August 19, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   Earlier this week we had various family members visiting us.  There was lots of storytelling, sharing and laughter.

   It is interesting how when family members get together, and the stories start emerging, the different perspectives you gain of people you thought you knew.

   Older family members relate stories of other relatives at a younger age, when involved in different activities, and had a different relationship.  You gain insight into aspects of personalities that you never had before.  Sometimes your burning questions as to why so-in-so acts in such a way are answered, and sometimes more questions are revealed.

   Sometimes shared memories trigger forgotten memories and open the door to deeper sharing.  Of course, there is also the chance that memories are revealed that someone thought were safely hidden. 

   We are all compilations of all the personalities within our families...the good, the bad, the sane and the insane.  We should be proud of our family histories and keep our own stories alive. 

   Pass the torch to the younger generation so that they can keep the family personality alive.  And if you are visiting relatives this summer...remember, no matter how bad they are, you can always go home!  

Beth

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To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.  

August 5, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer 

  Sometimes when I’m asked where I get my ideas for my editorials, it is very tempting to give the glib reply, “Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits.”

   While doing some Internet research over the weekend, I accidentally came across a website that sells ideas to people “who want to write but don’t know what to write about.”  I also discovered that particular site is not unique in that there are a variety of sites which are selling ideas, for a variety of prices.

   Ideas are everywhere around us.  Want to write a letter or email to a friend?  Look at what’s going on around you.  Want to write the great Canadian novel?  What’s going on in your community that you could get ideas from (don’t mention specific people by name, they may not like it, especially if you cast them as the villain!).  Want to write an emotionally gripping poem?  What is going on in your life, what emotions are you dealing with, which you could express on paper?  What is going on around you that you can find humour in?

   Ideas are floating on the air all around you, you just need to open your eyes, ears, and heart to recognize them. 

   And...if you do write the great Canadian novel…I think 2% of your royalties would be a fair price for the ideas I’ve shared with you!  

Beth

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To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.  

July 15, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer    
  

 Summer is here and the days are hotter!  Enjoy your vacation, if you are lucky enough to have one during the summer.  If you are not planning a vacation, take a day or two and road-trip around our area...there are lots of ‘hidden treasures’ just waiting to be discovered.  Spend time relaxing with friends and family.  Drink lots of water, wear sunscreen and don’t let the mosquitoes bite! 

Beth

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To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.  

July 1, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   Have you ever come across something that strikes you as absurdly funny?

   Last weekend I was shopping at Extra Foods in Ponoka.  There was a beautiful array of flowers and plants on the display outside in the parking lot.  The store employees had placed pylons around the plant displays to protect them from the vehicles.  Printed on the pylons were the words “Caution Wet Floor.” 

   As Mom and I were walking around these pylons to get to the store, and reading those words...the rain was just pounding down around us!

   Caution…Wet Floor! 

Beth

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To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.  

June 17, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   The Alix Public Library just completed the planning process and has identified its five-year and long-term goals.  Every organization usually has some form of planning process that they engage in on a regular basis.  A process that identifies where the organization has been, where it is, and where it is going.

   Individuals too should be making short-term and long-term plans for their future.  It is good to have a direction, focus and goal so that you can stay on track as you travel through life. 

   While goals are good, often what happens is that individuals get hung up on the minute details and forget the overall picture of what they hope to accomplish.  When the details don’t appear, or react, in the preconceived manner and the right time, many feel that they are failing at meeting their goals. 

   As long as you have a destination in mind and are traveling towards it, you will get there even if life throws you a few curves, or you are required to make a detour or two.  Focus on the big picture of what you want your life to look like, and the little details will take care of themselves.

   And when life doesn’t seem to go the way you want it too, remember, your goals haven’t been derailed, you’re just on a scenic detour. 

Beth

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To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.  

June 3, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   I was able to sleep on my own bed last Saturday night for the first time since November 21/04.  No longer do I have to camp out on the spare bed, or on the floor...despite years of floor sleeping at Guide camps and family outings, I think my body is getting too old to enjoy that novelty for any length of time.

