La Grande evening observer., June 14, 1913, Image 9

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CHAUTAUQUA SECTION
LA GRANDE, OREGON, . SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 1913.
PAGES 1 TO 8
FINE GROWTH
PROM EXPERIMENT, IT HAS
NOW BROADENED TO A
V CHIEF ATTRACTION
FINfiNGES ONE 6RAWBAGK
In Its Brief History Chautauqua As
sembly Here Has Become a Power
ful Institution Program This Year
Up to the Highest Standard Possi
' ble All Conditions Favor This
' Season. ... '" ,
by w. d. McMillan
(Secretary Grande Ronde Chautau
v qua Association.) ,
The management presents herewith
the program for the fourth annual
Chautauqua, to be held as in former
.years in : beautiful Riverside Park.
You are asked to carefully compare
the list of attractions with those of
formers years, and with those of old
der and larger, and more prosperous
Assemblies, with the assurance that
the Grande Ronde Chautauqua asso
ciation has nothing to fear uy the
comparison. . .
The local! Chautauqua was organiz
ed four years ago through the activ
ity and efforts of the La Grande Com
mercial club. From the experiment
of holding the sessions in a tent, with
but meager provisions for thc com
fort of either audience or entertain
er, it is most pleasing to announce
that the session of 1913 will be held
in a beautiful modern pavilion, a
permanent building which has been
erected by the Grande Ronde Chau
tauqua association, with the assist
ance of the city of La Grande through
the Park board. This pavilion, while
erected by the Chautauqua, associa
tion, by a provision of the city ordi
nances, will eventually become the
property of the city of La Grande
'During the annual sessions the
building will be under the entue con
trol and management of tho Chau
tauqua association, but during the
balance of the year the board of park
commissioners of the city of La
Grande will have entire charge ot the
building which will be at nil times
available for public social purposes
for conventions or picnics, and for
any purpose for which such a build
ing may properly be used. It is the
most completely appointed chautau
qua building in the entire northwest
and the Chautauqua board have al
ready received numerous requests
for the plans and specifications.
The Chautauqua movement is- es
sentially ("American. Alert, indeed,
must have been the intellect which
first conceived the benefits, delights
and possibilities of the Chautauqua
Originally created to appeal to a lim
Ited number of people, the clergy
heads of educational institutions and
individuals of a literary inclination
the movement has become nation
wide, and today from its P?;
every person may enjoy the very best
that the world has to offer in the way
of music, politics, economy, litera
ture, drama, opera and ent-r ninrnt.
The program of the mcdsrn Chau
tauqua is cosmopolitan in its nature.
In it may be found so methin for
evervbody-something for the farm
er, the banker, the merchant, the me
chanic, the student, the minister, the
teacher, for fathers and mothers and
for the boys and girls.
In these days of busy endeavor,
very many, through lack of time,
others through lack of opportunity
are prevented from keeping in touch
with modern thought and progress.
The Chautauqua platform and the
lyceum bring to you what you may
not be able to otherwise reach, except
it be at a considerable expenditure of
both time and money. The most of
us look more for the entertainment
feature than1 possibly to the jduca-
(Continued on Page 5, this Section.)
Observer Presents First Annual Chautauqua Number
When the fourth annual assembly of the Grande Ron de Chautauqua association convenes June 29 and con
tinues for eight days, La Grande, Union county and Eastern Oregon will be treated to the best-planned, best pre
pared, and best carried out assembly in the 'history of Eas tern Oregon chautauquadom. La Grande has set the pace
for chautauquas east of the Cascades, in fact is the only E astern Oregon city boasting of such an attraction but ex
perience has taught the local managers many details, and the fruit of these varied experiences will be seen this year.
A host of minor details that have in the past been unsuc cessfully coped with, will in 1913 be fittingly, handled
because the directors will know how best to act, because of valuable experience.
