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Are You Ready for the Silent Auction? | Beyond Little House

Posted on by Sarah Uthoff

Would you like to add to your “Laura Collection”?

T-shirt from CafePress, Size Labeled XL, NOT even close check in person

T-shirt from CafePress, Size Labeled XL, NOT even close check in person

At LauraPalooza 2015 we will be holding our second Silent Auction as a fundraiser for LIWLRA to support our mission and future donations to the Little House® homesites. From the successful 2012 Silent Auction we made a $1000 donation to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home & Museum in Mansfield toward their new Archives & Museum building.

Bring a Donation

Bring a donation (or two or more!) related to our favorite author and book series. Please label the item(s) with a description and give a starting bid value. You may bundle several related items together in a basket, bag or box.

Newsletters from the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Pepin WI, Probably sold in smaller lots

Newsletters from the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Pepin WI, Probably sold in smaller lots

Suggested Silent Auction Donations, beginning “value” $3 and up:

  • Antiques mentioned in the Little House® books – ex: tin cup, lace collar, slate, buttons, etc.
  • Editions of the Little House® books or related activity books
  • Collectibles from the LIW homesites that are duplicates from your Laura collection
  • Sunbonnets, suspenders, pioneer clothing (new or gently-used only, please)
  • Handmade crafts or artwork inspired by the LH books – quilts, carvings, corncob doll, etc.
  • Holiday ornaments with LH themes
  • Candies, breads, cookies (boxed/bagged for easy travel snacks)

All items to be donated should be tagged, and you’ll find these tags here.

Bring Spending Money

British edition of "Little House" books, a little worse for wear, but with no international shipping rates!

British edition of “Little House” books, a little worse for wear, but with no international shipping rates!

Bring a little “spending money” to use for bidding at the Silent Auction. Only cash and checks accepted at the Silent Auction.

You may bring your auction donations to the Dime Social on Wednesday night or when you register on Thursday morning. We will be numbering and adding a checked ribbon to each donation to prep the items for the Silent Auction.

Bidding will only be on Thursday evening and Friday morning.

All auction items will be “sold” to the highest bidder and collected on Friday afternoon. If there are left-over items, they can be sold at the minimum suggested price or returned to the donor. You must be present on Friday to participate!

Now, what would Laura bring to a Silent Auction? An apple pie? A lace-trimmed hanky? Hope you can join in the fun!

Contact: Connie Ryle Neumann [email protected]

LauraPalooza 2015 Silent Auction Chairperson

NOTE: Included photos are from actual items Sarah S. Uthoff is bringing to the auction. Please share photos of what you are bringing on our Facebook page or group to show off what you’ve got. :) The auction is for in person bids only. There isn’t an online option.

Posted in Announcements, LauraPalooza 2015 Tagged with: , ,

Did the screen flash by too fast? | Beyond Little House

Posted on by Sarah Uthoff

When I registered the final screen showing what I selected and the total owed flashed by awfully fast. You should have gotten an e-mail with all the information of what exactly you registered for and you may want to take another look, but if you’ve lost it and want to get back in you can, assuming you registered with the site.

  1. Go to eventbrite.com
  2. Log in with your information (it will send you a link to reset your password if you forgot it)
  3. Hover the cursor on your name next to the smiley face in the top right hand corner, to bring up drop down menu
  4. Click on “My Tickets” which should bring up a page that lists LauraPalooza
  5. You can click on either view order and view tickets to bring up what you want

Corner

Again, the tickets are not required, but do have useful information on them.

Watch for more detailed how to information coming to you soon via e-mail

Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation.Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook,  Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. She is currently President of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Posted in Administrivia, LauraPalooza 2015 Tagged with:

LauraPalooza is just around the corner! | Beyond Little House

Posted on by Beyond Little House

LauraPalooza is less than five weeks away!

We’ve been a bit absent on the blog as far as the conference goes, relying instead on Facebook, Twitter, and email to communicate about conference details. We thought a blog post was in order to share the pertinent details:

  • The conference unofficially begins at 5 PM on Wednesday, with our “Dime Social” opening reception at the university’s art museum.
  • Registrations are being accepted until June 30.
  • Full refunds for cancellations are offered only through June 15.
  • Day passes are for sale for $75 per day if you can’t stay the whole time.
  • We’ve confirmed several noted authors and artists for the Authors’ and Artists’ reception at the end of Day 1. (Pamela Smith Hill! John Miller! Bill Anderson! Renee Graef!)
  • As before, we will have a Silent Auction, auctioning off a collection of amazing Little House-related items.
  • As of today, there are still seats left on the bus trip to De Smet.
  • To ease crowd congestion, we recommend that those not taking the bus to the optional trip to De Smet should try to visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society in the morning.

