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By Kevin GreerLakeside Communications Manager From reporting in war zones to covering China’s economic rise, Scott Tong has traveled the world in pursuit of stories. This summer, the host of NPR’s daily news program “Here & Now” will add another destination to that list when he visits Lakeside for the first time as the Keynote … Read more
By Kevin GreerLakeside Communications Manager Since celebrating her 100th birthday on April 30, Mae Drage has attended four birthday parties in her honor. Reaching the century mark is a milestone worth celebrating, and this Fourth of July, Lakeside will recognize her once again as the honorary Grand Marshal for the Float Parade. “I had three … Read more
By Kevin GreerLakeside Communications Manager With an extensive background in leadership, education and hospitality, Julie Goins brings a wealth of experience to her new role as Lakeside’s Gate Operations Manager. After a virtual interview with Human Resources this spring, Goins made the short trip across the bay to visit Lakeside for the first time. As … Read more
By Kevin GreerLakeside Communications Manager When Gwen and Brian Nichols met at Otterbein University, they quickly discovered they had much in common, including a connection to a small community along the shores of Lake Erie. “We found out we had a shared love of Lakeside,” Gwen said. Introductions to LakesideThe couple took different paths to … Read more
By Kevin GreerLakeside Communications Manager More than 20 years ago, when Stacey Johannsen moved back to the Marblehead Peninsula after spending a decade in the Cleveland area, she discovered an unexpected opportunity in Lakeside. It was a leap of faith, one that ultimately paid off for both Johannsen and the Lakeside community. Johannsen has owned … Read more
By Kevin GreerLakeside Communications Manager For most of his career, Jim Mellick’s artwork told humorous and satirical stories. After retiring from his teaching position at Cedarville University in 2014, he turned his attention to a more serious subject. The result became some of his most meaningful and widely recognized work. Mellick was inspired by the … Read more
By Kevin GreerLakeside Communications Manager As part of celebrating America’s 250th anniversary in Lakeside, The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will make its only Ohio 2026 appearance on the Hotel Lakeside Lawn from May 28-June 1. According to the wall’s website: “The Wall is a three-fifths scale of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. It stands … Read more
By Kevin GreerLakeside Communications Manager When Andy Bruening’s parents bought a house on Johnson’s Island in the 1980s, he spent many summer hours working at Lakeside. Decades later, he’s coming back to the community to launch a new high-tech learning space. Bruening will open LEMI Labs (Lakeside Education Maker and Invention) in the former Chautauqua Hall (236 … Read more
By Kevin GreerLakeside Communications Manager For more than 25 years, Marilyn Burns’ store has been a beloved staple of Lakeside. When FOX Business named Marilyn’s one of 10 finalists for the “America 250 Small Business Award,” the community responded by throwing a celebration. Around 12:10 p.m. on May 4, Walnut Plaza grew quiet as the … Read more
By Kevin GreerLakeside Communications Manager Marcia Asdal has been visiting Lakeside every summer since the late 1990s, making it a cherished family tradition. This summer, she’s bringing another tradition to the Orchestra Hall stage: the Lakeside Spelling Bee. Asdal pitched the idea to John Mann, Lakeside’s Director of Education, and Karyn Torigoe, V.P. of Programming, … Read more
With more than 50 historic buildings, beautiful parks and gardens, and thousands of summer events, Lakeside requires careful planning and coordination. To strengthen that work, we’re implementing a new cloud-based facilities and maintenance system called FMX. The platform will help staff manage work orders, schedule preventative maintenance, track equipment and coordinate venue use across campus. Dennis Doolittle, Lakeside’s new Vice President … Read more
By Matthew CharboneauLakeside Chautauqua’s Director of Performing Arts When planning the 2026 summer entertainment series at Lakeside, my goal was both simple and ambitious: to create a lineup as vibrant and varied as the community it serves. Lakeside brings together generations, lifelong Lakesiders, first-time guests, children, grandparents, music lovers and curious newcomers. Our stage should … Read more