I want to thank everyone who came to my place for the first Kitchen Conference - I believe (correct me if I am wrong) there were 16 of us in attendance. I didn't think that many people could fit in little place, but we did and I throughly enjoyed the afternoon and to meet some familiar faces from the MMB in person.
I am sure we had different expectations and came away with different experiences: I enjoyed Laurie's talk and Steve's input on the first impression style. My mind is rewriting the bio of my impression and looking forward to practice it as well.
I can't help but feel that we also had an unofficial meeting of the "Reenactors Alliance". Although we discussed this subject and the object of the conference was improving our impressions, we are also strengthening the bonds between units by meeting like we did and will be doing the next couple of months.
The the 29th Georgia also held a meeting to discuss our 2006 schedule. Mike and Vicki Pratt also stayed and I personally want to thank them for the invite for us to attend Camp Pratt in May.
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Extra crispy KC meeting...
Mike Pratt,
I agree. The day went well and everyone had a voice. We all need to help in forming our vision of reenacting in Maine. We all need to cooperate to give this peculiar hobby a future.
* I believe that we need to develop ties with the Maine historical organizations such as museums, societies, schools (colleges too) and the State Park system. We need to support history in this State. The best away to attract others who enjoy history is to do public events here in Maine at historical sites and with historical organization. I am not sure about wearing the uniform out in public just to be a shiny lure. I feel that we need to wear the uniform for a purpose and in the context of history for it to have meaning and value to our cause.
* I believe that the 20th Maine is very important to reenacting in Maine. We need to move on and to encourage them to be a part of what we hope to become.
* I believe that individual reenacters should be encourage to carry an extra kit with them either gray or blue so that we can all play the role needed to illustrate the life & times of a common civil war solider.
* I believe that we all need to improve on our leisure time living history while in camp and to be encouraged to improve our social graces of the times. The Maine Militia Forum meeting was very helpful now we need to practice it.
I agree that Mike Johnson should be our moderator to channel the different streams of thought into a mighty river of action. We also need more involvement from the boards of reenacting units such as the 3rd & 20th Maine. We need civilians too! As it stands, The confederate units are more involved then the union units.
Thanks to everyone for making the State of Maine's Living History Guild meeting so very sucessful!
Pvt/Lt Craig Young
3rd Maine, Company A
29th Georgia/7th Maine
Lambh Deargh Erin Abu!
Most importantly we are free. Free in thought, body, and soul.
It is no longer the blood, but the spirit that makes us what we are.
We are Celts!
Men divert your eyes!
Greetings Dear Ladies,
I am hoping that you who are the true motivation for this peculiar hobby will grace our next Maine Militia Forum's meeting . We will be talking about Military courtesy, Chain-of-Command, and more information about social graces of the times.
Also. I would encourage the Ladies to gather (Oh, my...) and consider forming a Homespun Living History Guild that could meet during encampments to educate the public and possibly recruit for our different units.
The Homespun Living History Guild could present civilian demonstrations. Activities may include an assortment of every day crafts from the 1850-1860s era, including sewing, spinning, cooking with discussions of period foods and food preparation, rug hooking, and much more. The Guild will furnish a large tent with items contemporary to the Civil War period.
This is only an idea... I would never presume to give direction to our Ladies of hope .
Your Obedient Servant,
Pvt Young
If interested, please forward this email to others who be wish to consider it.
Pvt/Lt Craig Young
3rd Maine, Company A
29th Georgia/7th Maine
Lambh Deargh Erin Abu!
Most importantly we are free. Free in thought, body, and soul.
It is no longer the blood, but the spirit that makes us what we are.
We are Celts!
a new and glorious dawn.....
Craig young,
Ok so marc posts and you reply to me? strange, but thank you none the less. It was a good day to be among friends old and new, and that is what all are becoming slowly but surely. I trust everyone likeed the shortbread as I came home with two empty pans.Many ideas were tossed out into the wind, and I feel some will settle, go to root and grow into something good. I look forward to the next one at my humble crofters cottage up in the highlands, as we are doing eddiquette I might be hosting a period table...I will reasearch....
Alls good my friends. things will improve, Craig I know its tax season but hit Dave from behind and drage his carcass to the next one. I might give him Brandy .........
Seamus
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth
Thanks to our host
Dear Friends,
First I'd like to thank Marc for his gracious and capable hospitality. He really put on the dog and he's going to be a tough act to follow but we will at least give it a shot!
I quite enjoyed the meeting of such wonderful minds in one room, the energy was incredible! The meeting was entertaining and informative and the next one promises to be even better. Most importantly, it was companionable, and that's going to be our strength as we embark on this endeavour. I see our little coalition going places. Mostly good places, although some of us might be candidates for the funny farm!
Seamus has grand visions for the next KC and has promised he'll let me out of the cellar and hose me off so that I can attend! In return I've promised him I won't beg for scraps or eat off anyone else's plate! Please, sir? Can I have some more?
Seriously, I SO enjoyed finally meeting some of the folks I've heard about, and becoming reacquainted with those of you I've already met. I hope to see more of you all in the future!
Take care, God bless!
Missus Seamus
thanks...
Had a great time!!! can't wait for the next one!
Feb KC
Greetings,
Jim Brown who is the 3rd Maine's EDU chairperson &
and Regina Ketcheson who is the 3rd Maine's Civilian
Coordinator will be at the Farmington KC meeting in
Feb. So, Mike set two more plates!
Pvt/Lt Craig Young
3rd Maine, Company A
29th Georgia/7th Maine
Lambh Deargh Erin Abu!
Most importantly we are free. Free in thought, body, and soul.
It is no longer the blood, but the spirit that makes us what we are.
We are Celts!
Great meeting
Sorry for the late chime in here. Busy week at work and my cold is back. My job is bad for my health! :)
Anyway, I had a great time last weekend. Thank you everyone! Here are my thoughts.
I am hoping to spend some time working on my "first person biography" and background outline on who I am when reenacting. For a possible March agenda, I wonder if we should share these tales and maybe talk about some personal goals as far as First Person Instructive and First Person Interactive go. I certainly want to work on my First Person Instructive and find some more to do during my down time.
Steve, Laurie, Thank you. Very educational. I am lucky to be aquainted with you. I'd like to have the two of you talk more some time.
I've been thinking more about Eric's idea of involving groups outside of our CW circle. Other living history groups from other eras. It kind of goes along the lines of Craig's suggestion of developing ties with "museums, societies, schools (colleges too) and the State Park system." It's not exactly the goal of Jason's original discussion. And I'm not sure that I am ready to lead such an effort. But it does deserve more thought and discussion. It may be a good long term goal.
As to the MCWRA, the grass-roots nature of this discussion is so exciting. I think a greater cooperation and communication will be to the advantage of us all. What pace and how that evolves is very unclear to me. I think that's why I suggested that the current leadership of each group find a way to meet and discuss this. The direction is satisfying enough right now.
I feel like I am rambling. Maybe it's the fever I am suffering with right now? :) Anyway, I will close. Great meeting! I look forward to seeing everyone again in February. Not sure what we are going to do if too many more people show up?
--
Michael Johnson