| (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 2 |
November 21, 1994 | |
Pack up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag...
That's right, Boys and Girls, our lead story this month is... KIT INSPECTION! If you read nothing else in this newsletter, read this article! KIT INSPECTION IS MANDATORY!! Kit Inspection will take place on December 3rd, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, in the Second Floor Conference Room of Larry and Paula's apartment building. The Conference Room is right across from the Deli, in the Lobby that has all the Mailboxes inside, not the Lobby with the Front Desk or Rental Office. You may check-in and begin setting up your costume pieces and accoutrement from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. If you have not checked in by 1:00 pm you will be considered AWOL, and dealt with accordingly. It is not necessary to wear you full costume and accessories (unless you really want to), but you must bring everything that you have, that is appropriate to you character and rank. (well, maybe not your 18' pike, but anything that's smaller). Additionally, any and all items that you have borrowed from other unit members must be returned at this time. That is not to say that they may not be re-lent, but they must be brought to the inspection and given back.
Now that we have put the fear of God into you, let us add that the purpose of this inspection is not to chew anybody out or make fun of them in front of their friends (What?!? You made your Dress out of Blue Polyester Doubleknit!?!) Instead, it is to look over what you have, tell you what you need to get before the February Campaign, tell you what you need to have in order to qualify for your current or next rank, and to catch any anachronisms before Jamestown's judges rake us over the coals. There are a lot of things that are not-quite-period that we got away with at Maryland, but that will make laughingstocks out of us at Military Through the Ages. This will also give everyone a chance to see each other again, and meet some of the new members. New members without any kit to inspect are not required to attend, but are strongly encouraged to do so, since this will give them a chance to see what items are and are not acceptable.
Germans Take RenFest by Storm!
Congratulations, group, the Maryland Renaissance Festival will never be the same! The festival administration was both thrilled and amazed by what we did, from our early morning march in, to our period (and friendly) lunches, to our imposing escort at Cromwell's arrest, and our professional and courteous attitude at all times. Although we have not been officially contacted, word is that we will be asked back next year, in some capacity. What that will be exactly, we'll have to wait and see. I know that neither Larry, Drew, nor I always had the time to tell you over the run of 'Fest (and I know it always seems as though I was yelling at you after hours), but we are very grateful for and very proud of every one of you, and what you've accomplished, both individually and as a unit. Thank You for all the Hard Work!
Keep your calendars close at hand, there are still so many things we have planned for the upcoming months! The Kit Inspection & Rank Assessment will take place on December 3, at 11:00 am (see story, page 1). Our next Character and Improv workshop will take place on December 10, at 11:00 am, at the home of Mike Amos, in Frederick, MD. Other Costuming and Character workshops will be scheduled at that time. Larry and Paula will be hosting a Twelfth Night Party for unit members, and their guests, on January 14, at 7:00 pm. This is not a costumed, renaissance event; the apartment isn't big enough for thirty people in costume! The Winter Campaign is tentatively set for February 18 & 19, possibly together with the 14th and 15th Century units from the Marrietta event. Jamestown's Military Through the Ages Competition is set for March 25 & 26, and Marrietta Mansion's Marching Through Time will take place on April 22 & 23. We will also schedule a business meeting in January, to discuss and/or adopt the by-laws, elect officers, and conduct other unit business. And, of course, there are always costume pieces to work on, books to peruse, libraries and museums to invade, and ferrets to annoy. It's Not Over Yet!
Our last meeting was held on November 5, 1994, at the home of Michael Amos. What follows is as close to official minutes as we're going to get. 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, Mike Amos, Karen Dawson, Tim Vert, Alexis Darnall, Heather Brown, and Rob Spencer, and prospective new members Charles Jones, Brian , Meredith Page, Kellie Hendley, and Bridget Martin. We discussed our participation in the Maryland Renaissance Festival, and Larry and Paula praised everyone repeatedly for their hard work and excellent performances at the event. (I will do so again: "Good Landsknechts, good Landsknechts!") The unit agrees that, if offered the chance, it would like to perform again next year, preferably for a salary. The group once again discussed the possibilities of incorporating, not incorporating, and/or going non-profit. No consensus was reached, and it was decided that we should discuss it further at the next meeting, once Larry has had time to review the incorporation and non-profit information from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Since Drew was not present with the draft of the bylaws (he was home, very sick, but doing much better now, thank you for asking), their discussion was tabled until the next meeting. (Note, a draft copy has been included with this newsletter. Please read them, and have any comments and concerns prepared for the next business meeting.) The unit then discussed having dues, what type, and how much. Michael Amos made the motion that the group require dues from its members, in the amount of $20.00 per year for individual members, and $30.00 per year for a household membership, a household being defined as two or more adults residing at the same address. The motion was seconded by Karen Dawson, and passed. It was further decided dues are to encompass a calendar year, and that if a member joined between January and June, he/she would pay $20.00, and if between July and December, $10.00, or $30.00 and $15.00, respectively, for a household.
