Willard Suitcase #23
Welcome to all of you who came here through the Boing Boing article (slight spelling error on my surname). I usually know that an article was published somewhere on the web when I start to get lots of new people subscribing to this site. I took me a few minutes to track down the source, but as always, I am grateful for the exposure.
Not all of the cases contain much in the way of objects, and this one felt quite empty when I set it on the background.
This was the first tartan case I have come across and it surprised me with its brightness.
There was only the tiniest scrap of paper inside, but for some reason it was very evocative. You can just make it out on the front flap of the case.
I am always excited when a suitcase reveals a date. And why this charred bit from the Elmira Star-Gazette is all that is left of Viola G.’s time at Willard is anyone’s guess.
I also want to mention an interesting podcast on Port Magazine’s site. Barney Rowntree is a radio producer based in the UK and a few months ago, Karen Miller and I went into a studio in Boston to have a chat with him about the project. Here is the link to the piece that he produced (another spelling error on my name, but they are working on it). It is just under 15 minutes and worth a listen.
Again, a hearty welcome to all you folks who are new to the project. Thanks for your interest.
Jon Crispin's Notebook 
Jon, if you’ve never seen the brilliant ’72 Peter Bogdanovich film, “What’s Up, Doc?” (Ryan O’Neal, Barbra Streisand, and “Introducing Madeline Kahn”) now might be the time to do so. You could probably use a good laugh, huh? It’s a completely slapstick masterpiece, and as they say, “It all started with a plaid overnight bag…”
When I was growing up we had a set of these plaid suitcases and one of them carried my childish possessions back and forth on the train to Montreal in the early 60’s. I feel a sense of camaraderie with Viola. Did she carry dolls and a collection Nancy Drew books too?