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Published monthly, or whenever I get around to it. Any opinions contained herein are strictly my own, unless they're someone else's, as are any typographical errors. Entire contents copyright 1999 by Paula Peterka, unless otherwise noted or authored. Yeah, like you'd WANT to steal anything out of here! Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful. . . |
| Volume 6 | Issue 1 |
January 28, 1999 | |
The Fifth Annual Landsknecht Invitational Winter Campaign will be held on February 13 - 14, 1999, at Marietta Mansion Historical Site in Glen Dale, Maryland. We will invite several other reenactment units to participate with us again at this event.
The site is located near the junction of State Routes 450 and 193, in Bowie, Maryland. It will be open for set-up on Friday, February 12. 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 the upper field for our camping and demonstration area. There is one portable toilet on the site, behind the mansion. We will use what firewood remains on the site from other events, supplemented by our own. Drew is arranging for straw from a commercial source, and we will have to provide our own drinking, cooking, and washing water.
There will be a $12.00 fee for food for this event, which includes breakfast and lunch both days, and Saturday night's dinner. There is an additional charge of $4.00 per person to cover the straw. Please pay your food and site fees directly to Drew Jones no later than February 6, 1998, and sooner if possible. Everyone should have already started acquiring/assembling their own camping gear, personal dishes and other accouterment, as well as. cold weather gear. Everyone should bring their own camping gear, personal dishes and cup. Everyone should also bring 2-3 gallons of water. February weather can unpredictable, but this event will take place rain, snow, or shine. The event will be postponed if the weather forecast calls for temperatures below 25° F, or for more than 6" of snow.
The Hauptfrau is opening up her kitchen (and possibly back yard, depending on the weather) for a "Tryal of Dishes", the Renaissance equivalent of the Betty Crocker Test Kitchen. On Saturday, February 6, any and all unit members who want to practice cooking some old and new foods should come to Paula Peterka's kitchen, no later than 11:30 am. This will give everyone a chance to learn some of the German staple dishes in a controlled, modern environment, before having to tackle them out in the weather.
This practice is open to soldiers as well as campfollowers, and the foods prepared will be eaten by the test cooks for dinner that evening. Contributions of ingredients or money would be appreciated, but are not required. Please contact Paula before February 4 if you would like to attend.
Das TeufelsAlpdrücken Fähnlein held elections at this year's Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors for the 1999 - 2001 term is Larry Peterka, Chief Executive Officer; Drew Jones, Chief Financial Officer; Paula Peterka, Chief Recording Officer; Mike Amos, Director-at-Large; Kim White, Director-at-Large. The Field Officers for the 1999 - 2001 term are Larry Peterka, Hauptmann; and Paula Peterka, Hauptfrau. Congratulations and condolences to the new Board and Field Officers!
The unit also voted on applicants for membership. The Fähnlein would like to welcome the following new members into its ranks: Katrina Diehl, Katrina Hegge, TJ Kirchner, Rich Manzano, Heidi Peterson, and Linda Shertzer. These folks were officially voted on and accepted into the unit as probationary members. The probationary period of these members is grandfathered to the date of attendance at their first event.
Harry Grunder, Gwen Martin, Chris Reidenbach, and Jen Zentgraf were not voted on for membership, as their applications have not yet been received.
The unit would also like to congratulate the following people, who were promoted from probationary member to full member: Mark Denz and TJ Kirchner.
The new full members have full voting rights on unit business, subject to age regulations (sorry, Mark), and can be assigned to sponsor probationary members. This brings the total number of active full and stakeholder members to 24.
Congratulations and Welcome, Everyone!
The unit would like to congratulate the following members on their theatrical promotions: Michael Denz, promoted to Pikeman; TJ Kirchner, promoted to Pikeman; Heidi Peterson, promoted to Kampfrau; Ray Partenheimer, promoted to Doppel; Anna Hoppmann, promoted to arketenderin; Janice Partenheimer, promoted to Marketenderin; Elizabeth Partenheimer, promoted to Marketenderkind; and Kim White, promoted to Marketenderin.
