Dear Lakesiders,

We’ve talked to several Lakesiders over the past few days. With the warm weather predicted for the weekend, we anticipate many Lakesiders returning to open their cottages, countless boaters and fisherman enjoying the waters, and others just needing to “see the lake.”

This week, there have been times that I have calmed myself by looking out at the peaceful lake. After a minute of watching the endless waves, timeless in their motion, I am calm, and the problems of the world seem a little further away. The lake doesn’t belong to just a few of us, it’s for us to share with anyone and everyone who needs that calming influence. Today, a lot of our Lakeside friends and family need that sense of calm, and we look forward to seeing you (from a safe physical distance) and sharing the beauty of the lake with you.


We have been asked why some of our employees are still working across the grounds. Lakeside is a community of about 1,000 residential and commercial buildings. We have at least 120 homes with permanent residents and a growing number of seasonal cottages that are starting to fill up with owners returning to the community. Although our non-essential functions have been stopped or are being performed by employees from their own homes, municipal services and other services for homeowners are considered essential. 

These essential functions include security, maintenance of streets and buildings, trash and recycling services, road maintenance, and even include leaf pick up. Leaf pick up is considered essential to maintain the streets, keeping them clear and unobstructed for all vehicles, particularly fire trucks, ambulances and police cars. Safety Services/Security will continue its 24/7, round-the-clock coverage.

We understand that you want to be outside and see the lake, so we encourage you to take walks along the trail, lakefront, dock and streets, but please practice safe social distancing. If you're coming to Lakeside, please follow these guidelines and mandates and review our list of FAQs below. 

Thank you for the support and ideas you’ve shared with us about the Chautauqua summer season and moving forward living in the new norms we’re all experiencing. Click here to continue sharing your ideas so that we may include them in our future thoughts and discussions . As we learn more, we’re communicating regularly with our community. For the most up-to-date news and decisions at Lakeside, visit lakesideohio.com/news, join our e-newsletter or follow Lakeside Chautauqua's official Facebook page .
What’s Lakeside doing to help fight the spread of COVID-19?
Lakeside is closely monitoring COVID-19 and following   Gov. Mike DeWine’s ‘Stay at Home’ mandate for all businesses in Ohio. During this time, we encourage all Lakesiders to protect themselves and others by staying informed on the governor’s orders and practicing safe social distancing/gathering restriction protocols. 

  1. Lakeside offices are currently closed to the public until Monday, April 6 (and probably longer) – including the Administration, Fountain Inn, Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation and Lakeside Chautauqua Realty (cottage rentals and home sales) Offices.
  2. Although offices are closed to the public, our staff is continuing to carry out Lakeside’s business and is available to take calls and emails from the office or remotely between the hours of 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday (closed for lunch 12-1 p.m.).
  3. Lakeside's non-essential functions have been stopped or are being performed by employees from their own homes, however, municipal services and other services for homeowners are considered essential. These essential functions include security, maintenance of streets and buildings, trash and recycling services, road maintenance, and even include leaf pick up. Leaf pick up is considered essential to maintain the streets, keeping them clear and unobstructed for all vehicles, particularly fire trucks, ambulances and police cars. Additionally, the 'Stay at Home' mandate has a clause that allows municipal services to keep roads clear of debris for emergency vehicles. Safety Services/Security will continue its 24/7, round-the-clock coverage.
  4. All recreation venues are closed during the ‘Stay at Home’ mandate. This includes playgrounds; basketball, sand volleyball, shuffleboard, tennis and pickleball courts; miniature golf; gaga ball; and the Wellness Center. Even if you have your own sporting equipment, these areas are closed. We understand that you want to be outside and that the fresh air and sun are great for your well-being, so we encourage you to take walks along the trail, lakefront, dock and streets, but please practice safe social distancing.
  5. Staff is reviewing daily reports on the spread of COVID-19 and monitoring how this may affect our summer season and overall operations at Lakeside Chautauqua. As we learn more, we’re communicating regularly with our community. For the most up-to-date news and decisions at Lakeside, visit lakesideohio.com/news, join our e-newsletter or follow Lakeside Chautauqua's official Facebook page.

