Guest Post: Chestnut Hill Harry Potter Conference Report

December 25, 2014 by Leave a Comment

A Highlight of 2014 — A Trip I’m Planning in 2015!

The HARRY POTTER CONFERENCE at CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE in PHILADELPHIA: OCTOBER 17-18, 2014 — a report from Toni Gras

Literary scholars amidst a backdrop of Hogwarts surrounded by Griffins….

This was the atmosphere of the third annual Harry Potter Conference at Chestnut Hill College on Friday, October 17, 2014. The college, located in north Philadelphia, was founded by the Sisters of Saint Joseph in 1924 and is an independent Catholic institution.   The tall gothic spires and medieval architecture of St. Joseph Hall, the center point of the campus and conference, along with the griffin flags and seals around the campus, attested to the fact that the conference organizers thought this a most perfect location for a Harry Potter Conference.

And they were right!

Karen Wendling, PhD Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Patrick McCauley, PhD Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Philosophy organized the concept of the conference 3 years ago through their love and study of the J.K. Rowling Harry Potter book series and inspired by the campus of the college where they teach. The conference has since doubled in size and also served as the inspiration for the Harry Potter Festival that follows the conference that evening and the next day in the quaint old English-style town of Chestnut Hill which sits just one mile down the hill from the campus. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Guest Posts

UCal San Marcos Summer Study Abroad Opportunity to Learn More About Harry Potter and the Magical United Kingdom!

December 25, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Visit & Learn More about Harry Potter’s World Article With Photos

Don’t miss this fantastic, summer study abroad course offered by California State University San Marcos! Anyone over 18 may apply, students and non-students.

This course is not licensed, endorsed or approved by, or affiliated with, Warner Bros. or J.K. Rowling.

A few of the many locations we will visit: many London cultural & historic sites, Warner Bros. Studios: The Making of Harry Potter (where the films were made), Platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station, ride the Jacobite steam train used for the Hogwarts Express, see Oxford University, Alnwick Castle (including broomstick flying lesson) and the many scenic and historic castles & cathedrals where filmmakers shot scenes of Hogwarts classrooms, visit the beautiful Scottish Highlands (Hogwarts School, Hagrid’s hut, the lake where Harry & Sirius Black were attacked by Dementors), see Edinburgh locations where J.K. Rowling wrote the novels (including the Elephant Café and Balmoral Hotel, where she worked on the first & final novels) and much, much more!  All travel in Great Britain, lodging, breakfasts & admission fees are included. Airfare, other meals not included.

  • Ø Cost: $4900 (+ $252 to earn course credit).
  • Ø See the webpage: http://www.csusm.edu/global/studyabroad/ — look under “Summer Programs”
  • Ø Deadline to register: Dec. 12, 2014 (I know I’m late in posting this — but write Prof Pershing and ask for a Christmas Day gift extension!)

For information, contact Professor Linda Pershing, Lpershing@csusm.edu, Calif. State University San Marcos

Filed Under: Hog Pro Notes

Links Galore! Hogwarts Saga Xmas Gifts, GeekyCon, Coptic Magic, Bethlehem Star, and New Covers for Harry Potter?

December 24, 2014 by 1 Comment

Merry Christmas, HogPro All-Pros! Some links from your friends for yuletide surfing and New Year’s planning!

From Twilight James:

Chris Chalderon writes:

Here is the link to an article in Touchstone magazine by Gilbert Meilaender about Dorothy L. Sayers’The Man Born to be King called The Greatest Drama Ever. At the end of the article, Meilaender provides a link for a legal site (grooveshark) containing mp3s for all 12 episodes, no downloading necessary, all totally protected.

The other item I thought of interest (considering the time of year) was a website and documentary called The Star of Bethlehem.  Basically, a lawyer, Frederick A. Larson, took it upon himself out of curiosity to see if there was perhaps some kind of astronomical proof of the miracle of Christmas, the Incarnation.  For myself, I can only say that his findings prove very interesting, and his documentary on the subject could be considered a kind of spiritual sequel to The Narnia Code (or so I believe anyway). Here is the link to Larson’s website for his project.

Leaky Con Becomes Geeky Con — and, Yes, I’ll be Going This Year

“GeekyCon will continue in the tradition of LeakyCon and be a celebration of fandom,” said Melissa Anelli, co-executive director of Mischief Management, which operates the event. “GeekyCon brings notable guests and compelling programming together with fans to create a positive and uplifting environment where attendees can enjoy themselves and each other.”

Mischief Management will return LeakyCon to its roots as a smaller, Harry Potter-only event held in different locations around the world. LeakyCon 2015 is being planned for the second half of the year with dates and location to be announced in the coming months.

GeekyCon 2015 will take place from July 30 through August 2, 2015.

Filed Under: Mailbag

Guest Post: Second Annual Serious Reader Christmas Gift Guide

December 24, 2014 by 1 Comment

From Chris Chalderon:  a Reading List for 2015 — all the books you won’t get for Christmas (and wouldn’t have wanted to give away…). Thank you, Chris!

Another HogwartsProfessor Christmas Gift and 2015 New Years Reading List

I admit it, I don’t have an original thought in my head.  Every time around this year it’s always the same.  You find yourself in the position of having to choose something to give to either the kids, husband or wife.  Let’s face it, it’s been more than 50 something years of holiday gift giving, and apparently this job is never going to get any easier.  All those whose gift lists currently include new sweaters, sign in and let me know!

I wish I had some words of wisdom about this sort of thing, but each heart is a very intricate and individual thing, and finding what really makes each one happy is task for several lifetimes.  Instead, all I got is a bunch of measly suggestions for books I thought others might get a kick out of.  However, like I said, each heart is intricate, and because of that, each book is listed under a heading designed for certain groups of readers, from those who like to delve all the way into literature, to those who’d just a like a good story.

The best that can happen with these gifts – for others or for oneself – is that they might awake the two things that matter most for a child, curiosity and imagination.  Enjoy!

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Guest Posts

New Twilight Films Are In The Works – A Feminist Project!

December 23, 2014 by 2 Comments

Why do I think this is important news? I have argued in Spotlight and on this site against the tide of critical opinion that Mrs Meyer’s work is feminist. The meme is that her stories, especially the Forks saga, are demeaning to women, that her heroines are blandly submissive and unthinking, and reading about these poor role models will discourage girl readers from being brave and bold.

For why all of that is nonsensical, please read this explanation of why Stephenie Meyer is the Latter-day Saint Kate Chopin. [And then read Spotlight!]

Her efforts to support women in Hollywood, consequently, are best understood, not as a publicity stunt to counter the risible pigeon-holing of her work as anti-feminist, but as work that is consistent with the soul and substance of her written work.

Just sayin.’ For links to stories around the web on this project — and how to vote for your choice — make the jump!
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Twilight