2020 sessions

Thursday, January 27, 2022

10am-4pm: REGISTRATION/CHECK-IN

Florida Chautauqua Headquarters, 1290 Circle Drive.

6pm-8pm: WELCOME PARTY

Enjoy an evening of heavy hors d'oeuvres, wine and beverages while meeting fellow Chautauquans and faculty with whom you will be sharing an enlightening weekend together. Cash bar for those wishing to purchase other alcoholic beverages. However, wine is included with your Welcome Party ticket. Hotel DeFuniak, 400 East Nelson Avenue. Tickets $20

Beautiful Hotel DeFuniak, location of this year's Welcome Party! Wine included with your ticket.

Friday, January 28, 2022

7am-4:30pm: REGISTRATION/CHECK-IN

Florida Chautauqua Headquarters, 1290 Circle Drive.

7am-9am: BREAKFAST

Cafe NOLA, 400 East Nelson Avenue. $9

9am-10:15am: FEATURED KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Ancient Wisdom for a Better Modern Life - Stoicism is an ancient philosophy International Best-Selling Author Ryan Holiday has brought back from ancient Rome and into the workplace, entrepreneurship, politics, and sports. Take a journey with Ryan as he shares lessons from Stoic greats to overcome obstacles you face in your workplace or home life. Wise Educational Complex Auditorium, 555 Walton Road. $15.

10:45am-Noon: BREAKOUT SESSIONS & TEA

Container Gardening: If you don't have room or want to care for a large garden, container gardens are a perfect way to go! Annette Wise, leader of the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail and Plains Chautauqua will walk you through the steps of placing just the right ingredients in your garden container to attract butterflies to your yard, including pollinator friendly plants that provide nectar, serve as host plants and make our gardens beautiful. . Learn about the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail which starts in Plains, Georgia and how you can join. First Presbyterian Church Assembly Room. $10. First Presbyterian Church, Assembly Room. $10.
Tree Care 101: Learn the basics of tree pruning, maintenance, and care as well as how to avoid common tree problems from the Florida Forest Service’s Urban Forestry Program Manager William Liner. Florida Forest Service Indoor Nature Trail Exhibit (Tent), Behind Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood, 95 Circle Drive. Free.
A Pictorial Visit to Chautauqua, New York -Originally founded in 1874 in Western New York State, the Chautauqua Institution is both a historic Victorian village situated in a beautiful lakeside setting and a 9-week summer festival for mind and body. Alex Alexander, a frequent presenter and attendee of the New York Chautauqua will tell the Chautauqua story through historic photographs and personal experiences of a regular “Summer Chautauquan.” She will take you on a pictorial visit of the gingerbread style cottages, the 5,000 seat outdoor amphitheater, the bell tower, marina, library, shops, lecture halls, churches, parks, historic hotels, and charming gardens that collectively create an ambiance enjoyed by more than 170,000 people each summer. And if you’re thinking about visiting Chautauqua yourself, you won’t want to miss the practical tips on how to get there, where to stay, what to see and do, and how to enjoy your summer Chautauqua experience to its fullest. First United Methodist Church Sanctuary. $10.
Health is a State of Complete Harmony of the Body, Mind, Emotions and Spirit. Learn the connections between the body, mind, emotions and spirit in relation to health and happiness from Joanne Klepal; how disease and pain is a result of imbalanced or blocked energy; the importance of treating the body as a ‘whole’ and how our environment and habits are connected to our health issues; how solving the root cause of a health problem, causes the symptoms to disappear; and ways in which you can improve or increase their well-being in body, mind, emotions and spirit to live a healthier, happier life. First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. $10.
Find Your Zen Through Mindfulness Techniques: Join Jena Gilmore to find your Zen by learning the practice of Mindfulness and how it can make you healthier by combating stress and anxiety. She’ll share techniques for you to practice personally and show you how this can be incorporated into your interactions with family, friends, and fellow professionals. As a bonus, you will create your own essential oil infused stress items to help keep you focused, present, and more productive. First Presbyterian Church Library. $10.
Basics of Completing a Job Application. Find out how to provide winning answers on job applications to get the job you want and need. Find happiness by securing that job and getting your new year off to a great start! DeFuniak Springs Community Center Main Room. Free.
Tea with Lillian Carter: Before she was the 39th president's mother, Lillian Carter (Interpreted by Carol Puckett) was a Peace Corps volunteer at age 68! Find out how she found happiness volunteering in one of the poorest villages of India just as one of her sons became governor of Georgia and later President of the United States. Community Center Tea Room. $20

NOON-1:30pm: LUNCH. Café NOLA, 400 East Nelson Avenue. $10.

