I love how I learn something new every time I hear my favorite Laura experts speak. As terrified of public speaking as I am, I really notice the folks who do it well—and these women do. Especially on our favorite topic.

They talk about Rose’s role in the Little House books, Burr Oak (since it’s Iowa after all—and with a guest appearance by Burr Oak’s Steve Luse), and LauraPalooza, among other Laura-related topics. My favorite quote comes courtesy of Sarah: “The Little House books,” says Sarah, “are like an episode of the Simpsons.”

Ready to listen? It’s right here.

I’m trying to process how I feel about the event. It was a lot of work, and a lot of fun. I think it successfully bridged the academic and popular worlds–and that was a fine line to walk. We have many ideas for the next event, which will be held in July, 2012, but for now, I want to talk about what I got out of this first-of-its-kind gathering.

First, fellowship. I think sometimes we all internalize our interests. For me, Laura has been a private kind of interest, or the interest that others have teased me about. My husband, thankfully, gets it, and he has, on more than one occasion, driven out of our way on a long trip just so I can see something related to Laura. (How many of you have spouses that “get it”?) But how amazing it was, last month, to be able to cite chapter and verse on Laura and know that I didn’t have to explain myself further? At LP, I was among friends who all got it–and who could keep up!

Second, inspiration. What marvelous food for thought our speakers provided this year! The academic discourse thrived, and the chief complaint received was that we needed more time for people to connect with those who spoke, to discuss, disect, and interact with their contributions to this growing body of knowledge. To me, that says we had amazing folks who inspired that thought. I know I’m ready to tackle my next project now.

Third, play. Play is often absent from academic conferences, but at this one, because we wanted to bring everyone together, play had to be an essential element. So we had a spelling bee; we ate popcorn and watched great documentaries; we offered handwork and crafts; we gave people an opportunity to splash in Plum Creek. (And that’s a sight I’ll never forget–a bus full of Laura fans shrieking and kicking off their sandals and shoes to wade in!)

Finally, legacies. We picked that theme for LauraPalooza 2010 because we saw the impact of Laura everywhere. I leave the conference thinking that we haven’t yet fully explored these legacies. And we need to reconsider the impact not only of the books, but the tv series and all its permutations. It’s time.

One more thing I take away with me? Boxes and stacks of LauraPalooza merchandise. We have a ton of leftovers, and my office is CROWDED. So if you want a piece of LauraPalooza to take home with you, here’s what’s left:

Brown-on-pink LIWLRA t-shirts; mediums, XLs, XXLs, and XXLs, $22 (includes shipping);

Wheat-on-Hunter Green “Laura’s Farmer boy” t-shirts; all sizes, $22 (includes shipping);

Green-on-wheat Laura Ingalls Wilder tote bags, $10 (includes shipping);

Wheat-on-green LIWLRA lanyards, $5 (includes shipping);

LP 2010 FlourSack Towel Embroidery kit (pre-marked towel, needle, red floss): $5 (includes shipping).

Help me clean out my office! And don’t forget: LIWLRA members get 10 percent off.

Thanks for being such amazing people. I look forward to hosting LauraPalooza 2012, July 12-14, 2012.

And One More on the Way: Jolly Green Giant
http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/06/13/jolly-green-giant

And One More on the Way: Music Man Square
http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/06/17/on-the-way-music-man-square

And One More On the Way: Decorah, Iowa
http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/06/20/one-more-decorah-iowa

And One More on the Way: South Troy MN
http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/06/24/and-1-more-south-troy-mn

And One More on the Way: Brookings, SD
http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/06/26/and-one-more-brookings-sd

And One More on the Way: Lake Benton Windfarm
http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/07/01/on-the-way-lake-benton-windfarm

And One More on the Way: Trains
http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/07/03/and-one-more-on-the-way-trains

And One More on the Way: Fond Memories
http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/07/08/and-one-more-fond-memories

And One More on the Way: Native American Sites
http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/07/09/on-way-native-american-sites

And One More on the Way: McCone Sodhouses
http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/07/10/on-the-way-mccone-sodhouses

And One More on the Way: Outside of Windom MN
http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/07/11/outside-of-windom-mn

And One More on the Way: Spring Valley MN
http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/08/16/1-more-on-way-spring-valley-mn

Sarah S. Uthoff blogs at TrundleBed Tales; look for her on Twitter and YouTube.

