That's it.  John, your comment finally broke this camel's back.  I knew I
should have ditched my wife's family reunion in New York and come to
Hannibal with my piano strapped on my back--unless Kerley's Bar has some
house ivories.  All these comments make me fondly recall my first Elmira
conference two summers ago.  I'll be in Hannibal in 2015!  Thanks all for
sharing.

Best,

Ben


On 8/17/11 5:07 PM, "John Bird" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> The sometimes amiable John B. was expecting a guitar player and singer who
> lives only two hours away from Hannibal to show up, but sadly, that did not
> happen. I got to play twin mandolins with Larry Howe, which was a treat.
> Larry and I are now regulars at Kerley's Bar, and I intend to show up on
> another Wednesday night for the all-you-can-eat fried catfish.
> 
> I echo all the good reports of the inaugural conference. Hal Bush was not
> the only no-show among the usual suspects--anyone who was put off by the
> prospect of a sweltering Hannibal August would have been treated to perfect
> weather and air-conditioned dorm rooms. I met some old friends and made many
> new ones, heard fine papers, saw the trailer for the upcoming documentary on
> Hal Holbrook, and enjoyed the performance of "A True Story," as well as
> keynotes from Barbara Snedecor and Robert Hirst. Henry Sweets, truly an
> amiable person if there ever was one, put on a great conference, along with
> Cindy Lovell and the museum staff.  Kent Rasmussen covered the highlights
> well, but I just want to say, as a first-time visitor to Hannibal, that
> anyone with even a passing interest in Mark Twain MUST go there. The tour of
> the cave blew my mind and changed the way I will read both Tom Sawyer and
> Huckleberry Finn.  Thanks again to Henry and Cindy for a great conference,
> and I hope to make my way there in 2015--and I hope a bunch more folks will
> be there too!
> 
> John Bird
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark Twain Forum [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Harold Bush
> Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2011 11:47 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Report from Hannibal
> 
> And I heard this from one of my students, Debra Cochran (who sketched
> Emmeline as "Goth"), who by the way felt very welcomed, encouraged and
> respected by all the participants (not a surprise at all in that genial
> company):
> 
> the amiable John Bird toted along his mandolin, ready to reprise the
> Americana of yesteryear.  sorry to miss that spectacle, my only question is
> did Joe Csicsila also bring a guitar?  that would be a fun prospect, sitting
> along the banks of the mighty river and playing "Old Folks at Home" or
> "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" with John and Joe, and with other brave folk
> (like perhaps Sharon McCoy) singing back-up.  maybe next time....
> 
> 
>