Ask Ben Franklin Chautauqua Wawasee
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Ask Ben Franklin: In His Own Words

Meet Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin stands among the most influential Americans of his era, earning recognition for an extraordinary range of achievements. He worked as a printer, inventor, scientist, politician, musician, writer, and civic leader. His innovations include the Franklin stove, lightning rod, glass armonica, and an early odometer. Franklin also helped establish the first fire department in the American colonies and founded the University of Pennsylvania.

Throughout his life, Franklin traveled extensively across the Colonies and abroad. His diplomatic work in Paris, France, helped shape international support for American independence and cemented his reputation as a symbol of ingenuity and leadership.

About the Performer

Since 2005, Barry Stevens has portrayed Benjamin Franklin as part of a Revolutionary War reenactment company. He brings history to life through an interactive performance style that combines factual detail, humor, and storytelling. His approach invites audience participation and connects listeners of all ages with Franklin’s life and legacy.

Event Details

What: Ask Ben Franklin: In His Own Words
When: June 30, 4:30–5:30 pm
Where: Wawasee High School Auditorium, Syracuse, Indiana
Cost: Free and open to the public

Following the program, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Patriotic Pops Concert took place at 7:30 pm on the lawn at Oakwood Resort.

Guests also visited the Chautauqua tent to receive a free flag and glow light. This family-friendly program highlighted Chautauqua-Wawasee’s ongoing commitment to educational and cultural offerings.

For more information, visit us on Facebook or call 574-377-7543.

This program was presented as part of Chautauqua-Wawasee’s Patriotic Speaker Series. Dates and details are retained for historical reference and may change for future presentations.

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Chautauqua Plein Air at the Wawasee Fine Arts Festival

Chautauqua Wawasee and Northern Indiana Plein Air proudly present the Chautauqua Plein Air Paint Out @ the Wawasee Fine Arts Festival on the grounds of Oakwood Resort. The art of painting will take place in the most desired location of the Oakwood Park neighborhood but artists may venture all of Lake Wawasee, Syracuse, and Syracuse Lake.
This event will take place on Saturday, May 25th from 8 am until 4 pm. Artists may check-in starting at 7:30 am at the Gazebo near the entrance to the Oakwood Resort, and then relocate to our festival location by 10 am. We will be set up by the Gazebo at the Fine Arts Festival beginning at 7:30 am and then relocate to our festival location by 10 am.
As you complete your first painting, bring it over for display. It will allow visitors to see and possibly purchase it. No worries just go out and start your next painting. We will work on the sale. We will process the sale for a 25% fee.
Paintings to be judged should be dropped off by 3:30 pm.  Judging will be promptly at 4 pm. With awards at 4:30 pm. With this great event there will be 5 merit awards @ $200 opportunity to display, and hopefully the selling of your works of art. Artists may enter 1 plein air painting for competition judging. All others may be displayed for sale.
During the day refreshments will be provided at the event table. Light lunch will be provided at noon. Artist will need to pick up their lunch at the event table.
More details and more opportunities will evolve and will be emailed to all registrants the week of the event. For up-to-date information be sure to follow us on Facebook and check our web page at www.northernindianapleinair.org
Registration is:
Members $15 (2024 Paid Membership)
Nonmembers $20

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Purdue Varsity Glee Club

Purdue Varsity Glee Club is Coming to Syracuse in 2024!

Chautauqua-Wawasee is bringing the Purdue Varsity Glee Club to Syracuse on March 1, 2024, for their only performance in northeastern Indiana during the first half of 2024. Don’t miss the fun provided by this entertaining and vibrant performance at the Wawasee High School.

An event for the entire family — This dynamic musical troupe employs a versatile repertoire including gospel, vocal jazz, swing, contemporary hits, romantic ballads, classical choral selections, barbershop, folk melodies, patriotic standards, familiar opera choruses, country and novelty tunes, and utilizes small groups and outstanding soloists to further enhance each show.

As an added treat, there is a ticketholder discount for dining at the Pier & Back Porch Restaurant! Save your tickets to the Purdue Varsity Glee Club performance.  Before the concert on the night of March 1st, a 15% discount will be extended to event ticketholders at the Pier and Back Porch restaurant in the Oakwood Resort. 

* The 15% discount will not be valid on any purchases of alcoholic beverages and is only applicable on regularly priced menu items.  Digital copies of tickets will be accepted when shown to your server.  

