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....




-- 
Harold K. Bush, Ph.D
Professor of English
Saint Louis University
St. Louis, MO  63108
314-977-3616 (w); 314-771-6795 (h)
<www.slu.edu/x23809.xml>