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Show As pianos became available, it was considered smart for young people to improve their talents by taking piano lessons. And playing in recitals always culminated a term of lessons during those earlier years of the twentieth century in Mt. Pleasant. After John K. purchased his piano in 1911, he arranged for Pearl to take piano lessons from Mary Larson. When Mary married and moved away, Pearl studied with Mabel Borg (Jenkins) as she returned to Mt. Pleasant after her more advanced piano studies in the east. Taking a series of lessons from Mabel was something special in the lives of her numerous students who looked forward to her return each summer. CHAUTAUQUA When Chautauqua-a popular lyceum and amusement enterprise of the late 19th and the early 20th centuries-came to town each summer for a number of years, the residents flocked to the big tent and willingly paid admission to hear the wonderful talents on the fascinating programs. Stimulating lecturers told of world travels and experiences that gave many local people their first real taste of world cultures-and the musical entertainment was some of the best in that period of time. These accounts of developments in the growth of the town of Mt. Pleasant are mentioned to show the progress that had been made in John K's home town before and during his own active earlier years of growth in his business ventures. 100 |