Florida Chautauqua Assembly, Inc.

Winter Assembly in the Land of Summer...

 

Meet the Trustees

The 2009-2010 Board of Trustees for Florida Chautauqua Assembly, Inc. consists of:

Ann Robinson

Ann Robinson is a native of DeFuniak Springs.  She graduated from Walton High School and from Florida State University with a  degree in theater.  She married Aubrey G. Robinson, D.D.S. and lived away for forty years.  Following her husband’s retirement in 1990, Ann returned to DeFuniak Springs and became involved in her beloved community.  She has been associated with the Walton County Heritage Association, the Florida Chautauqua Theater, St. Agatha’s Episcopal Church and Grit and Grace, the official folk life production of Walton County.  Ann has also been involved in the historic restoration of downtown DeFuniak Springs, serving as President of Heritage Properties of DeFuniak Springs, Inc., the group that restored Hotel DeFuniak.  As a dedicated supporter of the Chautauqua Idea and with a commitment to life-long learning, Ann Robinson looks forward to helping us celebrate the birthday of Chautauqua in DeFuniak Springs.

email: ann.robinson@floridachautauqua.org

Marie Hinson

Marie Hinson 

Marie Gainey Hinson was born in Walton County, Florida; graduated from Walton High School, DeFuniak Springs, Florida and from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She is a former cheerleader, homecoming queen, elected official, teacher, leader in local state and national organizations, president of the Chamber of Commerce, civic and community leader. missionary to Haiti, composer, soloist and an active church member. She is currently serving on the Board of Trustees for the Heritage Museum in DeFuniak Springs and the President of, Grit and Grace "Walton County's Folk Life Production". Marie and her husband Charles organized the Chautauqua Singers. They have been married 48 years and have one son, Chuck.

Craig Robinson

Craig Robinson is a Certified Public Accountant, fourth generation DeFuniak Springs native, lifelong Episcopalian and a long time Chautauquan. His extracurricular activities include bluegrass guitar, community activism, historic preservation and journalistic writing for the interests of Chautauqua, meditation and spirituality. Personal comments: "I apprenticed myself at the knee of historian Alfreda Irwin, deep in the archives of the Chautauqua Institution, spending hours learning of this 'force' called Chautauqua. I entered into the mind and heart of Dr. John Heyl Vincent, original source and co-founder of the Movement. There I discovered an 'Idea' which perpetuates a pedagogical technique, unmatched in the world today. Chautauqua creates an 'atmosphere' where all people, side by side, study the forces which mould our past, present and future world, pillars called Religion, Education, the Arts and Recreation. Out of this "Divine Idea" comes a dimension which honors life-long learning, civil discourse and a comprehensive appreciation for the diversity in which we live as well as the unity of all life. To this, I pledge my efforts."

email: craig.robinson@floridachautauqua.org

Jennifer Steele Saunders

Jennifer Steele Saunders 

 Jennifer co-founded the Seaside Repertory Theatre and served as the company’s Managing Director for seven years before going on to form The Saunders Group, a consulting firm focused on assisting non-profit organizations in the areas of development, marketing and special events. Jennifer was most recently promoted to the role of Executive Director of the Cultural Arts Association after producing their week-long fine arts festival, ArtsQuest. Her background includes development and special event work in Atlanta with the Center for Puppetry Arts and as an associate producer of the 2002 Florida Jazz Festival in Seaside.  Jennifer has served on Walton County’s Arts & Culture and New Product Development Committees for four years and is affiliated with many social and cultural non-profit organizations, including Give Big Destin and the Children’s Volunteer Health Network.  She lives in DeFuniak Springs with her husband, Balder, and two sons, Cale and Rowan.

email: jennifersteelesaunders@gmail.com

Grace Marse

Grace LIttle Marse is a native of DeFuniak Springs and earned her Master of Science degree from Florida State University. Writing her thesis on Chautauqua. She taught Historic Interiors, School of Visual Arts at FSU and Mt. San Antonio Community College in Los Angeles County, California. She also taught classes in Taiwan and Saudi Arabia International Schools. Volunteering for her diverse interests, Grace has served on the Chautauqua Board, Friends of Eden State Gardens, Cultural Arts, Three Arts Alliance, Historic Point Washington Association, Claremont California Heritage, Tallahassee Heritage and other educational and community based groups. After many years of making homes for her family in locations all over the United States and foreign countries, Grace and her husband, Hugh (who just happened to be her high school sweetheart) settled permanently in Point Washington in 1995.

Bernice Drake

Bernice Drake is a native of DeFuniak Springs. She graduated from Walton Senior High School. She married David C. Drake and has one daughter, Sada. She worked in DeFuniak Springs until she moved to Freeport in 2000. She worked in Valparaiso as a Dental Office Manager until her retirement in 2008. Since her retirement she enjoys gardening and being with her pugs Belle and Boo.

Kenneth Harrison

Celia Robinson, Administrative Assistant