Visit their website: http://www.springvalleymnmuseum.org

Spring Valley Church Museum

The major Laura site in Spring Valley is the Spring Valley Historical Society Museum in the former Methodist church. This was the church that the Wilders attended when they lived in Spring Valley. The Wilder display, which includes everything from ads for Royal’s store to a painting of his house in town and a letter from Laura herself, is only the beginning of this museum. They are very proud of the stained glass windows and the plethora of equipment from various churches in the area that have closed. Downstairs in the church is a display of a general store, historic cooking equipment and an original fire engine complete with leather buckets. There are also displays on various inventors and business people who lived in Spring Valley and various pieces of the equipment of everyday life.  Out buildings include a historic house and a building devoted to agricultural equipment. They feature an impressive display of Victorian furniture, historic clothing and toys, plus a display on a pair of famous twins who lived in town and even a Fisher Price barn (which features a Spring Valley Feed poster on the inside – check in yours). The agriculture building features a recreated one-room school and even has a plane built from a kit by a local farmer.

Next on the must see list is the Wilder Barn on Tracy Road. The Wilder farmhouse was torn down long ago and none of the outbuildings, except the barn, have been dated to the Wilder’s tenancy. Please only photograph the barn from the road. The owners do not appreciate Wilder tourists. They have said they will eventually tear it down, but so far it is still standing. Nearby there is also a wonderful A&W restaurant that still has

Wilder Barn in Spring Valley

classic A&W food, not the gas station version.

A map provided by the historical society will take you around town and out to the cemetery. The cemetery has a number of more distant Wilder relatives, plus Royal’s. Unfortunately a tree branch casts an almost constant shadow over Royal’s grave. I have stopped at different times of year and many different times of the morning and afternoon and it is ALWAYS in shadow.

The Spring Valley Public Library is always a great place to stop, especially if the museum is closed when you get to town. Really it’s worth a stop anyway. Not only do they have nice public bathrooms, they also have a wonderful tree inside that they decorate differently according to the season. It’s worth a stop by itself.

Outside of town is Historic Forrestville. http://www.mnhs.org/places/sites/hf

This state park encompasses a living history site. At one time this general store was the only one in the area. When the railroad bypassed the area, it continued to operate basically as a company store. When the owner decided it was no longer worth it, he locked the door and closed for good with merchandise still on the shelves. It was re-opened as a museum set in 1899 using most of the original merchandise. It is a small site, but the staff was VERY good during my visit.

Sarah and Spring Valley Throw

I also want to include a special note of thanks. I bought raffle tickets when I went through last year (I always buy raffles at Laura sites to support them) and I won a Spring Valley afghan. I want to thank them for the terrific prize.

Sarah S. Uthoff blogs at TrundleBed Tales; look for her on Twitter and YouTube.

Wagon at Ingalls Homestead

The second annual Harvey Dunn Memorial Society Plein Air Event will be held Aug. 13-15, 2010 at the Ingalls Homestead one mile southeast of De Smet. Artists of all levels of experience are encouraged to participate.

A plein air event, a French term used in art to mean painting outdoors, involves a collection of artists painting outside. They couldn’t ask for a more inspiring place to paint than the beautiful Ingalls Homestead.

Artists will meet on Friday evening. They can start work anytime Friday or Saturday. Saturday night features a wine and cheese reception. The artists can sell their work throughout the event and a “wet sale” (of the painting just done during the weekend) will be held Sunday for the newly created work. Contact the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society in De Smet, South Dakota for more information.

