From Jim Asher, the world's leading authority on Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request):
In the past few days, I wrote about my recent trip to Amherst, MA, to attend the 2017 annual meeting of the Emily Dickinson International Society. In one post, I shared information about some of the top attractions in Amherst as listed on TripAdvisor.com (HERE). In a second post, I examined a glum review of the Emily Dickinson Museum by Trip Advisor reviewer Noah S: “honestly the worst place I have ever been,” he wrote, “and I have been to a Mexican prison” (HERE).
Remarkably – as noted in my second post – my examination of Mr. S’s dour comments uncovered the fact that Mexican prisons are, in fact, highly regarded destinations for tourists and often include many appealing “touchy feely exhibits.”
Well – a drum roll please – my research disclosed one other very interesting fact that may well set the minds of Dickinson fans at ease: It turns out that one “Jane Wald” used to be the warden at the Granada Cove Minimum Security Prison in Ensenada, Mexico.
Now I’m not saying that Jane Wald, the current Executive Director of the Emily Dickinson Museum, is the same Jane Wald who was the warden at the Granada Cove prison – although the dates of the wardenship do seem to suggest that it is possible. However, if she is one and the same person, at least it means that she recognizes the allure of Mexican prisons. If so, perhaps she can introduce features of prison management and presentation that could benefit the museum? Maybe then, if we can get Mr. S. to visit again, he’ll modify his review and rate the museum as high (or higher?) than a Mexican prison.
I’ll admit candidly & forthrightly that I rated the Emily Dickinson Museum a 5 on Trip Advisor – but then, I’ve never been to a Mexican prison. #justsaying
In the past few days, I wrote about my recent trip to Amherst, MA, to attend the 2017 annual meeting of the Emily Dickinson International Society. In one post, I shared information about some of the top attractions in Amherst as listed on TripAdvisor.com (HERE). In a second post, I examined a glum review of the Emily Dickinson Museum by Trip Advisor reviewer Noah S: “honestly the worst place I have ever been,” he wrote, “and I have been to a Mexican prison” (HERE).
Remarkably – as noted in my second post – my examination of Mr. S’s dour comments uncovered the fact that Mexican prisons are, in fact, highly regarded destinations for tourists and often include many appealing “touchy feely exhibits.”
Well – a drum roll please – my research disclosed one other very interesting fact that may well set the minds of Dickinson fans at ease: It turns out that one “Jane Wald” used to be the warden at the Granada Cove Minimum Security Prison in Ensenada, Mexico.
Now I’m not saying that Jane Wald, the current Executive Director of the Emily Dickinson Museum, is the same Jane Wald who was the warden at the Granada Cove prison – although the dates of the wardenship do seem to suggest that it is possible. However, if she is one and the same person, at least it means that she recognizes the allure of Mexican prisons. If so, perhaps she can introduce features of prison management and presentation that could benefit the museum? Maybe then, if we can get Mr. S. to visit again, he’ll modify his review and rate the museum as high (or higher?) than a Mexican prison.
I’ll admit candidly & forthrightly that I rated the Emily Dickinson Museum a 5 on Trip Advisor – but then, I’ve never been to a Mexican prison. #justsaying
Below left: The Granada Cove Minimum Security Prison in Ensenada, Mexico. The prison was once run by a warden by the name of Jane Wald. Below right: The Granada Cove's most famous prisoner was world-renowned Mexican poet, Emilio Dickinson, a relative of Emily Dickinson & Emmett Lee Dickinson.
 |  |
Emilio Dickson wrote many poems that convey the beauty and flavor of Mexico. One of his most famous poems, "Success is counted sweetest" (below on the left) was one of the inspirations for distant-relative Emily Dickinson to pen her poem with the same opening line (below on the right).
| By Mexican poet Emilio Dickinson: Success is counted sweetest By those with guacamole dip To comprehend its piquancy Requires tortilla chips. For one and all who ordered some And dipped the tasty treat Can tell the definition So clear, with every bite they eat, And they, elated, dining, On the alligator pear* Taste the tang of triumph Made table side with flair. *Avocado | By Emily Dickinson: Success is counted sweetest By those who ne'er succeed. To comprehend a nectar Requires sorest need. Not one of all the purple host Who took the flag to-day Can tell the definition, So clear, of victory, As he, defeated, dying, On whose forbidden ear The distant strains of triumph Break, agonized and clear. |
RSS Feed
