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Post by Tricia on Jul 25, 2007 14:08:45 GMT -6
--t.
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Post by Melani on Jul 25, 2007 23:23:49 GMT -6
With illustrations?
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Post by Tricia on Jul 27, 2007 13:11:35 GMT -6
Here they are, my darling: In my best Russian accent: Why, General Custer, how did you learn to speak such good Russian? Hehehe ... I know who he is dreaming about! A certain lady who will surprise him whilst in New Orleans ...? Gotta watch for young girls getting their keys. Balance away, Armstrong. We're watching you!
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Post by Tricia on Jul 27, 2007 13:15:15 GMT -6
Here is the infamous Grand Duke's marker. It's several miles from the actual place, unfortunately--down a million dirt roads with no real directions. Somehow, the General and Sandy found their way outta there. Bugger.
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Post by Tricia on Jul 27, 2007 13:54:35 GMT -6
Okay, now the whole shebang ... that said, I was literally talked into going on this trip by one of my LBH mentors. He pushed and pushed in a verrry long phone call. Got to the LR airport at 5.00, switched planes in Denver and took the puddlejumper to North Platte, about an hour's flight away (most people flew into Lincoln or Omaha or drove from Denver). Expecting a heat wave, I was pleasantly surprised to find the temperatures in the low 80s. When I got to the Quality Inn--I got the last reservation--I found it to be a pretty nice place, lovely atrium and a Starbucks' next door--there is a story about that, needless to say.
The only negative so far was that I was stuck driving in a damn minivan. Too suburban for the punker and yes, I had bright pink hair.
Upon checking in, I was embraced by Bruce Liddic and guaranteed a good time. Well, unfortunately my first taste of this conference was the board meeting--I thought there was supposed to be a bar to begin at 8.00. I only sat in on about ten minutes when disgusted with their take on this august forum and left with Father Heier, who was tired. We walked around the book room together and he was nice enough to give me five Custer novels ... I also met up with Bob Snelson, Greg Michno, and Jeff Broome. From the looks of things, this was going to be a very expensive weekend ...
Well, anyway, the banquet finally started at about 9.00. Wine was a tad expensive, but the hors d'eorves were great. I didn't need dinner after that foray, needless to say ... I sat with Trish and Randy Johnson of my hometown of Palatine, Illinois. Her son actually went to my junior high ...
I worked on the book until 1.00 am (as was another) and got up about 7.45 on Friday for the field trip to the Buffalo Hunt site. I drove with the other Trish in her Subaru and we still don't know how the three coaches made it over those crappy roads. We were unloaded in the middle of nowhere and walked down a hill and got to see a little drama between (complete with forgetting their lines) Phil Sheridan, the Grand Duke, Buffalo Bill, and the General. This is the first time I've seen the General up close and dressed in his buckskins, he really looked like GAC.
We then went down and up another hill to the actual site of the hunt which Peter Bleed and Douglas Scott have used forensic photography to pin the place down. Amazing work, gentleman. everyone was impressed!
After that part of the field trip we traveled northwest--over more crappy roads--to the tiny town of Hayes Center where we were treated to a great lunch by the very kind ladies of the town. BTW, the desserts were the bomb. After everyone was seated the roast of General Custer began. It was mighty hokey, I thought, but got a few good laughs. We left Hays Center at about 2.00 and it took like an hour and a half to get back to North Platte ... ugh. We were all so dusty, we all jumped in our respective showers.
At 7.00 we went to the annual auction which had a collection of mismash and I won the bidding on Mark Chalms' Custer's Last Ride, but lost my shot at Custer's guidon. This is the second thing I've added to my collection of Really Awful and Hokey Custer Art. I've always had a problem with his choice of gesso; too pre-Raphaelite for my liking.