1-800-880-3383 or e-mail laura@discoverlaura.org

The Harvey Dunn Memorial Society, Ingalls Homestead, Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society, and the South Dakota Art Museum are sponsoring the event.

http://www.localendar.com/event?DAM=PublishedEvent&m=367533&event_id=115&calendar_id=367533&more_info=N&export_date=Aug%2013,%202010&category=1

Harvey Dunn, or as I like to call him, South Dakota’s answer to Grant Wood, was a major artist (he even has his own stamp). If you were reading my “And One More on the Way” posts you’ll remember I encouraged Laurati on the way to De Smet to stop in Brookings, South Dakota to see his work and I still do. Read the post here:

http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/06/26/and-one-more-brookings-sd

Sarah S. Uthoff blogs at TrundleBed Tales; look for her on Twitter and YouTube.

But we will anyway, because Confessions of a Prairie Bitch is GREAT.

Saturday morning my phone rang and it was Beyond Little House contributor Sandra Hume calling to say she’d just finished reading it and loved it, too, so it seemed it was high time to post a review.

Like the LHOP cast memoirs before it, I first started reading Confessions with that tiny, tentative optimism that always accompanies a celebrity’s book effort: you hope at least that it won’t be awkward witnessing this famous person try to get the hang of the whole writing-a-book thing. Of the two previous books, for instance, I found myself quietly abandoning one of the Melissas while she went on and on about Season Three. Ah, well, these things happen.

With Confessions, though, there’s no need to manage expectations. Alison Arngrim is a natural storyteller, and an extremely funny one at that. Growing up at the Chateau Marmont with her teen idol brother, her mother who played the voice of Sweet Polly Purebread, and her father, Liberace’s manager, Arngrim had one of the freakiest Hollywood childhoods around, and she clearly delights in recounting the weirdness. Yet for all the hilarity she’s also able to write an understated but powerful account of her years of unreported abuse—a disturbing story that takes place long before her LHOP audition—and later, describe the loss of her close friend (and TV husband) Steve Tracy.

But the most remarkable strength of the book is what Arngrim has to share besides her personal misfortunes: from the start she makes it clear that being cast as Nellie Oleson saved her life. Not only did her screaming-tantrum performances give her an outlet for her anger, but she quickly found that playing a deeply-hated character on a popular television show required her to develop a thick skin and a stronger sense of self. (It took only one disastrous publicity appearance for Arngrim to realize that she could never wear her Nellie costume in public, because, she said, “It was simply too dangerous. It incited people.” You think she’s kidding? Read the book.)

No doubt some actors have to pretend that their most famous role is as important to them as it is to fans, but in Arngrim’s case, it’s the honest truth. Our world loves to constantly recycle the pop culture past and put old personalities on reality shows for no good reason, but Confessions will convince you that there’s really something to be learned from the return of Nellie Oleson—that bringing her back, sausage curls and all, isn’t just nostalgic but redemptive. My only complaint about the book is that it’s so squarely aimed at adult readers, because there’s plenty that teen girls can take away from Arngrim’s story.

Then again, it’s adults who really know the TV series, and Confessions of a Prairie Bitch handily delivers in that regard, too. If you thought you knew everything about the goings-on at LHOP’s Simi Valley set from the Melissas’ books, think again: you find out what Michael Landon wore (or, uh, didn’t wear) under his trousers, what it was like to film the infamous wheelchair-rolling-down the hill scene, and “what’s wrong with Baby Carrie” (and why she fell down in the opening credits).  In the hands of another writer all this might have seemed merely dishy, but Arngrim manages to make her unvarnished portrayal of the LHOP cast and crew an affectionate one. In the post-LHOP chapters she describes her developing activism and her decision to go public with her abuse story for the sake of The National Association to Protect Children, and gives a hilariously surreal account of her first visit to France, which has long hailed her as a cult icon. (When you read it you’ll forgive her for not being able to show up at LauraPalooza due to a scheduling conflict with a gig at a French monster truck rally. Yes, they have those there.)

