La Crosse Conference Program

This is a reproduction of the program which was a 5.5" x 8.5" booklet. The back cover and registration form are not included here. Typos from the original are reproduced.

Eighty Years of Juvenile Series Fiction
or
How Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys and Friends Have Affected Four Generations

June 22-24, 1984 - University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

About The Conference

Millions of youthful readers have whiled away leisure-time hours in the company of such “friends” as Jerry Todd, Ruth Fielding, the Dana Girls, Nancy Drew, Judy Bolton, Rick Brant, the Hardy Boys, and Ken Holt. The popularity of series books for young readers throughout the Twentieth Century can scarcely be denied.

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, through its Office of Extended Education, and the Winding Rivers Library System, are presenting a two-day conference designed to study and discuss this literary phenomenon. The conference is in great part supported with funds from the Wisconsin Humanities Committee, the state-based program of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Washington D.C. The conference will, for the first time, bring together a wide variety of people who have an abiding interest in children’s series books: authors, collectors, teachers, librarians, academicians, and those members of the general public who fondly recall the hours spent reading the adventures of their favorite heroines and heroes.

The conference will have some light-hearted features as well as elements of an academic nature. Small group discussions, dust jacket art displays, and book dealing and trading are some of the activities planned. Exhibits, collectors’ tables, and films will be available throughout the conference. We will try to answer such questions as: What is juvenile series fiction? Why and how are these books collected? What American social values are reflected in the series fiction? What do the authors have to say?

Conference Schedule

 Friday, June 22, 1984

 Saturday, June 23, 1984

 Sunday, June 24, 1984

Featured Guests

Samuel Epstein is the author of the Ken Holt Mystery Series, published by Grossett & Dunlap from 1949 to 1963. The series was known for its portrayal of very human and very believable characters. Along with his wife, Beryl, who was instrumental in the creation of the Ken Holt series, he has co-authored many volumes for young readers, including “Marconi: Pioneer of Radio.” “The Great Houdini,” “Meet South Africa,” “George Washington Carver,” “Medicine from Microbes,” “European Folk Festivals,” “Henry Aaron: Home-Run King,” “She Never Looked Back: Margaret Meade in Samoa,” “Kids in Court: The ACLU Defends Their Rights,” and many more. Epstein authored the Ken Holt books under the pseudonym Bruce Campbell.

Harold Goodwin, under the pseudonym John Blaine, created the Rick Brant Science-Adventure Series. The 23-volume set was noted for its realistic science and its graphic depiction of far-off lands. Goodwin worked for the Federal Civil Defense Administration, the U.S. Information Agency, National Aeronautics & Space Administration, and the Sea Grant Program. He is now a consultant on oceanographic research and education.

Margaret Sutton is the author of the Judy Bolton Mysteries, which were published from 1936 through 1967. With characters, occurrences, and settings drawn from real life, the series, though out of print for several years, has retained its popularity with readers, young and old alike. She has authored many other books for young readers, including “The Magic Makers and the Bramble Bush,” “The Little Boy Who Was Hungry,” “Palace Wagon Family,” and “The Weed Walk” She is presently working on “Jupiter Girl”.

Gil O'Gara and Fred Woodworth are editors of journals for collectors and readers of series books and dime novels. They edit “Yellowback Library” and “Mystery & Adventure Series Review,” respectively. Each will participate in several conference sessions and will co-chair the wrap-up session Saturday afternoon.

David Farah and Willis Potthoff will lead the discussion on series book art, dust jackets and memorabilia on Friday afternoon. Farah is an authority on the Nancy Drew Series in particular and series book formats in general. Potthoff is a great fan of the late Edward Edson Lee, who, as Leo Edwards, authored the Jerry Todd and Poppy Ott series. Potthoff has built replicas of many of the Rube Goldberg-like contraptions related In the Leo Edwards’ books.

Deidre Johnson is a doctoral candidate at the University of Minnesota in American Studies. She has written articles on series books and recently had her “Stratemeyer Pseudonyms and Series Books: An Annotated Checklist of Stratemeyer and Stratemeyer Syndicate Publications” published by Greenwood Press, She will chair the Friday evening panel discussion and will participate In other conference events.

