More random thoughts.
How can each conference seem to surpass the previous one?
I'd like to add my voice to those saying how enriching and encouraging it was to have a lively contingent of Japanese Twain scholars participating in the conference, but I'd also like to say that I found the presence of so many international scholars a great boon. Scholars from England, India, France, Germany, and Hong Kong immediately come to mind. Retired folks, independent scholars, editors, young up-and-coming scholars--what a rich mix, and all so welcoming. Many legacies, indeed.
Linda Morris
On Aug 8, 2013, at 2:08 PM, Harold Hellwig <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I found the conference exhilarating, enjoyable, and wonderful. My thanks
> to the folks at Elmira College for the food, for the hospitality, for the
> opportunity to meet with Twain scholars who I’ve met only by way of print,
> and for the chance to meet with those I know.
>
> Let’s get my story of being locked out at Meier Hall out of the way. The
> first night I arrived late, and had a helpful escort by Campus Security to
> the building. I made his acquaintance again, however, after I had settled
> in, stepped out into the hallway in my pajamas and heard the mechanical
> click of the door lock behind me, just then realizing that the key was
> still inside, along with my cell phone. I, with some awkwardness and
> sinking feeling, knocked on my neighbor’s door; she understood the
> situation without my having to say very much (well, my pajamas are sporty
> but obvious). A noted scholar from Japan, she rescued me by going
> downstairs and retrieving Campus Security. I’ve rarely felt that stupid
> and vulnerable, standing in the hallway with just the shorts on, admiring
> the woodwork on the floor. The same Campus Security officer who had let me
> in earlier now let me in without too much of a grin, and cheerfully
> observed that “the kids do this all the time.” And my new-found friend
> from Japan taught me a trick with the door mechanism that would keep the
> door unlocked—if I needed that—and I used her trick to keep myself from
> that mistake again.
>
> She proved to be for the next few days a wonderful neighbor; we didn’t say
> much but I always welcomed her ready and cheerful greetings.
>
> I met some new Twain scholars, some that I knew, and some new to
> scholarship. I found my Mary Fairbanks for the conference, and she made
> sure that I mingled and talked with everyone; I am ever so grateful for her
> presence and charm. I met someone relatively new to the field working on
> material I thought I kind of knew until I heard her talk; I met someone
> seasoned who apparently could read my mind on material I ought to pursue. I
> met so many fine folks and I am energized. The panels were thoughtfully
> organized, and I wish I could have gone to all of them. I am overwhelmed
> by the courtesy, amiability, and generosity of spirit shown by Barb, Mark,
> Tim, and Abbey. Twainians are charming, approachable, and interesting,
> and I had quite a few conversations, not always about Twain. And I feel
> welcomed by that community. Thank you for Quarry Farm, for the
> conversations, for the food, and for the sense of shared purpose and spirit.
>
>
>
> Harold Hellwig or “Hal”
>
> Department of English and Philosophy
>
> Idaho State University
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Aug 5, 2013 at 7:18 AM, Hal Bush <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> I invite all participants to record here you initial thoughts about Elmira
>> 2013... as a mean of processing our collective experience. For me:
>>
>> --Many thanks to Barb and all the staff for a great event.
>>
>> --I'm blown away by the vigor and commitment of the Japanese Twain
>> community. Many of them traveled up to 18 hours or more to be in NY for
>> the show. My thanks for their diligence and contributions to the fine
>> program. In addition: I felt like the memorial for Prof. Nagawara (whom I
>> called the Henry Nash Smith of Twain studies in Japan and mentor to many of
>> our colleagues) was one of the poignant highlights of our gathering.
>> Nagawara-sensei's story is compelling: he miraculously survived the
>> Hiroshima attack, in which many in his immediate family were killed, and
>> yet went on to become an advocate and huge fan of one of our great American
>> authors. What an amazing life!
>>
>> --Sunset on the porch at Quarry Farm on Saturday = priceless.
>>
>> --Mainly, it's about seeing old friends; but that's just me. (There were
>> some good papers, too!)
>>
>> Cheers (and Otsukare-sama deshita!), --Hal B.
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Prof. Harold K. Bush
>> Professor of English
>> 3800 Lindell
>> Saint Louis University
>> St. Louis, MO 63108
>> 314-977-3616 (w); 314-771-6795 (h)
>> <www.slu.edu/x23809.xml>
>>
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