Editor's Page

Friends of SHEAR

I am delighted to report a dramatic increase both in the number of Friends of SHEAR—the stalwarts of the organization who dug a wee bit deeper to give us some additional financial support—and in the amount they have contributed. The inspiration and hard work of former presidents Mary Kelley and Alan Taylor have worked wonders, securing for us our largest ever and most generous cohort of Friends. The droll and ingenious mind of Alan gave prospective Friends the choice of becoming a Nicholas Biddle Friend for $150, a Thomas Skidmore Friend for $300, or even a Sojourner Truth Friend for $500. Meanwhile Mary rose, with as much grace as determination, to a matching grant challenge of raising $17,500 from Friends membership. Lo and behold she surpassed it—a testimony to her resolve and, dare I say it, to the SHEAR Friendliness of our community. I'd like now to express, on behalf of your journal and your society, our heartfelt thanks. To paraphrase the inimitable editors of yore, Larson and Morrison, our Friends are characterized not only by their obvious generosity, but also to a person by their longstanding devotion to, and support of, SHEAR. Separately, and taken with one another, they embody the collegiality, professionalism, and vitality that are the essence of SHEAR. In more ways than we can count, SHEAR is in their debt. Take a bow, please:

Sojourner Truth Friends Jeanne Boydston John Brooke James Broussard Richard and Mary Dunn Annette Gordon-Reed Alan S. Taylor Ronald G. Walters Bertram Wyatt Brown Thomas Skidmore Friends Doron Ben-Atar Craig Friend Cathy Matson Andrew W. Robertson Wilson Smith Rosemarie Zagarri Nicholas Biddle Friends Douglas Arnold Rand Burnette

Robert A. Gross Daniel W. Howe Jane Kamensky Lawrence Kaplan Mary Kelley Gary Kornblith Sidney Lapidus Carol Lasser Patricia Cline Cohen Frank Cogliano Ira Cohen Mr. and Mrs. William C. Cook Seth Cotlar Rob Cox Cornelia Dayton Kathleen DuVal Max Edling Robin Einhorn David Barry Gaspar Paul Gilje Myra Glenn Edward Gray Amy Greenberg Stephen Grossbart C. Dallett Hemphill

Bruce H. Mann Roderick A. McDonald John Murrin Gregory Nobles Barbara B. Oberg Daniel K. Richter James B. Stewart Catherine Kelley Linda Kerber Miriam Nelson William Pencak Michael Pierson Daniel Preston Seth Rockman Donald M. Roper Adam Rothman Richard A. Samuelson Shelia Skemp Herb Sloan Gene A. Smith Tamara P. Thorton Robert Tinkler Laurel T. Ulrich John R. Van Atta Mary Young

Now I'd like to ask these aforementioned heroes, and as many of you as would like to join them (and see your name listed alongside theirs this time next year), to affirm friendship for SHEAR. The choices are the same—become a Sojourner Truth Friend for $500, a Thomas Skidmore Friend for $300, or a Nicholas Biddle Friend for $150—you pays your money, you takes your pick, receiving all the rights, privileges, and appurtenances attached to the category you choose. (Check out the back pages of this issue for the details.)

Send your check to:

Amy Baxter-Bellamy, Executive Coordinator
SHEAR
3355 Woodland Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104-4531

It's that easy. Just one payment will cover your SHEAR membership, including your JER subscription and all the other benefits of membership. The SHEAR office will subscribe to the JER for you, and your support will be acknowledged each year in our winter issue.

Renew Your Membership: We Want You, Now

Did you notice a wee bit of colored paper flutter to the floor as you flipped excitedly through the pages of this latest issue of your favorite journal? If so, please don't ball it up and slam-dunk it into the trash can. It's called a blow-in, and it's informing you that it is now time to renew your membership in SHEAR. You'll thus be ensured of uninterrupted delivery of the journal through 2008 and entitled to the benefits of SHEAR membership such as a 30 percent discount on all Penn Press book titles (see below for details). You will also receive the program for next year's SHEAR meeting included with the mailing of...