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Here you'll find the latest information on the SouthPole-sium and comments and questions from those planning to attend or interested in doing so.

The following e-mail went out to all Registrants today:

Dear SouthPole-sium Registrant,

This time next month over 50 Antarcticans will be gathering in Jaffrey, New Hampshire!

I'm confident we'll have a great and productive time together.

I am still working on matching up a few of you with Local Hosts. I hope to have everyone matched and notified in another week.

I'm attaching a pdf of the attendance list with addresses and other pertinent details. Some of you did not submit a write-up about yourself and your Antarctic interests. There's still time to do so, if you wish. A hard copy of the list will be distributed to all the registrants in Jaffrey.

Photos of some of the Registrants are at http://www.antarctic-circle.org/SoPoleRegistrants.htm

You will have noted that this isn't being organized as the usual type of conference. In large part it will be an extended "bull session." Those who crave structure and precision may get a bit antsy. Have a look at the "Subjects" section of the website (http://www.antarctic-circle.org/gathering-subject.htm) to see what some of you have volunteered to talk about. If you don't see a confirmed logo next to your proposed talk, let me know if the title/description is still accurate and give an estimate as to how much time you'll need. (Try to keep it no longer than 15 minutes.) The talks will be Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Saturday morning will mostly be devoted to going around the room and everyone talking about their Antarctic interests, asking questions, etc.

The dinner Saturday night will be at the United Church of Jaffrey. As we are being charged by the number dining, please let me know if you are NOT intending to be at the dinner.

As described on the SouthPole-sium home page (http://www.antarctic-circle.org/gathering.htm), we have been invited to view the David Abbey Paige (Byrd II) show at the Fitchburg Art Museum (25 miles away). This be at 3:30-3:45 Sunday afternoon. It's a small but interesting show and also includes some Byrd artifacts. The Museum will do a reception of some sort for us so it would be useful to give them a number. If you are intending on going, please e-mail me to that effect. (If I don't hear from you I'll assume you won't be going.)

If you want to bring any books or other Antarctic related items to sell, please do so. We will have a room that can be locked and which has tables for display. We will have volunteers that can keep an eye on things and oversee sales.

Please consider bringing an item or two for "Show and Tell." Also your favorite Antarctic slide or digital photo or two. (If the latter, you can e-mail them to me ahead-of-time and I'll have them in the computer all set to go.)

I'm mightily disappointed that no one has as yet submitted an Antarctic Haiku, Limerick or 600-word (up to, not to exceed) piece of fiction (see the homepage). The big prizes will go wanting. The deadline is Saturday the 16th of June at noon.

I will send out an e-mail around the 10th of June with an update.

Richard Pierce is coming to the SouthPole-sium from the UK. His flight back is out of Logan on Sunday the 17th at 6:40pm. He will not have a car. If anyone is headed in that direction in the, say, late morning or early afternoon on Sunday, perhaps you could offer him a ride. His e-mail is rps@rdsl.com.

I've had a few requests about accommodation in Boston, where to dine and about what attractions to take in. So here are some ideas:

The Midtown Hotel might be a good choice for accommodaton. http://www.midtownhotel.com/ My brother and sister-in-law stayed there a year or so ago and thought it worked fine. It's more like a motel than a hotel but it's in the middle of the city and is well served by the subway and has a lot of restaurants, etc., nearby. I don't know for sure, but it's probably about the most affordable choice in central Boston. You might get a better deal or some special on the Internet.

For bookpeople a visit to the Boston Athenaeum (http://www.bostonathenaeum.org/) would be a pleasure. It's a lovely facility at 10-1/2 Beacon Street. (The 10-1/2 is curious because the building is immense.) They have a gallery with some show on at any one time. It's London counterpart is the London Library. Although it's a membership library one can enter as a visitor.

You could take the Red Line to Harvard Square and walk around the campus a bit and perhaps drop into Houghton Library, the rare book library (http://hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/houghton/). There's always an exhibit of some sort.

Unless you know Boston, I would suggest taking a tour. The Duck Tours are popular (http://www.bostonducktours.com/tickets_main.aspx)

The Freedom Trail is worth the walk, at least some of it; it ties together all the major historical sights (http://www.boston-discovery-guide.com/freedom-trail.html#axzz1uIpIhf1H).

If you have time for a least one museum, I'd make it the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum just because it's so unusual (http://www.gardnermuseum.org/). Right across the way is the much larger Museum of Fine Arts (http://www.mfa.org/) Both are easy to get to on the Green Line.

