Staff Blogger: Jessica Kidd, Advancement Manager
Mabelle Seitter Elsasser first came to Lakeside in the early 1920s with her parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brother and sister.
Being raised in a Methodist family, Lakeside was an important part of their family vacations.
Elsasser shared her fondest memories of the Chautauqua community with her daughter, Elizabeth Brahler.
Elsasser would often reminisce about the educational lectures and the family connections.
For 141 years, the shoreline has also been a place for reconnecting and conversation, which are core to the Chautauqua experience.
Thanks to a generous gift from the late C. Nelle and Richard E. Sultzbach family, a conversation terrace has been installed in front of the Beebe Memorial telescope viewing area, near Hotel Lakeside.
This terrace is the first phase of the project to enhance Ohio’s Most Beautiful Mile.
Staff Blogger: Allison Moon, Advancement Events Intern
Kristen Jones has vivid memories of being pushed in a stroller through Lakeside’s downtown business district in the 1960s.
Her first trip to Lakeside was in 1965 at 5 months old.
“I remember always wanting to be in the center of the action downtown,” said Jones.
Jones’ parents, David and Joan, both came to Lakeside as children.
Her grandfather was a United Methodist minister and began coming to Lakeside 100 years ago. He then brought her father as a young child.
Guest Blogger: Layne Gerbig, Advancement Events Intern
For 141 years, generations of Lakesiders have enjoyed the relaxing and renewing environment that Lakeside Chautauqua provides. Because of the generosity of others, Lakeside has been able to continue to provide these meaningful and memorable experiences.
Do you want to help continue your favorite Lakeside traditions? Here are 10 ways to give back to the Chautauqua community:
Guest Blogger: Sarah Milheim, Advancement & Communications Coordinator
Iskender and Ahsen Konez visited Ohio and Lakeside for the first time in August 2014.
They traveled here all the way from Bursa, Turkey, the fourth largest city in Turkey with a population of 1.7 million. Their time spent in and around Lakeside was wonderful and full of new experiences.
The couple came to visit Iskender’s brother and family, Orhan and Liz Konez. Their trip spanned 10 days and included visits to Cleveland, Lakeside and the surrounding area.
Iskender and Ahsen’s first impression of Lakeside Chautauqua was how very green, clean and organized everything was in the community.
Guest Blogger: Sarah Milheim, Advancement & Communications Coordinator
Peter and Debbie Stephens first came to Lakeside Chautauqua 20 years ago in search of a pl
ace for their two boys during the impressionable years of their childhood.
“We pulled up with the boys in front of Sloopy’s and their eyes were as big as saucers,” shared Debbie. “The boys immediately asked, ‘Are we staying here? Can we go play?’”
The Stephens both knew that Lakeside was the right place. “We didn’t even stay the night, but thought, ‘Wow, this is it,’” the couple said.