The Observation Deck

Richard Johnson as Abraham Lincoln addresses the audience.

The first night of Ohio Chautauqua went off perfectly and to an overflowing tent, and
everyone, had a good time.

Tonight was Harriet Tubman, leader of the Underground Railroad, but the audience was
treated by seeing the characters from all nights in costume get up and do 5 minutes. They
were all thought provoking, funny, serious and pretty damn good at their roles. It should
be a fun week at Lakewood Park.


Ilene Evans as Harriet Tubman.



Special thank to all of the volunteers and supporters of this event. Especial Ann Bish who
headed up this effort, and a tip of the Observer hat to Kathy Haber who put together the
kick off party for everyone.




Gary and Ann Bish. Chautauqua is possible because of Ann's vision, and hard work and
the hard work of her many, many volunteers and supporters. Standing Ovation Ann!

More images tomorrow, and every night.

See you there!


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Thanks again to Jim for posting those fabulous opening night pictures. This will obviously be a premier event for Lakewood this year, and a wonderful opportunity to showcase our city to visitors. We really do have an ideal location for this event to transpire.

Don't forget to take a walk down to the lake while you are at the park to view the granite marker that Dad and I placed at the top of your beautiful walkway down to the "Freedom Sea". (with the kind assistance of former Mayor George, and the City of Lakewood, of course) In 2006, Dad and I decided to honor our area's place as being one of the last stations of the Underground Railroad, where former slaves escaped the United States to the safety of Canada in the years after 1850, when a Supreme Court ruling attempted to force "free" states like Ohio to return escaped slaves to their former masters.

Many Ohioans, including a number from this area, risked their lives and property in helping those former slaves.

And as I can tell you personally, remembering my own personal struggles for the rights of the disabled, the battle for human rights and dignity for all people is far from over.

The struggle continues.

Back to the banjo...

Just got back from Lakewood Park's night #2 (Thursday)

In spite of the periodic soaking downpours this afternoon and a brief power outage at the stage, things worked out very well while I was there. The ground, perhaps surprisingly, could be walked on relatively well, and I did not muddy my shoes overmuch at all. The weather was cloudy, but cooperative, and the crowd was still a big crowd, albeit not overflowing.

If you've not yet made plans to attend this historic event, please consider doing so. Remember that there are events held during the day at the Beck Center and at our Lakewood Library. The Lakewood Park evening tent events commence at 6 p.m. with music. The historic speaker comes on at 7 p.m.. This event runs through Sunday evening.

Back to the banjo and saw. I need to warm up for my spots on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

We went for a short time tonight until my daughter got sick while singing. I was really imprressed by the tent though and had a nice talk with Ann. Hoping to stop by the beck center tomorrow so the kids can learning about letters to the presidents. Oh and I was amazed at how many people showed up tonight considering the downfall that occured.

You won't want to miss tonight; first we'll have Vive L'Four, Frank Blackman, and the LHS String Quartet performing, starting at 6:00 pm, followed by the living history of Mary Edwards Walker, the war's only female contract surgeon. Wednesday and Thursday were great in every way and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday promise to be more of same. We'll be there - rain or shine - so c'mon down!

Gary Rice playing banjo at Ohio Chautauqua Saturday night.

One night left, Lincoln, don't miss it!


And Gary will be playing saw Sunday night as well!

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Great photos Jim!

What a wonderful week this has been.

The older I get, the more I realize in life what a continuum that the concept of "time" really is. With the Ohio Chautauqua event, we are transported vicariously into another moment in historical time, and yet, is it REALLY another moment in time, or is time, indeed, timeless?

You see me, for example, playing my late uncle's ancient antique banjo, made in London, England, many, MANY years ago. I heard somewhere that the factory that built it was destroyed during WWII in the Blitz, and yet the company that created it, and my uncle's passion for playing it, lives on in me, with what I did with it last night.

As President Lincoln will live on, in the presentation this evening.

As the struggle for equality and human rights lives on...

Time?

Timeless.

This event is quite a feather in Lakewood's hat.

Join us please.

Back to the banjo.

What a stellar evening in Lakewood on Sunday...

Ohio Chautauqua wrapped up at Lakewood Park with an overflow crowd last night.

Great history, great performances by Lakewood's students, and "Abraham Lincoln" as well; expertly portrayed by Richard Johnson.

I was even able to get a few banjo and saw tunes in for people to sing along with...

...and sing, they certainly did.

Wow.

It was one of those nights that makes Lakewood, Lakewood.

Be sure to check Jim O'Bryan's outstanding photoblog section for the opportunity to see a wonderful photo essay documenting this event.

Back to the banjo...

Abraham Lincoln on a cell phone.

Thanks, Jim.


Steve

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From what I hear Lincoln was always able to draw a crowd, and Sunday was no different!


Overflowing crowd on the final night, enjoying the show and the weather.


Gary and Ann Bish with their kids seated in front, enjoy the fruits of two years of Ann's
hard work, and the hard work of all the volunteers and supporters. What a great week for Lakewood!


Gary Rice with Major Martin Delany.


Duncan and Diane Virostko in period costumes she made. Duncan performed the first night.

This is just another great event put on by a Lakewood citizen with a dream. Powered by the loving
and caring patrons of The Lakewood Historical Society, and the many members and volunteers that
made it possible. These are the same people that make living in Lakewood fun, and enjoyable.

DAMN I LOVE THIS CITY!

Ann Bish, you are my new hero.

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I didn't know until last night that overnight Chautauqua tent security was provided by kids and parents camping out at Lakewood Park. At least one night was Boy Scouts.

Last night's security was provided by a little kids' swim team and their parents. They had a camp fire and marshmallows. There were campers' tents both inside and outside of the big red and white striped tent.

It looked like fun. How many people get to have the memory of camping out in Lakewood Park?

I didn't see Gary Rice singing lullabies. The parents probably would have appreciated that.


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My son slept there with his scout troop the first night. It was pouring rain and there was a pretty big storm. He didn't get much sleep but he did say he felt like he helped because several people came into the tent in the middle of the night. I think it's one camping adventure he will remember for a long time.