Editor's Note

Bulletin of the Comediantes • 2008 Vol. 60 No. 2 vii Editor’s Note When I attended the annual Comediantes Banquet at the 2007 meeting of the Modern Language Association in Chicago, I could not help but notice the wonderful mix of young scholars, midcareer scholars, and senior members of the group. This brought to my attention not only the fact that I have moved along the spectrum since the mid-1970s, but also, as I have noted each year, that the occasion is extremely important as a way of “humanizing” the academic rigors of the profession. Much of the credit for this event goes to our late colleague Everett W. Hesse, who was both a dedicated and talented scholar and a warm and welcoming presence. When I was, in a manner of speaking, one of the younger kids on the block, I was received into the group by Professor Hesse and many others, who made sure that everyone had a place and an identity within the community of Comediantes. At the banquet in Chicago, I was happy to see James A. Parr, who served as editor of this journal for twenty-six years, and who, with Patricia Parr, has followed in the footsteps of Everett Hesse in extending best wishes to one and all. The same is true of the members of the Executive Division of MLA and to the editorial board of the Bulletin of the Comediantes. I thank you all for your support of the journal and for your kindness to its constituents. At the banquet, Professor José Antonio Madrigal was recognized, in absentia, for his over thirty years of service as Managing Editor of BCom. His contributions have been extraordinary, as have those of his wife Angie. We are delighted to have Professor Vincent Martin as the new Managing Editor. We also thank, most profoundly, Professor Robert Lauer for his superb job as our chief Chamizal critic over a number of years. Robert has announced his “retirement” from this position; we are most grateful for his tireless efforts. Professor Valerie Hegstrom will be our critic for the 2008 festival. Please consider submitting your work on early modern Iberian and colonial Latin American literature to the Bulletin of the Comediantes. The Comediantes have recently lost two most cherished colleagues. Charlotte Stern, who taught for nearly three decades at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (now Randolph College), died on August 24, 2008. Charlotte was an eminent specialist in medieval and early modern Spanish drama, and she served for many years, with distinction, as book review editor of this journal. In addition to her academic work, Charlotte was devoted to issues of social justice. As this number was in press, we heard the sad news of the passing, on November 1, 2008, of James A. Castañeda, of Rice University. Jim was, for many years, a valued member of the editorial board of BCom. He will long be remembered as a brilliant scholar, an avid sportsman, and a true gentleman. Those of us who were privileged to work with Charlotte Stern and James Castañeda always will have a place for them in our hearts. We send our condolences to Charlotte’s and Jim’s families and loved ones. E.H.F ...