Submitted by Seamus on

Just wondering about KC2007 if It does happen put me down for a location once again....maybe we will have a goose insted of a Ham...
Seamus

Forums: 

I'm game

I think everyone had a good time last year. I'd like to see us do something again. I'd like to see some skills based talks. By that I mean, let's work on an action such a games played. Or something along those lines.

Also, I'd like to suggest 3 instead of 4 meetings. Perhaps November, February and March.

Any ideas or thoughts?

--
Michael Johnson

-- Michael Johnson

Bettering our skills is a

Bettering our skills is a good focus for KC’s and maybe discussion on things such as picketing or campfire cooking (Go with period field fare for eats at one meeting). The building of the camaraderie is important too. Maybe we could plan activities for Camp Pratt or even a similar gathering at the Fort/elsewhere later on in 2007 as well.

Cpl Marc Averill
29thGA

The one thing that needs to

The one thing that needs to happen for these KC's to work in my opinion is the units in the state need to plan one or two events together and make them maximum effort events. We can talk all we want about making changes in the hobby, but if we don't practice the changes, it's just talk. Don't get me wrong I like the kitchen conferences, but I just wish we could get more people to just show up in general.

Lt. Jason Porter
29th Georgia Volunteer Infantry
ferinus vis quod ignarus

Cpl. Jason Porter 30th North Carolina Troops

For me, the kitchen

For me, the kitchen conferences are more of a way to foster better relations between the groups....things have gotten better. if it does nothing more than provide a winter social club for reenactors with some kind of hobbycentric talk or class that spans several groups, where we eat drink and be merry and learn...to me its a success. sometimes the desire for things to get big or different, then changes the performance....and somthing that is at first lighthearted and fun becomes a drudgery, an obligation...
maybe a pork roast would be favored better than a goose
whats the consensus on the menu for my first KC of the year...
as you guys know I try to make it as period as my crofters DUPLEX will allow.....
sometimes I ramble....
Seamus

"Im the damned Paterfamilia!"

PRIMA NOCTA

Talk is cheap

I agree that the KC foster better relations but it's actions that speak the loudest. Let's stop talking and actually do what we say we will! The KC is suppose to enhance impressions and help get everyone on the same page to play the same game. Not certain where I stand on the KC this year. Some were pretty good but some were unproductive.

Perhaps we can plan a Christmas party KC where we focus on various winter activities the soldier and civilians did.

Just thoughts.
Will

Hobby-centric

I have to agree with Mike in that I find the opportunity to foster relations, be social in a lighter atmosphere, and share hobby-centric information the real benifit of the Kitchen Conferences.

I think the elected represenatives of each unit meeting and planning together is a seperate issue. One that I support and encouarage but am not sure the Kitchen Conference is the avenue for that.

The KC does allow us to share ideas at a non-official level that we can take back to each unit and try to promote such actions. As the grass roots effort that the idea started at.

A matter of expectations I guess.

I generally agree with what you said Will. That's one of the reasons I think less this winter may be better. Let's have some suggestions and see where they land?

I do like the Christmas party idea but perhaps a President Lincoln/General Lee birthday celebration would fit in to everyone's schedules better? :)

--
Michael Johnson

-- Michael Johnson

The KC has my vote

I think that our KC's were extremely productive in terms of fostering better relations between our groups, and getting the Yanks and the Rebs all in one room to eat and have a few good laughs and learn a little something, that's never a waste of time, it's food for the soul.

I agree we need to try to try to be more productive and we should have different venues for civilians and military, but I think the KC is fine the way it is. It is fellowship and food and always a pleasure, and I have learned more at the KC's than I've learned in my last few years on my own.

I think perhaps Camp Pratt has the potential to be a great school of the soldier where actual work can be done and policies discussed. We can create opportunities for the leaders of the groups to get together and do that kind of thing.

Of course, that's just one civilian's opinion, but I really treasure the friends I've made through the KC and I now feel more a part of the hobby than I ever have.

Y'all take care!

Can I Vote Twice?

As much as I hate the thought of the season winding down, I am looking forward to the KC’s. As mentioned before I like learning as much as I can, but just getting together and fostering ideas is probably best item that can come from them.

I have been giving the KCs some though after re-reading everyone’s posts here are some new/renewed thoughts on the subject:

In looking back at the 3 KCs I was able to make, the vast majority of the time was in discussion of thoughts and ideas and the various aspects of socializing. Something the units in the state needed. We had some good topics of discussion from 1st Person to Ladies fashions to the ideas of a Civil War Show in the state. While each of us walked away with something different, worthwhile or not – it was time well spent for the reenacting community here in Maine. It was the first time something like this occurred, so there were bound to be bumps in the road and it may take a couple more winters to perfect it all.

