I passed through Hannibal last winter while on tour, and I visited again in
the summer with my wife on vacation.  She is a teacher and I a Twain
impersonator. Both trips were a joy.

There is a lot to learn and do. The Twain Museum had lots of free
information
for teachers and the new renovated exhibits there are very well done.
Improvements are being made all the time all around town the new steps on
the hill,
the river front area, new store.

The staff at many of the exhibits and many of the stores are knowledgeable
and helpful. One afternoon we were in a store discussing when Twain had
started
wearing the famous white suit, and the woman there got on a walkie-talkie
and
connected me with her husband down at the museum to get his opinion.

Another impersonator has set up shop in town for the summer seasons, and his
shows are a delight and a big addition to the fun for all ages.

The commercialism is mostly of the 50s variety and has a charm all its own
that took us back to our childhood family vacations.

As others have hinted, Twain would have loved both the tourist aspect and
the
ability for his name and legend to still generate the big bucks.

Tom Swenson
Las Vegas, NV 89117