It All Helps-- Donate to the PSA!

Dear members of the PSA,


Just last week, I was told by the head of the Rare Book Department (who is sponsoring the opening reception) at the Free Library that the state of PA has mandated that they be open until 9 on Thursday nights instead of 6. This, of course, now presents us with the problem of finding another venue for the conference reception.

I will be taking a look at 4 venues tomorrow, one of which is the Academy of the Fine Arts, a beautiful old building ("Since its founding in 1805, PAFA has been committed to fostering and collecting American art. Scholars have deemed PAFA's one of the world's three best collections of American art for its depth, breadth, and quality.") This could prove to be an exquisite site for our opening reception, redolent with Poe's vibrations (if you allow me a cliched description...). Of course, the site would not be free, as was the venue at the Free Library.



This is why I am writing: if your institution, your friends or one or more of the organizations you belong to could find a way to donate to our conference, this would be the most crucial time to do so.

Please look at our sponsors page and envision your institution, organization, or yourself (!) in one of the categories. http://www2.lv.psu.edu/PSA/Conference2009/sponsors.html

If you find that you are able to donate, please contact me at bac7@psu.edu or Paul Jones at jonesp2@ohio.edu.

We are so grateful to those who have already donated, and we hope that this email may spark others to join this list.

with due appreciation, Barbara

Poe Board Game

> MumboJumbo Celebrates 200 Years of Poe with Midnight Mysteries
> New PC hidden-object murder mystery game launches today
>
> DALLAS (July 17, 2009) - MumboJumbo, a leading developer and publisher of casual games, today launched Midnight Mysteries : The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy, a hidden-object adventure game that challenges players to solve the 160-year-old mystery surrounding the death of one of America's most famous writers. The seek-and-find PC title is the first installment in the newly launched Midnight Mysteries franchise, and it is available exclusively through BigFishGames.com and mumbojumbo.com.
>
> "Everyone loves a great mystery-the intrigue, the conspiracy theories, the whole unknown," said Mark Cottam, CEO of MumboJumbo. "In Midnight Mysteries, players can enjoy great hidden-object game play, solve puzzles and interact with characters to crack one of the most enduring mysteries of our time."
>
> In Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy, the player takes on the persona of a famed writer who is known for solving cold cases. One night, the player is visited by the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe and given an invitation to attend the bicentennial celebration of Poe's life and works. Recognizing this as an opportunity to discover the truth behind Poe's death, the player goes on a hidden-object adventure through some of the author's most famous works, including The Mystery of Marie Rogêt and The Gold Bug.
>
> "We're very excited to kick off our Midnight Mysteries franchise with a tale about one of the most famous mystery writers. Who better to launch a series about murder and intrigue than Poe himself?" said Cottam.
>
> Poe, best known for his short stories and poems, including The Raven and Annabel Lee, was born in Boston, Ma. in 1809 and died of mysterious causes in October 1849. Speculation about his death has gone on for years by scholars, doctors and enthusiasts. His death has been attributed to everything from alcoholism, to rabies, to the violent practice of voting fraud known as cooping.
>
> Many of Poe's works also have been termed tales of ratiocination, or logical reasoning, which Poe's prominent Detective Dupin character uses to solve crimes in many of his stories-a factor that made this particular story one of interest for the first installment of Midnight Mysteries.
>
> In Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy, the player must collect clues, interview witnesses and piece together the conspiracy theory behind the famous American author's death to set Poe's spirit free.
>
> The title is just one of many ways that the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe are being celebrated in 2009-this year marks the 200th anniversary of the acclaimed mystery writer's life. Across the nation, events are scheduled throughout the year, especially in cities that have particular ties to Poe's life, like Baltimore, Md., Richmond, Va., and Philadelphia, Pa.
>
> Midnight Mysteries: The Edgar Allan Poe Conspiracy is available now at BigFishGames.com and mumbojumbo.com, and it will make its retail debut in August. To learn more about Midnight Mysteries, you can visit www.mumbojumbo.com.
>
> About MumboJumbo
> Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, MumboJumbo LLC is a worldwide publisher, developer and mass marketer of premium casual games for PCs and game consoles. MumboJumbo games are downloadable at its website as well as key game portals, or purchased at retail through mass merchants, computer retailers and specialty outlets. MumboJumbo owns and operates studios located in Dallas and Vladivostok, Russia, and publishes and distributes software through its subsidiaries worldwide. For more information please visit our website at www.mumbojumbo.com.
>

New Conference Updates

For those flying into Philadelphia airport, the hotel recommends the following shuttle services:

Shuttle Information:
1. Lady Liberty Shuttle
http://www.ladylibertyshuttle.com/
1-215-724-8888
2. Priority Shuttle
http://www.priorityshuttle.com/
800-591-6560

For hotel reservations: 1-800-233-1234 (apparently it's quicker and easier)


You can book on-line at the hyatt.com site by using the "Grouping Code" of "G-POES"

New Ligea Movie

By way of Facebook, another Poe inspired film has emerged, starring Michael Madsen (from Tarantino's cult classic Reservoir Dogs) and Julia Roberts estranged older brother Eric.

I can't really see the resemblance to Poe's work in the trailer-- at all-- but that said, it looks like it has some production and casting behind it, so it could be worth viewing. Thoughts welcome!