Click on the LauraPalooza link above for all the conference details.

Posted in LauraPalooza 2015

Single Day Registration for LauraPalooza 2015 Now Open | Beyond Little House

Posted on by Sarah Uthoff

IMAG0822If you’ve been holding off on registering for the conference because you can’t come the full time – Good News!

The option of registering by the day (Thursday or Friday) is now open on the site. They’ve been added to the options on the main Event-Brite Registration page. Click here.

Find more information on the details check out the registration page on Beyond Little House.

And if you’re still on the fence about whether to come or not, make the decision soon. You should register by June 30, 2015. Read about our cancellation policy. We’re looking forward to and hope to see you there.

Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation.Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. She is currently acting President of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

 

 

 

Posted in Administrivia, Announcements, LauraPalooza 2015 Tagged with: , ,

Laura Homesites Open for the Season 2015 | Beyond Little House

Posted on by Sarah Uthoff

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Season has officially gotten underway again. If you plan a Laura trip before they open, make sure you call ahead. The homesite museums that are not fully open, may or may not be able to accommodate you by opening the museum, etc. or giving lists of what there is to see.

Little House on the Prairie Museum Site

Little House on the Prairie Museum Site

 

Pepin, WI – Opens May 15, 2015

Independence, KS – Opened April 3, 2015

Walnut Grove, MN – Museum opened April 1, 2015. Dugout Site not open until May. The date is dependent on weather conditions, if there is still snow or if it’s flooded it won’t open as early. Call ahead and check.

Burr Oak, IA – Opened May 1, Mon–Sat 10-4 and Sun 12-4 through May. Hours change with
Memorial Day.

De Smet, SD –
Memorial Society – Open in April Mon.-Fri. 9am-4pm, in May Mon.-Sat. 9am-4pm, June-August 9am-5:30pm

Ingalls Homestead – Opens Memorial Day Weekend, Sat., May  23, 2015 for regular 9am -7pm every day with activities from 10am -6pm  schedule. They are hosting school visits M-F beginning April 29.  Visitors are welcome to join up with a school group, but should call or email first to get specific times as they vary daily.  800-776-3594 – [email protected]

Mansfield, MO –
Opened March 1st, 2015

Malone, NY –
Open Sat., May 23, 2015 – The official season is May 23-Sept. 30, but in order to accommodate out-of-state visitors, they accept early tours by appointment beginning on May 11. Similarly, post-season tours can be arranged in October. Advance appointments depend on tour guide availability. Minimum admission for non-open season tours is $25. Please call or email to schedule, and give the Homestead two weeks’ notice so we can schedule our volunteer guides. After May 23rd, hours are Monday – Saturday, 10-4 and Sunday noon-4. Last tour each days begins at 3 p.m.

Spring Valley, MN –
Regular hours on Memorial Day Weekend, Sat., May 23, 2015.

Keystone, SD – Opens June 1, 2015

Vinton, IA – Since they are kind of in a different situation, being part of an institution that has to be open all year. They don’t have stated open hours, but will gladly give a tour by appointment. Pat Barr wrote “We  will give a tour any day Monday through Friday. They may call Justin Ruegg at 319-472-5221, Extension 1226 or myself at 319-472-5221, Extension 1110.”

Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation.Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. She is currently acting President of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Posted in Announcements, Homesites, Museums and Attractions Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Laura Ingalls Wilder Events Around the Country 2015 | Beyond Little House

Posted on by Sarah Uthoff

For a long time I debated if I could possibly keep a list of Laura Ingalls Wilder events around the country up to date. I finally decided that current information is probably best posted on a month by month basis so for current information search which I post on my personal blog. I shared this list here last year  and I hope you will find it useful this year, too. Most of these events are annual, but check with the group hosting the event for exact dates for following years. I keep a page for this on my personal blog and update it as more information comes in. Find it here.

 

Pepin WI

Laura Days – September 12-13, 2015

Independence KS

Prairie Days – Saturday, June 13, 2015

Find various living history events throughout the year posted on their website as scheduled.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Site De Smet

Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Site De Smet

Walnut Grove MN

Fragments of a Dream Pageant

  • July 10-11
  • July 17-18
  • July 24-25

Family Festival held in Walnut Grove City Park on pageant Saturdays July 11, July 18, and July 25, 2015
11:00 am to 6:00 pm Check the Walnut Grove website for full schedule and more details as it gets closer.

