Early July 2014 eNews

Time to whitewash Tom Sawyer's fence in Hannibal, MO!
FROM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 

"Tom appeared on the sidewalk with a bucket of whitewash and a long-handled brush. He surveyed the fence, and all gladness left him and a deep melancholy settled down upon his spirit. Thirty yards of board fence nine feet high. Life to him seemed hollow, and existence but a burden." - Mark Twain in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

 

Hello, Friends!

 

You may recall that last year I had a friendly wager going with the Mark Twain Boyhood Home in Hannibal. Admissions staff at both homes ask visitors if they'd like to donate a dollar toward our respective endowment funds. This "Dollar at the Door" initiative generates revenue for an area that is often overlooked. Since both homes raise endowment funds this way, Boyhood Home Executive Director Henry Sweets and I made a wager based on which Mark Twain site could raise the most money per capita (tickets sold) last July.

 

The good news is both homes raised generous sums. The bad news is Hannibal won.

 

Had Hannibal lost, Henry would be making a trip out here to wash the first floor windows of the Mark Twain House. But Hartford lost, so I'm headed to Hannibal to whitewash the fence over the 4th of July.

 

Hannibal raised $2,190.70 and sold 6,207 tickets ($0.35 per ticket sold). Hartford raised $2,207.70 and sold 6,473 tickets ($0.34 per ticket sold). They won fair and square, and we lost by a PENNY on the ticket!

 

It's all in good fun and helps generate awareness for the need to generate endowment funds. The Boyhood Home endowment stands at just over $1.6 million, and the Hartford house stands at just over $1.5 million. The wager is on again for this year, so let's hope that next year this time Henry is planning a trip east, and we're stocking up on Windex.

 

With thanks for your continued support,

 

Cindy


THE DEADLINE FOR THE "ROYAL NONESUCH" HUMOR WRITING CONTEST IS ALMOST HERE!
"Against the assault of Laughter nothing can stand." -- Mark Twain

Welcome to The Mark Twain House & Museum's Inaugural "Royal Nonesuch" Humor Writing Contest for writers of all ages from all corners of the globe! 

 

Recognizing that Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) began writing at an early age and to encourage other young authors, we welcome submissions for two categories: 

  • Adult (age 18 and over at time of submission) at $22 per submission, and
  • Young Author (age 17 and under at time of submission) at $12 per submission.

Celebrity Judges for Adults are: Roy Blount, Jr., Colin McEnroe, and Lucy Ferris.

 

Celebrity Judges for Young Authors are: Tim Federle, author of Better Nate Than Ever, and Jessica Lawson, author of The Actual & Truthful Adventures of Becky Thatcher.

 

Submit your original humorous essays and stories for a chance at a cash prize, the opportunity to meet bestselling authors at our annual "Mark My Words" event, and best of all - bragging rights! 

 

DEADLINE is July 1. More information here.


 
 For more information, please visit the events section of our website.
 

EARLY JULY EVENTS

For more details on all our events, please visit our website.
 

The Hartford Circus Fire - 70th Anniversary Commemoration

Sunday, July 6, 2:00 p.m.

 

On July 6, 1944, happy families descended on Barbour Street in Hartford for the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus. When the big top went up in flames, 700 people were injured and almost 170 people lost their lives. Authors Stewart O'Nan (The Circus Fire: A True Story of an American Tragedy) and Mike Skidgell (the just-published The Hartford Circus Fire: Tragedy Under the Big Top) join us to discuss their books on the largest circus fire tragedy in American history.  This event takes place at the Mark Twain House Museum Center.

 

Presented in partnership with the Hartford Courant and the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center. Followed by a book sale and signing. This is a free event, but reservations are required. Call (860) 280-3130 or click here.

 

BOOK/MARK: The Boy in His Winter--An American Novel by Norman Lock

Tuesday, July 8, 7:00 p.m.

 

Launched into existence by Mark Twain, Huck Finn and Jim have now been transported by Norman Lock through three vital, violent, and transformative centuries of American history. As time unfurls on the river's banks, they witness decisive battles of the Civil War, the betrayal of Reconstruction's promises to the freed slaves, the crushing of Native American nations, and the electrification of a continent. Huck, who finally comes of age when he's washed up on shore during Hurricane Katrina, narrates the story as an older and wiser man in 2077, revealing our nation's past, present, and future as Mark Twain could never have dreamed it.

 

This is a free event followed by a book sale and signing. Reservations are suggested. Call (860) 280-3130 or click here.

 

 

The Trouble Begins at 5:30! "Mark Twain and Katy Leary" with Virginia Wolf

Wednesday, July 9, 5:00 p.m. reception; The Trouble Begins at 5:30 p.m.

