Bellairsia: 1967

February

Bellairs wrapped up the six-week winter semester break, having sequestered himself in McKee Hall to work on The Pedant and the Shuffly [2].
20 - Bellairs leads a Funeral March for Shimer College :

"...dressed in a black cape belonging to an Episcopal priest here, [I] led a funeral procession to the President's door. There were about 60 of us...and behind me were pallbearers with a huge coffin and a choir I was leading in the Dies Irae and Requiem aeternam....[3]"

6 - Bellairs writes "Catalog a Provocative Work" for the Excalibur.
10 - Signed letter from members of the Shimer faculty (including Bellairs) to the Shimer College Board of Trust.

23 - Bellairs signs a letter of recommendation for Dale Fitschen as "Member of Faculty, Shimer College (1966-67) [5]."

In an undated letter to Dale and Marilyn Fitschen, from England, Bellairs writes he sent two copies of Prospero to "Lizavita", his editor [5].

3-5 - In letters to Dale and Marilyn Fitschen, from Bristol, Bellairs sends Dale the manuscript of The Paranoid Sunglasses for his opinion. Bellairs writes he doesn't care for Dale's opinion and says he may come home before the end of the year. He signs the second letter "Tragically, Tufnell Park Pewsterhold [5]."
9 - In a letter to Dale and Marilyn Fitschen, from Bristol, Bellairs writes that "Lizzy" sent a letter today which amounts to acceptance of the Prospero book. She wants revisions, but is going to set up a contract. Says he'll be home in February, "but where to live? Boston?" Marilyn notes that she and Dale "bake and mail a fruit cake and other goodies to John in Bristol, but he returns before Christmas and never receives it.[5]"

[1] Virginia C. Monk Bellairs at Find a Grave
[2] "'Ragbag Mind' Cited As Key To Success". Freeport Journal Standard (Freeport, IL) (Feb, 3, 1967).
[3] Correspondence from John Bellairs to John Drew (undated; c. Feb. 22, 1967).
[4] Correspondence from John Bellairs to Charles Bowen (Apr. 8, 1967).
[5] Correspondence with Marilyn Fitschen.