| (Too Late! It's corny, but you're stuck with it.) The Official Newsletter of Das TeufelsAlpdrücken Fähnlein. Published monthly, or whenever I get around to it. Any opinions contained herein are strictly my own, as are any typographical errors. For external use only - but you may read this inside. Entire contents copyright 1996 by Paula Peterka, unless otherwise noted or authored. Yeah, like you'd WANT to steal anything out of here! Prices shown for comparison only, options extra. |
| Volume 3 | Issue 1 |
Date Unknown | |
The 1996 Annual Meeting was held on January 28, at the home of Larry & Paula Peterka. The members in attendance were Kellie Hendley, Steve Denz, Michael Denz, Drew Jones, Becky Green, Mike Amos, Don Haithcock, Linda Taggart, Tim Vert, Jennifer Wadford, Jennifer Lease, Paula Peterka, Larry Peterka, Bob Kriner, Barbara Kriner, Karen Dawson via speaker phone, and Joseph Kriner. If your name is not on this list, why weren't you there? Janet Gillis called and said she was sick, Rob Spencer called and said he had to work; Everyone else: bad Landsknechts, bad Landsknechts! No biscuit!
These are not official minutes, but only highlights of the meeting. If you would like to read/hear the official minutes, call Paula, or better yet, come to the next business meeting, which will be Sunday, March 3, at 11:00 am, also at the home of Larry & Paula.
According to the CFO, Drew, the Unit Treasury has $1,911,12. Our fiscal year will end on April 30, 1996, and dues are due at that point. He in currently in the process of getting an EIN for the unit, so that Larry & Paula don't have to pay taxes on the money the group earned this year. He in also looking into whether or not the newly relaxed postal regulations will benefit the group. The unit now has a mailing address. P.O. Box 503 Annapolis Junction, MD 20701-0503, which will be checked every other day or so. The unit voted to advance some probationary members to full member status, and some applicants were voted in as new probationary members. For details, see related articles.
We have sent out registration information back to both Jamestown and Marietta. We are waiting for confirmation from Jamestown. The Winter Campaign will be taking place, rain, snow, or shine (but no blizzard). For those of you who are prone to being cold, Larry Peterka suggested in investing in a propane heater, but at the same time reminded people that small "coleman"-style heaters and straw are a fire hazard. Transportation of unit and personal equipment to Jamestown could be a problem, especially if Drew is unable to make the event. The group tentatively voted to approve expenditures of up to $300.00 for renting a "u-haul"-type trailer if necessary.
A Prince Georges' High School with a wonderful metal shop has made its services available to us in return for a workshop/demo that Bob Kriner did for them, on referral from Paula Peterka. They have a plasma cutter, and the unit is looking into having some Zweihänder blanks cut there.
Das TeufelsAlpdrücken Fähnlein would like to congratulate the following people, who were promoted from probationary member to full member: Michael Denz, Kellie Hendley, Bob Kriner, and Jennifer Lease.
The new full members have full voting rights on unit business, subject to age regulations (sorry, Michael), and can be assigned to sponsor probationary members. This brings the total number of full and stakeholder members to 17. Those probationary members who were eligible to be promoted, but weren't, will have a promotion review in six months, or when their sponsor/the BoD thinks they are ready.
The unit is also proud to welcome the following new members into its ranks: Becky (Kender) Green, sponsored by Mike Amos; Don Haithcock, sponsored by Drew Jones; Linda Taggart, sponsored by Kellie Hendley; Joseph Kriner, sponsored by Bob Kriner; Brad Howard, who needs a sponsor; Casey Severn, sponsored by Jen Lease; and Robert Hunley, sponsored by Tim Vert.
These folks were officially voted on and accepted into the unit as probationary members.
Congratulations and Welcome, Everyone!
As reported in our last issue, the unit sponsorship program is in place, and is hopefully working to everyone's benefit. The first real test was when the sponsors were called and notified about the Unit party and Annual Meeting, and were asked to inform their sponsorees. Since there were 16 members at the meting, we can assume it is working.
As was stated last issue, sponsors are is responsible for assisting a new or probationary member to become a full member of the unit. This includes helping them with costuming, insuring that they know all the unit rules and regs, and helping them operate within them, helping them with beginning character choices and continued character development, teaching them about the manners and customs of the Landsknechts, and answering questions and/or solving problems that they might have. In short, it's a lot like being a big brother or sister to that new member.