Burr Oak IA

Spaghetti Supper February 13, 2015

Laura Ingalls Wilder Days June 27-28, 2015

Also watch for a fundraiser booksale in the fall

De Smet SD

By the Shores of Silver Lake

  • July 10-12
  • July 17-19
  • July 24-26

Pageant Selection for 2016 – The Long Winter

Mansfield MO

Laura’s Memories Pageant

Evening (7:30 pm) Performance Dates (rain or shine):

  • July 17-18, 24-25, 31,
  • Aug. 1,
  • Sept. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 2015

Morning (10:30 am) Performances: Sept. 19
Wilder Festival is Sept. 19

They also have offered a coupon this year.

Malone/Burke NY

Find their calendar list with more details here.

Children’s Art & Literary Landmark Celebration (includes plaque unveiling) July 11, 2015

Cultural Festival- Scottish Fling Aug. 29, 2015

Annual Harvest Festival & Civil War Living History Encampment Sept. 26 & 27, 2015

Celebrate Christmas With Almanzo Dec. 5, 2015

Vinton IA

Mary Ingalls Society Pageant July 31, August 1 and 2, 2015

Keystone SD – Longtime Home of Carrie Ingalls Swanzey

Keystone Area Historical Association always hosts an event on August 3rd, Carrie’s actual birthday no matter what day of the week it falls on.

LauraPalooza

The 2015 national Laura Ingalls Wilder conference will be held July 16-17, 2015 with July 18th spent in De Smet.

Old World Wisconsin – Eagle WI

World of Little House – June 15, 2015 – July 31, 2015
http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/calendar/event/3895/the-world-of-little-house

Heritage Hill – Green Bay WI

Heritage Hill has long held an annual Laura Ingalls Wilder event, so I left this in as a place holder. They are not holding it in 2015, but plan on it returning to their schedule in the future.

Genesee Country Village and Museum – Mumford, NY

Laura Ingalls Wilder Days  August 1-2, 2015 10:00 AM to 04:00 PM

American Printing House for the Blind – Louisville, KY

Mary Ingalls Birthday Party January 10, 2015

MOOC

Part 2 of the Laura Ingalls Wilder MOOC will launch in April 2015

Books

Musical Memories of Laura Ingalls Wilder has been re-released with a CD instead of a cassette tape.

Last Updated: April  1, 2015
By Sarah S. Uthoff [email protected]

Sarah S. Uthoff is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation.Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, and find her on Facebook, Twitter, Google+,LinkedIn, and Academia.edu. She is currently President of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association. Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.

Posted in Administrivia, Events, Little House Travel Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Registration for LauraPalooza 2015 is Now Open! | Beyond Little House

Posted on by Erin

Draft Logo Square 20141227

LAURAPALOOZA 2015:
THROUGH LAURA’S EYES

Imagery, Illustrations, and Impressions from the Little House
July 16-17, 2015
South Dakota State University
Brookings, South Dakota
Sponsored by the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association

Current LIWLRA members received an email yesterday with these details and a special discount code. Now it’s time to open registration to one and all!  Here’s everything you need to know about the registration process:

Click here to start your registration…but please be sure to review the details below before you register.

You will note that there are many options to choose from on the registration page; this was done solely to keep cost low enough so that your registration fee could be kept as low as possible. Although many options are available, please note that only one conference registration selection is needed. You can decide which one is right for you by reading below.If you have any other questions or if you have any trouble with the registration site, or if you’re not sure which option to choose, please email us at [email protected] and we would be happy to assist.

Important Note About Payment
Because of the high processing rates charged by the conference registration site, we gently request that if possible, you pay for the conference by check. When you check out, if you are able to pay by check, click the “Show Other Payment Options” link below the green “Order Now” button at the bottom of the form, then click “Pay Offline.”  Otherwise, you can pay with a credit card. (We do understand that it is easier for international registrants to pay online.)

Registering for Multiple People?
You may register multiple people at one time. Select the registration ticket you want for each person (they can be the same or different) and make sure the quantity you select reflects what you want. Once you click through to the payment page, you will be asked for information regarding each person you are registering.

Dorms or Hotel?
Before you register, decide whether you want to stay in the dorms or at a hotel. The dorms are within walking distance of the conference; hotels are not, so you will need to have a car. We highly recommend that you confirm your hotel reservations before purchasing conference tickets. Hotels that have saved blocks of rooms are listed here.

Tickets for dorm lodging are sold in bundles that include the conference registration fee. Dorm pricing is per person. The ticket option you select will be “Conference + Dorms” and should reflect exactly the nights you are staying in the dorms (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are available).