1pm-1:30pm: TREE PLANTING CEREMONY

In honor of Pamela Landwirth of Give Kids The World Village. This ceremony not only honors the many famous and notable people addressing the Florida Chautauqua Assembly, but it is a tradition from the original assemblies (1885-1927). Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood, 95 Circle Drive (to the right of building). Free

1:30pm-2pm: BATTLE REENACTMENT

The Raid of Euchee Anna, FL - This battle will be a reenactment of the Raid on Euchee Anna, FL. While Sunday the 26 will be a reenactment of the Battle of Vernon, FL. These two actions both happened as a part of a Federal raid, departing out of Pensacola, to attack the town of Marianna, FL. On the way to Marianna the Federals camped for one night at Lake DeFuniak before proceeding the next day to attack a small group of Confederates in nearby Euchee Anna. After the Battle of Marianna, the Federals, on their way back to Pensacola, encountered another group of Confederates near Vernon. Chipley Park, 3 Circle Drive

1:45pm - 3pm: BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Find Happiness Being a Thespian: Whether you be brave or bashful, outgoing or shy, there is a job for you in community theater. If you are looking to try something new or something different, the community theater in your town is the place to go. Dr. Britt Poulson will explain how you don't have to have previous theater experience, and there are plenty of entry jobs that can teach you the ropes. There is no requirement that you get up on stage and act. Behind the scenes jobs need people too. You will enjoy the comradery of a group of people who are there to enjoy themselves and have fun. New team members are always received with pleasure. This session will talk about some of the jobs that are available and you will be surprised at how many require skills you already have. First United Methodist Church Classroom A. $10.
The Curious Story of Chocolate, Our Favorite Happy Fix: Explore the tale of chocolate from its beginnings in the Halls of Montezuma via West Africa and the Swiss Alps to its glorious success on our palates. It took the imaginations and hard work of a series of fascinating, gifted and eccentric persons over five centuries to get us to his happy place. How they did it is an amazing story, one that will make you appreciate even more the joy of consuming your favorite sweet. First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. $10.
The Products of Lavender: Many scientists say there are many health benefits of lavender, including its ability to relieve stress, improve mood, promote restful sleep, lower skin irritation, prevent infections, reduce inflammation, eliminate dandruff, and soothe stomach bloating. They also claim that the relaxing qualities of lavender, which come from its organic compounds and antioxidants, also help the heart by reducing blood pressure and easing the tension on blood vessels. Find out what form in which you can buy lavender through this presentation by the founder of Florida's first lavender farm Jason Leabo of Southern Grace Lavender Farm in Southport, FL. Learn what inspires him and his family to be so passionate about lavender that they are dedicating so much of their livelihood in establishing lavender as a major cash crop for Florida. First Presbyterian Church Assembly Room. $10.
Journaling: Learn the power of journaling. Amy Meyer, author of Day by Day: A Creative Guide to Living Your Best Life with Clarity, Intention and Flow, will share with you EXACT tools she has used over the last several years of her health, wellness & healing journey which can help improve your own life. Although not a requirement for this session, you may wish to purchase her journaling book, Day by Day: A Creative Guide to Living Your Best Life with Clarity, Intention and Flow and bring with you to enhance your session. First Presbyterian Church Library. $10.
The Joy of Painting—the Bob Ross Legacy: A quarter century after his death, Bob Ross remains a household name associated with positive thinking, encouragement, and finding happiness through painting. Most people are familiar with his “happy accidents” and “happy little trees” or his advice that “If what you’re doing doesn’t make you happy, then you’re doing the wrong thing.” Easily recognizable for his Afro-style hair, calming voice, and folksy words of wisdom, Ross marketed a downhome approach to teach the world to paint. Often seen with Peapod, his pet squirrel, perched on his shoulder, Ross was equally famous for his efforts in wildlife preservation—a commitment that often caused his co-workers great consternation! By following Ross’s method and painting along with him, everyone from age 9 to 99 was guaranteed success. The only noticeable blot on his career involves the painful break from his painting mentor and one-time business partner William Alexander. Bob Ross produced years of painting demonstration lessons for Public Television, sold his lessons in video form (now DVDs), in books, and in The Joy of Painting magazine. But what do you really know about this 20th century television icon? Who was the man behind the easel? How did Ross’s approach to the business of art separate him from Thomas Kinkade? Why doesn’t Bob Ross appear in Art History books? Learn the answers to these questions from local artist/art historian, Jan Faubel, who will also reveal a host of additional fun facts about the Bob Ross Legacy. First United Methodist Church Sanctuary. $10.
Basics of Resume Writing. Find out how to draft that winning resume to get the job you want and need. Then, walk from booth to booth and meet business representatives who want to receive that winning resume to fill their positions. Find happiness by securing that job and getting your new year off to a great start! DeFuniak Springs Community Center Main Room. Free.

