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Continued from the previous page PHOTO BY JEFF HEPP

Other important structures at Festival The Edythe Bates Old Chapel was built in 1883 in La Grange and relocated to
Hill are The William Lockhart Clayton the Festival Hill campus. It is now used for small ensemble concerts and forums.
House, built in 1885 and moved from
La Grange. The Menke House, built in PHOTO BY JEFF HEPP
1902 and moved from Hempstead, has
been renovated as a faculty residence This is the exterior of the institute’s concert hall, where musical performances
and conference center. The Edythe Bates are held year round.
Old chapel, which was originally built
in 1883, is the former sanctuary of the 14 years, and you will find the nation’s I favor a poet who attends the festival
Travis Street United Methodist Church most acclaimed poets giving readings with me. In her poem What the Last Poet
in La Grange and was moved to Festival and teaching workshops. You should Dreamed, she wrote, “I am the word be-
Hill in 1994. The chapel also houses an consider going to the festival, if only to tween spaces, waiting to be heard.” The
1835 Henry Erben pipe organ. listen and be inspired. poet is my wife.

Allow yourself time to browse Festival ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
Hill’s grounds. Look for poetry stones
and the Shakespeare Garden. You can
tour the site on your own, but a guided
tour is a better choice and can be ar-
ranged for $10 a person by calling Fes-
tival Hill at 979-249-3129. You’ll want
to call before going to be sure that no
activity has been scheduled that would
prohibit you from seeing the concert
hall.

The beauty of the concert hall can be en-
joyed without musicians. But why miss
the wonderful music? There are many
musical events throughout the year in
the concert hall. Check festivalhill.org
for Festival Hill’s event schedule. The
website also offers videos from the “To-
day” show and other network programs
about Festival Hill.

“Poetry Forum at Round Top,” which
attracts Sun City residents, is scheduled
in 2016 for April 15-17. The joy of being
with other poets in such a beautiful set-
ting is immeasurable. My appreciation
to Mr. Dick, who told me poetry and
music are not that far apart.

The poetry festival has been going on for

38 | SUNRAYS JULY 2015