I love Hoverounds.

Things around the grounds have really started to heat up (both literally and figuratively) as the season officially opened a week ago. For the Daily that means we’re cranking out a paper 6 days a week and trying to fit everything we can in the pages. Beat work for reporters has continued to escalate now that all our sources are on the grounds and willing/ able to talk to us. Despite the hoards of people who descended upon quiet Chautauqua and the Hoveround scooters that have taken over the streets and pathways, it’s been fun to see the place come alive. They kicked off the beginning of the season with a visit from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir – which I have to say was spectacular. They sang in the Amphitheater – which houses the country’s oldest outdoor organ (that turns 100 this year) – and the sound resonates all through the grounds.

Week One has been particularly interesting for us journalists. The theme has been “Media and News: Applied Ethics.” Seeing as I’m taking just about all the ethics classes UNC offers next semester it’s been a good intro. Speakers of particular note: John Hargrove of the WSJ (and no, I’m not talking about the Winston-Salem Journal), David Westin of ABC News, Arianna Huffington and David Marash, correspondent for Al Jazeera English. For those of us who are here on the grounds to work, however, it’s been catch-as-catch can on which lectures we can get to. (a couple of us suggested we just suspend all newspaper printing for the week so we could take in this educational experience… our editor didn’t think that was a good idea and we figured the general Chautauquan population would be up in arms about it as well, so we kept printing.)

Of the two lectures I heard (Westin and Huffington) I would have to say I enjoyed Westin’s more. I know I blogged briefly about talking to him a week or so ago, but hearing the entire speech was even better. His point was that the media is becoming too wrapped up in getting the scoop and making it to the top of the ratings charts. (He cited the 2000 presidential election as a prime example when 4 major network channels had to recant their predictions twice because they jumped too quickly at a conclusion in order to be no. 1 with the answer.) He said we are losing the basis of what real journalism is – the reporting. It takes time to get those leads and really do a thorough job checking facts and whatnot to make sure what audiences receive is good.

As for life in Alumni Hall – all is still going well. We’ve acquired several new people who have the distinct pleasure of living with us crazy journalists. So far they seem to tolerate our antics and we’re slowly trying to bring them into the fold. (we’ll see if that works…) On the domestic front - we’re becoming quite adept with the George Foreman (side note: if you don’t have one, I highly recommend you get one.). Not only have we perfected the grilled cheese but my roommate and I even branched out and threw some chicken on there. YES, real meat! Our quesadillas were perfect and we wowed the rest of the dorm with our culinary skills.

So, I know my blogging will never be able to accurately sum up Chautauqua, but I’ve decided to make it my summer goal to be able to at least semi-accurately describe this place to people once I get home. Words still elude me and descriptions cannot be descriptive enough. I’m letting this place seep into my pores while attempting to speak better Chautauquan. I keep trying to ask my sources about their time here – whether they’re new to the Institution or if they’re long-time attendees. I interviewed an opera singer today who, I think, summed up Chautauqua the best I’ve heard yet: “It’s like an Ivy League summer camp,” he said. Which is completely true. It’s a relaxed environment but at the same time it’s got this incredible pulse of energy (especially for the age group!) and a population of people who are so engaged in learning and exploring. But it’s all done in the comfort of shorts and flip flops or over a glass of tea on the front porch.