Despite attack on Salman Rushdie, Chautauqua Institution’s tranquility remains intact

To many longtime visitors to Chautauqua Institution, the horrifying attack on Salman Rushdie was all the more shocking because it occurred at such a peaceful place.

There were many complaints about the lack of security at Chautauqua after the attack, but I was glad to hear historian Michael Beschloss’ comments in the moments after the stabbing was reported. Speaking on CNN, Beschloss was asked if he was familiar with the place, and he said he’d spoken there four times over the years.

'Love will overcome any fear': Chautauqua patrons show resilience after Rushdie attack

Beschloss, raving about Chautauqua, said it was famous for its peace and serenity, which made the attack on Rushdie all the more jarring. I thought he kind of defused some of the anger over a lack of security.

When our family visited Chautauqua to attend a crafts show two days after the incident, visitors had to provide identification at the ticket office, which clerks filed into a computer system. A few state police officers were scattered about the grounds. But mostly it felt like typical Chautauqua, which was a good thing.

Onstage at the amphitheater, which had been bloodied just days before, young ballet dancers glided across the boards. It felt good to see that one awful attack had not permanently ruined Chautauqua’s famous tranquility.

More: 'There was so much screaming.' Eyewitnesses reflect on Salman Rushdie attack, lax security

● I had a nice conversation with John Vanco, now retired after 49 years as executive director of the Erie Art Museum.

He’s getting a lot of compliments for the latest successful Jazz & Blues Festival at Frontier Park. Vanco has been the driving force behind the festival for decades, although he said he’s ready to pass the baton.

Trees are Vanco’s latest passion, and he’s helped lead the charge to plant hundreds of trees at Frontier Park. He said before the group is finished, it wants to plant thousands of trees in the region.

● Richard Rahner, M.D., is not a kid anymore, but he hasn’t lost his green thumb or his desire to beautify his surroundings. After he and his wife, Willie, moved to a home near Our Lady of Peace Church, he began planting beautiful gardens near their cul-de-sac.

The Rahners’ children are looking forward to helping their parents celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary this week.

● The recent death of former Princeton basketball coach Pete Carril at 92 brought back memories of when Ed Mead invited me to a 6:30 a.m. breakfast, which was an early hour for both of us. When I arrived, there sat Carril, who was in town to scout Cathedral Prep basketball star Mark Atkins.

More: Pete Carril, old-school Princeton coaching maestro, dies

● When Olivia Newton-John recently died at 73, I thought of a memorable interview I had with the singer in 1974. I’d already had some experience as a reporter and thought I would wing it with Newton-John. But when we sat down, and she smiled, I forgot every question I had. She was that dazzlingly beautiful.

It was a good lesson, and after that I always prepared questions for everyone I interviewed.

More: The bravery of Olivia Newton-John in the face of the unimaginable

● A beautiful painting of the Perry Monument by the late Roy Ahlgren is on display at Kada Gallery. Ahlgren, who taught art in the Erie School District for years, was such a talented painter, and he was especially good at capturing scenes near Erie’s waterfront.

● Mike Camp, a skilled local artist and musician, also has several excellent paintings on display at the gallery. It seems as if was only yesterday when Mike was drawing great covers for Showcase in the Erie Times-News.

● The recent firing of Al Avila as general manager of the Detroit Tigers did not exactly break the hearts of Erie SeaWolves fans. Avila came to Erie just before Major League Baseball announced a plan to cut more than 40 minor league teams, and he threatened to sever Detroit’s contract with the SeaWolves unless major improvements were made to UPMC Park.

Actually, the upgrades were already in the works, although Avila’s angry threats helped speed things along. Everything worked out, the SeaWolves were saved and Avila eventually lost his job.

More: Detroit Tigers firing Al Avila boils down to lackluster production. But rebuild can be saved

More: Tigers GM Avila hopes for UPMC Park improvements

● I would imagine that Mike Mischler, longtime football coach at Cathedral Prep might be feeling a pang or two of regret now that pre-season drills are about to begin. Mischler resigned as Prep’s coach after the 2021 season, but now he’ll be able to watch — in person — every game played by his talented quarterback son, Joe Mischler, at Duquesne University.

'It's the right time'| After 20 years, 5 state titles and 214 wins, Mischler retires as Prep coach

● Zabawa, Erie’s terrific Polish festival, starts Friday on the grounds of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. With great music, authentic Polish food and beer, it’s one of the best ethnic festivals in the eastern U.S. It runs through Sunday, so be sure to get your fill of homemade pierogi and golumpki.

More: Food, music, polkas and pirates: 5 (more) things to do during Tall Ships Erie weekend

● Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting made headlines in the Steel City last week when he bought Wigle Whiskey and Threadbare Cider & Meadery. It would have been nice had he used some of that money to sign a few of the better Pirates players to long-term contracts.

● These are the days when families are hustling to visit Waldameer Park, the beach and other fun places one more time before the kids go back to school. Hope the weather holds.

There's still time:Find out what you need to experience in the Erie area before summer ends

Back to school: Here are Erie County school district start dates, and school-year calendars

Kevin Cuneo can be reached at kevin.cuneo1844@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Chautauqua Institution’s tranquility remains thankfully intact