MISSOURI CHAUTAUQUA TO BRING SPEAKERS, ENTERTAINMENT TO PB

POPLAR BLUFF -- The Missouri Humanities Council is reviving the Chautauqua tent shows that brought education and entertainment to rural 19th century America.

Chautauquas, remembered as the 1800s version of PBS, brought great orators, musicians and drama to small-town America. Famous personalities, particularly those involved in public policy and lawmaking, frequently appeared.

Missouri Chautauqua, to be held in Poplar Bluff June 7-12, will lead participants on an exploration of religious pluralism in American history.

All programs are free and open to the public.

A group of scholars will offer evening programs under a tent at Fred S. Morrow Stadium. They will don costumers and portray such historic figures as missionary Fr. Pierre De Smet, Christian ethicist Reinhold Niebuhr, Unity School of Christianity founder Myrtle Fillmore, AME Bishop Daniel Payne and Mormon Church founder Joseph Smith Jr.

Daytime programs will be held at different locations around town.

For more information, call the council in St. Louis at 621-7705 or Joan Stricker in Poplar Bluff at 785-7382.