When will Lakeside decide about summer programs? 
Lakeside employees, the board and our partners are working to assess the Chautauqua summer season as we monitor COVID-19 and follow the state government and health official mandates. We want to ensure that Lakesiders, staff and our community remain safe. We will not be announcing any official decisions regarding Spring Cleanup Day, Memorial Day Weekend or Mystery & Adventure Weekend until April 15. After April 15, we will continue to monitor the situation and make appropriate decisions about the summer. This includes assessing events and activities; working with our entertainers, lecturers, presenters and preachers; and following the state government and health official mandates.

Will Lakeside have Spring Cleanup Day on May 2?
A decision about Spring Cleanup Day will not be announced until April 15. If we cannot hold a group Spring Cleanup Day on May 2, we will divide the work into small tasks that can be completed by an individual or family, which would meet social distancing requirements. If interested in participating, contact mahirsch@lakesideohio.com by Wednesday, April 29.

Will Lakeside have Spring Leaf Pick Up?
The majority of Spring Leaf Pick Up will take place from April 20-May 8. However, labor and weather permitting, we'll be occasionally picking up leaves earlier in April. 

Why is Spring Leaf Pick Up considered an essential service?
Lakeside is a community of about 1,000 residential and commercial buildings. We have at least 120 homes with permanent residents and a growing number of seasonal cottages that are starting to fill up with owners returning to the community. Although Lakeside's non-essential functions have been stopped or are being performed by employees from their own homes, municipal services and other services for homeowners are considered essential. These essential functions include security, maintenance of streets and buildings, trash and recycling services, road maintenance, and even include leaf pick up. Leaf pick up is considered essential to maintain the streets, keeping them clear and unobstructed for all vehicles, particularly fire trucks, ambulances and police cars. Additionally, the 'Stay at Home' mandate has a clause that allows municipal services to keep roads clear of debris for emergency vehicles.

What events have been cancelled or postponed so far?
Our board and staff are doing everything in our power to assess and monitor the COVID-19 situation and make clear decisions moving forward about our events and activities. In accordance with the mandates and regulations implemented by Gov. Mike Dewine and with the guidance of our health system, Lakeside has cancelled or postponed the following events:

  • All recreational areas closed
  • April 9: Ohio Gathering in Columbus
  • April 15: Ohio Gathering in Westlake
  • April 16: Community Potluck/Ohio Gathering in Lakeside
  • April 16: Ohio Gathering in Wooster/Canton
  • April 23: Ohio Gathering in Shaker Heights
  • April 26: Ohio Gathering in Dayton/Cincinnati
  • May 9: Mother's Day Weekend Tea
  • May 10: Mother's Day Brunch
  • June 22-26: Chautauqua Vocal Workshop, postponed to 2021
  • June 26-28: Chautauqua Choral Festival, postponed to 2021
  • July 12-14: Band Directors’ Workshop, postponed to 2021

How soon will Lakeside be making decisions about cancelling events?
Lakeside will be making decisions regarding events as we learn more from our state government and health officials. We will strictly adhere to these guidelines and mandates and implement appropriate standards for the health and safety of Lakesiders, staff and our community. We will not be announcing any official decisions regarding Spring Cleanup Day, Memorial Day Weekend or Mystery & Adventure Weekend until April 15. After April 15, we will continue to monitor the situation and make appropriate decisions about the summer. This includes assessing events and activities; working with our entertainers, lecturers, presenters and preachers; and following the state government and health official mandates. Criteria for cancelling or postponing events will be measured with the following: 1.) The health and safety of Lakesiders, staff and our community 2.) Following appropriate state and health guidelines and mandates; including social distancing, restrictions on gathering limits, etc. 3.) The needed preparations and time to present events and activities and making determinations on how the affects COVID-19 mandates and guidelines may have on those preparations. 

Are the United Methodist Church Conferences being held in June? 
Lakeside has been in constant communication with both UMC Conferences, and as of right now, like so many of us, they’re waiting to make decisions based on more information from our government and health officials to understand what requirements will be added or relaxed.  

As of April 1, Bishop Gregory Palmer's message to the West Ohio Conference reads, "A decision about the regularly scheduled session of the West Ohio Annual Conference in early June is pending. There are a number of moving parts and considerations. But consultation of the best direction is under way, is robust and collaborative. May 1 is the agreed upon date to notify Lakeside of our intentions unless they should initiate something sooner based their needs and on available data. My hope is that we will be able to announce decision considerably before May 1."

As of April 1, Bishop Tracy Malone's message to the East Ohio Conference reads, " It is premature to make any decisions about Annual Conference at this point.  "

As soon as Conferences make their decisions, Lakeside will inform the community.

