I'll add my voice to those who congratulate Henry and Cindy on a great
event--really a comprehensive series of events. My only regret was
having to leave on Friday night. Saturday was a continuation of the
upward trajectory. I had the pleasure of attending without
presenting, and the solid intellectual content of the presentations I
attended was impressive. Thank you to Hal Bush and Susan Harris for
having inspired some very shrewd graduate students. The future of
Twain studies looks promising indeed.
The more well known figures didn't disappoint either. Barb Snedocor's
keynote address featuring Livy's letters was beautiful--I don't think
I've ever used that adjective to describe a conference presentation
ever before. John Bird's presentation on the Gerhardt bust was deeply
researched and thoughtfully analyzed. Gladys Cogswell's performance
of "A True Story" was arresting. KEnt Rasmussen didn't present
formally, but he added his breadth of knowledge and good-natured
personality in good measure. And I'm very happy to have met Shoichi;
he'll be staying with Judy and me when he visits Chicago later this
week.
Major kudos to Henry, Cindy, and other members of the staff. The
blend of genial hospitality, thoughtful organization, and variety of
activities set a very high bar for a first conference. I'll be
attending the next one and encourage all others on the list to mark
their calendars as well.
Best,
--LH
On Aug 17, 2011, at 4:07 PM, John Bird 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....
>
>
>
>
> --
> 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>
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