What an articulate group, not only in scholarly work and conference papers, but in reflecting on how much this all means to us on a more personal level.
I confess that I am still stunned, but no less delighted, by your honoring me with the Olivia Langdon Clemens award  (I just had to type it all out to try to make it real!). I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 
You all are an extraordinary and generous group of scholars and friends.  
Welcome to the new, enthusiastic and smart scholars, and my deepest thanks to those of you I’ve known and admired for years.  

Fondly,
Linda


> On Aug 7, 2017, at 10:21 AM, MARK DAWIDZIAK <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> Just posted this in response to John Bird's news about a new "Huckleberry Finn" film:The days in Elmira are a wonderful blur of lovely memories -- from the high level of scholarship and singing (well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it) to seeing old friends and making new ones. To all of those who were there for the first time . . . y'all come back now.It has been 20 years since, at the insistence of Tom Tenney (all praise his memory) I attended my first Elmira summit, and six conferences later I'm still amazed that I get to be part of this gathering every four years. Big thanks to Kerry and Ann -- and the Elmira team kicking through big time with their first conference: Joe, Matt, Nathaniel and Steve. You done real good.
> P.S. Hal Bush, you still owe me a signature in my copy of "The Hemingway Files." Two years in Hannibal? 
> 
> 
>    On Monday, August 7, 2017 1:06 PM, JULES AUSTIN HOJNOWSKI <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> 
> Oh! I forgot the other thing I wanted to say :)
> 
> I am twice alumni of Elmira college.
> 
> I was happy to go to the different buildings for the panels.
> 
> Especially the Kohler building, it is the bio/chem building and where I spe=
> nt many classes and labs.
> It was nice to see the labs unchanged, where I attended and TA'ed and the l=
> ounge there where I took my physics course.  Like the sessions at the confe=
> rence, there were many overlaps in courses for me,so profs let me take the =
> courses in my "free" time ;) as I did a double major of computers and "pre-=
> med" and a double minor of math and music.  It was a great time for me and =
> it was nice to have that "flood" of memory.
> 
> The second degree was a masters, ALL in Mark Twain work, that I did over 6 =
> years. :)
> 
> Thanks :)
> Jules
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark Twain Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of JULES AUSTIN =
> HOJNOWSKI
> Sent: Monday, August 07, 2017 10:48 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Au revoir!: Elmira 2017 Highlights
> 
> Hi!
> Thanks so much for all the "love" having lost just about the rest of my bio=
> =3D logical family.
> I felt this time, more than the past 45 years, that all of you "Twain" peop=
> =3D le are my real family.
> 
> Thank you for accepting me and your conversations, and kind words.
> 
> :)
> 
> Jules
> 
> Ps hope to see many of you in Hannibal in 2 years!
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark Twain Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Click, Ben
> Sent: Monday, August 07, 2017 10:14 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Au revoir!: Elmira 2017 Highlights
> 
> I'll third Hal and second Joe!  Again this is the most rewarding conference=
> =3D  I attend for all the reasons we always list:  quality people and think=
> ing,=3D  and genuine good will. Thank you to all involved.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Ben
> 
> On Sun, Aug 6, 2017 at 1:22 PM, Joseph Csicsila <[log in to unmask]> wrote=
> =3D
> :
> 
>> I'd second Hal's sentiments and add big thanks to Ann and Kerry for=3D20=
> =20
>> the mont=3D3D hs of grinding work as conference co-directors that=20
>> went=3D20 into helping put to=3D3D gether such a great three days.=3D3D20
>> 
>> Congratulations, too, to the five honorees for 2017: Barb, Shelly,=3D20=20
>> Kent, Lau=3D3D ra, and Linda.=3D3D20
>> =3D3D20
>> Safe travels everyone!
>> 
>> Joe Csicsila
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Aug 6, 2017, at 7:13 AM, Hal Bush <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>> =3D3D20
>>> Well, my friends, it was a blast.  OK, I'll bite: here is the=3D20=20
>>> official  place to post your favorite moments and memories.  I'd=20
>>> love=3D20 to hear  anyone's thoughts on the experience, so please hit=20
>>> "reply" & ad=3D
> d on...
>>> =3D3D20
>>> --Elmira College and the Center are in great hands:  Joe & Matt=20
>>> and=3D20 staff  did spectacularly and I am so grateful having them at=20
>>> the=3D20 helm.  Well
>>> done:  many people remarked on their enthusiasm and vision going=20
>>> forwar=3D
> d.
>>> --Much stirring talk about humor, satire, wit, jokes, and/or some
>> variatio=3D3D
>> n
>>> of that subject area, over several sessions:  turns out Jim Caron is
>> quite=3D3D
>> 
>>> the humorist!  Except he may not like being called that...  and=3D20=20
>>> everyone
>> I=3D3D
>> 
>>> consulted agrees that it should have been real whiskey, not iced=3D20=20
>>> tea,
>> they=3D3D
>> 
>>> were sipping...
>>> --Japan wins again for most represented nation outside the USA!!
>> Otsukare=3D3D
>> 
>>> sama deshita!!  One scholar, a Syrian national, was unable to=20
>>> join=3D20 us due  to the travel ban -- which we learned from a tearful=20
>>> Matt=3D20 Seybold.  Matt  was not the only person moved to tears over=20
>>> the weekend =3D
> by the way ...
>>> --Great turnout and good weather -- and as usual, it was the PEOPLE=20
>>> =3D20 involved that made being at Elmira 2017 very special and memorable=
> .
>>> =3D3D20
>>> gratefully, --Hal B.
>>> =3D3D20
>>> =3D3D20
>>> =3D3D20
>>> =3D3D20
>>> --=3D3D20
>>> 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>
>>> =3D3D20
>>> www.halbush.com
>> 
> 
> 
> 
> --
> Ben Click
> Professor, English
> Director, Writing & Speaking Center
> Director, Twain Lecture Series on
> American Humor and Culture
> (240) 895-4253
> St. Mary's College of Maryland
> 
> 
>