Wish I could have been there--and hope there will be more such events in the coming years. I'd love to hear more about the Roundtable and the ideas presented that you all found particulalry thought-provoking and exciting. re: "Little Dixie": While most of Missouri followed the pattern of northern slavery, with small households, farms and hiring out slaves as described so well in Terrell Dempsey's book, the central region of Missouri, along the Missouri River, was the site for the hemp plantations. Slavery in this region was more like slavery in the Deep South, with large plantations and slave quarters; the region was and is still known as "Little Dixie." If you're interested in reading more, R. Douglas Hurt's 1992 study, _Agriculture and Slavery in Missouri's Little Dixie_ (U of Missouri Press), is useful. George Rawick's Missouri slave narratives also include some from this region, as I recall. And I haven't read it yet, but in 2006, Routledge published a new study of slavery in the region, _Slavery, Southern Culture, and Education in Little Dixie, Missouri, 1820-1860_ by Jeffrey C. Stone. And Hal, your experience with the trooper seems to be part of a national trend. Here in Georgia, they've had a couple of "education" days about driving in the left-lane and in the "gussets." On those days, they didn't give tickets, but stopped offenders and issued warnings. Other days, they ticket. On a two-lane highway, the left lane is supposed to be for passing only. And don't ever cut through the "gussets"--those areas marked with diagonal lines (usually near turn lanes or exits)--either. It's expensive. Best, Sharon McCoy