As we look to the 3 KCs this winter this is the time we should put into what to discuss at them, and for us to offer suggestions to that end, so here is my $.02:

KC2-1:
1. We talked about tagging on to the Ancient Ones Gun Show with a few tables for the reenacting groups in Maine. Is this still a possibility?
2. What is the feasibility of a Bowdoin 2? If not as a New England event, as a Maine event for drilling, battles, 1st person activities (Rations, Pickets, Spies, Scouts…..), etc. (What better way to improve our skills…) Public invited to gain recruits and overall exposure.
3. And/or an event at Norlands with the same purpose. (We would have to advertise it, but putting signs up at the local store or “What’s Happening” press releases to TV/Radio would be easy/cost effective.)
4. Socializing/Swap meet.

KC2-2:
1. Finalize Plans for the Ancient Ones
2. Further discussion of in state event possibilities to get the units together, not just a few members at the KCs. (Alternate events like the “Great Train Robbery”, etc)
3. A Lesson Topic
4. Socializing

KC2-3
1. I am sorry I missed KC4 at Norlands, it would have been fun – what about a similar type meeting to get us ready for the new season?
2. Sharing of research/resources for research (i.e what to I do to learn about the Period.)
3. Socializing/swap meet

I just think we have so much potential to get out and do things if we continue to work together and build on ideas. The more we get out there – the more people we will attract, parades are nice, but we don’t get the exposure like we would at an encampment/battle in Central or Southern Maine like a Bowdoin. The more we do things together the more opportunity to improve our skills (Ala the 1st round of KCs goal). One or two gatherings of the entire Maine Reenacting Community would not overly burden the schedules and give us one or two more at home events to look forward to saving an extra 3 to 5 hours of driving time.

So, now it is your turn and I hope to see you next Saturday in Camden.

Yours in service,
Cpl Marc Averill
29thGA

Sounds like a necessary evil

Although way on my negative side I can see the positive side of the meetings. I would like to host one for the topic of Discussing the Fort Knox events. Plus an project I am working on else where in the state. The Fort Knox events were lightly attended this year and yet there is so much potential us to do a lot there. I would get in touch with the Director of the Friends side as well as the Park Ranger to sit in and participate.

Will

Undertapped Resource

I will agree that the Fort has many untapped possibilities and would think having their Representatives at a meeting would be a plus. Would we meet at the visitor center then? I think if we were to discuss Norlands, inviting their people would be a plus too.

Guess I am up to $0.04 now…

The KC’s were dominated by the Confederates last year, maybe more Union troops will come this year…?

Marc Averill
29thGA

Fort Knox

Not a bad idea Marc. Nowadays the visitor center is not open as meeting place due to some obscure rule. There could be an exception in this case where is official Fort business. I'll bring it up to the powers that be and see if there is a possibility.

FIRST however....is there an interest??????? I am not one to waste other people's time if it can be avoided.

Will

For me the Fort Events were

For me the Fort Events were always on weekends where I had to be responsible and do actuall grown up things. but Next summer we will plan to make an event or two at the fort. I think some just kept the distance due to the late unpleasentness, thinking its just too soon to jump back in. but the Idea of more local events that provide viable scenarios for both sides is a good one. It has been quiet lately but I like quiet. It often is an indicator of a certain degree of .....Peace. Or its the gasp before the plunge, all hells about to break loose!

Seamus

"Im the damned Paterfamilia!"

PRIMA NOCTA

Something to bring up

The late unpleasantness would be something to bring up at the conference. It is difficult to say that it has affected any of the outcome. The 20th Maine certainly didn't allow the late unpleasantness keep them from supporting the fort this summer. Outside of certain few, you would not have even guessed that there were concerns.

I am going to stick with the central theme that we've been discussing since last year's conferences and that is that we continue to work together. A very difficult experimental concept that has gone awry at several events this year, mostly due to mis-communication. I feel we have overcome a lot of indifferences on the the ever-so bumpy road of co-operation. This was evident to us upon visiting the Federal came at Manassas with the warm greeting we recieved.

Local events are the key to sucess up here. To make this work co-operation can only benefit everyone.

Will

Probally the holidays! if

Probally the holidays! if there is still intrest put me down for hoasting in Feb....twords the end of the month....give me time to plan a seamusriffic Prattacular!
Seamus

"if you try to fail and succeed, what have you really done?"--quote from a former co-worker of mine

PRIMA NOCTA

I have a company level

I have a company level meeting on the 11th and there is a Regt. meeting on the ????? So As far As I am concerned probally the weekend of the 24-25 works for me as long as the regt. doesnt wait till the last weekend....but we can use as an agenda something like the project work some of us have been working on these past few weeks...and those of you who still havent been able to protect the train from the gallant raiders....Bring your small taper candle molds and we can all make beeswax candles under my tutaledge or someone can teach me how to spel........lets see what develops in the next three weeks... for agenda setting....
Seamus

"if you try to fail and succeed, what have you really done?"--quote from a former co-worker of mine

PRIMA NOCTA