MaineMilitia.com

For somewhat more than a year, until just recently, one of our own (in the Living History community) was Director of Marketing and Fundraising at Norlands: Gina Ketcheson. The quick answer to your question is, yes, someone DOES have the inside skinny. By osmosis (Gina being my "significant other") I have been - how shall I put it diplomatically? - unable to escape knowing w-a-y more than I actually want to know myself... and my opinion is that the answer is not a large-scale reenactment, nor any other well-intentioned gesture of support. The "Problem" appears (to me) to be internal organizational and management issues that they need to address and resolve before anyone outside can help much. Specific details are not appropriate to a public forum. Gina made their mission personal, and tried to make a difference from INside, month after month after month (and she's a considerably high-energy person when you get her wound up). The fact that she now works for the American Lung Association and that Norlands is right at the top of her shi...- oops, Kate might be reading this - crap list over the issue of several thousand dollars unpaid back compensation - having generated far more than her salary in fundraising receipts - should tell you all you need to know.

Too bad, really. Norlands has a noble mission statement, and should be a splendid asset.

PDC James Woodman Brown, Sr Vice-Commander
Department of Maine SUVCW
j.w.brown@ieee.org