In this 'issue of the Observer are set out the principal features of the chautauqua assembly, its attractions,
some of the rules governing it and many things of general interest in that connection. This section is devoted
wholly to chautauqua problems
impression of what the chau
TENTED CITY
INVITES ALL
RARE' RECREATION FEATURES
AFFORDED, BY THE AN
NUAL "CAMP OUT"
EVERY CONVENIENCE THERE
Delivery of Groceries to Park, Tele
phone, City Water, ,. Mess House,
and all Things Needed, Make, the
Camping Features One of the Very
Greatest of the Week Many Plea-
sures.
-H-
Through the policy adopted by the
Chautauqua board of managers last
year, tenting space is free and for
this reason, coupled with the splendid
natural camping facilities, it is ex
pected that every available inch of
camping space will be used. So far
as possible the white city will be
streeted to avoid confusion, and mail
can be sent to the park by messenger
with ready assurance that the 'intend
ed -recipient will obtain it. .. Parcels
will be delivered from stores to each
street, no doubt, or at least sent to
the . park booth where the purchaser
can readily find it; Telephone and
electric light facilities, city water- and
all these other conveniences, added 4o
the beauties endowed by nature, make
the j' camping .facilities there the
greatest in the state without fear of
contradiction.
Farmers to Camp There.
Throughout Union and Wallowa
counties and even other adjoining
counties there is a prevailing desire
to join the camping brigade this
year. The mother can take her brood
to the park and feel that medical at
tention, in case of sickness, is not re
mote as is the case when long moun
tain trips are indulged in, all the
comforts of a mountain resort are at
hand, and above all, some of the best
talent in the world is at the campers'
elbows through, the program feature.
This makes, indeed, great attractions
for those who feel that a mountain
trip is too strenuous but do admit
they need camping life as recreation.
Husbands can leave their families at
the park, knowing children will be
protected and having the chute-the-chutes
and sand piles and swings and
every conceivable amusement conven
ience. The husband can leave his of
fice in time to take dinner at the
park, spend the evening at the Chau
tauqua program, enjoy the cool moun
tain air in a tent at night, and return
in the morning to his duties in the
The boating, swimming and other
forms of recreation provided by the
lagoons and river are of course free
and of the best. '. ,
The parlors of the pavilion with
the splendid fire place will make cozy
gathering places at evening when the
programs are over, and the campers
like to sing, visit and play in the quiet
of the early night Heretofore the
Second Chautauqua has always been
(Continued on Page 5, this Section.)
and issues, and careiul reading ot each article will leave
tauqua is to be.
Chief among the scores or little details that have been
adjusted for the betterment of all things concerned, is the
renting of tent facilities.. For a very nominal sum, ' to
cover costs only,- the chautauqua will rent to patrons for
Xhe week, tents that are already set up and ready for use.
They will be ready to move into, and can be left without
turning a hand. The rental for these tents, which are
fresh from the factory will not exceed $5 for the period,
and probably less. There are but 25 or 30 however, and
early reservation is necessary to insure this accommoda
tion.. From cover to cover of this edition will be found an
nouncements of vital interestannouncements that war
rant the statement "La Grande has well nigh reached
perfection with chautauqua management details." An
other vital matter which the directors through Hie Obser
ver wish to call attention to
pavilion, precluding the possibility ot curtailed programs
in the event of inclement weather the programs will
"go" rain or shine. '. "
Park Idea First Shaped
in Cove 15 Years Ago
Has Reached Its Goal
By MRSrW. H. BOHNENKAMP, '
(Original Promoter of Park Scheme.)
About fifteen years ago Cove cele-
; brated the Fourth of July in her beau
tiful grove and many from La Grande
were there. Several La Grande ladies
sitting under one of the lovely trees
resolved ' that they would begin at
once to get a park for La Grande.
: A meeting of those interested was
held shortly. Twenty-five cents was
charged for membership in the asso
ciation formed at that time. Six hun
dreds dollars was ; raised by various
means. A block on Adams avenue
between Oak and Walnut was pur
chased for $400.00 and presented to
the city upon the council's promise to
fence it and put in city water'. This
was in 1900. Eight years passed and
nothing was accomplished by the city.
In the summer of 1908 a number of
members of the old association met
again on the deck of a steamer bound
for Astoria and once again as they
noted the beautiful combination of
trees and water they resolved to try
again, to carry out their former pur
pose, this time to buy the trees and
water all ready for use. A meeting
of those interested was held shortly
and work begun at once.
