I had two great speaking engagements this past week.  And they were really fun.  On Tuesday I spoke in tiny Brookfield in Madison County to the historical society (speech #14 for 2012).  For a tiny little map dot of a town they had a very big turnout.  The hamlet is the home of the Madison County Fair. I had a wonderful time (it was my second appearance there) and I met a great bunch of folks who really love their Upstate history.  I went to the fairgrounds before my speech and saw this sign.  Can you imagine what it must have been like back in 1856 when Frederick Douglass came to speak in Brookfield (population 300)?  WOW!  The following night I spoke at the Colgate University Book Store in Hamilton (speech #15).  It was great fun to be at one of Upstate’s truly great independent book stores!  One of the presentations was on my book Great Graves of Upstate New York and the other was on my newest book Monumental New York!  I am keeping busy on the road, so check back here and see where I am speaking next!  “Big Chuck”