Two days prior to the Hannibal conference, the large century-old oak tree
in our front yard was hit by lightning, causing large branches to fall on
our front porch, a corner of our house, the corner of our neighbor's house,
and both our cars.  Needless to say, we were under a bit of stress while
attempting to cope with the situation, dealing with insurance agents,
contractors, and the beginning of cleanup.  We decided to go to Hannibal
anyway, borrowing a car without AC to get there and back.  In retrospect,
it was a good decision, a brief period of stimulating relaxation with the
family of Twain scholars, and a very well-organized conference, thanks to
Henry's attention to detail.  We're back in KC, at our day jobs and dealing
with contractors now, but the Hannibal conference, one of the best we've
attended in the decade since our first, was a bit of a welcome tonic.

Martin Zehr & Susan Ikazaki
Kansas City, Missouri

On Tue, Jul 28, 2015 at 10:54 AM, Richey, Ms. Carolyn L <[log in to unmask]
> wrote:

> So glad to hear how well the conference was . . . and so disappointed I
> cou=
> ldn't make it.  I was supposed to present my paper on Hannibal's influence
> =
> on MT's new paradigm for the American folkloric hero, but I broke my
> pelvis=
>  7 weeks ago.  Am just now healing.  Is there going to be any sort of
> publi=
> shed compilation of the papers presented?  I would love to get something
> li=
> ke that.  =0A=
> =0A=
> On another note, I am presenting a similar paper to the one I was supposed
> =
> to present in Hannibal at SCMLA in Nashville in October/November.  Hope to
> =
> see some of my fellow Twainiacs there!  =0A=
> =0A=
> Carolyn Leutzinger Richey=0A=
> Tarleton State University=0A=
> Department of English and Languages=0A=
> [log in to unmask]
> 254-968-9511=0A=
> ________________________________________=0A=
> From: Mark Twain Forum <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of Hal Bush
> <bushhk@SLU=
> .EDU>=0A=
> Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2015 9:48 AM=0A=
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Hannibal Conference 2015=0A=
> =0A=
> Colleagues;=0A=
> =0A=
> I'm a bit surprised (and disappointed a bit) that nobody has started a=0A=
> thread to share response to the conference.   So I am taking the
> initiative=
> .=0A=
> =0A=
> Hannibal was great, I really enjoyed it, the conference doubled in size=0A=
> since the last one. Kudos to Henry and his staff for a great series of=0A=
> events.  For my talk on the forthcoming Twain-Twichell letters, (which is=
> =0A=
> now going to be comprehensive and is being supported by Bob Hirst and his=
> =0A=
> wonderful staff at MTP), there were almost 40 in the room and overall=0A=
> strong affirmation for the project.=0A=
> =0A=
> Unfortunately I had other obligations and missed many of the talks.  Bruce=
> =0A=
> Michelson dazzled us on changing media and representations of MT;  but as=
> =0A=
> much as I like Bruce and always feel rewarded by his insights, I must say=
> =0A=
> it was the riverboat cruise that proved most memorable.  Sorry Bruce!=0A=
> =0A=
> One other point:  an amazing turnout by international scholars, in=0A=
> particular the 5 or 6 folks who flew in from Japan, and Hamada from=0A=
> Dubai/Syria.  I also met a few brilliant young graduate students and even=
> =0A=
> some undergraduates attended!!  On a personal note, my wife Hiroko also=0A=
> attended and she was very complimentary of the Twain folks who all were=0A=
> friendly and reached out to make her feel the Twain love!=0A=
> =0A=
> I'd be interested in hearing any other reports, best wishes, --hb=0A=
> =0A=
> =0A=
> =0A=
> =0A=
> --=0A=
> Prof. Harold K. Bush=0A=
> Professor of English=0A=
> 3800 Lindell=0A=
> Saint Louis University=0A=
> St. Louis, MO  63108=0A=
> 314-977-3616 (w); 314-771-6795 (h)=0A=
> <www.slu.edu/x23809.xml>=0A=
>