band, |
Hackett-Florence Trio and Nc
Kinnie operate Company.
The Juniors under the efficient
training of Miss Margaret Broadway |
and Miss Bender did excellent work |
and the concert and play given on
the last day reflected much credit
upon their instructors.
The tent crew commanded byl
Capt. c. Harold Kistler added much |
to the comfort and pleasure of the
large crowds who attended daily
both sessions of the Chautauqua.
By and large. it was a most sue
cessful Chautauqua week and thous-
ands enjoyed the opportunity to|
share some of the big things of |
earth with their brethren of the
cities who have opportunities to see |
and hear so much that, except for
chautauqua, is denied the ruralite.
Naturally there is another side to
the seven joyous days" Primarily
the location of the grounds is far
from desirable. Too near the
railroad, especially because of its
chautauqua schedule and the train
schedule being practically the same.
Something good arrives on the
platform just when a Southern train
arrives at the depot and as a result
there is a medley of Martha and
milk cans, piano and putting. solos
an dsteam, lectures and locomotives,
band and bells and arias and air
branes which make one wonder at
times if he is under a chautauqua
tent or in a railway terminal. We
are fond of Southern music but
great part of the weeks program was
entirely too Southern and to elimi-
nate Fairfax Harrison's picked COM
pany of noise makers from partici-
pating in the next years festivities
it is to be hoped that another loca-
ton will be found for the big tent
Then there were some few kickers
as there always are. Some were
young and by taking good care of
themselves will get over it. Some
were middle-aged. but these were
dyspeptics, and'some were old and
these kicked because chautauquaI
was never heard of when they were
young.
Yet there were. indeed. Seven