Reflections on the 叠箩枚谤办濒耻苍诲别苍 Seminar Experience Over Time
by Kathy Ramer Bourne 鈥57
It鈥檚 the unique quality of experiences that has made traveling to聽叠箩枚谤办濒耻苍诲别苍聽a 鈥渕ust do鈥 each summer. Treasured memories of exemplary teachers who were so stimulating that it was sometimes difficult to break for lunch.聽
My first classes were Dale Duesing鈥檚 opera classes. Residents filled the lodge for the week he was there each summer,聽 and their numbers were boosted by commuters. One learned to enroll as soon as class registration opened or else miss the opportunity. Vail Hall was filled as participants listened to music and enjoyed Dale鈥檚 anecdotes about singing with major opera stars of the twentieth century. As newcomers to the聽叠箩枚谤办濒耻苍诲别苍聽seminars, we were in awe of the experience.聽
Later, I spent several summers in a week鈥檚 class with Jane Schulenburg learning more about medieval history. Her knowledge was deep and broad and presentations combined lectures, constant visuals and valued handouts. The notebooks from Jane鈥檚 classes and several shelves of books she recommended are still providing information and pleasure. We shared a love of embroidery and its meaning in the lives of women throughout history.聽
Music and medieval studies had been interests since my high school days. However, it was from curiosity and lack of understanding of a culture different from mine that led me to take a class from Peter Thomas, reading a book of short stories by Russian authors. The class was small and enthusiastic, reading closely and discussing deeply. For me, it exemplified what I call the liberal arts mode of inquiry and my brain caught fire. Book shelves filled rapidly. There are a number of us from that first class who return each summer for another deep dive into reading and, more recently, the related films. Each year we benefit from Peter鈥檚 love of and enthusiasm for Russian literature and his delight in sharing his insights.聽
As I leave each summer, I look forward to returning for the friendships, life expanding stimulation and the 鈥渟oul food鈥 of the beautiful forest by the lake.