3:30pm - 5pm: BREAKOUT SESSIONS

On Shaky Ground? Better Balance Can be Learned: Unsure of your steps when you walk around such tourist destinations as Universal Studios? Many of us can improve the quality of our daily lives with better physical balance. Dr. Don Rapp, author of On Balance: Mastery of Physical Balance for Life, will provide you with many fall prevention ideas and will explain how to improve the quality of your daily life through fall prevention information. He will also lead in simple and safe exercises adjustable for the disabled to the athlete. First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. $10.
Utopian Florida Communities, the Different Visions of People’s “Happy Places:” For centuries, Florida has been the focus of numerous utopian visions for a variety of “dream” communities. Starting with Ponce de Leon’s search for the mythical “Fountain of Youth” (which has of course morphed into a tourist destination), an assortment of explorers, soldiers farmers, promoters, developers, planners, and theologians have sought to create various forms of a perfect place in the Sunshine State. Thomas Cloud will lead an “expedition” of discovery into these “Shangri-La's.” First United Methodist Church Sanctuary. $10.
Find Your Center: Feel lost or disconnected? Can't figure out your life mission? Author Amy Meyer will help you identify your core values and what is missing in your life. Discover how to create the steps you need to take to find real meaning and happiness in your life. First Presbyterian Church Assembly Room. $10.
Tea with Winston Churchill: Meet "Winston Churchill (interpreted by Bruce Collier, J.D.) in 1945 just when Germany has been defeated. Adolf Hitler is dead. British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill is about to return to England to learn the results of a Parliamentary election which will determine whether or not he will remain Britain's war leader and help plan the defeat of Japan and the balance of power in the post-war world. Over tea he reminisces about his personal and public life, the war, the possible future and how he found inner peace and happiness at a time when the world seemed to be burning down.. Moving back and forth from past to present, Churchill recalls his worst and finest hours. Community Center Main Room. $20.

5pm - 5:30pm: VESPERS.

St. Agatha's Episcopal Church, Circle Drive.

5pm-6:15pm: WINE RECEPTION

Enjoy some "down time" at the historic Hotel DeFuniak with your choice of a glass of wine just before the evening dinner performance. Sponsored by Chautauqua Vineyards and Winery of DeFuniak Springs. Hotel DeFuniak, 400 East Nelson Avenue. $15.

6:30pm-9pm: EVENING DINNER PERFORMANCE

Guitarist Chris Alvarado. Back by popular demand! Enjoy your dinner with live guitar music by singer/songwriter Chris Alvarado who is not only known for the purity of his solo performance, but also for the handcrafted instruments he makes with impeccable sound quality coveted by many rock stars. Hotel DeFuniak, 400 East Nelson Avenue. $25.

International Best Selling Author Ryan Holiday, Featured Keynote Speaker.

Saturday, January 25, 2020

7am-4:30pm: REGISTRATION/CHECK-IN

1290 Circle Drive

7am-9am: BREAKFAST Cafe NOLA, 400 East Nelson Avenue. $9.

9am-10:15am: GENERAL SESSION

The Power of Selfless Giving - Pamela Landwirth, President & CEO of Give Kids The World Village will tell of the incredible power of selfless giving at a place like the 83-acres whimsical resort she leads with 1,800 volunteers a week to fulfill magical wishes to critically ill children whose dream is to meet Mickey Mouse or to visit Central Florida's theme parks. Find out how selfless giving to a place like this can help fulfill your overall mission in finding inner peace and happiness in your life. Please consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy for the Village or consider making a contribution of some kind (to volunteer, attend a function, or provide a needed gift) at tonight's evening dinner performance focusing on the mission of Give Kids The World Village. First United Methodist Church Sanctuary. $10.

