Attakapas Study Club enjoys presentation on Chautauqua Trail

Members of the Attakapas Study Club of Crowley gathered at the home of Joanna Pruitt on Tuesday, Oct. 8, for their regular monthly meeting.

The president, Barbara Lengefeld, called the meeting to order and asked  Pruitt to present the program, a very interesting talk on the Chautauqua Trail.

Pruitt presented details about the origin of Chautauqua in 1874 in southwestern New York State as an educational opportunity for adults that expanded over the years to general cultural education.

She told about the changes that occurred with Chautauqua and the associated history that was made in over 12,000 communities in the United States, Canada and Australia, including a Chautauqua event that occurred in Abbeville.

She also told of a recent Chautauqua she attended in Waxahachie, Texas, that concentrated on Texas food history and culture.

Pruitt handed out brochures and information on present-day Chautauqua and pointed out the similarity between Chautauqua and the Attakapas Study Club for lifelong learning experiences.

She encouraged everyone to try to attend a Chautauqua event. Jackie Buescher then gave a synopsis of a week-long Chautauqua she and her husband attended in Ohio, describing it as an enjoyable educational experience.

After the business part of the meeting, members then enjoyed refreshments provided by hostesses Elizabeth Regan, Roy Lynn Trahan and Gerry Meche.

In addition to members previously mentioned, those in attendance included Ella Mae Bertrand, Erma Walton, Betty Rae Duhon, Shirley Griffin, Bonnie Matirne, Jean Oubre, Mae Prather, Dot Simon, Jeri Stevenson, Ethel Thibodeaux and Roy Lynn Trahan.