 

Virginia Wolf is an actress, radio show host and founder of Herstory Theater, a troupe devoted to the stage presentation of women's history (www.herstory.com). She presents the extraordinary personality of Katy Leary, born into an Irish-American family in Elmira, New York, who served as the Clemenses' maid from 1880 until Samuel Clemens' death in 1910. Leary dictated a memoir, A Lifetime with Mark Twain, published in 1925. Wolf, long a historical interpreter at The Mark Twain House & Museum, has made a special study of the irrepressible and expressive Leary, and will present her story in character. Presented in association with At Your Service, an important new exhibition on the Clemens servants and their lives.  The At Your Service exhibition and related events are supported by the City of Hartford Arts & Heritage Jobs Grant Program, Pedro E. Segarra, Mayor.

 

This is a Free Event! Reservations are suggested. Call (860) 280-3130 or click here.

 

 

Nook Farm Book Talk: Americanah

Thursday, July 10, 5:00 p.m. Reception / 5:30 p.m. Discussion at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

 

Americanah is a powerful, tender story of race and identity by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the award-winning author of Half of a Yellow Sun. Ifemelu and Obinze are young and in love when they depart military-ruled Nigeria for the West. Beautiful, self-assured Ifemelu heads for America, where despite her academic success, she is forced to grapple with what it means to be black for the first time. Quiet, thoughtful Obinze had hoped to join her, but with post-9/11 America closed to him, he instead plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London. Fifteen years later, they reunite in a newly democratic Nigeria, and reignite their passion -- for each other and for their homeland.

 

The event is free, but registration is encouraged at (860) 522-9258, Ext. 317.

 

 

Book Launch: In the Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar

Thursday, July 10, 7:00 p.m.

 

The Mark Twain House & Museum is pleased that Tessa Afshar has chosen to launch her new book, In The Field of Grace, here. The free event will include dramatic presentations, special music by Hartford Symphony Concertmaster Leonid Sigal, and a reception with Jewish treats. Connecticut actresses Jennifer Ramos and Heather Spada will portray Ruth and Naomi in scenes from In the Field of Grace, based on the Book of Ruth, and will sing "I'm With You," the Nicole Nordeman tune inspired by the biblical text. Afshar will read a portion of Ruth in Hebrew and will be interviewed by author Lucinda Secrest McDowell, who will moderate a Q&A with the audience.

 

Sponsored by River North / Moody Publishers. This is a Free Event! Reservations are recommended. Call (860) 280-3130 or click here.

 

 

 

BECK & CALL - The Servants Tour (Directed by HartBeat Ensemble's Steven Raider-Ginsburg)

Friday, July 11; Tours start at 7:00 p.m.

 

The servants at Mark Twain's house are expecting a full-on assault of overnight guests. With famous faces coming for an elegant dinner, three guest rooms to prepare, and 25 rooms worth of dusting, the hired help may need a helping hand. With
Beck & Call, our fun, new interactive nighttime servants tour of The Mark Twain House, we offer a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to get the Clemens home ship-shape for overnight entertaining. You may even be asked to pitch in! With costumed interpreters appearing throughout the house, fans of Upstairs/Downstairs and Downton Abbey  will love this look at the organized chaos that it took to clothe, cook and clean for the Clemens Family.
 

 

BECK & CALL - The Servants Tour - The first Friday of every month through September (except for July, which will be on the second Friday of that month). Beck & Call is supported by the City of Hartford Arts & Heritage Jobs Grant Program, Pedro E. Segarra, Mayor.

 

$22 for adults, with discounts for children and members. Reservations required. For tickets, please call (860) 280-3130 or click here.

  

 

PLUS: There are eight more events coming up later in July! Check our website for details.

 

 

JULY WRITING PROGRAMS FOR TEENS

 

"Fiction for Teens" with Leslie Connor (for ages 14-17)

July 14-17, 5:00 to 7:00 PM

 

"Inspired By: Using Actual Events to Spark Fiction" with Steven Parlato (for ages 14-17)

July 14-17, 5:00 to 7:00 PM

 

"Writing Your Identity" with Erin McNamara (for ages 11-14)

July 21-24, 5:00 to 7:00 PM

 

"Critiquing Your Writing" with Lauren Baratz-Logsted (for ages 14-17)

July 21-24, 5:00 to 7:00 PM

 

Fee is $120.00 for each course and is non-refundable (service fees apply).  Each course meets for 4 consecutive days at the Mark Twain Museum Center.  For more information, please click here.