Meal Plans
Meal plans are only offered to people staying in the dorms who need ALL meals between Thursday morning and Saturday morning. (Those who don’t can easily pay for each meal on site, cash or credit.) Meal plans are credited to a coded card that also provides access to the dorm. If you are staying in the dorm and want a meal plan, select the ticket option called “Conference + Dorms + Meals.” The meal plan includes breakfast on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and an evening meal on Thursday and Friday. Lunch on Thursday (Legacy Luncheon) and Friday (Lazy Summer Buffet) are included with your conference registration. Meal preferences for conference lunches will be asked at checkout.

Roommates
Each dorm ticket is available as single or double occupancy. Everyone choosing double dorm lodging will have the opportunity to request roommates before checkout. Most dorm rooms are arranged with 2 units sharing 1 bathroom so we also ask for suite mates (if you have a preference) before checkout.

Spouses or Other Guests
Guests such as spouses who are not attending the conference can stay in the dorms and purchase a meal plan. These tickets are called “Dorm Only.” Lunch tickets (Thursday Legacy Luncheon and Friday Lazy Summer Buffet) are available for separate purchase on the registration page.

De Smet Trip
The trip to De Smet on Saturday, July 18 is optional and not included with the general conference registration. One bus with limited seating will travel to De Smet on Saturday morning and return that night after the De Smet Pageant. (Should the bus sell out, we will create a waiting list.)

If you’re going by bus: Bus tickets can be purchased on the registration site and also include a sack lunch and admission to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society museum, Ingalls Homestead, and the De Smet Pageant. An evening meal is NOT included, but there are concessions at the pageant, as well as a few restaurants in De Smet.

If you’re driving: Those going by car to De Smet on Saturday may still purchase the sack lunch on the registration page, but will be responsible for their own admission tickets to the activities and events. Meal preferences for the sack lunch will be available at checkout.

Remember, on the first registration page, you only need to make ONE conference registration selection.

Ready to register? Know what days you’re staying in the dorms? Decided whether you’ll need a meal plan, or the bus trip to De Smet? All right! Click here. Need more details? Watch www.laurapalooza.com for updates and more information.

Posted in Uncategorized

For LauraPalooza: Dorm or Hotel? | Beyond Little House

Posted on by Beyond Little House

Registrants for LauraPalooza will need to decide if they’d rather lodge in the dorms or in a hotel for the duration of the conference. Here is information to help you make that decision.

If You Stay in a Hotel…

Cars are a must if you are staying in a hotel. Hotels are not within normal walking distance (unless you’re an Ingalls walking a mile or more to school).  We have blocks of rooms available at hotels in the area, and we will supply that list when registration begins.

Hotel guests may eat breakfast and dinner at the dining hall on campus (lunch will be provided in the conference fee) and can pay in cash or by credit card for each meal. Parking is also available adjacent to the conference location.

If You Stay in the Dorms

The key to a successful stay in the dorms is knowing what to expect. A college dormitory is not a hotel. There are no hair dryers, irons, coat hangers, toiletries, or alarm clocks. Bathrooms are shared with an adjoining suite. All that is provided are simple linens (pillow, sheets, a blanket , a wash cloth and a towel).

The biggest advantage to dorm dwelling is that it is much cheaper than hotel rates. The buildings are also new, with central air conditioning and wireless Internet access. The dorm is very conveniently located, within easy walking distance of the union—where the conference will take place—as well as the dining hall. And dorm dwellers typically enjoy the camaraderie and socialization of staying together in a group.

Each dorm dweller will be provided a personalized card to swipe for building access and for meals in the dining hall. Parking is also nearby.

Posted in LauraPalooza 2015

Important News About LauraPalooza 2015 | Beyond Little House

Posted on by Beyond Little House

Draft Logo Square 20141227Whew! Planning a conference is exhilarating and tedious, all at the same time. We simply can’t wait for July!

As you know, we are switching venues this year for LauraPalooza 2015, from Mankato, Minnesota to Brookings, South Dakota. We are working very closely with South Dakota State University to make sure we have all our i’s dotted and all our t’s crossed in order to make your registration process as smooth and seamless as possible. Right now, we’re realizing we need more time in order to ensure that.

Therefore, registration for LauraPalooza 2015: Through Laura’s Eyes will not be opening on February 7. At this time we do not have a target date, but we will give at least one week’s notice beforehand.

February 7 is still an important day!

