And so tomorrow I go back to Virginia. This has been my longest season ever. I've never stayed three days into the post-season before. It's a whole new place. . . . and yet it is the same place. Only quieter, and sleepier.
I'm sitting on the 2nd floor balcony of the Disciples house. I've stayed here in years past before I came for the full season. Betty and David who run the place are dear friends. It took me staying here to even get to see them this season. That's how it is at Chautauqua.
From my perch I can see the roof of the amphitheater. Totally empty now. All the benches deserted. Nobody warming up. No stage crew running around getting ready for the next thing. It has stood in that location for a very long time. And now they are talking renovation for this icon of the grounds. We don't know when the actual construction will start. But for people up here it is excruciating to give up something that has stood for decades. Yes, the benches are uncomfortable. Yes there are support posts that block the views from some of the seats. Yes the storms cause a large portion of the audience to get wet, even under cover. Yes, it smells of must and bat droppings. And still we don't want to part with it.
Below me is the brick walk. . . the main walking thoroughfare connecting all the major buildings on the grounds. No bikes or vehicles allowed. There are no people walking there tonight. I can't hear snippets of conversation as people leave a lecture and keep the conversation going. I don't hear children and dogs playfully dodging the walkers or those on scooters.
I can hear the bell tower chiming the quarter hours. Carolyn, the bell ringer has gone home, so no songs are coming from there at 8 in the morning, and 6 and 10 each night.
The regular season is over, but other things are starting. Today I walked down to the Atheneum Hotel to see the arrival of the seniors participating in the chorus/dance/theater program called Encore. And in stark contrast the "major league fishermen" have arrived in huge 4-wheel-drive vehicles, bedecked with graphics of advertisers. They look like Nascar folks. The fishermen are wearing jackets adorned with the names and logos of their sponsors. More cigarettes in that group than have been on the grounds all summer. I guess they are going to fish competitively in the lake in the next few days. Who knew?
As for us, the "interim" librarians, we have put away the music, weeded out old moldy music for disposal, and put all the detritus of a choir season to bed for the winter. We could have done more. But we knew when to stop. And if Jared is successful in getting us a fair pay rate next summer, we will be back doing the job again.
Nancy and Jared and Janet and I had our last lunch at the fancy La Fleur restaurant. We invited Jared to be our guest, but he double-crossed us at the door when we weren't paying attention and told the waitress to let us pay for his lunch, but then he paid for the rest of us. We'll have to plan that better next year. . . . . .
Day is dying in the west (as we sing every Sunday night to start the Sacred Song Service) and I'm going to retire, get up and try to leave by 6:00. It's been my best season ever at Chautauqua. But I must move forward. If I get out of here at 6, I'll be able to join Sandy at the Afton Mountain Winery for "Thursdays at 3:00." I've missed 10 of those now, and it's time to get back in the groove. And it's time to face the music with George the Trainer. My working out and eating pristinely took a hit starting about week 4. Oh well. . . back on the horse.
Goodbye Chautauqua. You are my heart and soul. I look forward to missing you. I'll be back in 10 months. My cup of gratitude overflows.
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