 

 
THANK YOU TO OUR NEW   
(May 23 through June 23)
 

Richard & Kerry Arena

Sheri C. Barnicle

Karen Carlson

Bernita Davis

Timothy Elwell

Irene E. Engel

Robert Scott Gregan

Peter Johansson

Inkyoung Kim

Sally E. Knowles

Bradford Luck

  

  

Mary L. Marshall

Carol L. Martin

Arnold Menchel

Josh Morton

Lauren Piscopo

Joseph P. Silvestri

George Weinstock

Rebecca Williams

Gary & Eugenie Wilmarth

Charlotte & Brad Wroolie

  

  
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS (May 23 through June 23)
 
INDIVIDUAL 

Bethany Berger

Nancy R. Bestor

Ronald & Mary Ellen Brown

John & Arlene Buckey

Blair Childs

Mark Cocalis & Lisa Ann Erburu

Sam H. Creswell

Richard C. & Martha G. Dale

Richard & Susan Drayton

Dr. Robert L. & Mrs. Susan Fisher

Bob & Frankie Goldfarb

Peter C. Grzybala & Diane W. Korntheuer

Kenneth & Gail Hamblett

Cami Hepler

Peter Johansson

Thomas D. & Margah Lips

Jane Marie Loomis

Frank Lord & Suzanne Hopgood

Dr. Cindy Lovell

Michael B. McDonough

Kay Bell Mudd

Scott & Karen Myrick

K. Patrick & Cathy I. Ober

Phyllis G. Pasternak

Robert & Margaret Patricelli

Charles & Carol Paydos

Allan Polak & Deborah Zipkin

Loren M. Rogers

Carol Sicbaldi

Charleen Taylor

  

INSTITUTIONAL 

The George A. & Grace L. Long Foundation, Bank of America, N.A. and Alan S. Parker, Esq., Trustees

  

Independent Outdoor

  

Lincoln Financial Foundation

  

River North / Moody Publishers

  

Watkinson School

 

 

 

  

IN MEMORY OF FRAN GORDON

Roberta J. Berner

Dorothy M. Conklin

Dr. Cindy Lovell

Katie & Bob Metcalf

Ronald H. & Carla J. Pariser

Barbara J. Zyla

 
 
 
 Make the most of your donation, be sure to ask your employer about matching gifts.
 
MARK TWAIN STORE FEATURED ITEM OF THE MONTH

We are excited to offer a special gift with a $45 purchase:  

Our exclusive custom light weight silk scarf. 

 

The design is inspired by the Tiffany Lilies windows that once hung at the entry of The Mark Twain House.  The scarf is 52 x 14 inches.

 

This $35 value Tiffany Lily scarf is our gift to you with a $45.00 purchase. This offer is only good while supplies last, and ends on July 31, 2014.

 

Online customers must enter the code "tiffany scarf" in the comments section when placing your order of $45.00 or more (excluding tax and shipping).

 

For in-store purchases, please inform the sales associate that you would like the gift with your $45.00 (excluding tax) purchase.   

 


JOIN The Mark Twain House & Museum!

 

Enjoy the special insider benefits of membership in The Mark Twain House & Museum. And there's the sheer joy of being part of the legacy of Mark Twain, whose wit and insight remain alive today in 2014 -- over 150 years after Sam Clemens took on his famous pen name and entered history.

 

Submit our easy-to-use, secure online membership form or simply call 860-280-3112.

 

Make a DONATION Today!

 

Your donation to The Mark Twain House & Museum has a major impact on our ability to preserve this beautiful home, provide crucial educational programs for thousands of schoolchildren, offer mind-stimulating and spine-tingling events for adults, and welcome thousands of visitors each year. 

 

 ...and make your donation count double: Find out if your employer has a Matching Gift program.

 

Donate online, call 860-280-3112, or send your donation to: The Mark Twain House & Museum, Development Department, 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06105.

 

Join the FRIENDS!

 

The Friends of The Mark Twain House & Museum offer wonderful speaking events, social gatherings, and fun volunteer opportunities. Pony up $30 and you'll get it all, too!

 

It's the volunteer organization that has supported the museum for more than 50 years. To join, call Membership Co-Chairs Chuck Paydos, 860-242-4825, or Dee Peters, 860-233-4066.

 

 

 

The Mark Twain House & Museum has restored the author's Hartford, Connecticut, home, where the author and his family lived from 1874 to 1891. Twain wrote his most important works there, including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. In addition to providing tours of Twain's restored home, a National Historic Landmark, the institution offers activities and educational programs that illuminate Twain's literary legacy and provide information about his life and times. The house and museum at 351 Farmington Ave. are open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 860-247-0998 or visit us online. Programs at The Mark Twain House & Museum are supported by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts, and the Greater Hartford Arts Council's United Arts Campaign.

 

David Cash, Publicist and Publications Editor

The Mark Twain House & Museum

 

 

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