The Riverside Park association
was formed with a
of $1.00.
membership fee
The money still in the hands of the
old society was turned over to the new
association. The city was asked to
return the lots to be disposed of for
By FATHER P. J. DRISCOLL,
(Member of Board of Chautauqua
'- Directors.)
Thirty-nine years ago this August,
Lewis Miller, of Akron, Ohio, and
Rev. John H. Vincent, of New York,
led a band of ministers and Sunday
school teachers to Chautauqua Lake,
New York, to discuss the improve
ment and development of Sunday
schools. They camped on the west side
of the beautiful sheet of water in the
midst of the grandest secenery in the
southwestern part of the state. In
spite of primitive lodgings and many
CRUDE BUT BORE FINE FRUIT
is the new chautauqua .
the benefit of the new park. This re
quest was granted and as soon as
there was a little money on hand
three of the lots and $290.00 were
exchanged for fourteen acres on the
river. Later two and one-half acres
more were purchased from J. B. Stod
dard at $100.00 an acre.
The deed was held in escrow and
the Park association bent every ef
fort to raise money for improvements.
W. F. Chace of Portland made the
plans for a strictly wild park where
nature was to be only aided, not destroyed.-
These plans are being car
ried out as fast as finances will per
mit. :,')
Last 'year four acres more of good
land were paid for ,by trading the
last of the lots on Adams avenue.
That the city 'of La Grande might
own a park outside the city limits.
Judge Knowles appointed a board of
park commissioners to ; receive this
park and to have full control of all
matters concerning it.. The mayor of
the city is at all times the president
of this board. . '..'".'r.-'-V ;;'?' ".
- When the usefulness of ; the fold
park association was oyer, they turn
ed over all funds on hand to the board
after paying the $10.00 due. to take
the deed out of escrow, presented it
to the city with the 'stipulation' that
the Grande Ronde Chautauqua be al
lowed the use of the park for two
weeks each year. : .
Thus has it been made possible for
La Grande to have the prettiest Chau
tauqua building in the west.
discomforts a spirit of enthusiasm
pervaded this gathering and when the
two weeks' assembly was finished it
was unanimously voted to return
again next year. The plans of the
assembly widened rapidly in succeed
ing years and the methods used so
successfully in Bible study were en
tertained so as to include science, lan
guages, music and literature. There
are now thirteen distinct schools at
Chautauqua and over three thousand
students take the - sixty-day course
every year.
"The greatest good for the greatest
a clear, concise and truthtw
MENIENCE
ALL DETAILS
NUMEROUS NEEDED IMPROVE
MENTS IN MANAGEMENT
MADE THIS YEAR
E
New Bridge With Foot Walk Avoid
ing Congestion in Travel, Is One of
the Many Things That Make More
- , Convenient the Fitting Patronage
of the Chautauqua This Year Auto
Jam Gone.
Every detail, the perfection of
which leads toward greater comfort
for Chautauqua patrons, is carefully
looked after by the board of directors
and its committees. This year the
new Riverside park bridge will facili
tate going and coming, and especial
ly, reduces the previous dangers ac
cruing from congested traffic on the
river bridge. ; This year there will be
less trouble by far.
. Foot Bridge Panacea.
The foot bridge on the new struc
ture which will care for foot traffic
will be the saving feature. A new ap
proach, is being built so that there will
be continuous sidewalk to the north
end of the bridge from any section of
the city. The new approach will not
imenere in. any way wiin wneei irai-
J . !J1 1 1 1
fic, the commodious footwalk built
with "the bridge, being used for foot
passengers.. The road will lead
straight from town to the park gate,
and automobiles and teams can this
year unload their human freight at
the new pavilion door and leave at
unce, 'remuvinjr ttKain wie cuntrcsuun
at the entrance gate. Everything that'
KEYNOTE WITH
goes to make conditions better that ?rest t ourpose, but you know it will
can possibly be done, has been done.lor tn. that' anyway." The roof
The tenting facilities will be im
proved, for water will be extended
farther into the park, and city water
can; thus be obtained without walk
ing as far as was required last year.
