What is this “thing” happening in Winder?

   When I was growing up, I learned that a noun was the name of a person, place or thing. When I was growing up, I knew there was a place in New York known as Chautauqua, where famous musicians performed and gfifted musicians like Susan Matteson of Snellville studied. Chautauqua was obviously a place. 

   Therefore, it was obviously a noun.

   I learned last year that Chautauqua is a newly established event in Winder. I wondered how they came up with that name.

   It turns out the noun “Chautauqua” never was just a place. It is, and always was more specifically an event.

   Theodore Roosevelt said it was “the most American thing in America.” William Jennings Bryant said, “It’s a potent human factor in molding the mind of the nation.”

   Historically, what was known as Circuit Chautauqua was a time for communities to get together for several days to learn about people and events affecting their culture.

   The movement did indeed start in Chautauqua, New York in 1874. Initially it focused on training Sunday school teachers, but rapidly expanded to include multicultural education and offered the first correspondence degrees in the country. In less than a decade independent Chautauquas sprung up all over the place. By the 1920’s, Chautauquas operated in over 10,000 American communities, educating people on the complexity of their culture and bringing them closer together.

   Unfortunately, the Great Depression brought an end to the noun noting an educational “thing” leaving only the noun noting an educational “place” up in New York.

   Then along came Sherrie Miller, Director of the Winder Main Street Program and Downtown Development. Last year she organized Winder’s first Chautauqua, one the biggest educational events ever seen in the city. And this year it has quadrupled in size. 

   Celebrating the rich Native American influence in the area, the second annual Chautauqua welcomes Native American participants from Winder, as well as from Oklahoma and Mississippi, who will demonstrate dancing, arts and storytelling. Performers include award winning flutist Tommy Wildcat and traditional dancer, Tony Lett. 
Representations of Early America include soap and candle making, mule-drawn plows, vintage motorcycles, silent films and a Children’s Village.

   Of course, if you’ve ever driven through downtown Winder, you’d know that a totally inclusive cultural event would have to include something about trains. 

   Author and historian, Dr. Carol M. Holzhalb will sign copies of her recent children’s book “The Whistle.” Also to bring the community together over time and terrain, Gainesville-Midland Railway workers and their descendents are invited to participate in a reunion and group photo.

   The more I hear about this Chautauqua “thing” happening in Winder this Saturday, with all the action involved, I think the word Chautauqua ought to be a verb.

   Chautauqua will begin in downtown Winder on this Saturday at 9:00 a.m. For more information call 770-867-8808.

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