With Black Tie Catering ending their services with Lakeside Chautauqua in January, Lakeside welcomes Avery's Cafe & Catering owners, Scott and Josie Kluding, as the new managers of the Hotel Lakeside Dining Room & Café, Lakeside's catering services and breakfast at Hotel Lakeside and the Fountain Inn.

"We are very excited to partner with Scott and Josie," said Lakeside Chautauqua President & CEO Kevin Sibbring. "They will bring a history of serving Lakesiders and a fresh take on food service."

The couple has always been involved in the food service industry, but it was not until after their son's wedding in October 2003 that they decided to start their own catering business.

"Our son was getting married at St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church, and we just couldn't find a good caterer in the area," said Josie. "So, we decided to cater the wedding ourselves and then start our own catering business."

A few years later, in April 2006, the couple decided to open their own restaurant, Avery's Café, offering a casual and relaxed dining experience.

The restaurant was named after their grandson, Avery, who is now 15 years old. This April, the restaurant will celebrate 11 years in operation.

Lectures are held at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday from June 22-September 3.

The Chautauqua Lecture Series will open the summer with a theme on 'World War II' (June 22-25). Thomas Mach, PhD, Professor of History at Cedarville University, will return to Lakeside as a guest speaker. In 2014, Dr. Mach earned high praise for his lectures on 'The Gilded Age.' This year, he will bring his insights on the subject of World War II.

The second week of the season will focus on gardening and photography. A special lecture, entitled 'Painting Ohio in Broad Brushstrokes' (June 28), will be presented by Hope Taft, former First Lady of Ohio, and Guy Denny, former Chief of Natural Areas & Preserves for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The focus of this lecture will be the vision, construction and upkeep of the Ohio Governor's Residence & Heritage Gardens in Columbus, Ohio.

Following their presentation, Lakeside welcomes award-winning English garden designer, Amanda Patton, who will present four lectures on 'Gardening as Landscape Painting: Toward a New Naturalism' (June 29 & 30). In addition, environmental photographer, writer and naturalist, Ian Adams, will lecture on the theme of 'A Photographer's Guide to Ohio' (July 1 & 2).   

Week three of the Chautauqua summer season features a combined Faith for Living Hour and morning educational lecture series with Lakeside's Preacher of the Week, the Rev. Dr. Jerry Root. He will be speaking on 'C.S. Lewis' (July 6-9). This theme is supported by Bob & Becky Brymer.   

To provide additional opportunities for enrichment, Lakeside has added another weekend of Chautauqua programming from May 29-31 for a reduced rate.

On Friday, May 29, Michael Shirtz will return to Hoover Auditorium to present "The American Songbook Story" with the band Trio Not.

The following day, Lakesiders are invited to participate in the first Kaleidoscope of Color Run/Walk with family and friends. This event replaces the Lakeside Fund Run/Walk and provides splashes of color in the community.

Activities are also scheduled at the Rhein Center throughout Saturday afternoon. In the evening, Ambrosia, a 1970s blues and R&B group, will perform in Hoover Auditorium. Their hit songs include "How Much I Feel," "Biggest Part Of Me" and "You're The Only Woman." 

As the 2015 Bonus Weekend draws near, more details will be confirmed at www.lakesideohio.com/calendar.

To help with congested parking and continue our high safety standards on the grounds, Lakeside Chautauqua will introduce a tiered parking fee structure this summer.

A Daily Auto Pass is required for Memorial Day weekend (May 22-25), the Bonus Weekend (May 29-31) and during the Chautauqua summer season (June 20-Sept. 7).

This year, a Daily Auto Pass (inside the gates) will be $10; a Daily Auto Pass (at the South Gate Parking Lot) will be $5; and a Daily Auto Pass (at the Danbury School Parking Lot during limited dates) will be $1. All parking is based on availability.

A Season Auto Pass purchased by May 31 will be $145 and after June 1 will be $165.

The Lakeside Board of Directors approved this tiered parking fee structure as part of the Strategic Plan's third goal: To assure Lakeside is a safe, healthy and aesthetically-pleasing community.  

Thanks to your generous support on #GivingTuesday and in December and January, the renovation to the miniature golf course is in progress.

Lakeside has hired Adventure Golf Service, a company from Traverse City, Mich. that specializes in miniature golf courses, for the renovation.

Despite the cold weather and snow, the crew is scrapping and removing the green carpet material from the course. The material has already been removed from the first eight holes. They have also removed all of the wooden bumpers at each hole.   

To view progress pictures of the renovation, visit our Facebook page.

There is still time to donate to this special tradition. Give a gift online today or to make a donation by phone, call (419) 798-5396.

When you return to Lakeside this summer with your family, you can tell the story about how the community came together generously to help make the miniature golf renovation possible.

To celebrate this special accomplishment, join us on Saturday, June 20 for the Miniature Golf Dedication.

Lakeside is currently seeking applicants for the 2015 summer season. Earn income while having fun in the sun, developing new friendships and discovering your potential this summer.

Seasonal employment opportunities are available in Event Planning, Hospitality, Maintenance/Service, Programming and Recreation. Visit the seasonal employment page to view available positions and job descriptions.

The Lakeside Leadership Academy is also accepting applicants for the 2015 internship program. Lakeside offers a competitive internship compensation, which includes a seasonal stipend, housing, Season Chautauqua Pass and Parking Pass, as well as career networking opportunities.

Internship opportunities are available in Accounting/IT, Advancement & Communications, Arts/Entertainment Management, Conference & Event Planning, Graphic Design/Photography, Hospitality Management, Journalism/Newspaper Editor, Marketing/Digital Communications and Youth Education/Music.

The ideal candidate is enrolled in a college/university with having completed at least one year of an undergraduate degree. Graduate students and recent college graduates are also accepted.

Help spread the word to college students and recent graduates who would benefit from this hands-on learning experience. Visit the Lakeside Leadership Academy page to view available positions, job descriptions, pictures and more.
The deadline to apply is Friday, March 6.

Lakeside Chautauqua has been enriching the lives of families spiritually, intellectually, culturally and physically since 1873.

It is important that lovers of this special community support the Chautauqua programs, historic buildings and beautiful grounds so that the Chautauqua experience continues each year.  

Your gifts to the Lakeside Fund bridge the gap between income and the actual cost of Chautauqua programming, as well as the preservation and maintenance of Lakeside's many historic structures and beautiful grounds.

Please consider giving a generous gift to the Lakeside Fund in February. By supporting Lakeside, you are recognizing the impact that the community has made on you, your family and the thousands of other families visiting each summer.

The Lakeside Fund annual giving campaign ends on Tuesday, March 31. Donate online today to continue to enrich the lives of your children and grandchildren through the many religious life services, educational programs, cultural arts events and recreational activities.

To make a donation by phone, call (419) 798-5396 or email advancement@lakesideohio.com for more information.