Monday, November 12, 2007

Rave Reviews of Forensic University

They're saying we made Mystery History. To read more about the conference, check out these blogs:

http://www.theoutfitcollective.com/

http://femmesfatales.typepad.com/

http://murdermayhemandmore.blogspot.com/2007/11/in-praise-of-forensic-university.html

http://www.joleigh.com/wp/2007/11/08/im-backnov-8

http://killerhobbies.blogspot.com

http://midnightwriters.blogspot.com

Thank You for Making Mystery History

We appreciate the vision and leadership of Rochelle Krich and last year's board, Libby Fischer Hellmann for her enthusiasm early on, Beth Wasson for all her extra effort, Peggy Moody for her incredible responsiveness, Bonnie J. Cardone for stretching InSync deadlines to a nearly rubberized level, Lorraine Barlett for including us in the MySpace info, the financial wisdom of Kathy Wall, the support of Roberta Isleib, and our own fairy godmother SJ Rozan.

We could not have held this conference without our headliners. The early encouragement of Jan Burke and Dr. D.P. Lyle was critical. Jan and Eileen Dreyer were our speaker co-ordinators and did so many jobs that we could fill the entire program with lists of their help. Suffice it to say, they are truly the STARS of this event. We also thank Lee Lofland who tirelessly promoted the conference online and lent us his able expertise. And again, Dr. D. P. Lyle pulled us out of the fire by offering to teach so many classes that we have decided to appoint him Dean of Forensic University.

Most importantly, without the friendship and support of the Greater St. Louis Chapter of Sisters in Crime, this conference could not have been held. We are a small, but tight-knit group, the truest embodiment of the “little chapter that could.” Our sisters and misters have an unfailing attitude of “okay, let’s make it happen.” When our spirits flagged, they picked up the banner and ran forward. Michelle and I both owe all of you, our local members, more gratitude than two hearts can hold.

In particular we wish to single out:

Hotel co-ordinator and numbers guy—Tony Hooper
Bull’s Eye Shooting Gallery gurus—Paul Schmidt & Will Bereswill
CLP Foundation auction co-ordinator, chapter treasurer, and sage counselor—Mary Lou Merkel
Concierge and social chair—Donna Ross
Scout for auction items—Jaime Freveletti
Queen of Handouts and wise friend—Linda Hengerer
Program, website and graphics genius—Kelly Hackel
Rounder-up of speaker info—Claire Applewhite
National website help—Peggy Moody
10. Help with room monitors—Judy Moresi
11. On-site bookstore—Vicki Erwin and Janet Heyer
12. Eileen Dreyer’s son, Kevin Dreyer, our DJ
13. All the people who distributed flyers or information to help us with promotion of the event: Candy Calvert, Jamie Freveletti, Linda Hengerer, Silvia Foti, Mark Combes, Todd Stone, Jim Huang, chapter presidents throughout the Midwest
13. Gloria Bratkowski, Alexa Hull, and Angie Fox—our special team
14. Main Street Books of St. Charles–Sponsor of our book bags
15. Our families—David Slan, Tom Moresi, Tom Applewhite and Bob Hohmeier (who makes a great corpse!) and our children Holly, Amanda and Michael (who were pretty understanding….)

And all our other helpers and faculty:
Det. Joe Burgoon
Nancy Cadenhead
Dr. Mary Case
Larry and Kimberly Elliott, Paul Schmidt
Mary Fran Ernst
Dr. Robert Hall
Gwen Haugen
Christina Kinney
Lt. Kevin Lawson
Rick McMahan
Judge Donald Shelton (and his wonderful assistant Chris Tate)
Sgt. Steve Sorocko
Officer Pete St. James

To our Room Monitors:
Judy Moresi
Fedora Amis
Mary Burton
Pat Roy
Wil Emerson
Wil Bereswill
Helen Schwartz
Lea Wait
Tony Hooper
Mary Lou Merkel
Claire Applewhite
Linda Hengerer and Angie Fox.


We know we’ve left someone out. That always happens. Please know it’s no reflection on how much you helped…but it is a function of us being tired!

Thanks to you all!

Joanna Campbell Slan and Michelle A. Becker