Can I get a refund if I purchased a Season or Daily Chautauqua Pass/Parking?
Lakeside will be announcing policies and procedures for passes shortly. We're considering changes that might be necessary to our 2020 Season and Daily Chautauqua Passes and Parking Passes. Thank you for the support and ideas you’ve shared with us about the Chautauqua summer season and moving forward living in the new norms we’re all experiencing.  Click here  to continue sharing your ideas so that we may include them in our future thoughts and discussions.

Can I get a refund of my hotel room or event deposit?
Lakeside will be reasonable and flexible about deposits. You can move your deposit to a later date or to the same time next year. Refunds will be assessed on an individual basis. Lakeside encourages guests to move their dates to a later time as an alternative to requesting a refund. Contact the Hotel Lakeside and Fountain Inn at (419) 798-4461, ext 230 or the Conference & Event Planning Office at (419) 798-4461, ext. 279.

Can I get a refund of my cottage rental deposit?
Lakeside Chautauqua Realty will be reasonable and flexible about cottage rental deposits. Because cottage rental availability varies from season to season, we’re unable to move deposits to 2021. Refunds will be assessed on an individual basis; contact the Lakeside Chautauqua Realty Cottage Rental Office at (419) 798-4461, ext. 334 or 348. 

Will I be allowed to access my home if we’re still under the ‘Stay at Home’ mandate?
Different than Cedar Point, which can be open or closed, Lakeside’s grounds can’t be closed. Homeowners will be granted free and direct access to Lakeside during the spring, same as always. Once the gates are in operation for the summer, access is granted with the purchase of a Season or Daily Chautauqua Pass and Parking Pass, like any other typical Chautauqua summer season.

Will I be allowed to access my camper if we’re still under the ‘Stay at Home’ mandate?
Different than Cedar Point, which can be open or closed, Lakeside’s grounds can’t be closed. Campground residents will be granted free and direct access to the Lakeside Campground after May 15, which is the usual opening day for the Campground. Once the gates are in operation for the summer, access is granted with the purchase of a Season or Daily Chautauqua Pass and Parking Pass, like any other typical Chautauqua summer season.

Can I use public spaces (shuffleboard, basketball, tennis courts, etc.) if I have my own equipment?
No. All recreation venues are closed during the ‘Stay at Home’ mandate. This includes playgrounds; basketball, sand volleyball, shuffleboard, tennis and pickleball courts; miniature golf; gaga ball; and the Wellness Center. Even if you have your own sporting equipment, these areas are closed. We understand that you want to be outside and that the fresh air and sun are great for your well-being, so we encourage you to take walks along the trail, lakefront, dock and streets, but please practice safe social distancing.

Does Lakeside have a disinfection plan for the summer? 
Lakeside will be working with employees to establish a new sanitation initiative to be implemented as facilities and programs are reopened and presented as mandates allow. We'll be concentrating on areas where Lakesiders share equipment, like shuffleboard, miniature golf, etc. We’re committed to ensuring the health and safety of all Lakesiders, staff and our community.

Are restaurants still open for take-out and delivery?
Yes. Currently, restaurants like Sloopy’s Sports Café and many local restaurants are open for take-out and delivery . However, please call ahead to find out information on hours of operations, delivery and take-out options. 

Even though Lakeside offices are closed to the public, may I still make a charitable gift to Lakeside?
Yes. Although Lakeside offices are closed to the public, our Advancement Staff is working remotely and available to process your generous donations. Visit lakesideohio.com/today , call (419) 798-4461, ext. 246 or mail your check directly to: Lakeside Chautauqua Foundation, 236 Walnut Ave., Lakeside, OH 43440.  We thank you for all the ways you support Lakeside, and we hope that we can continue to count on your support in the months ahead.

Will early bird registration for special events be extended due to the uncertain times we find ourselves?
At this time, early bird registration for special events will not be extended. Should this change, Lakeside will post this information on our website registration pages. 

Do we still need to pay our assessments and if so, how?
Yes. To make an assessment payment, please mail to: Lakeside Chautauqua, Attn: Accounts Receivable, 236 Walnut Ave., Lakeside, OH 43440 or drop in the mail slot at the Administration Office front door. It is anticipated that the assessment bills, which are normally sent in early April, will be sent during the week of April 6. 

What social distancing protocols will you have in place at church services, movies, shows?
This will depend on the rules and regulations mandated by the state government and health officials. Lakeside will implement decisions on gatherings, programs, activities and events based on these mandates and communicate protocols with the community. 