First of all, of course, it’s Laura’s birthday. And even though registration is delayed, we do have a few things still happening on the 7th: Presenters will receive acceptances on their proposals, and we’ll make a special announcement regarding what you can expect at this year’s conference.

Is your membership current?

LIWLRA members are entitled to a conference discount and will be the first to receive the information that registration is live. Unsure as to whether your membership is current? If you’ve joined or renewed since January 1, 2015 or renewed or joined for multiple years over a period that covers 2015, you’re a current member.

Need to join or renew your membership? Click here.

If you have questions about your multi-year membership, please email our Membership Coordinator at [email protected].

Answers to your logistical questions

In the meantime, we do have some logistical information to share based on the questions we know you have.

Timeline

The official start to the conference will be a reception Wednesday evening, July 15, 2015, where people can pick up their registration packets. The opening keynote will be on Thursday morning. The agenda will continue all day Thursday and all day Friday. Activities in De Smet will begin on Saturday and continue through the pageant that evening.

So if you are planning to participate in everything from beginning to end, time your travel to arrive by 5 PM Wednesday evening and plan to stay overnight either in De Smet or Brookings on Saturday.

Dorm lodging

As in past conferences, dorm lodging will be available close to the conference location for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Dining

Included in your conference fee will be several catered meals at the conference location. Beyond that, a dining hall package can be purchased for on-your-own meals.

Hotel lodging

For those who opt to stay in hotels, we will let you know which of these have offered conference rates. Keep in mind that if you stay in a hotel you must have access to a car, as all hotels are at least a mile away from campus.

Transportation to De Smet

If you will not have a car, one bus will provide round-trip transportation to De Smet, and 53 seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Posted in LauraPalooza 2015, Uncategorized

Christmas in Walnut Grove | Beyond Little House

Posted on by Sarah Uthoff

by Laura McLemore

Buffalo Coat in Case

Buffalo Coat in Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Walnut Grove MN – Photo Courtesy of Sarah Uthoff

One of the charming elements of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series is the inclusion of at least one Christmas chapter in each of her books.  To me Christmas is a unifying theme that ties the books together and gives the reader something special to look forward to when reading a new “Little House” book.  On the Banks of Plum Creek, the fourth book in Wilder’s series, contains not just one Christmas chapter, but three.  We follow the Ingalls family from their first hopeful Christmas on Plum Creek near Walnut Grove, Minnesota, to a cheery Christmas in town and finally to a thankful Christmas when Pa comes home safely from town after being caught in a sudden blizzard.

It is that second Christmas that has always fascinated me and is always my go-to chapter when I have to choose just one to read at Christmas time.  This chapter is entitled “Surprise” and follows a harrowing year of grasshoppers and disaster for the Ingalls family.  Pa has been away working and comes home late in the fall.  One winter evening he surprises Ma and the girls by taking them into town.  Laura does not know it is Christmas.  On the way into Walnut Grove, Pa stops the wagon and the family delights in hearing the faint peals of the new church bell.  Pa had donated money he had been saving for a new pair of boots so that the brand new Congregational church could buy a bell for its steeple.  Pa’s bell can still be seen in Walnut Grove, Minnesota.  Finally the family arrives at church, all twinkly in the candle light.  It is there that Laura sees her very first Christmas tree laden with donated gifts for the impoverished people of Walnut Grove and realizes this must be Christmas.  We experience Laura’s wonderment at all of the beautiful gifts.  We understand her childish desires for a little fur cape and muff high atop the tree.  She hopes, she fears and she finds joy all in one beautiful chapter.

As a collector of “Little House” artifacts and all-things Laura, I have most desired two items from this chapter- a little fur cape and muff and jewel box with a wee tea pot, cup and saucer atop its snowy white lid.  I remember the first time I visited Rocky Ridge Farm, home of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum, near Mansfield Missouri at the age of 14.  I was so delighted to actually see this little china box proudly displayed among the artifacts housed there.  Every time I visit, it is the first thing I go to-like visiting an old friend.  It isn’t in one piece but the fact that it has survived at all is amazement.  These little boxes were usually inexpensive carnival prizes won at county fairs, but to a little girl with very few possessions it was a cherished gift.  I’ve recently acquired a child’s fur cape but I’m still looking for a fairy trinket box just like Laura’s.  Someday I hope I’ll find one hiding on ebay or in an antique store somewhere.  Meanwhile, I guess I’ll just put it on my Christmas list and hope that Mr. Edwards runs into Santa Claus.

Posted in Holidays, Homesites, Museums and Attractions, On the Banks of Plum Creek Tagged with: , , ,