Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1925-04-16
SPRING AT CHAUTAUQUA
(By Isabel Bozman)

(By Isabel Bozman)
/ wonder If anyone could guess
what we would miss on the assembly
grounds, as one of the activities of
spring not the apple tree with it's
beautiful blossoms backed by view
of the lake. That tree which was
the subject for poem and prize.
No! but the garden with growing
lettuce and radish beds; there is
neither space nor time for cultiva-
tion
With the coming of April, all
energy is put to use by the house
folk, in making things fresh and
new with paint and planting. For
next month the guests begin to come.
Windows which seemed asleep, with
shutters closed, have opened to the
sunshine; verandas, curtained in,
for protection against heavy snow
drifts, are given an appearance of
| welcome, while clothes lines are
filled with bedding, pillows, rugs and
mattresses, all absorbing fresh air
and sunshine, that the sweet out of
doors may be carried within. Every
working man and woman is eagerly
sought, to help in this spring up
heaval. Repair work can hardly be
kept up-to-date, with wires and gas
and sewerage, to be in order for the
coming guests.
| When all within has been made
ready, planting and shrubs are trim
med, while whose banks of hardy
syringas later loaded with lovely
blossoms, seem to tie the cottage to
the ground, making a backing for
summer flowers to bloom in June.
Streets which have been quilted and
washed by heavy winter rains, are
under the care of the grounds man
ager, and will be filled and rolled
and dragged. We can walk there
just as well as on the side walk. All
streets have not the improved ce-
ment walks, so the crowds will take
to the street.
We have little fear of automo-
biles, as these are parked outside the
grounds. This paradise for old and
children has laws for their protec-
ton and safety. Any auto allowed
on the street, is accompanied by
special police on the running board,
to insure careful driving.
The book store, bakery, flower
market and candy stand must all be
re-arranged in an open space, after
winter in close quarters, this to
oo n dotn nif inc Of
country village. Down at the lake,
boat houses are again placed by the
waters edge, docks are rebuilt for
convenience of boat and canoe.
Many of these are retouched with
bright red or green paint, which
adds to the attractive view on the
lake at sunset.
The great amphitheatre must be
swept and scrubbed to the last seat;
the organ opened and tuned; offices
put. in order for the work of 500
singers, and spaces for trunks and
musicians. At the trolley gate and
at the dock, offices are opened and
little later the great iron gates plac
ed to mark entrance and exit
Here we secure ticket for the
season, which is punched each time
we pass in or out, and the law takes
care of those caught creeping
through the fence.
Indeed! as spring comes on, all Of
this "city within the gates" is made
fresh and ready for two months of
intellectual treat and activity-not
neglecting golf courses, tennis, ball,
rook and play grounds, for "all work
and no play makes Jack dull boy"
So all is ready for. thousands Of
visitors, and that is only the begin
ming of all that can be done. To go
and also to rest, that is always ones
own choice. To miss or not to miss
that, is the question, when there are
three perfectly fine events for the
same hour. Which will linger long
est as a regret when missed-that is
hard on the undecided temperament.
So now spring has come, or she
has made an advance visit to engage
accommodations; we are doing all
we can to help her.
The children are playing on the
plaza; woman are discarding hats;
the weekly is publishing a poem
all signs of spring. The guests will
come in even greater crowds from
May to August, and then drift away
from August through october, after
the wonderful season is over, and
the Bryant bell has rung new year.