HELLO, COME-ON IN...
My Chautauqua Experience
I have just returned from the 26th annual 2010 Highlights Children's Writing Conference in Chautauqua, NY. It was a phenomenal seven day experience and I will always consider it one of the best weeks of my life.
I not only met award winning authors, editors and illustrators some of the same ones I've been bragging about to the students in the library for 15 years, but I had the opportunity to speak with each of them personally. We shared meals and writing experiences. The staff asked us as many questions as we asked them.
I expected from the beginning it would be an over-the-top inspiring learning experience, but what I didn't count on was... the emotion that comes with deep-down real life soul sharing. The sharing came from attendee's as well as the staff from Highlights.
I've been home two weeks and still can hardly talk about my experience without getting thick throated and teary-eyed. The generosity of everyone there was overwhelming. The sharing not only of their professional writing knowledge but also many of their personal experiences.
Chautauqua reminded me of the OZ for writers. If you follow the red brick road, it will lead you past homes built in the 1800's. Houses with wrap around porches loaded with white wicker furniture. The grounds of this community are scattered with assorted bushes and flowers, all beautiful, but it was the Hydrangea's that most impressed me. Some were almost as tall as me and the purple, white and pink blossoms were larger than tea saucers. I found Lake Chautauqua and it's many colorful sail boats relaxing while walking to and from my room. The chiming of the Miller clock tower and a newsboy chanting on a corner, "Chautauqua news... fifty cents, catch up on the daily events." has become embedded in my heart and will always be a part of me.
The red-brick path eventually led to OZ... which in Chautauqua is the Hall of Christ. In the sanctuary all (90) of our spirits were lifted daily after an amazing breakfast and an inspiring morning speech by one of the staff. We then traveled to our destinations to listen to presentations by award winning authors and editors and Illustrators, such as...Jerry and Eileen Spinelli, Donna Jo Napoli, Peter Jacobi, Sandy Asher, Kim Griswell, Christine French Clark, and many more.
Our sessions were held in the sanctuary and in the Chautauqua Literary and Science Circle (CLSC) building just a short walk across the street. We gathered either in the garden room or the ballroom on the 2nd floor depending on which session we were attending. Both rooms were as beautiful as they sound with their aged wood floors and ceilings and lovely historic decor. What a wonderful place to absorb information.
The hospitality, kindness, and generosity of Kent Brown, his family and all the Highlight's staff made this a truly intoxicating experience. No alcohol needed.
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Chautauqua, New York
Meline M. Scheidel
Freelance Children's Writer