The following members were also appointed to the following positions: Mike Amos, appointed to Weibel; Ray Partenheimer, promoted to Weibel; Don Haithcock, appointed to Kaplan; Drew Jones, appointed to Leutnant; Kim White, appointed to Kuchenfrau; Kellie Hendley, appointed to Dienstmädchen des Weib des Hauptmanns (Captain's Wife's Campfollower).
Members with higher theatrical ranks are expected to wear fancier clothing, collect and use more accouterments, and create a more accurate historical impression. Congratulations, Everyone!
The unit will be returning to compete at Military Through the Ages at Jamestown, which will be held March 20 & 21, 1999. Our registration forms have been sent in, and we have received verbal confirmation from Cody Grundy, one of the event administrators. There are a few major changes this year, but none of them are untenable. This will be our fifth year at this event, and we hope to have as much fun this year as in the previous four. This event is a showcase of reenactment units, and there will be groups representing everything from the XX Roman Legion through the National Guard. Since this event takes place at a state-run museum, there are rules for participation which they strictly enforce. Details of the official regulations will be published as soon as they are received. Some things, however, remain consistent from last year:
Landsknecht Thursdays Continue
Stop by the Peterka's Open House every Thursday for costuming, character work, history discussions, and general socializing. Landsknechting will begin at 6:30 pm (or so), and end around 10:00 pm.
Dinner may or may not be served, depending on whether the Peterkas have eaten by the time everyone gets there. Contributions of food, drink, or munchies are always appreciated, but not required.
The Weekend Sewing Workshops continue into the months of February and March. They usually start at 7:00 pm Friday night, and end after "X-files" on Sunday. Members may come to sew for as few or as many hours as they wish, and crash space is provided. Priority help will be given to new members, bodices, and pants. Experienced members with nothing to sew are encouraged to come and help others. Please bring portable sewing machines if you have them.
Weekend Sewing Workshops will be held on February 26, 27, & 28, and March 5, 6, & 7. Larry and Paula will be in California during these two weeks, but the workshops will still take place, led and hosted by Kellie Hendley AT THE PETERKA'S HOUSE. (No rest for the leaders, even if they're not home!) The Peterka home is open on Landsknecht Thursdays for additional sewing. If you find that you need help, but can't make enough of the workshops, special arrangements can be made.
Cold Weather Camping by Drew Jones
Greetings!
I figured after five years I should write an article for this fine publication. (for which we thank you -ed.) My topic this go-round is Cold Weather Camping. With February being one of the coldest months of the year, I decided to write a few hints for those of us not used to camping in the cold.
First and foremost is the concept of keeping warm. It sounds easy, but there are a few tricks to it. The major heat loss areas of the body are the heat, wrists, and ankles. I recommend gloves or mittens, a hat (which everyone should have on anyway), and a good pair of warm socks. Staying mobile and active during the day should also keep you warm and comfortable. Also important in the concept of layering clothes. It helps a lot by the fact that we wear layers to begin with. Layering your clothes allows air pockets to accumulate warm air and help insulate you. As you expand your wardrobe, add warmer, heavier fabrics for winter garb. To the ladies, I highly recommend making a goller to keep the upper body warm.
During the night, the same principles apply. A good sleeping bag or several wool blankets is a must, and by "good", I mean one designed for colder temperatures. There are sleeping bags which are rated solely for summer or indoor use, and I DO NOT recommend this type for our purposes. Another wise investment to make is a stocking or night cap made of wool. This will help retain body heat, since the head is usually the only exposed area at night.