   While we are bombarded with slogans and admonitions to watch out that we are not ‘getting stuck in a rut’ in our lives, there are some areas in our lives where consistency is a really good thing.  A comfortable mattress is one, but by no means the only area!   

   Changing just to change rarely works, and more often than not, backfires on the person or organization making the change.  Change that is the result of a spur-of-the moment enthusiastic burst of energy can bring about less than desirable results too.

   We should be continually striving to grow and stretch ourselves, get out of our ruts, challenge and change, but that growth work and change is best done from a solid, consistent base.  The basic structure of our lives - our values, beliefs, family, etc. - should be rooted and grounded, thereby enabling us to reach and grow knowing we have the security of a safety net to fall back on.  The deeper the roots, the taller the tree can grow. 

Beth

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To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.  

May 20, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   Each time I sit down to write an editorial I generally have a whole host of ideas and topics that I’ve been thinking about since the last editorial that I could share.  What usually seems to happen, more often than not, I am writing the editorial as the last item that needs completed before I send off the paper to the printer, so very little thought, time or effort goes into these endeavours.  (Except for this one which is being done early, but is short!!).

    We need to have a flexible personality and we need to be open to the opportunities around us.  Just because “we have always done it that way” doesn’t mean that we can’t explore a different path or direction.  If we want different results in our lives we have to do things differently.  If we want good things to happen...we have to be awake and willing to act when they happen!   

Beth

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To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.  

May 6, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   Number one is leadership. Everything else is number two. - Berthold Brecht

   An organization, business, committee, or any other grouping of people together for a specific purpose will be not be effective in meeting its goals or objectives if the leader is not effective. 

   The group will not move in a forward direction, if the leader is not looking in a forward direction to growth.  The group will not be able to weather the storms that inevitably arise (external and internal), if the leader is not strong enough to keep the group together.

   The importance of strong effective leadership is not stressed as much as it should be.  Often we take whoever wants to do the job (or who can’t say no!).  If we want our communities and their groups to survive, we need strong leaders.  

Beth

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To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.  

April 15, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   Spring is officially here.  The geese are back, the gophers are darting around drivers’ wheels, the pussy willows are out, and buds are starting to emerge on the trees.  Birds are chirping loudly every morning.

   Grass is getting greener and winter garments are being exchanged for lighter and thinner garb.  People are starting to think about working in their yards, and stores are stocking seeds.  More and more people are getting outside  to go for a stroll during these beautiful days.  

   Spring is a time of renewal and new growth.  Nature throws off the dreariness of winter and garbs herself in rich greens and bright flowers. 

   What I find to be most reviving about this spring, is the water in the ditches and low places.  It perks one up to see the dry places wet again.  The spring rains are also a welcome sight. 

   If you got in a rut over winter, allow this season of renewal and growth be a time of renewal and growth for you as you try something new. 

Beth

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April 1, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   Everyone’s perception of a current situation is based upon their previous experience.

   I have completed the vast majority of my university studies via distance ed. (Athabasca) and on online.  Most of my undergrad courses involved a heavy workload, with not only lots of reading required, but lots of essays too.

   In comparison, the online graduate courses I have been working on, while still quite challenging mentally, really are considerably lighter in terms of workload - less reading as there is usually only one textbook, not five!  As well, instead of an 8 - 10 page essay (or even up to 12 - 14 pages), I’m required to write only 3 - 5 pages (and sometimes only 1 page!).

   In our online class discussion a few weeks ago, someone started comparing the workload of on-campus courses versus online courses, and some online courses from various universities (all in the US).

   While the other students were moaning and groaning about how much work we are required to do in our current online class as compared to the on campus students, I put in my two cents, letting them know that from my past experience, in comparison, what we were required to do was a breeze!  Needless to say, I’ve been severely outvoted in that regard.

   If you are used to only putting in the bare minimum of effort towards life, you will find it to be quite challenging and overwhelming when more is required of you. 

   On the other hand, if you are used to going the extra mile and giving more, you will not find it difficult to continue at that level, and you will appreciate it on those rare occasions when less effort is required.

   Are you feeling overwhelmed by the effort that life requires of you, or are you finding it a breeze?  

