Dear Hal,
As a first-timer who is, I confess, not a Twain scholar, I was incredibly moved by the spirit as well as substance of the conference.  After I gave my presentation on a trip I had taken around America following the path of Twain as a young man, one attendee offered me the name of his literary agent (I'm writing a book about the trip), another told me about events happening in downtown Elmira that allowed me to interview people I had missed on my earlier Twain-trip visit to Elmira.  Barb and Christy saved my from myself (I am a technological troglodyte) by providing a flash drive for my presentation.  And a campus police officer cheerfully unlocked my dorm-room door when I managed to lock myself out.  I loved the diversity of the conference--international panelists, book collectors, a medical doctor, lawyers, documentary makers.  Thanks to all.  I'll be back...and in Hannibal in two years.  By the way, in an earlier life I served as a university dean.  Translation: I spent most of my time begging for money.  One way of expressing our appreciation for the work of Barb & Company is to make a donation to the Center.  Best, Loren   

________________________________________
From: Mark Twain Forum [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Hal Bush [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, August 05, 2013 8:18 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Random thoughts on a Whirlwind conference . . . . Elmira 2013

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>