The new sponsor list is below, updated with the results of the annual meeting. If you weren't assigned a sponsoree, don't worry. Full members will have sponsorees assigned to them as new members join, as will probationary members who are promoted.
| Sponsor | Sponsoree |
| Mike Amos | Becky Green, Brian Langsdorf |
| Karen Dawson | Meredith Page |
| Janet Gillis | Steve Denz |
| Kellie Hendley | Linda Taggart |
| Drew Jones | Don Haithcock, Jennifer Wadford |
| Bob Kriner | Joseph Kriner |
| Jennifer Lease | Casey Severn |
| Rob Slater | Dave Milam |
| Tim Vert | Robert Hunley |
The following three members need sponsorship: Alexis Darnall, Barbara Kriner, and Brad Howard. If you are interested in sponsoring one of these fine probationary members, please call Larry, Paula, or Drew.
Ad Hoc Workshop and March Business Meeting
"But my ad hocs are just fine, thank you very much!" Ad hoc - that's the sound you make when you find out there is another workshop. There will a "work-on-whatever" workshop on Saturday, March 2, at 11:00 am, at the Peterka's apartment. This will cover whatever whoever shows up wants it to cover, from costume pieces to characterization to improv to the nature of the universe.
If you want to sew, you should bring all your material and sewing equipment, including sewing machines. Your materials list will have approximate yardages and notions required for most clothing pieces, or you can always call Paula. On the following day, Sunday, March 3, the Peterka's apartment will host the next business meeting, also beginning at 11:00. This will be the last business meeting before Jamestown.
The Landsknecht Invitational Winter Campaign will be held on February 17 & 18, at Marietta Mansion Historical Site in Bowie, Maryland. We have invited the 15th Century Camp, Wolfe's Company, the English Civil War groups, the Stewarts of Appin, LaBelle Companie, and Der Sonnen von Krieg (a Pennsylvania based Landsknecht unit), to participate with us at this event. As of press time, Der Sonnen von Krieg called to say that seven of their members would be attending, and LaBelle Companie called to say that they might come visit us during the day.
The site is located near the junction of State Routes 450 and 197, in Bowie, Maryland. It will be open for set-up on Friday, February 16. The event will be open to the public from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday, and from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday. We will be using either the upper or lower field for our camping and demonstration area. We are currently making arrangements for portable toilets on site. We will use what firewood remains on the site from other events, supplemented by our own. We are trying to find sources for straw bales, and we will have to provide our own drinking, cooking, and washing water.
Scheduled Events include individual and combined-unit drills, inter-unit battles, a cooking competition, and a Saturday night potluck feast. Non-Scheduled Events hoped for include spontaneous outbursts of camp visits, cultural exchanges, group sing-a-longs, and body-looting. The Hauptfrau, Kuchenfrau, or Snackenfrau will be calling sometime during the week before the event and telling you what food items to bring. Everyone should bring their own camping gear, personal dishes and cup, and anything they wish to donate for the kitchen's use. Everyone should also bring 2-3 gallons of water.
February weather can unpredictable, but this event will take place rain, snow, or shine. If blizzard conditions are predicted, call Larry, Paula, or Drew to find out about cancellation.
The unit has been invited back to both Military Through the Ages at Jamestown, and Marching Through Time at Marietta Mansion. Our registration forms have been sent in, and Jamestown will be sending us confirmation letter sometime after February 9. MTA is scheduled for March 16 & 17, and MTT will take place April 13 & 14.
We have been encouraged by the Marietta people to make physical improvements to our campsite, and we may begin these during the Winter Campaign, depending on the weather conditions. Additionally, MTT will host local elementary school groups on the site on Friday, April 12, to promote the event to the community. Anyone who can come out on Thursday evening to help set up a few things, and then either stay over or comeback Friday morning to talk to the children, parents, and teachers would be appreciated. Larry will be doing so, and would like some help.
Once again, we have been invited to join Baron Heinrich and Baroness Barbara for the Bright Hills pre-Lenten celebrations. This event will be held in the Hannah More Community Center in Reisterstown, MD. The cost for the event is $10.00, in advance, $12.00 at the door, and includes the all-day buffet feast. This event will feature dancing, merchants, classes, and demonstrations, not to mention the opportunity to once again wow people with our stuff. Paula will be teaching classes in Courtesy and Court Etiquette at this event. Please call Bob or Barbara Kriner at (410) 833-6194 if you are interested in attending.