The new mess house, for which the
park lodge, is to be used, will be an
other great feature.
; Because the splendid structure now
under process of construction is storm
proof, it will make no material dif
ference if it rains or shines. All pro
grams can be carried on as announced
under a perfect canopy of wood and
steel.
number' has always been the idea of
the Chautauquan authorities and this
has led to the wonderful developments
attained in recent years.. To stimu
late interest in studies during the year
reading circles were established and
correspondence courses outlined.
These courses were-primarily intend
ed for those who had not the means
or the opportunity to finish their edu
cation along particular lines of study,
and secondarily to encourage habits of
systematic reading and study among
all classes of people.
The fame of Chautauqua soon
(Continued on Page 5, this Section.)
BUILDINGS Oil
PHion
HDD COMFORTS
PAVILION DESCRIBED BY SUPER
VISING ARCHITECT IN
DETAIL.
"Cute" Fireplace Adds to Parlor Con
veniences of New Building Will Bt
Substantially Built and Harmonious :
in Its Lines Lodge Building Like
wise Harmonious.
BY CHAUNCEY E. BUNTING.
(Member firm of Block & Bunting'-
Pavilion Architects, La Grande.)
The new buildings as planned and
being built for Riverside park in thi?
city, while not pretentious or expen
sive in design, nevertheless have been
made to harmonize, in so far as pos
sible, with the spirit that has been in
augurated in the development of the
park. The large building, known as
the pavilion, is 60x110 feet over al'.
five feet of which all around forms t
promenade, as the accompanying floo:'
plan indicates. . The building include
a large auditorium 50x80 feet, havin.v
a seating capacity of about a thousand
people. At one end of the auditoriunj
is a large cobblestone fire place 12 fee',
wide over all, with a 6 foot fire placo
opening. Both the fireplace and chim
ney are built of cobblestones and lino-j
with a good quality oX. native briclv
where the heat will be the most in
tense. The plan is to build seats ci;
each side of the fireplace, install otfc .
er permanent fixtures as needed, an ,
such decorations as will add comfor'.
and rustic beauty. The auditoriuiv
proper has open sides and is entirelv
floored with a 4 inch concerte floor
finished with a smooth glassy surface
The-stage, at the east end of the
building, has an opening 30 feet wid;
and 10 feet high, and a depth over al
of 24 feet, giving sufficient room fo
easy and convenient staging of wha
attractions may be brought to th
park. At either side of the stage ; ar q
dressing rooms, one of which wiH b
used during Chautauqua for an office
The promenade at the stage end o
the building.will be elevated to a leve
with the stage floor, and will afforc
. ciiira for moving 1)
' fmnltq etc
easy access w ,6- ---
h- nromenade will also have a
inch concrete floor,
rustic railing along the ed?e It ; mu j.
nt he nroper to. Mention it but whe
the railing was desurned. a membe
of the building commutes insisted thai
the architects ,
- . . j.. jf nnn.
t0T p .p.. we are planning i'
pressed it, that
for that purpose
l,e.U8 tZ. C0Vr0menade sufficient-
exienus v - . .
ly to give nrotection in time of swrr
The roof, which has a total area of
about 8,000 square feet s supper ec
t the ends bv the gables and in tnr
center of the building by bui t-up roo'
Ses combination wrought ron an?
4 , tvne of which is known as r
' tusrCle roof loads vc
been figured on the trusses and sup
5onin?frame work, including win
V.nnalas9possible the architects
. " j,m4 to ive the buildim
ihe solid andms.,; f
yenv i '
velonment of the , -rough
materials h
portion of the wor .,
pose for which th
rn.tin has never "
,''l.-!",-K.'n" oi'!
t.-, u ny
Th smaller buil i-np, Wo --vn
as
park-keeper's lod(- Mm
over all of 24 feet i y i - " " "
!nK of a kitchen a d.-i ;o..i.
the center and large screened porches
at either end. Ordinarily the bmldinr
will be occupied and used by the pan:
keeper, but it will also be used as 8
restaurant during Chautauqua time
The same design that characterize?
the larger buildin has been used
the smaller. '.