All day Saturday was the annual symposium and we were treated to a Russian fest--my favourite kind, of course--we heard Jeff Broome talking about the Kidder Massacre, the Grand Duke Alexis about his trip to America, Peter Bleed and Douglas Scott--their forensic studies of the site--and Mark Miner who talked about Tommy Custer (Steve Alexander and I were matching each other question for question. I began to think he was in competition with me!) ... I finally left at about two, as three of us went over to Starbucks and had a make-shift critique group meeting about the book. It went so well, I was actually afraid my bubble would burst! One member went so far as to say my book is "the first novel who has gotten Custer's character completely right!" Needless to say, that was the highlight of my trip!
The annual banquet started about 7.00 where the General was posing for pictures with various members--I was too shy--wearing his Major General's long tunic. Until that very moment, I had never quite seen what my main character saw in Custer, but that image was simply striking. Steve Alexander did a great job.
We feasted on a buffalo salisbury steak, snuck in a few wine bottles and applauded as the annual awards were given out. I was most pleased at John Mackintosh's win and that of John Lubetkin. After that was done, we headed to the bar and closed the place down with the Grand Duke, Gen'l Sheridan, Bob Snelson and a few others. We needed to as the feast ended with the announcement of the three resignations. Needless to say, that took all of the fun out of the room. Couldn't they have announced that at the freaking board meeting?
I had planned to go to Buffalo Bill's ranch Sunday morning, but was too darn tired--I'd stayed up to four, I was so excited (and plastered) about the turn this book has taken.
Instead, I packed all my stuff, sent a forty pound package back home via UPS--complete with another Bad Piece of Custer Art, In the Black Hills by Ralph Heinz, and left for Little Rock at 5.30 pm ...
I am so delighted I went to this conference. Bruce Liddic, you were absolutely right.
Tricia Johnson-McDuffie, Little Rock
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Post by bradandlaurie on Jul 27, 2007 19:42:07 GMT -6
My wife and I were there too and I generally loved the experience. I also spent a lot of money in the dealer's room; just a few dollars shy of a thousand actually. The fact of the matter is my wife was addicted to all of this long before I was and now she has me just as obsessed! The really pathetic thing is that I imagine all this future reading will only open up more questions in my mind and I will have to buy even more!
I was not pleased with the politics at the conference and the somewhat overt attempt to recruit me into some of this. The impression I was initially given was that the message boards were in some sort of crisis and they were going to be forced to shut them down. I have been looking over the forums very closely and don't see any problems other than you see on almost any other such message board. The fact of the matter is that I am very impressed by Diane Merkle's efforts and I, for one, would be delighted to assist her.
Actually, after reviewing the recent changes that have been made in the message board I really wonder what kind of control, if any, the LBHA has over them? I think the crisis, if there ever really was one, isn't theirs to dictate policy on anymore. It just seemed like there was more to all of this than any problem with the internet and I was not being told about these other issues. Since looking at some of the other information offered by Diane Merkle elsewhere on this site and some of the things I saw and heard at the conference I will temper my involvement in these matters.
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Post by Diane Merkel on Jul 28, 2007 10:19:24 GMT -6
Thanks for the recap, Trish.
Brad, you point out what is a dilemna for me. I would love to see more/different/younger people get involved with LBHA, but I'm not sure it's worth it. My little foray into being the NL editor and webmaster let me see a side of things I wish I'd never seen. My advice to all is stay out of the politics and just enjoy the publications and conferences but, at the same time, the organization needs the next generation to step up soon.
I wish I had a magic answer but I don't.
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Post by harpskiddie on Jul 28, 2007 13:00:02 GMT -6
Speaking of the annual conferences. I know [make that understand] that 2008 is set for Hagerstown, MD [Eastern Colorado, the rest is now under water apparently, glub glub glub]. Have the dates been finalized yet? It's entirely possible that I will be in the vicinity [like the cavalry, about seven hundred miles from the fort] and could swing by if the dates fit into my schedule.
Gordie, standin' on a mountain. lookin' down on the city - the way I feel is a doggone pity.......................