Richard Boudreau, Richard Gappa, James Lafky, and Robert Treu are members of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse English Department who will be discussion leaders for the various conference sessions.

James W. White, Administrator of Winding Rivers Library System, will give the welcoming address Friday evening.
 

Special Features

Collectors’ Corner

A special room will be set up for series fiction collectors, traders and sellers to congregate throughout the conference. Tables and chairs will be arranged to facilitate displays and conversation. Anyone who wants to reserve a display table should indicate so on the registration form.

Gallery Show

The Art Gallery will have interesting exhibits from across the nation. David Farah, Grand Blanc, Mich., will exhibit a dust jacket art and book art collection. He specializes in Nancy Drew books and others. Willis Potthoff, St. Louis, Mo., will lend his private collection of Leo Edwards’ series books and memorabilia. The Disney Archives will lend material relating to the Mickey Mouse Club and the “Hardy Boys” series. Special thanks to the Archive staff and David Smith, chief Disney archivist, for this display.

Reception and Breakfast

Participants will be guests of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Foundation at a reception Friday evening Beverages and hors d’ oeuvres will be served. A continental breakfast Sunday morning will be served at the La Crosse Public Library.

Conference Facility

The conference will be held in the beautiful Fine Arts Building on the western edge of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse campus, 16th and Vine streets. The campus is located in a residential area east of Downtown La Crosse. All entrances to the city have signs to direct travelers to the campus.

La Crosse is an entertainment and recreational center for the region. There are many recreational facilities on or near campus, including parks, tennis courts, swimming pools. jogging and hiking trails. Besides the usual river-related activities of boating swimming and fIshing there are daily cruises on the “La Crosse Queen,” a paddlewheel boat. La Crosse also has three museums, an arts center, and brewery and winery tours. Tourism information will be available at the conference.

Meals

The $10 registration fee includes the beverages and snacks served during breaks, the Friday reception and Sunday’s breakfast. All other meals must be arranged separately. There are many good restaurants near the conference site. For those who prefer to remain on campus and eat cafeteria-style meals, a meal ticket for $13.80 includes Friday’s dinner and three meals on Saturday. Please include payment for the meal ticket plan with your registration.

Lodging

Lodging is available in a residence hall on campus. These dormitory rooms have refrigerators, sheets, pillows and blankets. There is no air conditioning, private baths, maid service or bath linens. The nightly rates are $6.50 for single occupancy. and $5.50 each person for double occupancy. Payment for the rooms should be mailed with the registration form.

For those who prefer more conventional lodging, a list of motels and hotels will be mailed upon request.

Travel Information

La Crosse is on the east bank of the Mississippi River in
Southwestern Wisconsin. The city is accessible by car on Interstate
90 and US Highways 16, 35, 53, and 61. The city is served by
Republic and Midstate Airlines, Amtrak, and two bus lines.

Republic Airlines, the official airlines of the conference, is offering
a 30% discount on domestic coach and business coach to participants and their immediate families. Call Republic as early as possible and mention Code OEE 222. If other special Republic fares represent a greater savings than the convention rate, they will give that rate. Republic guarantees that you will get their lowest fare available at the time of ticketing. Call toll-free 1-800-328-1111 (weekdays between 8 a.m.-8 p.m.). In Minnesota. call 1-800-272-1408.

Registration & Fee

Thanks to a grant from the Wisconsin Humanities Committee, the registration fee for the two-day conference is only $10. Children 16 and under, accompanied by a parent, may attend free of charge.

Pre-registration deadline is June 15. One form, included in this booklet, will take care of conference registration, campus lodging, meal ticket, and collectors’ table reservation.

Please mail the enclosed form with appropriate payment to:
Extended Education, 227 Main Hall, UW-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI 54601.

For more information...

Contact Jan Gallagher, 227 Main Hall, UW-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI 54601, phone (608) 785-8492.

Acknowlegements

Special thanks to Edward T. La Blanc of "Dime Novel Round-Up,” Gil O’Gara of “Yellowback Library,” and Fred Woodworth of “Mystery & Adventure Series Review” for allowing us to advertise the conference In the pages of their respective magazines. Our thanks also to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Foundation for underwriting the cost of the Friday evening reception, and the La Crosse Public Library for the Sunday breakfast.