| (Okay, it's corny. YOU think up a better name for a pseudo-newsletter!) The Pseudo-Newsletter of Das TeufelsAlpdrücken Fähnlein. Published whenever I get around to it. The opinions contained herein are strictly my own, as are any typographical errors. Not to be taken internally. Entire contents copyright 1994 by Paula Peterka. Yeah, like you'd WANT to steal anything out of here! Your mileage may vary. |
| Volume 1 | Issue 1 |
July 1, 1994 | |
Rough Details of Our Last Meeting
Our last meeting was held on June 25, at the crowded but comfortable home of Larry & Paula Peterka. What follows is a brief synopsis of what happened. Please note, this does not mean I am assuming the role of Secretary-Treasurer! Present at the meeting were (in order of my memory) Larry & Paula Peterka, Drew Jones, Mike Amos, Amber Jacks, Karen Dawson, Tee Morris, Victor Nazarian, and Janet Gillis. In an attempt to ensure that no-one felt they were gypped out of their $10.00 food money at the Marietta event (and to give Larry & Paula freezer space), dinner was served. Unfortunately, the VCR chose that very morning to start throwing temper tantrums, and so Victor's tapes of the Living History Centre's Renaissance Pleasure Faires (Both Northern and Southern) could not be shown.
Larry, Paula, and Drew praised everyone repeatedly for their hard work and excellent performance at the Marietta event. (I will do so again: "Good Landsknechts, good Landsknechts!") They also thanked several people, who although they were not formally a part of the unit at the time, pitched and helped us pack up in the face of the threatening storm. One of them, Janet, was present, and will be joining us. Everyone put in long hours and hard work to get everything done on time, and we impressed quite a few people, not only with our clothes and our toys, but with our friendliness and professionalism. Wonderful work, group, just wonderful! (Ausgezeichnet!) Drew read the bylaws from his Civil War Zouave unit, which he suggested could be modified to fit our group. Everyone agreed that they would serve as a good model, and that only a few changes would need to be made. The group then discussed the possibilities of incorporating, not incorporating, going non-profit, electing leaders, and/or electing a dictator. No consensus was reached, and it was decided that we should discuss it further at the next meeting.
We discussed performing at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. At present, we have a tentative proposal from the festival to have us perform at certain times during the day in return for limited compensation. We would march in in the morning, escorting Anna of Cleves, and escort her until she meets up with Henry (about 45 min to an hour). In the late afternoon, we would escort her as part of her wedding procession. They are thinking about giving us enough room to set up our pavilion, if it could also be used as a place where the patrons could come to meet Anna. In return, they are offering everyone involved free admission, possibly comp tickets (# per person to be determined), and possibly food and/or drink tokens. We are also discussing money if there is room in their budget. At face value, this may not seem like such a great deal, but Larry mentioned that this could be a very good way to get involved with the festival, and get our group known by them. If we make a good impression, it is likely we will be asked back next year, and there will be room in the budget for us (sort of like a season-long audition). Most everyone was interested in performing at the festival, although most people also said they could not do every weekend. Larry said that he would have to have firm commitments for the dates, so he could talk to the entertainment director. (A card is enclosed with this mailing. PLEASE fill it out, so we can talk to them ASAP!)
The group then discussed holding a winter campaign at the Marietta site, possibly in conjunction with the 14th and 15th Century groups. Larry and Paula will discuss it with the MNP&PC and the other group leaders at the Marietta post-mortem, which will be held sometime in September.
We then discussed attending and competing at the Military Through the Ages event at Jamestown in March of 1995. The group decided it definitely wants to go and participate, and will work toward that goal, but is still debating as to whether we should compete our first year attending. It was mentioned that competing would give us an objective critique, and show us areas in which we need to improve. We still have a few months before the decision needs to be made, so it will be discussed further at a later date.
Paula announced that she would be going to a huge fabric store in Baltimore on Saturday, July 2nd, to do her shopping for the Holbein outfit. Any and all were invited to come along, and she said she'd call with details as soon as she found them out (time, directions, the name of the place, etc.)
It was decided that the unit should meet at least once a month, preferably twice. The next meeting was scheduled for July 17th, at Larry & Paula's. It will start at 10:00am, and last until the last person leaves. We will cover all the importat business topics at some point, but will also work on character development, and any remaining costume pieces.
Warm Fuzzies from the Hauptfrau
Just in case you missed the last meeting, or didn't hear it enough, every single one of you deserves a big pat on the back, an "atta boy" or "atta girl", a footrub, a beer, or whatever it is that makes you happy. I was just so incredibly proud of all of you at the Marching Through Time event (and still am). You should also be proud of youselves! Gary Jones (the event coordinator) thanked Larry for "bringing such a professional unit"; I heard nothing but positive and complimentary comments from the customers and other reenactors about us; the customers were impressed by your knowlege of the period and your own characters; all the other reenactment groups were amazed by our women; people commented on the realism and "lived in" look of our camp; everyone was impressed by our colorful and flamboyant clothing; no one went down from the heat, and everyone took care of each other; in short, WOW!! No one could believe this was our first event, and that most of you didn't have costumes two months ago. Heap praise upon yourselves, you deserve it!
NOCH WEITER!
In response to numerous requests by the Hauptman, the unit will need to learn some period Landsknect songs to sing in camp, and on the march. Here is the one he decided everyone should learn first, along with its English translation.
| WIR ZOGEN IN DAS FELD
Music and Lyrics Traditional English Translation by Paula (Smith) Peterka | |
|
German:
Wir zogen in das Feld, Wir kamen von Siebentod, Wir kamen vor Friaul, Wir kamen vor Trieste, Wir kamen vor Benevent,
Wir kamen auch fur Rom, |
English Translation:
We marched away to war,
We've taken Cividead, We've taken Friaul town, We took Trieste in days, At Benevent we learned, And when we got to Rome, |
Next time, "The JA JA Song"!