August 2006 Newsletter
Page Number four
continued from Page 3 ... Chautauqua

In an amphitheater-shaped place, the sound was heavenly.

They played 50s music and a few people spontaneously danced (mostly little kids). Other pieces were George Gershwin's concerto, Rhapsody in Blue; America the Beautiful; the Armed Forces theme songs, during which members of the different branches stood along with those who have a family member in Iraq or Afghanistan. When we entered through the gates, they gave us a program and a paper bag, lunch size. When we got to the last number, we learned the bag’s purpose. The 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky (which is played by the National Symphony on the 4th) contains a section for canons to boom out spectacularly. The director gave us instructions and divided the audience into four sections. We were to blow up the bag, and each section, on cue, was to pop their bags to make the canon sound; we did this twice. It was effective, loud and great fun.

Afterwards, we walked down the hill to Lake Chautauqua, which has several towns around it. From about 3 miles away, we were able to watch the fireworks of two towns while patriotic and nostalgic songs were chimed by bells in the bell tower at the edge of the lake. All around the lake were red flares outlining the water. When the fireworks shifted from one town to another, we could see the green boat lights move in that direction, as those on the water went for better views.

Huston Smith was scheduled to speak at the Hall of Philosophy [an open-air, covered building set up on high pillars like the Parthenon]. However, when he arrived from San Francisco, he collapsed...dehydration, they said...and he spent some days in the hospital. By Thursday, he came, shaking his cane in the air, grinning broadly. And on Friday, he spoke, and he was wonderful, in his inimitable way. Others were scheduled to speak with him during the week, so we didn't lack for stimulating thoughts--from Rustrum Roy, Larry Dossey, and two others...

Chautauqua, with its idyllic village, gingerbread pastel houses, large porches with people sitting in the rockers until late in the

 

 evening, children ringing their bike bells as they pass, people who take books to read in spare moments before lectures, the camaraderie that develops in this atmosphere and among people who return year after year ... and to be there on the 4th! It probably exists in many Americans' dreams; it is reality here, at least at this time

 

 

 

R E NEWS

Sheila McElroy

Summer Classes: The UFL youth will continue with our joint classes during August for fun summer activities. We will be honoring the UU Seventh Principle, "Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part." We will be exploring our environment and Becoming Friends with the Earth. (We will be using a guide from the Institute for Peace and Justice as well as UU Faithworks.) There will be games, crafts, activities, stories and field trips around our fellowship grounds. So come join us for fun in the sun.

R E CALENDAR OF EVENTS

August 6 - Sing and dance with the Earth. What songs or dances do you know that you can sing with the Earth and/or teach others? What songs does the Earth sing that you could listen to more carefully?

August 13 - YRUU join the adults for the main program. Exchange gifts with the Earth. Pre-school and kindergarten class will explore the gifts we receive from the Earth and what gifts we give, or could give, to the Earth.

August 20 - Protect the Earth; stand in defense of creation. What are you doing individually to protect the Earth?

August 27 - Share your concern with others. The UFL youth will write letters to the UFL newsletter and to the editor of the

Longview News-Journal about our studies and current issues about protecting our Earth home.

go to page 5