ASI Conference Highlights

Spring 2010

Laura Ewald: “Who knew the history of the English language could be so entertaining?  For those who missed the keynote address, read Katherine Barber’s Six Words You Never Knew Had Something to Do with Pigs and Other Fascinating Facts About the English Language (Penguin Books, 2006).  To get the gist of her talk—and be highly entertained—you need only read the opening chapter, ‘Bluff Your Way in Etymology: A Very Brief History of the English Language,’ with a Canadian accent.”

Margie Towery: “The best thing about any ASI conference is catching up with old friends and making new ones. . . . Another highlight in Minneapolis, though, was a visit to Birchbark Books, the bookstore owned by author Louise Erdrich (I am a big fan of her books). Naomi Linzer and I arrived just before a downpour on Thursday morning. What could be better than a rainy morning in an independent bookstore? Staff member Susan and her dog Dharma greeted us as though we were regulars. The atmosphere there is imbued with Native American artifacts and books. I felt as though every book had been chosen with care. Naturally, we had a wee bite of delicious lunch at the attached cafe, too.”

Former Heartland member Becky Hornyak with Margie Towery

Julie Stowers with Marilyn Augst