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Post by Tricia on Jul 28, 2007 13:44:16 GMT -6
Gordie, that's the information that would already be posted on the former LBHA website. There was announcement at the banquet, I am sure, about the dates, but we were too busy teasing each other and passing the illegal jug under the table.
From what was said--that I remember--they are really trying to keep the price down as the two field trips (one optional) are going to cost at least 65.00 per person.
I would think the 2009 conference will be held about anniversary time so everyone goes into Billings once and just sticks around.
Trish
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Post by Tricia on Jul 28, 2007 13:49:53 GMT -6
Thanks for the recap, Trish. Brad, you point out what is a dilemna for me. I would love to see more/different/younger people get involved with LBHA, but I'm not sure it's worth it. My little foray into being the NL editor and webmaster let me see a side of things I wish I'd never seen. My advice to all is stay out of the politics and just enjoy the publications and conferences but, at the same time, the organization needs the next generation to step up soon. I wish I had a magic answer but I don't. Diane-- You're absolutely right about needing new blood on the board. But I am afraid the same garbage will continue to happen unless an entire slate of newbies are presented to the electors ... there have got to be enough bodies to at least have a majority, or there will be, I'm afraid nothing to gain. That said, I also think--perhaps--we need to look at term limiting all officers and not allow incest--to the degreee it's currently practiced--on the BOD. Also, as picky and irritating as this might be, we might do as the College of Cardinals have done and institute an age limit to those who are serviing, as often they are the last to know what age has done to them. I'd offer 80 as the uppermost limit, for example. But something has to change. Trish
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Post by Scout on Jul 28, 2007 14:43:04 GMT -6
One thing never mentioned about the lbha is their famous editing of writer's articles. If if a writer submits anything for possible publication it must go through their editorial board who freely change that writers thoughts and ideas to fit what the board determines is 'correct' lbha history which is odd because no one will ever really know what happened on the Custer field of battle. This is nothing other than good old fashion censorship. You either change your article to suit their views or else it doesn't get published. I mean some well known writers and researchers have had to change their articles or else. Is this a historical organization or a fan club?
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Post by Tricia on Jul 28, 2007 15:56:38 GMT -6
I had the real feeling I'd just entered "The Custer Fan Club," Scout--it wasn't quite as pronounced as it has been at the CBHMA--but I was the only Indian there (once again). Fortunately Jeff Broome didn't get as negative as he can tend towards Native Americans--backed by his research, of course--but that can get really tiring to hear ad nauseum.
As for the Research Review, I'm afraid that happens to a lot of publications, further understating to that need know the editors and their literary/historic preferences. The way to significantly change this fan-ism is to ultimately, replace them with younger folks who are a bit more circumspect about GAC than they are (I do know of one exception on the editor's side). We're often dealing with people who say, saw They Died With Their Boots On during its initial theater run, where we kids got hooked by Son of the Morning Star. Heroic Custer vs. Human Custer.
I well know which image I prefer. Trish
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Post by bradandlaurie on Jul 28, 2007 19:50:14 GMT -6
Well, I will tell you all right here that I am pushing ahead with my own line of research. I will not let the petty politics of others steer me away from my own study. This message board is an excellent resource and should not be shut down.
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Post by Scout on Jul 28, 2007 20:37:14 GMT -6
Well now I don't mind anyone's approach or motives here or anywhere concerning the LBH. I can tolerate Custer haters as well as Custer fans. We have both here which represents the extremes and have nothing to do with honest research or dialog among most of the posters. What I do mind is people trying to edit or change papers or opinions of an author to fit some bizarre idea of what happened there. The very act of doing such a thing takes away any legitimacy of the organization. To me it loses all respectability as a historical organization and becomes nothing more than an Elvis fan club.
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Post by Diane Merkel on Jul 28, 2007 21:14:30 GMT -6
Gordie, I am away from home so I can't check, but I believe the 2008 conference in Hagerstown, Maryland, is July 17-19, 2008.
Amen, Scout, Amen!
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