SLI is More than Land, Buildings, Programs or Charter Mission

The Silver Lake Institute is first and foremost people. People of many different life experiences and many different visions of how life is best lived. Some have had their horizons expanded by an experience of life lived in another country. Some expanded their horizons through working with or serving other people in one of the many people-serving careers. Some experienced the horrors of life gone a muck during a time of war, famine, flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, serious illness, death of a loved one, or an experience of mass death such as in war or terror attacks. 

Here we come together as "The Institute" which is an historical place with deep roots undeniably set in a faith tradition which, through the years, greatly expanded its theological approaches to the needs of people in the new millennia. Even so, the variety of persons who come to live both full time and part time bring even a much wider perspective of faith, and that which defines "joy" in life. Some people at the Institute feel overlooked because they no longer practice faith or religion (or perhaps never did). Others feel overlooked because the long tradition of Methodism is difficult to shake, if only from the pragmatic analysis. But the willingness to expand is there and strong.

A significant number of Silver Lake residents are here for the peaceful character of a community not dominated by bells, whistles, trains, massive trucks or advertising lights. Equally significant are those here for the lake and the lake shore with both the beauty and recreational aspects. Many have converted their cottages over to year-round accommodations. Still others here will admit that the price was right and the cottage they picked was just exactly what they could afford. Some are here from long family traditions and long time friendships developed and maintained. We can't be sure yet whether these long traditions will continue on with the next generation or not.

The program life of the Institute exposes more people from beyond our borders to the existence of this unique enclave, introducing them to another possibility of daily living, summer living, or simply a great place to visit, learn, and spend family time together. Those of us who work so diligently at the programs and charter mission, can't quite imagine an historical institute with historical buildings and historical land open to the community, all being sold off to increase the tax base of a municipal enterprise that would have no reason to continue the ideals of an Institute . . . so we continue on, being one of only two Institutes in all of New York State and enjoying its many benefits.

The people of the Institute who love this place for peace and quiet, have learned to compromise with those who they see as arriving July 1st with programs, concerts, book signings, educational events, hand projects, small bands and musical groups, occasional stage plays, workshops and an invitation to the wider community to join in--bringing traffic, lights and activity--all so very different the other ten (10) months of the year. I used the word "compromise," but the word-phrase most used by the peace lovers is "put up with." The peace lovers are convinced the taxes would be about the same--if not lower--were these Institute properties to be absorbed by the Town of Castile. There is, of course, stark disagreement on that.

That being said, there continues to be a "market" or desire for the kinds of programming the Institute provides and this is particularly true of our biennial cooperative effort with Asbury Retreat Center known as the Silver Lake Experience. The "Experience" is a solid four days of a "mini-Chautauqua" packed full of programs, workshops, devotionals, hand-on activities, spirituality, and other events throughout the four days. After only the second "Experience" in 2017, its progress is such that one could begin to see where employing a person or persons at some point in the future to continue on with Institute programs and mini-Chautauquas may not be out of the question. Thus, yet another optional future.

One of the best of several excellent SLI Board of Trustee decisions this past season was that of establishing an information pamphlet for Western NY real estate agents and firms, so they are better able to explain the Institute when they have persons interested in purchasing property within its bounds. This will greatly assist purchasers to understand the uniqueness of Institute life and quite possibly attract those authors, artists, "cultural-ists," educators, musicians, woodworkers, and the like to be attracted to the much smaller and much less expensive version of Chautauqua. All this for the sake of valuable people.

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River Flood Warning

Weather Updated: Nov 05 8:12AM

Issued by the National Weather Service

For Wyoming County, New York

RIVER FLOOD WARNING FROM 10:55AM EST SUN UNTIL 4:39PM EST MON THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BUFFALO HAS ISSUED A * FLOOD WARNING FOR THE TONAWANDA CREEK AT ATTICA * UNTIL MONDAY AFTERNOON. * AT 8 AM SUNDAY THE STAGE WAS 7.3 FEET AND RISING. * FLOOD STAGE IS 8.0 FEET. * MINOR FLOODING IS FORECAST. * FORECAST...THE RIVER IS EXPECTED TO RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE LATE THIS MORNING AND CREST NEAR 9.4 FEET MONDAYMORNING. * IMPACT...AT 10.0 FEET...MODERATE FLOOD, EXTENSIVE FLOODING ON PROPSECT STREET IMPACTING THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT. SOME RESIDENTIAL FLOODING ON WATER AND NORTH STREETS AND THE SOUTH END OF EXCHANGE STREET IN ATTICA VILLAGE. &&