I know, I’m going on and on. So should you read yet another LHOP actress bio?  Do you really want to climb that haystack again? In the case of Confessions of a Prairie Bitch, yes. Yes, you do.

Visit Wendy McClure at her website or the Facebook page for The Wilder Life.

I, too, have thought about this for many years, but here is my take on it. Every family has a difficult aunt or uncle or cousin or sibling. Some people are just difficult. Every family has someone you dread seeing at Thanksgiving and Christmas and pray you don’t get stuck next to them at the dinner table. It may not be that they are bad, or evil or even that you don’t respect them or trust them, they are just difficult.

Look at the history of both families. If I’m not mistaken, both are direct descendants of Mayflower Pilgrims. I don’t have time to page through all of Deb Houdek’s work on the geneaology right now, but I believe I remember seeing that some time ago. So you’ve got two families who descend from people who are willing to take on tremendous risk and hardship to live out what they believe. If Eliza Jane inherited that backbone, that would be something that would both make you respect and trust her highly, and something that would make you not want to sit next to her at Thanksgiving dinner.

Now take a look at Rose. Rose is famous for having had a highly successful career at a time when most women didn’t. She was a founder of the Libertarian movement and a friend of Ayn Rand. She is also notable for having divorced at a time when most women didn’t. This is another strong-willed, out-spoken woman cut from the same cloth as Eliza Jane. They were two of a kind. This is also a woman who built a house on her parents farm, for her parents, against their will. It was the very latest style in Connecticut, I’m sure, but it wasn’t their style. They lived in it for a while, then quietly moved back into their own house and abandoned it. Rose used it when she was home.

Lastly, take a look at Laura. She is hardly a shrinking violet herself. What kind of a woman would slap an Indian in the Dakota territories in the 1880’s? She’s lucky to have walked away from that alive, but I think perhaps the reason was first, that the Indians were so startled and second, that they recognized her fierce bravery and respected it. It is notable to that Almanzo and Laura competed with each other all their years in Missouri to see who could make the most money off their part of the farm, Laura with her chickens and eggs, Almanzo with the dairy cows. That is how Laura came to be a writer: by writing about her success as a farm wife in the Missouri Ruralist.

My take on it is that poor Almanzo, who was no coward himself but seems to have been a gentle soul, first was bossed around by his sister, then he married someone rather like his sister, and then he had a daughter perhaps even more out-spoken than his sister. The relationship between he and Laura seems to have been affectionate, based on her letters while she was visiting Rose in San Francisco, but I would imagine she could be a bit sharp when riled too. Understand that I’m saying this with a great deal of affection for Laura, but with an understanding too that she was human, and all humans have flaws. I would also note too that Laura had a fierce loyalty toward people she loved. This is most notable in that she fell for Cap Garland first (I’ve read this elsewhere, but you can also see it in the way she describes him), but when Almanzo came courting her and Cap courted Mary Power, she kept it to herself. Later, when Mary rejects Cap, Laura decides to stick with Almanzo anyway. She was too loyal to both Mary and Almanzo to risk hurting someone. But what I find rather sad was that when Rose was interviewing him late in life, he told her that his life had been mostly a disappointment to him. What a sad thing to say to your daughter. But he’d intended to be a prosperous and well respected farmer like his father, and weather, poor soil, bad economies, poor health and lack of sons had all been against him having any success.

I find it interesting to note that for three generations in Laura’s family, no boys survived early infancy. Her only brother died at five months, her only son died at three weeks and her only grandson, Rose’s son, died in infancy too. It makes me wonder if there was a lethal gene on the Y chromosome in that family. Ma had a brother, but that was the last male in the family to survive to adulthood. I guess we’ll never know, since the family died out.

http://www.keystonechamber.com/kahs/carrieingalls.html

Sarah S. Uthoff blogs at TrundleBed Tales; look for her on Twitter and YouTube.

For each part of the video below, I’ve added both links and descriptions with enough information to (hopefully) find whatever you might be looking for.