10:45am-Noon: BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Container Gardening: If you don't have room or want to care for a large garden, container gardens are a perfect way to go! Annette Wise, leader of the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail and Plains Chautauqua will walk you through the steps of placing just the right ingredients in your garden container to attract butterflies to your yard, including pollinator friendly plants that provide nectar, serve as host plants and make our gardens beautiful. . Learn about the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail which starts in Plains, Georgia and how you can join. First Presbyterian Church Assembly Room. $10. First Presbyterian Church, Assembly Room. $10.
The Great Stoics: Our pathway to inner peace and happiness has already been published through the works of the world’s greatest stoics. Who are they, and what the heck is stoicism? Thomas Cloud will tell you about past slaves, playwriters and ancient leaders who have written some of the most significant action plans which later impacted such great leaders as Winston Churchill, Ulysses S. Grant, General Eisenhower, and more. What did these modern exemplary leaders know from the great stoics that got them through the most trying times in history that we can apply to our own lives today, tomorrow and beyond? First United Methodist Church Sanctuary. $10.
Find your Zen through Mindfulness Techniques: Join Jena Gilmore to find your Zen by learning the practice of Mindfulness and how it can make you healthier by combating stress and anxiety. She’ll share techniques for you to practice personally and show you how this can be incorporated into your interactions with family, friends, and fellow professionals. As a bonus, you will create your own essential oil infused stress items to help keep you focused, present, and more productive. First United Methodist Church Classroom A. $10.
Florida Chautauqua's History - Subtitled “Winter Chautauqua in the Land of Summer,” this is a pictorial visit to the Florida Chautauqua. In the early 1880’s, survey parties from the Pensacola & Atlantic Railroad discovered a perfectly round spring-fed lake in the Florida Panhandle, whose natural beauty inspired the establishment of a small town named in honor of Fred R. DeFuniak, a prominent railroad manager. Soon, scouts from the extremely successful New York Chautauqua Assembly discovered DeFuniak Springs, and named it in 1884 as the new headquarters of the Florida Chautauqua, a resort community attracting large numbers of winter visitors. The Winter Chautauqua assembly was a great success, lasting for almost 40 years until it died out in the early 1920’s. During that time, thousands of visitors arrived by train, and hundreds of Victorian era cottages, homes, and commercial buildings were constructed, including a Tabernacle, the Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood, The Hotel Chautauqua, numerous churches, several colleges, and a library. Told through a combination of archival and current photos, this presentation will connect both the DeFuniak Springs Chautauqua and the New York Chautauqua into one grand living history. First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. $10.
Health is a State of Complete Harmony of the Body, Mind, Emotions and Spirit. Learn the connections between the body, mind, emotions and spirit in relation to health and happiness; how disease and pain is a result of imbalanced or blocked energy; the importance of treating the body as a ‘whole’ and how our environment and habits are connected to our health issues; how solving the root cause of a health problem, causes the symptoms to disappear; and ways in which you can improve or increase their well-being in body, mind, emotions and spirit to live a healthier, happier life. First Presbyterian Church Library. $10.
Tea With Winston Churchill: Meet "Winston Churchill (interpreted by Bruce Collier, J.D.) in 1945 just when Germany has been defeated. Adolf Hitler is dead. British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill is about to return to England to learn the results of a Parliamentary election which will determine whether or not he will remain Britain's war leader and help plan the defeat of Japan and the balance of power in the post-war world. Over tea he reminisces about his personal and public life, the war, the possible future and how he found inner peace and happiness at a time when the world seemed to be burning down.. Moving back and forth from past to present, Churchill recalls his worst and finest hours. Community Center Tea Room. $20.

NOON-1:30pm: LUNCH. Café NOLA, 400 East Nelson Avenue. $10.

1pm-1:45pm: MEET MAYOR CLAYTON!

Bring the kids and your camera! The Honorable Mayor Clayton is the whimsical storybook leader of Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee, Florida who entertains children with life-threatening illnesses at the Village during their week-long, cost-free vacation with their immediate families. This is where the Make-A-Wish Foundation and many other wish-granting organizations send children when their wish is to meet Mickey Mouse and/or to visit all the magical theme parks central Florida has to offer. Please consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy for the Village. Not a requirement, though. Everyone welcome! Community Center, 361 North 10th Street, Main Room.