There are two major health concerns associated with winter camping: frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite strikes the extremities of the body: ears, noes, fingers, or toes. Symptoms of frostbite include numbing of those parts, or their turning grayish-white. To treat frostbite, you must thaw the frozen part gently. Get to a warm location of possible, and get some warm liquids into you. Warm the affected part by wrapping it in a blanket, or running cool to warm water over it, not HOT. Frostbitten cheeks may be warmed by using the hands, and frostbitten hands may be warmed by placing them under a warm armpit. Once the affected part has been rewarmed, you should exercise or gently massage them to restore circulation.
Hypothermia is a more dangerous condition which can result in death in the most extreme cases. It is caused by the body's losing more heat than it generates. The most frequent cause of this is not being dressed warmly enough for the air temperatures around you. It can also be aggravated by exhaustion, wetness, and strong winds. Air temperatures do not have to be below freezing for hypothermia to occur. Temperatures of 40 - 50 have just as much a chance to cause hypothermia as temperatures of 0 - 20 do.
Symptoms start with the victim's feeling chilly, tired, and abnormally irritable. If these are ignored, then the victim usually begins to shiver, often uncontrollably. The shivering will increase in intensity as the body desperately tries to warm itself up, and loss of motor functions is common. If the shivering suddenly stops, then death is knocking at your door.
Fortunately, first-aid for hypothermia is simple. Strip the patient of his or her clothing and put him or her into a warm sleeping bag. As the body temperature rises, get him or her to drink warm fluids, and give something for quick energy. Then get him or her immediately into a doctor's care.
Winter camping is safe and enjoyable, but like any activity, not without its risks. Hopefully, these tips will help you enjoy a happy and warm camping experience
-Andreas
$$$ Dues and Other Money $$$
Unit dues are due and payable as of January 1, and officially late as of May 1. To all those who have paid your dues already, "Thank You". To all those of you who have not, "Ahem". Dues are $20.00 for individuals, and $30.00 for families. Newsletter subscriptions are $5.00.
Meal plan and event fees are generally due two weeks before the date of the event, unless otherwise specified. The meal plan fees for this season are $12.00 per person per event, which covers breakfast and lunch Saturday and Sunday, and dinner Saturday night, except at Jamestown, when we usually invade the Mongolian Barbeque or attend the awards dinner. Winter Campaign carries an extra fee of $4.00 per erson to cover straw and wood.
If you plan to attend all three events this, why not send Drew a check for $60.00 ($110.00 for a family of two), and rest easy for the year?
Schedule of Upcoming Events (at least the ones we know about already)
Every Thursday Landsknecht Open House, Peterka's
| Jan 1 | Dues due and payable to Drew | |
| Feb. 6 | "Tryal of Dishes" cooking practice, Peterka's | |
| Feb. 6 | Money in to Drew for Winter Campaign | |
| Feb. 12 - 14 | Winter Campaign, Marietta - Noon Fri - 3:00 pm Sun | |
| Feb. 26 - 28 | Sewing Workshop - 7:00 pm Fri - 10:00 pm Sun | |
| March 5 - 7 | Sewing Workshop - 7:00 pm Fri - 10:00 pm Sun | |
| March 7 | Money to Drew for Military Through the Ages | |
| March 19 - 21 | Military Through the Ages, Jamestown | |
| March 27 | Money in to Drew for Marching Through Time | |
| April 9 | School Preview Day, Marietta | |
| April 10 - 11 | Marching Through Time, Marietta | |
| April 30 | Last day for paying Dues on time | |
| May 15 | Money in to Paula for Musterung | |
| June 19 - 20 | Musterung, Lehighton, PA | |
| July | Takoma Park Parade | |
| Aug. 28 - Oct. 25 | Maryland Renaissance Festival |
To Marietta Mansion: Take 495 to 450 East, and get into the left lanes. Continue on 450, and turn left at route 193. Turn left at the first available turn, just past the brown Historic Marker, onto Bell Station Road. Turn left into the first driveway, and park/unload where indicated. Call 301-464-5291 if you get lost, or for site information.