Day 1 – July 13, 2010
Available on Beyond Little House and on YouTube

This first day of traveling to LauraPalooza includes Decorah and Burr Oak, Iowa; Spring Valley, Minnesota; and former longtime Burr Oak director Ferneva Brimacomb.

Day 2 – July 14, 2010
Available on Beyond Little House and on
YouTube

Arrival in Mankato! This video includes Maude Hart Lovelace information, a look around the University of Minnesota-Mankato campus, and, towards the end, the ice cream social that marks the beginning of the conference. Look for welcomes from Amy Lauters, the Betsy-Tacy Society, John E. Miller, and Dean Butler.

Day 3 – July 15, 2010

Part 1

Available on Beyond Little House and
YouTube

Part 1 of the first full day of the conference includes, in order, a look at registration; words from Amy Lauters and Sandra Hume;  samplings of presentations by Kelly Ferguson and Ann Weller Dahl;  museum staff greetings from Burr Oak, Walnut Grove and Pepin; more presentation sampling by Michelle McCellan; LauraPalooza designer Kristina Sukalski; and a bit on Dale Cockerell’s presentation.

Part 2
Available on Beyond Little House and
YouTube

Part 2 of today’s video features author/illustrator Cheryl Harness; snippets from presentations/speeches by John E. Miller, Jenna Hunnef, and Jim Hicks; the Harvey Dunn Plein Aire Event; and the Manchester Tornado.

Part 3

Available on Beyond Little House and YouTube

Pepin contingent with Kitty Latane, Barbara Mays Boustead, Lynn Urban, Homesite Panel, Author Panel, and Dale Cockerell.

Part 4

Available on Beyond Little House and YouTube

Connie Neumann at Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association Booth, Sue Duggan, Author Reception with Nancy Cleaveland and Penny Linsenmayer.

Day 4 – July 16, 2010

Part 1

http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/08/01/video-diary-day-4-part-1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gannNdk8v1k&feature=related

Old car, Connie Neumann, Amy Lauters, Linnea Mattson, (Quilts, Sewing, and Crafts), and Betsy-Tacy events.

Part 2

http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/07/24/video-diary-day-4-part-2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fe0OCnrevU&feature=related

Pamela Smith Hill, Make and Take Crafts, Sarah S. Uthoff , Bookstore Display, Suzanne Falck-Yi, College Library, Kay Weisman, Gayle Abrahamson and Jane Palmer.

Part 3

http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/08/01/trip-video-diary-day-4-part-3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEW92_ftqHw

Emily Wooster, Osage Indian Responds, Charles Lewis, and Mavis Richardson.

Day 5 – July 17, 2010

Part 1

http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/07/25/laurapalooza-video-diary-day-5-part-1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXkRNpGuO4Q

Laura Ingalls Wilder Documentary, Wendy Corsi Staub, Barbara Mays Boustead, John Fry, Ann Dahl, Gayle Keresey, and Loving Laura panel.

Part 2

http://beyondlittlehouse.com/2010/07/25/video-diary-day-5-part-2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmN9BuUlwH0

Judy Green, Tin Pail Luncheon/Spelling Bee, and Farewell Mankato.

Sleepy Eye

Available on Beyond Little House and on YouTube

Walnut Grove – Part 1

Available on Beyond Little House and on YouTube

Pa’s church bell, actual walnut grove town is named for, and pageant grounds.

Walnut Grove – Part 2

Available onBeyond Little House and on YouTube

Dugout Site, pageant supper, and downtown Walnut Grove.

Day 6 – July 18, 2010 – Last Day

Part 1

Available on Beyond Little House and on YouTube

We look around Walnut Grove. Walnut Grove Museum, Dugout Site Memorial and Dugout Site.

Part 2

Available onBeyond Little House and on YouTube

The drive home. Thanks for watching!

Sarah S. Uthoff blogs at TrundleBed Tales; look for her on Twitter and YouTube.