When: March 1, 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Where: Wawasee High School auditorium, Syracuse, Indiana
Tickets: $22 for General Admission; $30 for VIP seating (middle rows A-D)
Purchase tickets: HERE,  or you may also give us a call at 574-377-7543

About Chautauqua-Wawasee
Oakwood Foundation, Inc. d/b/a Chautauqua-Wawasee, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization focused on providing life-enriching programs with cultural, educational, and recreational events to the Kosciusko community and northern Indiana.

Be sure to visit our Facebook page for information and updates on our programs!

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Everyone says they love nature, but… Does Nature Love Us Back?

Does Nature Love Us Back?

Everyone says they love nature, but does nature love us back? And how would we know?
This topic will be explored at an upcoming Chautauqua program on Saturday, November 4 at the Syracuse Community Center.
The program will be a fun, educational, and interactive session co-hosted by Diane Hunter, Cliff Kindy, and John Edgerton who have spent their lifetimes working with plants, animals, water, and soil. Each of the program leaders will focus on a different topic in addressing the question “Does Nature Love Us Back”. The program is a family event and is free to attend.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Diane Hunter has served as the Myaamia Heritage Preservation Specialist for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and is a citizen and elder of the Tribe.  Her expertise is in the history of the Myaamia People, their cultural experience, artistic and story-telling nature. Earth-centered wisdom has been a part of Myaamia culture and life since time immemorial.
Cliff Kindy is an organic farmer who does all his gardening and life needs on captured and recycled water and without using fossil fuel. Cliff has, over thirty years, traveled with Christian Peacemaking Teams worldwide to stand with indigenous people in the face of violent, unjust regimes.
John Edgerton has done organic market gardening and community-supported agriculture based on limited and appropriate technology. John and his partner Amy co-teach Slow Farming at Kalamazoo College to give fourth-year students a hands-on immersion in farming and gardening skills. Their passion is saving and stewarding seeds.
WHEN: Saturday, November 4th -6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
WHERE: Syracuse Community Center 1013 N Long Dr, Syracuse IN
COST: FREE!
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2023
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Chautauqua Wawasee Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration-2023

You are invited to Chautauqua Wawasee’s annual Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration!

This family-friendly occasion is perfect for people of all ages, including moms, dads, grandpas, grandmas, and kids. Come and see your favorite holiday characters such as Santa, the Grinch, Frosty, and more. Join us in the chapel for a reading of the Christmas story, and don’t forget to visit our live reindeer and take a family photo at our photo booth. The event will also feature caroling, musical groups, and many other activities.

The event will take place on November 25th from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at Oakwood Resort in Syracuse, Indiana. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place at 6:15 p.m., so make sure to arrive early to take part in this magical moment. The best part? This event is completely FREE!

Please note that this is an outdoor event, so make sure to dress appropriately for the weather. Stay in touch with us at www.chqw.org or visit our Facebook page.  You are also welcome to give us a call at 574-377-7543 if you have any questions.

The event is jointly sponsored by the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation and the Town of Syracuse Parks Department.

 

WHEN: November 25th, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  (Tree lighting at 6:15 p.m.)

WHERE: Oakwood Resort Lawn- 702 E. Lake View Road, Syracuse Indiana

COST: FREE!

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Myaamiaki: Stories of Miami People, Past and Present.

More than just street names and artifacts, the Myaamaia community is a vibrant contemporary people whose history has shaped many of our lives here in Indiana. Today we have an opportunity to talk to two members of the Miami Tribe about their history and continued presence in Indiana.

Presenters: Diane Hunter and Dani Tippmann. Diane Hunter will talk about the history of Miami people since time immemorial, telling the stories of their emergence as a unique and different people, their first encounters with Europeans and later with Americans, land loss and forced removals, and about the revitalization of the Miami Tribe today. Diane is the Myaamia Heritage Preservation Specialist for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and a citizen of the Tribe. She is a descendant of the Miami family of Seekaahkweeta and Palaanswa (Francois Godfroy).

Dani Tippmann, a tradition bearer and a citizen of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, will be discussing the use of plants as food, medicine, technology, and cultural historical conduits. Plants teach us, feed us, heal us, and bring us a better understanding of Myaamia culture and lifeways. Dani will have plants to touch, smell and maybe even taste. Dani was Director of the Whitley County Historical Museum from 2008-2022. She currently serves as Kiihkayonki Community Food Program Director.

When: September 9 at 10:00.