Once the ‘Stay at Home’ mandate is rescinded, will everything be open this summer – shops, restaurants, movie theater, Hoover, pool, etc.?
This will depend on the rules and regulations mandated by the state government and health officials. Lakeside will implement decisions on gatherings, programs, activities and events based on these mandates and communicate protocols with the community. 

Will events that don't involve crowds still take place, like the Art and Photography Shows?
This will depend on the rules and regulations mandated by the state government and health officials. Lakeside will implement decisions on gatherings, programs, activities and events based on these mandates and communicate protocols with the community. 

Can smaller events like gazebo shows still go on as long as we social distance ourselves?
This will depend on the rules and regulations mandated by the state government and health officials. Lakeside will implement decisions on gatherings, programs, activities and events based on these mandates and communicate protocols with the community. 

If my small wedding/event is under the max group number (whatever that may be at the given time), can I still hold my wedding/event at Lakeside?
This is all determined by the ‘Stay at Home’ mandate and restrictions on gatherings. While your guest list may only have a few people, it will require staff and other assistance from Lakeside. Gatherings with our Conference & Event Planning Office and will be managed on a case-by-case basis. We’re continuing to monitor and follow the requirements of the state government and health officials and will practice those restriction guidelines at Lakeside while they remain in place. Please contact the Conference & Event Planning Office at (419) 798-4461, ext. 279 to discuss your individual situation. 

Has anyone in the Lakeside community (staff, homeowners, business owners, etc.) been infected by the virus? If so, are they/were they on the Lakeside grounds? Who is it so we may pray for them?
To our knowledge, no one has been infected in Lakeside at this time. However, we’re taking every precaution to ensure your health and safety, which is why it's vital that all Lakesiders follow the governor’s mandates of ‘Stay at Home’ and practice safe social distancing. As COVID-19 is extremely contagious, we don’t know where people have traveled from nor do we know exactly who is at Lakeside. Should someone be infected, due to legal restrictions and HIPAA/FERPA, we’re not allowed to disclose private information about people without permis sion from those families. As of April 1, four cases have been reported in Ottawa County. 

If Lakeside doesn't have a season, will Lakeside survive?
Yes. One thing we know, Lakeside has always been resilient. From the fires of the 1800s and the days of the Great Depression, to the war eras through the economic challenges of the decades, Lakeside has forged through and become stronger and more connected to its mission. We know through your love and financial support to Lakeside, we will work through this and continue to be the great community so many of you call home.

What is Lakeside doing to help the local community?
Lakeside and Ward Catering are offering pre-ordered meals to the local community on Thursdays. The $6/meal options will be individually packaged as “heat-and-eat” refrigerated meals. Limited meals available. Please note slight changes to order deadlines, delivery areas and pick-up times. To view upcoming meal options and more information about pick-up and delivery, visit lakesideohio.com/news . 

Also, listen to Chef Stacy Maple's weekly radio show, 'Maple in the Morning' on WPCR - PortClintonRadio.com . On a recent episode, she interviews Jill Bauer of Lake Erie Shores & Islands who explains how you can h elp s upport local businesses during this time.

How can I help Lakeside?
The best way to help in the immediate is to protect yourself and others by staying informed about the governor’s 'Stay at Home' mandate and practicing safe social distancing/gathering restriction protocols.  As we navigate through these challenging times, you can:
  1. Purchase your Season Chautauqua and Auto Passes.
  2. Make early donations to the Lakeside Fund. We thank you for all the ways you support Lakeside, and we hope that we can continue to count on your support in the months ahead.
  3. Stay connected with Lakeside friends by writing letters or hosting Zoom/Facebook Messenger social gatherings.
  4. Volunteer to help deliver Ward Catering's to-go meals. Contact conference@lakesideohio.com for details.
  5. Click here to continue sharing your ideas so that we may include them in our future thoughts and discussions
  6. For the most up-to-date news and decisions at Lakeside, visit lakesideohio.com/news, join our e-newsletter or follow Lakeside Chautauqua's official Facebook page. 

Resources 
Our partners at Lake Erie Shores & Islands have compiled helpful resources for you and your family, as well as a directory of your favorite local restaurants that are currently offering take out .

Sincerely,
Daniel Dudley
Lakeside Chautauqua, Acting President & CFO/COO
Lakeside Chautauqua
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