Today, my Dad informed me of the passing of historic Chautauqua Institution’s own “institution,” George L. “Shorty” Follansbee (see Shorty’s Obituary) at the age of 96.
Chautauquans far and wide knew Shorty, and his family has deeper roots than most residents. He will be missed, and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and close friends.
Chautauqua has a tradition that is carried out on a Sunday evening each August, in its amphitheatre. Old First Night features skits, a performance by the staff of the Athanaeum Hotel, comments on Chautauquans and Chautauqua. A highlight of the evening is when the 5,000-plus attendees are asked to stand. First generation Chautauquans are asked to be seated, second, third until (20 years ago) when they got to the seventh generation only the Follansbees remained standing.
Shorty was an usher at Chautauqua’s Sunday worship services for over 60 years. He had a big heart and greeted everyone, whether powerful or famous, to a college student working one summer at the Glen Park Cafeteria like me, with a smile. And there was no “Good afternoon, Mr. Follansbee” because the minute you said that, at my ripe old age of 19, he said “Call me Shorty!”
We thank Shorty and his family for their dedication to Chautauqua these many years. Dee
Cooking with Dee 
Any words left for Shorty’s family will be transmitted to them so please share as this is a friendly place. The sentiments are sincere, only detriment will be my blogging ability having only three weeks under my belt and with much outside help/interference.
I recall “Praise God, From Whom All Blessing Flow” when Shorty and his ushers would comb the benches for contributions.
I also remember a conversation with Jesse Jackson but you’ll have to write in before I tell you that one. Dee
Residents with a longer tenure, in generations not age, include the native Americans who populated this land and named the lake Chautauqua, bag tied in the middle. Dee
I took Zach w/one of his friends to the Waxahachie Chautauqua last Sept [“The Power of Wind”], but I’m sorry to say it wasn’t quite up their alley… but they did enjoy the birds of prey flights!