Larry and Paula then went over the basic groundrules and guidelines for the unit for the new members, and discussed the idea of having a sponsorship/apprentice program. The unit approved the idea of having such a program, with the details to be worked out after the bylaws are approved (or perhaps in the bylaws) It was discussed and approved that the bylaws reflect a three person executive council, with all members sharing the duties and responsibilities of running the group, without the constraints of titles, such as President, Secretary, Treasurer, etc. It was also reiterated that character rank on the field has nothing to do with one's position within the business organization.
The election of the Executive Council was tabled, pending approval of the bylaws, so everyone will have to keep putting up with Larry, Paula, and Drew telling them what to do. The Calendar of Upcoming Events was discussed, and dates were set for the next few workshops, and the kit inspection (see related articles). The group also discussed the continued storage of its props at Larry & Paula's, Drew's, and possibly Michael's homes. The group decided that one of it's first major purchases should be a unit drum. Drew and Paula have been investigating various possibilities, and will bring their results and recommendations to the group to be decided.
The Next meeting will be a character workshop, and is scheduled for December 10th, 1994, at Mike Amos' house. It will start at 11:00 am.
The Local SCA Kingdom of Atlantia will be holding it's Twelfth Night Party on January 7, 1995, at the Hollywood Volunteer Firehall, in Hollywood, Maryland. The theme this year is Landsknecht, and we have been invited to attend. This is an all day event, with Arts and Sciences Displays and Competitions, Dancing, Shopping, and other activities during the day, and a Feast and Revels in the evening. The cost for the event is $17.00, which covers the site fee, a light lunch, and "a sumptuous repast in two removes", prepared by Baron Igor of Sturvik (Ed Sobansky, one of the storytellers and the RenFest, and an excellent chef!). They will only accept the first 350 reservations, so if you would like to go, have you money in to Paula NO LATER THAN December 10. I will send them a group reservation, and these must be prepaid. This should be a fun event, with an emphasis on Christmas and Revelry, rather that historical accuracy.
In response to numerous requests by the Hauptmann, the unit will need to learn some period Landsknecht songs to sing in camp, and on the march. This, however, is not one of them. Here is a "period-like" drinking song, very popular with your West Coast brethren.
DAS "JA, JA" LIED
Music, Concept, and Most Lyrics by James B. Hendricks
Additional Lyrics by Paula (Smith) Peterka
Ja, Ja, Ja, Ja, Ja,
Wir trinken ganzen tag,
Ja, Ja, Ja, Ja, Ja,
Wir möchten mehr zu trinken!
Wo, wo, wo, wo, wo,
Ist Bier für uns zu trink?
Wo, wo, wo, wo, wo,
Ist Fleisch und Frau und Trinken?
Ich bin der Hauptmann,
Dieser Männer sind mein
Noch ein Frage,
Wo ist die Fräulein?
Ich bin der Schmidt,
Ich habe eine Kratze,
Wenn ich liebe,
Hofschlang klang!
Ich bin der Jäger,
Habe Hund und Jägerhorn,
Mein Lied geht immer
Durch dem Wald.
Ich bin die Waschfrau,
Jeden Tag ist Waschtag,
Wasche immer,
Trinke jetzt!
Stendensticker
Ist meinen Titel
Mit mein Nagel,
Mach ich kunst.
Ich bin ein Mädchen,
Trink und tanz gern,
Tanz mit mir,
Und gib mir wein!
Ich bin ein Pikeman,
Marsch mit kameraden,
Ich hab' gelernt,
Gib' feuer nur am End!