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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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Dominique Rousseau: 1st Permanent White Resident of Kosciusko County

Dominique Rousseau: 1st Permanent White Resident of Kosciusko County

Lynn Brown’s novel Furs and Fevers is based on Rousseau’s life from 1825-1840. Why did a president of an international fur trade company make his home in Kosciusko County? What business obstacles did he overcome? Besides a reading of Chapter One to give you the feel of this person, Lynn will talk about related research principles and sources she used. Kosciusko towns and locations mentioned in the book are Leesburgh (the original spelling), Warsaw, and the Oswego location of Rousseau’s last trading post. After the presentation, questions will be welcome.

 

About the Presenter: Lynn MacKaben Brown

 

Lynn MacKaben Brown has been a Kosciusko County resident for fifty years—and became a permanent one when she married Ed Brown of the Brown/Lynch pioneer family clan. She has been published in national and international magazines for decades. She is also the author of Christmas Celebration, a devotional/activity book.

“When I brought my girls home to homeschool them, Indiana history was required. I didn’t like the textbook but, being from Wisconsin, my knowledge about Indiana’s history was limited to knowing that it was a Union state in the Civil War. While researching class materials, I came across Rousseau. I was and still am intrigued that this important man was left out of so many sources, and nothing has been named for him. I decided to rectify the situation.”

 

This event is free, however, we ask that you register HERE.

WHEN: Friday, September 1 · 6:30 – 7:30pm

WHERE: Syracuse Community Center

1013 North Long Drive Syracuse, IN 46567

 

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The Treaty of Paradise Spring-1826

The Treaty of Paradise Spring, originally known as the Treaty of Mississinewa, was negotiated just two blocks from the current location of the Wabash County Museum. The treaty ultimately made way for the Michigan Road and the Wabash-Erie Canal. Papakeechie’s Reserve was one of several reservations created by this treaty. Many of the Native people who negotiated on behalf of the Miami and Potawatomi lived very close to or within what would become Wabash County.

About the Presenter: T.J. Honeycutt

TJ Honeycutt is the ex-Director of Archives and Outreach at the Wabash County Museum. He is a lifelong resident of Wabash County, a graduate of Manchester University with a Bachelor’s in History and Economics. He left Wabash to pursue a career in e-sports broadcasting after college, but in early 2017 returned to Wabash to work with history at the Museum in early 2017. TJ specializes in local and Russian history.

 

Date and time:

Thursday, August 31 · 6:30 – 7:30pm EDT

Location:

Syracuse Community Center

1013 North Long Drive Syracuse, IN 46567

Reserve your seats HERE.

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The 9th Annual Wawasee Fine Arts Festival at Oakwood

The 9th Annual Wawasee Fine Arts Festival at Oakwood is an annual event that features a diverse range of fine art, including pottery, watercolor, oil painting, jewelry, and specialty art made from natural materials such as wood, glass, or metal to create beautiful, one of a kind pieces. This year, the number of artists has grown, jumping from 28 to 35, ensuring there will be plenty to see in 2023! All art has been juried to ensure suitability for this event. We strive to provide “fine art” products from true artisans, so you’ll be sure to find that perfect treasure to take home.

The festival will take place outdoors (rain or shine) in a beautiful lakefront park setting at Oakwood Resort in Syracuse, Indiana. Various activities, both recreational and artistic are available for children, so we encourage you to bring the whole family along to enjoy the day as there will be something for everyone.

Food and drinks will be available from on-site vendors or you may visit Oakwood’s Pier & Back Porch Restaurant. 

WHERE: Oakwood Resort 702 E. Lake View Road Syracuse, Indiana
WHEN: May 27th, 2023  9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
ADMISSION: FREE!
PARKING: FREE!

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Religion: Where It Came From, Where It’s Heading, and How It Continues to Change the World-Full Video

 

Religion: Where It Came From, Where It’s Heading, and How It Continues to Change the World

We are beyond pleased to present this three-part series led by Michael Spath D.Min., Ph.D., which explores why understanding religion is important for our faith today, as we continue to search for meaning and understanding of our place in the universe.
Michael Spath is the founder and executive director of the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace. He holds a Ph.D. in Historical Theology and a Doctor of Ministry degree in New Testament.
We sincerely hope that you enjoy it!
Should you wish to view each part of the series separately, please click one of the links below.

First video in series- April 13th, 2023- Click HERE.

Second video in series- April 20th, 2023- Click HERE.

Third video in series- April 27th, 2023- Click HERE.

 

***In addition to support from Chautauqua Wawasee, other participating organizations are:
College Mennonite Church, Assembly Mennonite Church, Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen College Campus Ministries,
Lifelong Learning Institute of Elkhart, and the Greencroft Communities.
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Chautauqua-Wawasee invites you to apply to our juried fine arts festival.

Chautauqua-Wawasee invites you to apply to our juried fine arts festival. To apply as an exhibiting artist, please complete the application by May 1, 2023, or take advantage of the Early Bird Discount and submit your application prior to April 1, 2023. 

Booth space: 12’x12’ $125 per space, plus $25 application/jury fee (per medium).

