A Place Where Beauty Matters

These preparations augment the work of the actors who move across the stage with the poise and grace as they believably and ably portray their characters. This repertory theatre emphasizes acting and staging rather than the usual diet of special effects.

Restaurants throughout town offer a variety of specialties and price ranges, however, the gourmet venue available in Stratford is particularly spectacular. Taste, quality and presentation abound in each exquisite dish. There’s even a gourmet French fries shop! Stratford’s secret is its Chefs School where many local restaurateurs teach and then practice what they preach in their own establishments.

Beauty is about hospitality and good conversation.

Stratford accommodations include hotels and motels in and around town as well as cottages and campgrounds. However, a stay at a bed & breakfast provides a unique experience.

Stratford has become a magnet for retired Canadians who buy an old Edwardian or Queen Anne house, restore it, and rent out rooms for theatre guests. B&B hosts are warm and welcoming and visitors often make repeat stays. Over the years both host and visitor get to know each other and spend time catching up on the year’s events. Of course, B&Bs also offer visitors enriching conversations with their fellow travelers about the plays and restaurants, however, what is particularly interesting is when Canadians and Americans visitors compare notes about U.S. politics.

Beauty is about leisure.

Taking time away from the regular work and home routine is a state of mind that enables people to do the things they like to do without guilt or fear. Leisure also tends to have a slowing down effect that allows them to be comfortable spending time alone or with another. As a result, visitors at Stratford can easily indulge themselves in contemplation and quiet reflection without the noisy distractions of modern life.

Finally, beauty is about feeling safe.

In this post-9/11 era where security is tantamount to breathing, it soon becomes apparent in Stratford that anyone can walk down the street at any time of the day or night without the fear of being attacked or surveiled. For Americans, such a feeling is a refreshing luxury and becoming almost a forgotten memory.

All of these elements work together to illustrate that beauty DOES make a difference in people’s lives even if it only entails a short visit to a special place like Stratford once a year. We need such reminders. Even more, we need to bring such examples of good living to our own cities and towns so that we can have them all year long!

This article appeared in CommonDreams.org on Tuesday, August 19, 2008

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