For dining, a very old Boston tradition is Durgin Park which is in Quincy Markets behind City Hall (http://www.arkrestaurants.com/durgin_park.html) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durgin-Park). There's really nothing like it. Not particularly expensive. The Union Oyster House (http://www.unionoysterhouse.com/) not far away is a good choice, too. It's America's oldest restaurant. The North End is famous for Italian restaurants. Very expensive but very Bostonian is Locke-Ober (www.lockeober.com/). One of my favorites on Beacon Hill is Lala Rokh (http://www.lalarokh.com/), Persian food, not too expensive, very relaxing atmosphere.

In driving to Jaffrey, I would get onto Rt 2 at some point outside Boston and take this to the Concord rotary (beside which is a state prison) and go off the rotary (roundabout) to the right onto Rt 2a/Rt 119. (You could first go into Concord, which is very pretty, and go to the place where the famous Revolutionary battle occurred. It's well signed.)
On 2a/119 you'll go through Littleton then to Groton which is a lovely town. You'll then go through Townsend and 2 or 3 miles later, in West Townsend, take a right onto Rt 124. Stay on this through New Ipswich and eventually Jaffrey. Rt 124 is Main Street in Jaffrey. In all it's about a 70 mile drive, 1-3/4 hours or less.

A party was held on Sunday 6 May for the SouthPole-sium volunteers and Local Hosts. Check out our video on YouTube.

A new shuttle service was launched today. Thomas Transportation of Swanzey, NH, now has five shuttles a day to and from Boston's Logan Airport and four a day to and from Hartford's Bradley International Airport. The cost is $59 per person. The closest drop-off/pick-up to Jaffrey is Rindge, only six miles away. Times and full details are given at http://www.thomastransportation.com/go-green-economy-shuttle-service
For those not having a car but flying into Boston, this is the best option for getting closest to Jaffrey.

An update on Local Hosts: I'm still matching up those attendees who have expressed interest in staying with Local Hosts. So far, the Stams, Betty Carlisle, Margo Fernandez, Jim and Geraldine McAdam, Seamus Taaffe, David Roberts and Joe O'Farrell have been matched. The remainder should be arranged by the end of April or so.

Our roster of booksellers is growing. Registered so far are
Greg Glade, Top of the World Books, Hinesburg, Vermont
Paul Davies, Kingsbridge Books, Kingsbridge, South Devon, UK
Andrea Davies, Kingsbridge Books, Kingsbridge, South Devon, UK
David Lilburne, Antipodean Books, Garrison, New York
Cathy Lilburne, Antipodean Books, Garrison, New York
Jay Platt, West Side Bookshop, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Some other categories (to my knowledge):

Collectors
Rob Stephenson, The Antarctic Circle, Jaffrey, New Hampshire
Michael Rosove, Santa Monica, California
Joan Boothe, San Francisco, California
Seamus Taaffe, Athy, Ireland
David Stam, Syracuse, New York
Deirdre Stam, Syracuse, New York
Joe Fitzsimmons, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Jim McCarthy, Arlington, Massachusetts and Francestown, New Hampshire
Martin L. Greene, Seattle, Washington
Joe O'Farrell, Enniskerry, Ireland
Marjory Spoerri, Stanfordville, New York
Steve Ross, Toronto, Ontario
Rick Dehmel, San Francisco, California

I've counted at least 7 owners of copies of the Aurora Australis among the registrants. This just could be the largest concentration of owners since the book was issued at Cape Royds! (It also represents 10% of the known copies.)

Polar Authors
Michael Rosove, Santa Monica, California
Joan Boothe, San Francisco, California
David Hirzel, Pacifica, California
Isobel Williams, Essendon, Herts, UK
Regina Daly, Catskill, New York
David Stam, Syracuse, New York
Deirdre Stam, Syracuse, New York
Paul Davies, Kingsbridge, South Devon, UK
David Roberts, Watertown, Massachusetts
Laura Waterman, East Corinth, Vermont
Bob Dodson, Wilder, Vermont

Antarcticans (In the sense of having been there. Sure to be some missing here,)
Rob Stephenson, The Antarctic Circle, Jaffrey, New Hampshire
Michael Rosove, Santa Monica, California
Karen Ronne Tupek, Bethesda, Maryland
David Stam, Syracuse, New York
Jim McCarthy, Arlington, Massachusetts and Francestown, New Hampshire
Martin L. Greene, Seattle, Washington
Joe O'Farrell, Enniskerry, Ireland
Joan Boothe, San Francisco, California
Isobel Williams, Essendon, Herts, UK
Tom Henderson, Slingerlands, New York
Regina Daly, Catskill, New York
David Roberts, Watertown, Massachusetts
Margo Fernandez, Brewerton, New York
Betty Carlisle, M.D., Brewerton, New York
Bob Dodson, Wilder, Vermont
Neelon Crawford, Fort Washakie, Wyoming

If your name should appear in one or more of these categories, let me know.

