Quality of Place

I spent a day last week in a conference center discussing the future of Elkhart County, Indiana. The day was hosted by the Horizon Project 2.0, a county wide effort that began in 2002 when the economic landscape looked much different than it does today. Then Elkhart County was the number one manufacturing county in the country. Today Elkhart County’s unemployment rate is famously (MSNBC is squatted in Elkhart following our misfortune) the highest in the nation. The signs of overdependence on the RV industry were there in 2002 although no one thought that our world could fall apart in virtually a single day last fall.

Now the focus of the project, supported by Ball State University’s Bowen Center for Public Affairs and a slate full of high powered speakers, is on how to transform ourselves into something else more resistant and competitive. Most of the “talk” focused on creating a quality of place—used to be life—and education reform. This is why I am writing.

Today a national tour of Click, Clack, Mo came to The Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres for two performances before 800 young elementary students from Elkhart and surrounding counties. After sitting through both shows, I am biased to tell you this is the real education those community leaders were searching for, but can’t imagine. I found it humorous that The Round Barn Theatre was not listed as a unique asset when the Horizon group set about “mapping” them. Today, the imaginations of the young minds in the audience were stretched to their limits; if cows can type, they know anything is possible, and they will go to bed tonight with enriched dreams.

Here is an email from a teacher that was sent this afternoon:

I just wanted to write and let you know how WONDERFUL we thought Click, Clack, Mo was today! After talking with the kids back at school, I got a true picture of just how much they enjoyed it. (I was too busy laughing myself while at the play to notice!) Really Jenni, what a professional performance and perfect for first graders! I’m sure we will be talking about this play for awhile here in my class. We came back right away and made a Venn Diagram of the play and the book and how they compare.

We appreciate all that you do to involve Amish Acres into the curriculum here at school. Thanks Jenni!

Mindi

There, ladies and gentlemen, is your quality of place, even if I have to say so myself.

How Do You Herd Cats?

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats opens in The Round Barn Theatre Friday night, curtain time 8:00 p.m. After watching rehearsals over the last three weeks, I am in awe of the talent it takes to mount this production. It is by far the most complex and demanding show we have ever done. The cast that Laurie Schotz has assembled resembles a thoroughbred stable—bad analogy—but it fits. The dancing and athleticism required is grueling. Preventing injury by intense “pre-game” warm up makes my experience in sports seem pale.

Fifteen highly professional dancers/singers have been assembled from thirteen states. Bryan J. Wlas and Nathan W. Brown are directing/choreographing and music directing the show. Matt Green is lighting the production in addition to designing the sound. Makeup takes an hour before each show as every cat’s personality comes to life through the faces of the actors. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s adaptation of “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Eliot is, of course, genius.

Many people are trumpeting the end of live theatre because of the ease of watching your favorite TV show or movie on your IPhone. Well, Cats is not your grandfather’s live theatre. It is an ingenious escape into a world of imagination at its best. I won’t reveal the set details, but there is no doubt these are domestic cats who stand 24 inches on their hind legs. Interwoven is a story in song about the circle of life that anticipates the next generation’s Lion King. 800 of our season subscribers saw the opening number this week during our 2010 Theme Buffet and Theatre Preview Party. If their response is an indication, nearly all 68 performances will be sold out.

Shoppin' and Drinkin' at the same time

As you know by now whether through President Obama's visits or MSNBC's resident bloggers, Elkhart County has suffered the nation's highest unemployment since last fall. Today the 47th annual Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival opened with azure skies, a soothing breeze--as perfect glorious summer day as the festival ever sees. 300 artists from 28 states were in a bouyant mood. Shoppers set to go boothing were lined up at the gates. There was a air of optimism all around.

Network news crews were there at the opening bell looking and lurking for their story. An unnamed network seasoned reporter found two women who said they were from New York State near Buffalo and have been coming to the festival for 14 years, driving 10 hours, and spending $600 to $800 each annually. The reporters first question was, "So do you plan to spend less this year because of the economy?" After several more baiting questions the women refused to fall for, I introduced myself and invited them to bring their packages to me and I would carry them to the car for them. Then I made my anger known to the reporter about his intent in looking for the negative while surrounded by as much positive as the area has seen in a year. Then network #2 interviewed me with the opening question of, "How do you think the economy will affect the festival?" I refused to answer the question; end of interview. Two artists standing nearby gave me a thumbs up. And so it goes.

47th Annual Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival

The 47th Annual Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival opens tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. 47th! A new vendor who came nearly 300 miles just asked me, "Is this a good show?" I asked what she meant by "good show." She said, "Well, does anyone come?"

Let's see 47 times 50,000 is 2,300,000 visitors, discounted by 300,000 for those early years leaves us a net total of 2,000,000; so I said, "A few."

The Return of the Jones

Pastor Rick and Lois Jones from Michigan City, Indiana celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in Amish Acres Restaurant today. That has happened before. They, however, have celebrated each of their twenty five anniversaries in the restaurant at Amish Acres. That likely hasn't happened. They were greeted by Lisa who presented them with fresh cut flowers from the farm's gardens, a loaf of Amish Acres hearth bread and basket of goodies. This photo that includes your's truly was taken soon after their arrival and just thirty minutes after I wrote a letter to Mr. Esposito from Chicago who was extremely disappointed in our Sunday buffet two days ago. He likely won't be celebrating his anniversary with us, but every day we work at making Amish Acres special enough that the Jones return each year and add to their memories of this special place.

How to Make a Recession Come True

We just received a cancellation from a company who organizes tours that said, "Due to the current state of the economy and the prospects for the near future, We will not be offering tours in 2009.”

I was immediately reminded of Charles Osgood, the bowtied CBS commentator. Osgood's Latest File was titled "A Grinchy Recipe on how to Worsen Economic Woes" It is a poem in the tradition of Dr. Suess, the bowtied poetic genius, that gives the formula for making a recession come true.

Charles Osgood Files

Citizen-Legislator

During this presidential campaign when questions of character seems to get more attention than questions of policy, I was recently reminded of Indiana State Senator Marvin Riegsecker's character at his viewing. He served twenty years before retiring because of his illness.

Senator Riegsecker was a model public servant, or citizen-legislator, as he liked to describe himself. As former pharmacist, he was well trained to listen to the concerns of those he served. His agendas were behind the scenes. He likely did more for children with disabilities than any other member of the legislature, but his contribution never made the front page. He was gentle, modest, friendly, and always proud of the people and community he represented. After two decades he still considered it the greatest privilege of his life.

I believe most elected officials try to emulate these character traits, but they are most often hidden by our interest in simplifying our leaders into sound bites.