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: $100 per space, plus $25 application/jury fee if received by April 1, 2023.

• Artists will be considered pre-juried if they were juried for any previous Wawasee Fine Arts Festival and will be displaying the same medium in the 2023 Festival. Only juried artwork will be allowed to be exhibited.

• Artist set-up on Saturday, May 27th begins at 6:00 a.m. Booth set-up MUST be complete by 8:30 a.m., and please allow yourself enough time to be completely torn down by 5:00 p.m. You will be able to drive right up to your booth area to set up and tear down, however, we ask that you PLEASE have your cars off the lawn at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the festival (8:45 a.m.)!

• Early set-up on Friday, May 26th is available from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Because of other events held at Oakwood, it is very important that we stick to these times.

• All artists will transact their own sales and are responsible for complying with state and local sales tax regulations.

• White tents are preferred but not required.

• Special needs requests will be accepted but not guaranteed.

• Cancellations must be made in written form (mail or email). Cancellations prior to May 15th, 2023 will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be made for any act of God, local authority or weather-related cancellations of the event.

• Volunteer booth sitters will be available for your short-term needs / breaks.

• Wawasee Fine Arts Festival at Oakwood takes place rain or shine.

• No security for Friday night setup.

• Sorry, no access to electricity is available

 

Art Festival Application 2023

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Lake Wawasee “Points of Interest” Cruise- Narrated by Ann Garceau- SOLD OUT

Chautauqua-Wawasee and the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum will once again enjoy local historian Ann Garceau as she narrates a cruise of Lake Wawasee highlighting “Points of Interest” aboard the SS Lillypad II.

This event is always popular so get your tickets early. Ann will share her knowledge about historic hotels, events, property owners, restaurants, entertainment venues, boat taxis, marinas, other points of interest and little-known facts as the SS Lillypad proceeds around the shoreline of the lake. Snack food will be provided along with a cash bar.

Date and time:

Location:

The Frog Tavern 1116 South Harkless Drive Syracuse, IN 46567

Tickets for this event are SOLD OUT.  Please keep your eyes open for details on our fall cruise in September!

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WACF Earth Day
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Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Earth Day Festival-2023

Love Nature? Love butterflies? This is the topic to be explored at one session of the upcoming Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Earth Day Festival on May 6th, 2023. WACF is organizing more than twenty educational, fun, hands-on programs and activities to be held outdoors at WACF Education Center south of Syracuse.

Plan to stop by the Chautauqua-Wawasee booth because they need your help to save the Monarch butterfly!

You will learn from the butterfly lady herself, Cindy Gackenheimer, Flutterby Gardens, Claypool, as she shares about the metamorphosis of a butterfly, the Monarch migration pattern this year, and practical steps you can take to help the Monarch. The booth will provide a “kid-friendly” hands-on learning
experience where participants can play a migration game. Also, a special craft is offered which involves stamping the butterfly life cycle on a take-home canvas bag, along with free pollinator seeds to plant which attracts butterflies to your garden or landscape for years to come.

Cost: Free
When: Saturday, May 6,  10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, located at 11586 IN-13, south of Syracuse.

Check back here, or on Facebook for updates, or feel free to give us a call at 574-377-7543.

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Religion

RELIGION: Where It Came From, Where It’s Heading, and How It Continues to Change the World

RELIGION: Where It Came From, Where It’s Heading, and How It Continues to Change the World

Michael Spath, DMin, PhD

This interactive three-part series explores faith, spirituality and religion – their origins, how they shape and were shaped by the environment, the development of the brain and human social patterns. Why is this important for our faith today as we continue to search for meaning and understanding of our place in the universe?

April 13, 2023 – Religion Before Adam and Eve. Between 50,000-10,000 years ago, Europe experienced an “Upper Paleolithic explosion,” the presence of religious thinking in human burial sites, cave art, and figurines. What do these primitive signs of religion tell us about what our earliest ancestors believed? What are the unconscious and conscious implications for us as people of faith today?

April 20, 2023 – The Creation of Modern Religion: Where Our Faith and Values Were Born. Between 800-200 B.C.E., modern religion was born throughout Greece, India, China, Persia and the Levant, a period scholars call the “Axial Age.” There was a revolution in human thought – a shift toward transcendence, contemplation of humanity’s place in the universe, and understanding of meaning, morality, and mortality.

April 27, 2023 – Religion Present & Future and What It Means to be Human. Is humanity on the verge of a second “Axial Age?” Because of globalism, rapid technological advancements, Artificial Intelligence, and more, we as a species are beginning to take control of our own evolution (homo evolutis). How are these developments changing us, and what are the moral implications of such advancements for our faith?

All sessions will be held from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in Jennings Auditorium, Greencroft Goshen Community Center, 1820 Greencroft Blvd., Goshen, Indiana 46527.

Michael Spath is the founder and executive director of the Indiana Center for Middle East Peace. He holds a PhD in Historical Theology and a Doctor of Ministry degree in New Testament.

In addition to support from Chautauqua Wawasee, other participating organizations are the College Mennonite Church, Assembly Mennonite Church, Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen College Campus Ministries, and the Greencroft Chaplaincy.

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