1:45pm-3pm: BREAKTOUT SESSIONS

Find Happiness Being a Thespian: Whether you be brave or bashful, outgoing or shy, there is a job for you in community theater. If you are looking to try something new or something different, the community theater in your town is the place to go. You don't have to have previous theater experience, and there are plenty of entry jobs that can teach you the ropes. There is no requirement that you get up on stage and act. Behind the scenes jobs need people too. You will enjoy the comradery of a group of people who are there to enjoy themselves and have fun. New team members are always received with pleasure. This session will talk about some of the jobs that are available and you will be surprised at how many require skills you already have. First United Methodist Church Classroom A. $10.
The Products of Lavender: Many scientists say there are many health benefits of lavender, including its ability to relieve stress, improve mood, promote restful sleep, lower skin irritation, prevent infections, reduce inflammation, eliminate dandruff, and soothe stomach bloating. They also claim that the relaxing qualities of lavender, which come from its organic compounds and antioxidants, also help the heart by reducing blood pressure and easing the tension on blood vessels. Find out what form in which you can buy lavender through this presentation by the founder of Florida's first lavender farm Jason Leabo of Southern Grace Lavender Farm in Southport, FL. Learn what inspires him and his family to be so passionate about lavender that they are dedicating so much of their livelihood in establishing lavender as a major cash crop for Florida. First Presbyterian Church Assembly Room. $10.
Journaling: Learn the power of journaling. Amy Meyer, author of Day by Day: A Creative Guide to Living Your Best Life with Clarity, Intention and Flow, will share with you EXACT tools she has used over the last several years of her health, wellness & healing journey which can help improve your own life. Although not a requirement for this session, you may wish to purchase her journaling book, Day by Day: A Creative Guide to Living Your Best Life with Clarity, Intention and Flow and bring with you to enhance your session. First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. $10.
The Joy of Painting—the Bob Ross Legacy: A quarter century after his death, Bob Ross remains a household name associated with positive thinking, encouragement, and finding happiness through painting. Most people are familiar with his “happy accidents” and “happy little trees” or his advice that “If what you’re doing doesn’t make you happy, then you’re doing the wrong thing.” Easily recognizable for his Afro-style hair, calming voice, and folksy words of wisdom, Ross marketed a downhome approach to teach the world to paint. Often seen with Peapod, his pet squirrel, perched on his shoulder, Ross was equally famous for his efforts in wildlife preservation—a commitment that often caused his co-workers great consternation! By following Ross’s method and painting along with him, everyone from age 9 to 99 was guaranteed success. The only noticeable blot on his career involves the painful break from his painting mentor and one-time business partner William Alexander. Bob Ross produced years of painting demonstration lessons for Public Television, sold his lessons in video form (now DVDs), in books, and in The Joy of Painting magazine. But what do you really know about this 20th century television icon? Who was the man behind the easel? How did Ross’s approach to the business of art separate him from Thomas Kinkade? Why doesn’t Bob Ross appear in Art History books? Learn the answers to these questions from local artist/art historian, Jan Faubel, who will also reveal a host of additional fun facts about the Bob Ross Legacy. First United Methodist Church Sanctuary. $10.

3:30pm-4:45pm: BREAKOUT SESSIONS & PERFORMANCE TEA

On Shaky Ground? Better Balance Can be Learned: Unsure of your steps when you walk around such tourist destinations as Universal Studios? Many of us can improve the quality of our daily lives with better physical balance. Dr. Don Rapp, author of On Balance: Mastery of Physical Balance for Life, will provide you with many fall prevention ideas and will explain how to improve the quality of your daily life through fall prevention information. He will also lead in simple and safe exercises adjustable for the disabled to the athlete. First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. $10.
Tales from the Foreign Service: My Mainly Happy Adventures in Service to America: Gregory Garland of the U.S. State Department plays storyteller as he looks back on some of the highlights of a career as a Foreign Service Officer in the Department of State. He will take you on a journey in which he touched the lives of many Americans as well as citizens from around the world. Whether it was being present at the fall of communism in Poland, barely missing a double truck bomb in Afghanistan, consoling a family after a kayaking vacation gone bad, hot-rodding in Timbuktu, clearing out bees in advances of a bee-allergic president, or motorcycling through the African wilderness to meet a stricken embassy guard who had taken a bullet for Uncle Sam, Greg will share his enthusiasm for a career well spent while revealing a side of the job you’ll never see on TV or YouTube. First United Methodist Church Sanctuary. $10.
Find Your Center: Feel lost or disconnected? Can't figure out your life mission? Author Amy Meyer will help you identify your core values and what is missing in your life. Discover how to create the steps you need to take to find real meaning and happiness in your life. First Presbyterian Church Assembly Room. $10.
Tea With Lillian Carter: Before she was the 39th president's mother, Lillian Carter was a Peace Corps volunteer at age 68! Find out how she found happiness volunteering in one of the poorest villages of India just as one of her sons became governor of Georgia and later President of the United States. Interpreted by Carol Puckett of DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Community Center Tea Room. $20.