Comments on: Mary’s Birthday

By: John A. Bass, LIW/RWL Scholar

John A. Bass, LIW/RWL Scholar — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:21:23 +0000

Yes, Laura! I can send you a listing of ALL the Little House sites, including ALL the sites I formed since Ingalls-Wilder-Lane Historic Alliance was founded in 1992. This can be mailed or e-mailed to you. It is called the “historic alliance” brochure. My series of books, that I have been constructing for the last 15+ years, are listed in the “book series” brochure.
I will also be present at the 2010 LAURAPALOOZA conference in Mankato, Minnesota, with a table display of ALL the sites and their historical markers! That weekend, I will be promoting to get a few NEW markers at the BIRTHPLACES OF CARRIE (Kansas) and GRACE (Iowa) and PA (New York). My actual plans are to have both sets of twins from the tv series to do a special presentation when the new historical markers are placed! Now for the special presentation for PA’S Birthplace historical marker…I am thinking…STEVE BLANCHARD, since Michael Landon died in 1991. Steve Blanchard is a “hands-on” and dedicated to the commemoration of the real PA, which he has interest, and has visited most of the Little House sites. I have my work cut out for me, don’t I?!

By: Laura Whitaker

Laura Whitaker — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:41:56 +0000

John, anywhere we can get a list of place that you have been able to place plaques related to LIW and related items?

By: John A. Bass, LIW/RWL Scholar

John A. Bass, LIW/RWL Scholar — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:58:42 +0000

Everyone interested…please also note that you may visit Mary’s actual school in Vinton, Iowa as well. In 2003, I presented a plaque (small historical marker) commemorating the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School as a “Little House” site. This plaque hangs in the foyer as you walk into the main entrance.

By: John A. Bass, LIW/RWL Scholar

John A. Bass, LIW/RWL Scholar — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:53:50 +0000

I am so very glad to be able to ADD this place, to the “Little House sites”, pertaining to MARY’s life! Due to the weather, I wasn’t able to attend this, but will get by there this summer on the way up or down, which ever comes first.
On the other hand, I am a bit SURPRIZED that Mary’s materials were ABLE to be used to be placed on permanate display, with out such a fuss! Wow! Whose strings were/wern’t pulled?! lol

By: Rebecca Brammer

Rebecca Brammer — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:23:10 +0000

The poems were published in A Little House Reader, edited by William Anderson.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:14:29 +0000

I have a vague memory of reading about Mary’s writing in a book somewhere, but don’t recall where it was. Do you know if any of it is published on the web?

By: Lauri

Lauri — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 23:17:41 +0000

It was a wonderful event, and I hope to go back some time to see the factory. It was interesting to consider a whole industry that I never thought about existing. The audio presentation was very accurate. The fiddle player great, as was the readings of Mary’s poetry. I especially enjoyed the poem about her father’s violin, and the one read by our own blogger. The focus on Mary, rather than Laura, was refreshing. I think we’ve all read that Laura’s descriptions were encouraged by being Mary’s eyes. This presentation expressed what a gift it was from Mary to Laura. I am so glad we went. We came even though we were on the waiting list, we were shocked to hear that so many were turned away. Note: next year – make reservations early!

By: Julia Frey

Julia Frey — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:52:39 +0000

Wonderful! I’m bookmarking this all so if/when I get to Louisville, I’ll check it out!

By: Judy

Judy — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:22:51 +0000

Thanks Rebecca,
I do get to Louisville KY about once a year, and will put this on my list of “must sees”.