Friend of the Week 2023 Weeks 6&7
Themes: A Life of Literature (6)
The National Parks: How America’s Best Idea is Meeting 21st Century Challenges (7)
Tucker is a retired English teacher and Past Chair of the NEW (National Education Association) American Indian/Alaska Native Caucus
Chautauqua Institution: A Place on the Move During the first two weeks of August, I participated in the educational community, Chautauqua Institution, in Chautauqua, New York. Chautauqua is a 150 year old educational center that is based on four pillars: education, religion, recreation, and the arts. Every summer thousands of people come to this village on the lake to be a part of the learning experience. I was sponsored by the Quaker House as their “Friend of the Week” and helped lead programming focused on the theme of the week. The speakers, the seminars, and the performances were enthralling, but what had the greatest impact on me, was the community itself and, in particular, the Quaker House environment. So let me begin there. Quaker House is one of the newest of the many religious denominational houses in the community. There are guest rooms available, a shared kitchen, and a large gathering room. The hosts, Kriss and Gary Miller, are such welcoming and accommodating people that my wife, Becky, and I felt at home from the first day we arrived. Throughout the week we participated in First Day Worship, Chautauqua Dialogues (discussion groups open to anyone), and an open house. I led a more formal talk and discussion twice each week about my work in the world and my perspectives on the theme of the week. The first week we discussed “A Life of Literature” and I was able to share my experiences as a high school English teacher as well as give an overview of Native American storytelling and literature. The following week was focused on “National Parks” which I used as an opportunity to discuss land management and our relationship with the earth and our biosphere. I also wrote several queries for each week that we used for reflection and discussion. These sessions were attended by an interesting mix of Quakers and non-Quakers who came with open minds and hearts. It seems evident that the Quaker House has become a welcoming place for people to explore diverse viewpoints and new perspectives in a non-judgmental setting. And we also enjoyed even more lively discussions at meals and evening conversations with our hosts and the other guests around the kitchen table! Beyond the Quaker House, the community within the Chautauqua grounds is swarming with people on the go. Very few cars are allowed inside, so we walked where we needed to go and were among many others walking, biking, and scootering around. The grounds are designed to accommodate all ages and accessibility needs. We met folks who are Chautauqua residents, but many more who come for one or more weeks in the summer – retirees, young families, and single people exploring and learning. There was certainly a busyness to the place as people were moving from one event to another, but the pace overall was relaxing and encouraging of slowing down and stopping to enjoy a moment in the sun, a conversation with friends, or meeting someone for the first time. There were many places we visited and learned about at our own pace, but the daily schedule was full of events to attend. We heard well-renowned policy makers, authors, and journalists such as Maureen Corrigan, Kwame Alexander, Kim Stanley Robinson, Kevin Fedarko, Pete McBride, and Michael Bartheleme, Jr. We enjoyed the Chautauqua symphony on numerous occasions as well as guest pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk, the quartet “Four Freshman,” and even a family circus! There were events scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m basically every day. What really added to our experience were the many opportunities to sit with others and discuss what we were learning, thinking, and feeling. By the end of the week our minds and hearts were full! We hope to return in the future to experience anew the vitality of Chautauqua and the Quaker House. While the Chautauqua community celebrates its continuous traditions, it is certainly not a stagnant place, but one of changing themes, exchanging ideas, an appreciation of the world around us, ever on the move. Tucker Quetone Friend of the Week 2023