SCSECS 2002 is undoubtedly going to be the most innovative eighteenth-century event ever! Conference Director Kevin L. Cope has selected beautiful South Padre Island, Texas, as the cheerful seaside venue in which dozens of remarkable and wondrous events, none of them ever before attempted at an eighteenth-century studies conference, will delight dix-huitiemistes from around the world!

In addition to the wide array of fascinating papers, the conference will be graced from beginning to end with special attractions and activities. For your browsing convenience, we include a day-by-day commentary:

Conventioneers will parade from Professor Pettit's lecture to a lovely pool- and sea-side veranda, studded with palms and festooned with tropical amenities, to enjoy a wide range of exquisite "heavy hors d'oeuvres" easily suitable for a meal. Conference Director Kevin Cope has already sampled the cheese-stuffed crab cakes, the miniature fried jalapenos, the roquefort-grape-pecan balls, the salmon puffed canapes, the crunchy white-bean-and-parmesan chicken wings, and a thousand other secret recipes from our hotel chef, and can easily testify that the brilliance of this open-air reception will be exceeded only by that of Alex Pettit's paper!

Friday evening will offer two options. Those of a quiet temperament may enjoy the evening for free time, swimming, dining, or whatever. Those looking for an international diversion will be provided with free transportation and a measure of touristic guidance to visit FABULOUS MATAMOROS, MEXICO! Matamoros is a charming, clean, entertaining, and colorful border town with a genuine Spanish-Mexican "look" that offers superior shopping opportunities and a whole sombrero full of touristic opportunities. Those who venture south of the border will be taken for dinner at the renowned GARCIA'S, one of the finest cantina east of the Pecos, where they may dine as lavishly as they please (this dinner is not subsidized, but all dinners are priced at $7.95). The adjoining room is often frequented by MARIACHIS, so do enjoy a margarita and let go of any hat-dancing inhibitions!

Saturday, the superior papers and panels that characterize SCSECS continue without abate. Then, to crown the conference, conventioneers will experience yet another first: the AQUATEX AUGUSTAN ADVENTURE EXPERIENCE! Conventioneers will mount a glass-bottomed boat, set sail into the Gulf, arrive at a Utopian destination, be offloaded by amphibious landing craft, take a hayride to a Utopian western ranch, enjoy music and dancing, and then feast on Texican Bar-B-Q! The jollity will continue into the sunset as the barbecue adventure cruise plies the dazzling waters of America's most underappreciated mini-ocean, the Gulf of Mexico.

And let's not forget day-to-day fun! We are holding our convention in a resort with its own massive and awesome groomed white-sand beach! And if you don't like that beach, you have another 27 miles of undeveloped beachfront to stroll! Daily temperatures should be in the upper 70s with water temperatures in the mid 60s, Fahrenheit (circa 25 Celsius for the air, 20 Celsius for the water). Our conference venue, The Radisson South Padre Island Resort, also features several clay tennis courts, a huge swimming pool with dolphin motif, a splendid poolside waterfall, plenty of shuffleboard courts, beach volleyball facilities, massage therapy, exercise studio, and gazillions of attractions more! Ditto for our overflow hotel, the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort!

All of this for one low price but with thousands of friends and opportunities and jolly exploits!

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