Beth

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March 18, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer      

  By now I’m sure everyone has heard about the four RCMP officers who were killed two weeks ago near Mayorthorpe.  To the vast majority of us, who did not know them personally, they are nothing more than a picture in the paper and a tragic headline.

   For me, that changed when I watched the memorial service last week which was held in Edmonton. Anecdotes, and other memories, shared by family and friends gave us all a glimpse into the personalities of these four men.

   A father spoke of his promise to his son, Peter Schiemann, to tell everyone of Jesus and the hope He offers to us all if anything ever happened to Peter.

   A fellow officer, and brother, spoke of how he idolized his older (by nine minutes) twin brother, Leo Johnston, and how he spent his life striving to be as good as Leo.

   A friend spoke about Tony Gordon’s fierce competitive spirit and how he usually won every competition, except when he played crib with his wife.

   A family friend spoke about how Brock Myrol had such an adventurous nature, and travelled to various countries, including Africa where he trained to be a guide.

   These are very small facets of each of the men, but facets that remind us that each was someone’s son...a beloved family member...a cherished friend...and so much more than just a tragic headline.  They had dreams...one was newly engaged, one a newly wed, another an expectant father.  They were loved and they loved in return. 

   We all should be expressing our gratitude to the members of the RCMP, whose presence allows us to live in the peace and safety that we all too often take for granted and expect will always be.  Our lives would be so different without them to protect us.  But we should be express our thanks all the time, not just when something tragic happens to remind us of what we have.

   We also need to remember that what happened to Peter, Leo, Tony and Brock could happen to any one of our own officers.  Let us pray that it does not.

   To the family and friends of the four men I extend my sincerest sympathies and prayers.  May their sacrifice never be forgotten.     

Beth

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March 4, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

   I must be starting to get a touch of spring fever as I am sitting here and I can’t think of a thing to write!  Either that, or else I have so much swirling around in my brain that I can’t isolate one single thought that I am wanting to expand on or share.  I also hope I haven’t forgotten anything important.

   The days have been beautiful with the increased sunshine, warmer temperature, and melting ice and snow.  I’ve taken some time to work outside moving some of the more persistent piles of snow and ice. 

   Spring is a time when we throw off the darkness of the winter season and embrace the sunshine.  When we throw off the parka and look for lightweight clothing.  When we look for signs of new life and the returning birds.

   As we start moving towards more spring-like conditions outside, don’t forget to appreciate the changes around you as you add an extra “spring” to your step!  

Beth

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February 18, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer      

   First, I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to the kind folks who helped me get unstuck the past two paper delivery days.  Thanks to them, I was back on my way in a timely manner and was able to continue my deliveries.

   The latest topic of discussion in my management course is on mission statements and goals.  For those of you who think those two terms are interchangeable...they’re not.

   Mission Statements are short, easily remembered statements of where you are striving to go.  They do not reflect where you are now, but your aim for the future.  They are for an indefinite time period and can be modified.

   Goals, on the other hand, are definite, time related and are actions that are meant to propel you further along the road towards meeting the lofty aim of your mission statement.

   Too many people don’t want to adopt a quality mission statement because they can’t see past where they are right now.  Don’t be one of those in a rut.  Change!  Grow!  Move!   

Beth

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To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.  

February 4, 2005 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer     

         I am currently taking a library management course as part of my degree program.  Not surprisingly this is a fairly new course and the idea of management in libraries in particular, while not a new phenomenon, is not something that was really discussed till recently.

   As this is an online course, the dynamics of class discussion are interesting to say the least, but not impossible through emails.  I’m not sure if it is the professor we have, or if it is the nature of the topic, but as a class we have been having quite the discussions about service or lack there of, the best/worst bosses we’ve had, and what the ‘ideal’ manager would do to bring about the desired results.

   What is interesting to me is how much we take good service and good work environments for granted.  Not everyone is so fortunate.  We expect, and often demand, that we receive good service when we are at a place of business.  But, this is a two-way street.  While the customer is always right, the customer should be respectful of the person serving them as well.  Then service will be good.  

Beth

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