Marj Spoerri is looking forward to finding "clues about the disposal of my collection and better ways of buying books and more clues to efficient online purchasing." She's also interested in tracking down the source that reported that "seal liver tasted like chocolate. I imagine this to be true as the texture of liver can resemble a grainy chocolate and the seal probably has the sweetness of seafood. But after 15 years and acquiring about 500 books, I have yet to find this again."

David Hirzel wonders whether any attendees might need a ride from Logan Airport to Jaffrey. He intends to drive via Mystic Seaport in Connecticut, not exactly on the way but worth seeing (along with Stonington, the center of Antarctic sealing back in the 1820s). He arrives on Friday 15 June at 7:48am. If you're interested, contact him at david_hirzel@sbcglobal.net

Cathy and David Lilburne (Antipodean Books) "…have been book, map & print dealers for 36 years, and have had a specialty in the Antarctic since 1980. We are very much looking forward to matching up faces with our clients, sometimes known only by email. But for us, who view the Antarctic through itŐs paper historical legacy, we are looking forward to feeling other people's enthusiasms for the Antarctic."

Richard Pierce will be launching his upcoming book—Dead Men—Friday evening at the SouthPole-sium and at The Toadstool Bookshop in nearby Peterborough, on Saturday. It's a "gripping historical novel…and a very modern love story" that's stems from the mystery surrounding why did Scott, Wilson and Bowers spend their last days 11 miles from salvation. (The heroine is named 'Birdie Bowers!')

Neelon Crawford, e-mails to say "I could speak about my 5 Antarctic trips, including two winters, with the NSF Artists and Writers Program." He will be bringing a portfolio of some of his Antarctic photographs.

Marty Green offers to "talk on the books associated with Shackleton's four expeditions (as can many others, of course), or on my research that led to understanding of the first and second states of Aurora Australis. I also have a 5 minute vignette about how I researched a Shackleton ALS that led to discovery of a rather unknown article that he wrote for Youth's Companion newspaper in Boston in 1914."

Bob Dodson, distinguished Antarctic explorer, e-mails to say "I have a life-long interest in Antarctica, having first gone there on the Ronne Expedition 65 years ago as Assistant Geologist and Chief Dogteam Driver. Since then I have re-visited the Peninsula more than a dozen times as a lecturer on cruise ships.
As for "projects" I have a book in the works hopefully to be published within 2-3 years."
He goes on to offer to give an illustrated talk about the Ronne Expedition.

Valmar Kurol, Montreal Antarctic Society, says he's "interested in anything to do with Antarctica, but specializing in cultural matters—fiction, movies, music. (Valmar compiles/curates the Antarctica Experienced through Music, the Antarctic Movies and the Antarctic Fiction Bibliography sections of The Antarctic Circle website.)

Steve Ross will be bringing along some Oates' related material for display.

Deirdre and David Stam, sent this along:

Why you're attending.
We like anything about polar exploration from the detailed, physical to the metaphysical and speculative. We are coming for a new perspective to the work we've done for several years on what people read when heading for the poles.

What is it about the Antarctic that interests you?
Especially the human perception and interpretation of the experience of encountering unexplored territory, in lonely places, and in deeply uncomfortable circumstances. Is the cold different from other kinds of discomfort? What do reflections on the experience from those who have been "there" tell us about the human imagination and condition?

What polar projects are you working on or are contemplating?
I (Deirdre) have been "north" for a while but am looking for a new angle on the south. David has been working on the American Seamen's Friends and their library boxes distributed to sailors, those in Arctic and Antarctic waters among them.

What are you willing to talk about or show at the SouthPole-sium?
David might want to talk about his very large database on reading in high latitudes.

What do you hope to take away with you?
Inspiration and insight.

What questions would you like to pose to those attending?
We'd like to know what questions about Antarctic exploration people find reasonable to contemplate, interesting, and legitimate -- and what goes over the line into fantasy, superficiality, and pointlessness. We'd be interested to know what Antarctic data is being processed into artistic output in any media.

Dave Hirzel, asks whether "there is airport Super Shuttle service" between Manchester airport and Jaffrey. I'll check further but I think the answer is no. I once took a cab and it was around $80 but I had no choice at that point.
He goes on to say "Would prefer to avoid the expense of renting a car if there are more economical alternatives. It might be feasible to ride-share to and from the airport with other attendees."
As more people register and I have a better idea of who will have a car and who won't, we can perhaps arrange some transport. Of course, this would be easier to do if several people were arriving at the same airport or location at about the same time.

