1. "Symposium...anyone??"
Posted by bobcook848 on Feb-3rd-03 at 5:45 PM

Dearest Bordenites:  recently I purchased a hardback cover edition of the 1992 Cenntenial Conference Proceeding by Jules Ryckebusch.  The book, complete with dust jacket, is in very good condition.  I have just finished reading nearly the entire contents, the section on "Literary" didn't catch my interest, just yet.  There were a considerable number of speakers present for this three day conference among them Robert Flynn and an Ebay seller.

As I was reading the various sections I began to experience a brain phart (no pun intented) and started hatching a plan.  Looking ahead the next chronological sequence (the 125th) would not be until 2017. I thought that would be too long to wait.  Soooooooo as many of you might conclude I was thinking, "what if we were to hold the "Second Symposium" in 2005?"  Logic?  It is that year that the week of August 4th falls precisely as it did in 1892, i.e. Wed. 3rd, Thu. 4th and Fri. 5th

I wouldn't object to doing the local leg work, checking out the local hotels for rates, maybe using the facilities at BCC as they did in 1992.  Perhaps setting something up with Ms. McGinn at the B & B for "selected" souls to stay for the duration maybe even having special priviledges during the daytime when its a museum.  The possibilities are without bounds or at least with wide range boundaries.

The ONLY thing that I would need from our "Family of Bordenites" is whether or not you would journey to New England in 2005 and make a Symposium a reality.  I once worked part-time for the Bristol County Convention and Visitors Bureau (for over 3 yrs) I think I might be able to write a grant proposal for some Arts and Hertiage seed money.

Right now this is all a very, very, very loooooooonnnnnggg shot but I am willing to put so steam behind it and come up with something.  I am sure there will be little problem in capturing 25 to 50 "locals" who are Lizzie fans.  We could have guest speakers from all the corners of Bordenia...Step and Kat, Len Rebello, Robert Flynn, Jules Ryckebusch, BobcookBobcook, and who knows who else...actually anyone who has the desire to offer their thoughts.  That's pretty much how some of the 1992 conference went.

Well anyhow let me know through this thread how you feel about the concept of trekking to Fall River in August 2005.  That's over 2 years away and if things work out WE would make HISTORY once again.



BC

Great idea.  I'm there.

Two years from now? YES! I love to look really forward to things! I volunteer to help out in any way I can from Florida, from publicity to telemarketing! I have lots of avenues of getting the word out.

You MUST start by telling Maynard Bertolet of your idea. His email address is:
Bertolet@email.msn.com

I am allowed to give this out as it is published in each issue of the LBQ.

Now, please Bobcookbobcook, buy Maplecroft so we can all have a sleep over there!!!

"If you build it (we) will come" 

Yes, will someone preservation minded & sociable PLEASE buy Maplecroft!

I'm doing my bit buying lottery tickets, tho in Canadian dollars, I'd need about 1.5 million (gasp).

Ah, how great would that be?  A new symposium in a few years AND Maplecroft?!

Count me in, and I too would be glad to help in any way I can, EXCEPT telemarketing.  I'm such a hater of telemarketing that I wouldn't be good at that.  Incidentally, I've read/heard that the same group has standing reservations to stay at the B&B every year during that fateful period, so that might be a stumbling block, unless they could be brought on board.  I know my husband and I had to book many months in advance to get reservations at Halloween, although the B&B actually wound up with a couple of last-minute cancellations.  It would be a good idea to bring Ms. McGinn & Co. into the loop very early in the planning process.  Touching base with the FRHS at an early stage would be good too.  This is a GREAT idea!!!

It's not only a great opportunity for scholarship, but we will finally be able to connect with each other on a personal level. It will be glorious to meet each of you!

I had only worked with Terence Duniho by email and telephone. I finally got to meet him in person about a month before he died and it was like being with a dear old friend. Instant rapport.



(Message last edited Feb-4th-03  3:22 PM.)

Yes, yes, yes!  I will definitely be there.  I have a husband and a son who'll be 12 then.  We would want to stay at the B & B if possible.  I don't need a bed - I'd stay up all night chatting and exploring.  I guess my husband and son would need a bed. 

I'm going to Fall River at Eastertime.  So two years from now I'll be ready to go again.  It'll be so much FUN meeting everyone.  And hearing the speakers! 

If I can help, please let me know.  GREAT idea, Bobcookbobcook!

Ooohhh, I just had a thought --- in August 2005,
I'll be 33...........33!

i'm definitely open to the idea, whether i stayed at the house or not.  what a treat it would be to speak to you all in person.  and hear your presentations.  maybe by then i could have a presentation prepared myself.

I was not able to attend the 1992 conference and would be interested in attending one in 2005.

An Update...well sort of:  Bordenites, due to lousy weather I have not been able to trek off to Fall River to speak with Director(s) of the few hotels in the greater Fall River area.  I have an eye on the Hampton Inn in nearby Westport (it's right on the town lines) they seem to have nice amenities and there is the famous Whites' of Westport Resturant right next door.

I have sent a letter of intent to Bristol Community College (the site of the 1992 conference) seeking committment to using their auditorium but with all the hub-bub over state budget cutbacks my letter will not doubt be nearer the bottom of priority mail.  But I am plugging away on this, as I truly want the Second Symposium to come to reality.

Once I have rates and places for lodging I will post them at once.

Will be talking to Ms. McGinn of the B & B during this week. I am sorry to report that I may not have the capital to purchase Maplecroft though I will go there either this week or next, when this darned snow stops, and talk to the owner about B & B rooms if he plans to be in business in 2005.

In the mean time I would incourage EVERYONE in this forum who plan to attend give this matter some thought:  begin preparing your thoughts and theories if you wish to make a presentation.  There is certainly no requirment but I know many of us here would relish the opportunity to make formal presentation to our "family" and the many others who may well be in attendance.

I am using the book from the 1992 Conference as a guide and if any of you have a copy or can get hold of one you will find that those who made presentations in '92 range from the simple humble opinion to the complex researched.  To Each Their Own.

Well if you have any specific questions or comments or thoughts by all means email me:  BobCook848@aol.com

More on this later dear Bordenites.

BC

Hi BobCookBobCook,
My wife & I plan on attending.  But we'll stop at Washington, Hershey, PA to visit chocolate and Gettysburg on the way.  Can't wait!  If there is anything you need help with, let me know.  Keep in mind that I'm the library director of a small library, but we have access to inter-library loans.
Joe

i forgive you for not purchasing maplecroft.

i'd love to be a part of it, though; i'll watch for your info.