Where: WACF Ruddell pavilion

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Northeastern Indiana Digging Through History-Day 3-Multiple Speakers

Northeastern Indiana Digging Through History-Day 3-Multiple Speakers

 

Bring Your Own Artifact Led by Jim Bickel & Michelle Edington

Do you have an old artifact that you aren’t sure what it is or when/where it originated? Jim and Michelle are available to examine your artifact and (hopefully) tell you all about it.

 

Five Medals Living History Led by Mike Judson

Five Medals was such an important leader in our region that an organization and an event have been named in his honor. Reenactors will have numerous artifacts to share plus excerpts from the exciting history of the 1812 era.

 

1750s French Marine Led by Joe Zdziebko

Joe Zdziebko, dressed as a 1750s French Marine will display and discuss his equipment, uniform, musket, furs, maps, etc. He will also talk about old sayings that are still used today.

 

Flintknapping Hands-on Led by Jeff Mesaros

Want to know how Native American artifacts were made by hand? Jeff Mesaros will show you how. And here’s your chance to try making one!

 

Atlatl Weapon Demonstration Led by Jamie Clemons

The atlatl was a tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in dart or spear-throwing, and includes a bearing surface which allows the user to store energy during the throw. Jamie will be demonstrating types from around the nation and let you participate with samples. You can try it too!

 

Metal Detecting in Archaeology Led by Angie Butler

Metal detectors can play a key role in discovering historical artifacts. You’ll be amazed at the display of items found under the waters of Lake Wawasee and along its shoreline.

You may reserve your spot by registering HERE.

Date and time:

Saturday, September 2 · 10am – 12pm EDT

Location:
Wawasee Area Conservancy 11586 Indiana 13 Syracuse, IN 46567
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Protected: Walk Down Memory Lane attendees can enjoy this 15% discount on food at the Pier & Back Porch Restaurant

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Third Annual Chautauqua Family Fun Film Festival

We have exciting plans for our third annual Family Fun Film Festival on August 5th, 2023. The Festival will showcase personal phone videos of people enjoying themselves while biking, boating, having fun on the water, or even just at home with their loved ones. Last year’s popular submissions included videos of pets having fun too, so don’t leave the fur babies out!

Once you upload your video to Dropbox, the Chautauqua Wawasee team will edit, add music, and organize it with other videos for a free one-time showing on Saturday, August 5th at 10:00 am at the Pickwick Theater in Syracuse, who has graciously agreed once again, to be our venue!

The submission process is simple and free.  Attending the showing at the Pickwick on August 5th is free.  Cash Prizes will be awarded for categories such as Best Dog Video, Best Kids Video, Best Tubing Fun, and more.   The goal is to create a cool Syracuse community video.

To upload your video and submit your contact information, you can easily access the link below or on our Facebook page. Get ready to have some fun and showcase your video skills! Two former Wawasee High School students, Matthew Withrich and Ryan Snider, are producing the film.

***We request that videos be no longer than 2 minutes in length and prefer that they are in landscape format. The subject matter should reflect “family fun”.

WHEN: August 5th, 2023 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am

WHERE: Pickwick Theatre in Syracuse

Please upload your “family fun” videos HERE no later than July 27th.

Check out the 2021 Film HERE.

Check out the 2022 Film HERE.

 

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Wawasee Walk Down Memory Lane Project

Chautauqua Wawasee regularly teams with the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum to provide programs focused on local (Syracuse-area) history, typically related to archaeology, Native American artifacts, and people. Feedback Forms are provided at these events so we can receive feedback on program quality, speaker quality, etc. including requests for desired future programs. Our most frequent request is to provide More Programs on Local History. This is what prompted the Wawasee Walk Down Memory Lane project.

The 2023 program will attract an audience to view three historic videos:

1. A 1937 video of someone cruising in a boat videotaping the Wawasee shoreline and lakefront cottages as they cruise
2. A promotional video for the Spink Wawasee Hotel (built in 1926, closed in 1947)
3. A 1957 video of the Chinese Gardens and cottage on Wawasee

After the showing, attendees will be invited to share their memories via an Open Microphone; these will be recorded and limited to 5 minutes at this venue, but invited for a longer session at the Syracuse-Wawasee Historic Museum to record the individual’s memories as oral history. The event’s promotion will discuss the need for additional “home movies” that might be stored in attics, closets, basements, etc. This will be requested at the event too, with the hope that more historic video material will emerge. The Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum will borrow (take temporary possession) to process materials that emerge. With the owner’s signed approval, local home movies would be digitized and made available for public showing at phase two 2024 event.

WHEN: July 22, 2:00 – 3:30
WHERE: Syracuse Community Center

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