Lakeside is planning a series of "State of Lakeside" Address gatherings around Ohio during the month of April.

At each gathering, Lakeside Chautauqua President/CEO Kevin Sibbring will meet with Lakesiders, give an overview of the past year, provide an update on the Hotel Lakeside Project and Endowment for Life Initiative, discuss capital projects scheduled to be completed, and highlight the 2015 Chautauqua summer programs.

Following the presentation, attendees will have an opportunity to discuss Lakeside's future and the current strategic plan.

The tentative locations for the gatherings include Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Cincinnati, Findlay and Lakeside. All Lakesiders are invited to attend.

Today, most kids are shuttled from activity to activity with smartphones or tablets in hand. The rapid pace is exhausting, and there is little time for enrichment and a genuine discussion among family and friends.  

For generations, Lakeside has welcomed not only families but thousands of youth to the Chautauqua community. Many arrive for church or sports camps or tag along with a friend's family. They explore the Lakeside grounds with freedom and discover activities that provide growth and renewal.  

Most of us looking upon the next generation would not guess that they were craving for opportunities of simplicity.

However, Sarah Hester, a young guest blogger for Lakeside (pictured above on the right), recently wrote about her yearning for simplicity and what she enjoys most about Lakeside. She also submitted the piece as her college essay.          

"At Lakeside, my heart is as still as the water on a calm Saturday afternoon. For once, I didn't have a club meeting, choir rehearsal, softball practice or church event on my schedule - in fact, I had no schedule at all. My worries were washed away," she wrote. "I grabbed a bike, and in the middle of my ride to the coffee shop, I realized that the joy I had been longing for revealed itself most in simplicity. And so, I stopped and smelled the donuts."

To provide additional opportunities for enrichment, Lakeside has added another weekend of Chautauqua programming from May 29-31 for a reduced rate, known as the 2015 Bonus Weekend.

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 inaugural 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." 

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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.

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.

The main objective behind the tiered parking fee structure is to encourage guests to park in the South Gate Parking Lot and the Danbury School Parking Lot at discounted rates, taking advantage of the complimentary golf cart shuttle service offered once inside the Lakeside gates.

A Daily Auto Pass is required for Memorial Day weekend (May 22-25, 2015), the 2015 Bonus Weekend (May 29-31, 2015) and during the Chautauqua summer season (June 20-Sept. 7, 2015).

A Daily Auto Pass under the new tiered parking fee structure is $10 to park inside the gates, $5 to park at the South Gate Parking Lot and $1 to park at the Danbury School Parking Lot (during select dates based on the school schedule). All parking is based on availability.

Volunteer your time to help beautify Lakeside Chautauqua at the 10th Annual Spring Cleanup Day. The event will take place from
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 25. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to participate.

Last year, more than 75 volunteers worked together to help improve the overall appearance of the grounds and facilities.

At this year's event, help Lakeside break a record for the most volunteers. Dedicated volunteers are needed in the following areas:

• Landscaping and mulching gardens around the Hotel Lakeside fountain, Walnut Avenue courtyard fountain, Central Park, Hoover Auditorium, Williams Tennis Campus, Rhein Center, Director's House, Orchestra Hall and Herb Garden
• Preparing and cleaning the Conversation Terraces along Ohio's Most Beautiful Mile
• Cleaning and raking sand at the Central Park volleyball court
• Assisting with cleanup at Cherry Park
• Reviewing the condition of benches along Ohio's Most Beautiful Mile and helping prepare a list
• Preparing and cleaning the Legacy House for summer guests
• Stocking various buildings with supplies
• Cleaning Bradley Temple, Erie Guest House and
  Wo-Ho-Mis Lodge for summer guests
• Organizing supplies at the Rhein Center in preparation for summer classes
• Scrubbing and cleaning tents

Volunteers will meet on the Hoover Auditorium front porch at 8:45 a.m. to sign up for one of the many projects listed above. Lunch will be provided.

Lakeside Chautauqua has prepared another remarkable lineup of performers and entertainers to celebrate the 2015 summer season.

The Sounds of Sousa will open Memorial Day weekend festivities in Lakeside with a concert on Friday, May 22.

The holiday weekend entertainment continues with the return of "Let's Hang On!" Frankie Valli Tribute Show on Saturday, May 23. The tribute show will lead the audience through the career of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, a popular group from the 1960s and the musical, Jersey Boys.

The following night, Jack Hanna "Into the Wild - Live" will bring a family adventure to Lakesiders, featuring a variety of wildlife and animals.

To provide additional opportunities for enrichment to guests, Lakeside has added Chautauqua programming the last weekend of May, known as the 2015 Bonus Weekend. On Saturday, May 30, the 1970s band Ambrosia will rock the Hoover stage with hits "How Much I Feel," "Biggest Part Of Me" and "You're The Only Woman."

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.