He also asks: "Once in Jaffrey, can one get around using public transit?" Sadly, there's no such thing in Jaffrey. But it will help if I can arrange for a Local Host who is located downtown or one where another attendee with a car is staying. I'm sure we can do some car-pooling. Another possibility is borrowing a bicycle for the weekend. I'll see what I can do as the date gets closer.

David goes on to say that he "might offer up a talk on Tom Crean's Antarctic adventure for a proposed topic for the conference. I have given a number of talks/lectures based on Crean's life and contributions to Antarctic exploration, and tend to tailor them to the audience's needs or expectations.
Thus:
• Crean as follower to Scott's and Shackleton's leadership, to the merchant officer candidates at California Maritime Academy (Dec 2011)
• Crean's story as an inspirational guideline, to Rotary clubs (Aug 2011)
• "Sailor on Ice," more about the polar ships (Morning, Nimrod, Terra Nova, Fram, Discovery, Aurora, Bear) and their crews generally, to Golden GateTall Ships Society (scheduled for March 2012)
• Sailor on Ice, the book, and Tom Crean. JP Shaw Maritime Library, San Francisco (May 2010)
• Book talks at independent booksellers in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sherman's in Maine.

Greg Glade, Top of the World Books, will be bringing "something interesting to display as well as items to sell."

Bruce Larsen writes "My great-grandfather, Capt. Johan Magnus Larsen was a manager at Grytviken whaling station on South Georgia, and is the brother of Capt C.A. Larsen. I have a few artifacts from that era and am willing to show them.
Although I have been able to find relatives of C.A. Larsen, I have been unable to find any relatives of Johan Magnus Larsen. His residence in the southeastern outskirts of Oslo in the village of Bekkeloget (also spelled Bakkelaget) remained in the family into the 1950's. Any help on the history or relatives of Johan Magnus Larsen would be appreciated!"

Joe O'Farrell, and Jim & Geraldine MacAdam will be arriving in Boston from Ireland on Thursday 14 June; Seamus Taaffe the day before. The four will rent a car and arrive in Jaffrey either Thursday night or on Friday.

Joan Boothe, whose recent book The Storied Ice, a history of the exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula—she'll have copies for sale—has received much positive attention, is currently researching a book on the men of the Heroic Age, all 700 of them. She's interested in discussing with others how to go about promoting such a book.
"I'm happy to talk about researching Antarctic history."

David Hirzel, whose fascination with the Antarctic began with Tom Crean, has published one book on the great Kerryman—Sailor on Ice—expects to publish the second one (Hold Fast) in the Fall of 2012. Is happy to talk about his writing/publishing efforts at the SouthPole-sium.

Isobel Williams, reports "My interest in Antarctica began when I was a junior doctor. On retirement I visited Antarctica and researched the life of Dr. Edward Wilson, Scott's confidant and friend. Whilst writing this biography I became fascinated by the lives of the ratings, those below deck seamen who kept the expeditions going and I have now written the biography of Chief Petty Officer Edgar Evans, one of Scott's loyal assistants."
She's offered to speak on Evans at the SouthPole-sium.

Registration seems a bit slow although, of course, 15-17 June is a long way away. I've received only 5 registrations (and one of those is mine!). The difficulty it presents for me is that I have to make some commitments and pay some deposits and if the numbers aren't there to justify everything I'd like to include, I will need to do a bit of budget cutting (like no ice penguin, no steel band). I probably should have offered a lower rate for early registration. So if you're set to attend, please send in your registration as soon as convenient.

Tom Henderson has offered to produce a video of the SouthPole-sium which will be later made available to purchase. Tom's done some videos for The Antarctican Society, among others. He also serves as the Society's webmaster. I was thinking of doing a video myself but wasn't looking forward to the work involved, so this will be a great help, plus it is sure to result in a far better product.

Karen Ronne Tupek has offered "to give a brief presentation about "The Ronne Family: Explorers of Antarctica" and subtitle: "The Legacy of the Tent left at the South Pole." (Tent made by my grandfather, Martin Rønne, on the Amundsen South Pole Expedition.) She'll have some of her mother's book—Antarctica's First Lady— with her to sell. She's also interested in getting ideas on how to dispose of her father's "fabulous, historic Antarctic library."

Robert Pope, Jr. will be talking about some of his father's experiences with Operations Highjump and Windmill and showing some of his photographs. On one occasion, Robert Pope, Sr., met Karen's parents aboard the Burton Island.

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