I found the conference exhilarating, enjoyable, and wonderful.  My thanks
to the folks at Elmira College for the food, for the hospitality, for the
opportunity to meet with Twain scholars who I’ve met only by way of print,
and for the chance to meet with those I know.

Let’s get my story of being locked out at Meier Hall out of the way.  The
first night I arrived late, and had a helpful escort by Campus Security to
the building.  I made his acquaintance again, however, after I had settled
in, stepped out into the hallway in my pajamas and heard the mechanical
click of the door lock behind me, just then realizing that the key was
still inside, along with my cell phone.  I, with some awkwardness and
sinking feeling, knocked on my neighbor’s door; she understood the
situation without my having to say very much (well, my pajamas are sporty
but obvious).  A noted scholar from Japan, she rescued me by going
downstairs and retrieving Campus Security.   I’ve rarely felt that stupid
and vulnerable, standing in the hallway with just the shorts on, admiring
the woodwork on the floor.  The same Campus Security officer who had let me
in earlier now let me in without too much of a grin, and cheerfully
observed that “the kids do this all the time.”  And my new-found friend
from Japan taught me a trick with the door mechanism that would keep the
door unlocked—if I needed that—and I used her trick to keep myself from
that mistake again.

She proved to be for the next few days a wonderful neighbor; we didn’t say
much but I always welcomed her ready and cheerful greetings.

I met some new Twain scholars, some that I knew, and some new to
scholarship.  I found my Mary Fairbanks for the conference, and she made
sure that I mingled and talked with everyone; I am ever so grateful for her
presence and charm.  I met someone relatively new to the field working on
material I thought I kind of knew until I heard her talk; I met someone
seasoned who apparently could read my mind on material I ought to pursue.  I
met so many fine folks and I am energized.  The panels were thoughtfully
organized, and I wish I could have gone to all of them.  I am overwhelmed
by the courtesy, amiability, and generosity of spirit shown by Barb, Mark,
Tim, and Abbey.    Twainians are charming, approachable, and interesting,
and I had quite a few conversations, not always about Twain.  And I feel
welcomed by that community.   Thank you for Quarry Farm, for the
conversations, for the food, and for the sense of shared purpose and spirit.



Harold Hellwig or “Hal”

Department of English and Philosophy

Idaho State University




On Mon, Aug 5, 2013 at 7:18 AM, Hal Bush <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I invite all participants to record here you initial thoughts about Elmira
> 2013...  as a mean of processing our collective experience.  For me:
>
> --Many thanks to Barb and all the staff for a great event.
>
> --I'm blown away by the vigor and commitment of the Japanese Twain
> community.  Many of them traveled up to 18 hours or more to be in NY for
> the show.  My thanks for their diligence and contributions to the fine
> program.  In addition:  I felt like the memorial for Prof. Nagawara (whom I
> called the Henry Nash Smith of Twain studies in Japan and mentor to many of
> our colleagues) was one of the poignant highlights of our gathering.
> Nagawara-sensei's story is compelling:  he miraculously survived the
> Hiroshima attack, in which many in his immediate family were killed, and
> yet went on to become an advocate and huge fan of one of our great American
> authors.  What an amazing life!
>
> --Sunset on the porch at Quarry Farm on Saturday = priceless.
>
> --Mainly, it's about seeing old friends; but that's just me.  (There were
> some good papers, too!)
>
> Cheers (and Otsukare-sama deshita!), --Hal B.
>
>
>
> --
> 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>
>