Betsy-Tacy Convention -- Day Four, The Final Day

It's been an incredible weekend, and it's hard to believe that it's over, but as I sit here in Minneapolis typing this final report, I realize that it is. I am so incredibly grateful for all the work that everyone put into this weekend's convention and I'm so happy that I was able to share it with my sister and my baby girl. This morning we rose early to a group breakfast of Waffles with the Hawthornes and then had the choice of several breakout sessions to learn more about the books and the history behind them. We chose the "Violent Study Club" exploration of Vera Neville run by Teresa Gibson who has been studying Vera for the last 12 years. It was fascinating to learn more about this illustrator who means so much to me -- and I love that her main sources of fuel while drawing were a pot of black coffee and cigarettes. It was fascinating to learn about her time studying in New York, living in Georgia and how she and Maud collaborated. Maud would send her the manuscript before it went to the publisher and Vera would illustrate the chapter headings from the manuscript. This explains why "Okto Delta" is misspelled in Vera's illustration in Betsy was a Junior -- she drew that based on Maud's early manuscript, which was later edited from the spelling of "Oktw" to "Okto."

The second breakout we attended was entitled "Muster Your Wits and Your Feet" and there my sister and I, along with my baby girl who was in the baby bjorn, "learned" the waltz, schotisse and the turkey trot. The baby especially loved the schotisse with all the jumping. It was fairly aerobic and now I know how everyone in the Betsy books could pack away the food and stay so slender -- when not walking great distances they were burning calories by dancing.

The breakouts were followed by the keynote speech of the convention by Meg Cabot and she was simply wonderful. She shared with everyone her new foreword to the forthcoming Betsy was a Junior/Betsy and Joe and she had everyone laughing, and at times, sighing in recognition and remembrance. She captured the room.

Our final stop in Mankato on our way out of town was the Glenwood Cemetery where Maud is buried. We visited her grave, and that of Cab's and we also saw Mr. Heinz's on our way out. Maud's grave is modest but behind it a larger stone has been placed by the Maud Hart Lovelace Society and on its two sides it illuminates her contributions to literature. The cemetery is removed from the town and quite beautiful and peaceful.

We headed back up to Minneapolis, feeling somewhat sad that we were leaving Mankato but we drowned our sorrows with one more trip to Culver's, whose butterburgers are now a midwest favorite of mine (and honestly, those have to be the cleanest fast food restaurants I've ever been in). 

We drove into Minneapolis with a few landmarks in mind. First was the Bow St. Apt (really 2400 Aldrich Avenue) that Betsy and Joe (Maud and Delos) lived in when they were first married. We found it easily and it looked just as I envisioned it. Next we visited the Canoe Place house, really 1109 West 25th Street, the first house that they owned together.

The last landmark on our list was the house that Mary Richards lived in in the Mary Tyler Moore show and this proved more elusive, but after looping around the same gorgeous and quite swanky neighborhood a few times we finally found the famous house with the rounded tower. And last but certainly not least, and something I'll report on more, but we visited Magers and Quinn Booksellers,the largest independent bookstore in the city and I finally got to meet Jeff Kamin, who writes fabulous monthly guest posts for Book Club Girl on the book club he runs and moderates and MCs at Books & Bars.

Tomorrow we head back home with bags weighed down with Betsy-Tacy swag, and, for me, three different out of print books by Maud Hart Lovelace that I won at the silent auction. It was an absolutely wonderful weekend, one in which I made so many new friends, and it was a dream come true for both my sister and me. 

Comments

[Kathy]

We want to know - did you throw your hat in the air?

[Ti]

It sounds like you had such a wonderful time. And what a special trip! To remember all of these stories from your childhood and then to share them with your daughter! How sweet!

[Melissa]

glad you had a good time up in Minne-SO-ta eh? Culver's up here in the midwest (started in WI ) are getting to be like the Sonic restaurants down south! LOL

[Barb]

One of the highlights for me was seeing you and your sister do the Schotisse with that adorable baby strapped to you! Thank you for all you have done to keep Maud's work in the public eye!

[Dawn - She is Too Fond of Books]

What great fun! I've enjoyed reading your posts (and tweets) about the convention. ... you must have been laughing while you danced w/baby strapped to you.

Extra fun to meet Jeff from Books & Bars ... I hadn't made the geographic connection until you pointed it out.

[Book Club Girl]

Sorry to just be responding now, but thanks for all your thoughts. I think I nearly threw my back out dancing with Isabella attached to me. Especially during that part of the turkey trot where you jump in a circle on one leg while sort of tipped over...

And I would have thrown my hat in the air, but that neighborhood where the house is is super swanky and my sister and I felt like we might get carted away if we lingered too long. As it was I took a quick picture with my phone and ran. Next time I'm in town I'll find the statue of MTM and definitely throw my hat in the air. ;)

[Monique]

I sooo wanted to go to this - thanks for taking me along for the ride with your photos and stories! I'm glad it was as delightful as it sounded!
Betsy/Tacy forever!

[Sheila DeChantal]

This was all in Minneapolis? That is about 2 1/2 hours from me. I really have to try to stay more aware of things like this. :)

[Red Headed Book Child]

I just discovered your blog through the BBAW Meme and read your profile. I too am a HUGE fan of Betsy-Tacy. I enjoyed reading your trip to the Convention.

I am new to blogging, just started in July. I like the look of yours and will enjoy reading further posts.

[Susan Gaissert]

Thank you so much for the posts on the four days of the convention. I am printing them out, and I will read them on the train later today, on my way to the meeting of the Greater New York Chapter of the Betsy-Tacy Society. Several of the women there attended, and I know we'll be discussing the convention, so, thanks to you, I won't feel so left out.