| The Official Newsletter of Das TeufelsAlpdrücken Fähnlein. 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! Didja ever notice the Festival hiatus gets longer & longer every year? |
| Volume 6 | Issue 3 |
December 21, 1999 | |
As we find ourselves in the midst of the hectic Winter Holiday Season, the Landskonnections staff would like to take a moment and wish all of you and yours the happiest and safest of Hannukahs, Solstices, Ramadans, Christmases, Yules, Kwanzas, and New Years. (We'll wish you a Happy Third Millennium NEXT YEAR, when it really starts!)
The Official Annual Unit Business meeting will be held on Sunday, January 9, at 1:00 pm at the home of the Peterka's. Leftovers will be provided. There will be a very full agenda for this meeting, including acceptance of new members, promotion of existing members, setting of next year's schedule, group goals, budget and purchases, so please plan to attend, even if you can not attend the preceding night's party (see next article).
Assuming that the world hasn't come to an end with the Y2K problem, you are all cordially invited to bring a friend and come to the Peterka's house for a Twelfth Night Celebration. The last-of-the-1999-holiday-season/first-of-the-last-year-of-the-second-millennium-Festivities will begin at 6:00 pm on Saturday, January 8, and end whenever the last Landsknecht leaves or falls asleep. If you arrive any earlier than 6:00, you will probably be put to work. This annual party, filled with food, festivities, food, ferrets (not to be confused with food, please), frolic and fun, is the Peterka's way of saying "Thank You" to the members and friends of the unit for their hard work and support during the year.
A buffet dinner, desserts, munchies and both regular and diet soft drinks will be provided. Small trinkets will be exchanged, games will be played, character promotions will be announced, and great silliness will ensue. Dress is whatever-you-care-to-wear. Conveniently, the unit's Annual Meeting is scheduled for the next day, and there is plenty of space for any who wish to stay over. (See related article)
Contributions of food and beverages are not necessary, but would never be turned down. All members of the unit are invited to attend, and may bring a guest if they wish. Please bring yourself, a friend, your own alcohol, and RSVP to 410-924-4034 or 202-283-6328 by Jan 1.
The group has been very successful this year in acquiring new members to fill out the ranks. The Landskonnections staff would like extend a hearty welcome to our newcomers. Gabriela and Kerstin Gerharz, regulars at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, were referred to us by former member Victor Nazarian. The unit practically conscripted Gregory and Roy Draa, who were spotted at the Festival wandering around in their own Landsknecht clothing. Paul Cruise and MaryAgnes Costello displayed an amazing amount of persistence and patience, having tried to get together with the unit since early in the spring, and finally managing to get us to hold still long enough to join up after the Festival run.
The Fähnlein has also increased its numbers in ways other than recruiting: Nicole Katherine Zentgraf entered this world on November 18 at 12" long and 1.54 lbs., almost three months earlier than planned. She is currently in neonatal intensive care at the Anne Arundel Birthing Center, where Tommy and Jen spend a great deal of time with her each day. She is expected to come home sometime in February. Additionally, Larry and Paula Peterka are expecting a new campfollower or soldier to arrive sometime in early April, probably in time (or during) Marching Through Time. Congratulations and Welcome, Everyone!
The unit has yet again survived a long but very successful run at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. The patrons, performers, and administration complimented us on our professionalism, friendliness, and flexibility as we went about our duties as guards for King Henry VIII, Emperor Charles V, and their courts. Our willingness to pitch in and help with other tasks when asked was much appreciated by the directoral staff.
Larry and Paula, busy with the Living History Guilds, were much less actively involved in the daily operations of the unit, leaving the unit leadership to Mike Amos, Kellie Hendley, Janice and Ray Partenheimer, and Kim White, who did an admirable and unenviable job of directing activities, ensuring things ran smoothly and resolving problems quickly.
The final calculations have not been made, but it is hoped that over half of our salary went to the Unit Treasury, which will be very helpful when the time comes to make decisions on our major purchases for next year. Performing at the Festival has enabled the Unit to buy a cook's tent, a set of matched halberds, miscellaneous camping equipment and supplies, and will allow us to purchase a trailer with which to carry all our things to events.
Get set for more Thursday night mayhem as the Peterkas once again open their home for free-form Landsknechting. Now that everyone has had a chance to decompress after this season's hectic run, Larry and Paula will again host an Open House every Thursday for costuming, character work, history discussions, and general socializing, starting on January 13. Landsknechting will begin at 7:00 pm, and end around 9:00 pm. Contributions of food, drink, or munchies are always appreciated, but not required.
The next round of unit workshops will kick off on January 15th, with a two-day box making workshop taught by Larry and Drew. While the workshop will concentrate on making ice chest and other boxes for the unit, individuals may also make personal boxes as well. The workshop will begin at the Peterka's house at 9:00 am with a materials purchasing trip, and then box design, layout, and cutting. Assembly and finishing will take place on January 16, from 9:00 - 5:00. Shop fees for making an individual box will be $15.00, plus the cost of wood and other materials. The class is limited to 8 people, so please call Larry to sign up.
There will be a Weekend Sewing Workshop Series held at the Peterka's house, beginning the following weekend. Weekend sewing workshops 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.
Due to this year's holiday schedule, Weekend Workshops will be held on January 21, 22, & 23, February 4, 5, & 6, and March 3, 4, & 5. Additionally, the Peterka home is open on Thursday evenings for sewing and character work. If you find that you need help, but can't make enough of the workshops, special arrangements can be made.
Plan Ahead!!! The Sixth Annual Landsknecht Invitational Winter Campaign will be held on February 19 & 20, 2000, at the Marietta Mansion Historical Site in Glen Dale, Maryland. We will invite other reenactment units to participate with us again at this event.
The food plan for this year's campaign will include breakfast and lunch both days, and Saturday night's dinner, and will cost $10.00 per person. There will be a site fee of $4.00 per person, which is basically to cover the straw, firewood, and other miscellaneous expenses. Please pay your food and site fees directly to Drew Jones no later than February 5, 2000, and sooner if possible.
Everyone should start acquiring/assembling their own camping gear, personal dishes and other accouterment. Members who have joined since the spring should also think about making some cold weather gear over the winter (see related article on workshops). 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.
Schedule of Upcoming Events - (at least the ones we know about already)
| Jan. 8, 2000 | Twelfth Night Party, Peterka's - 6:00 pm - ???? |
| Jan. 9 | Annual Business Meeting, Peterka's - 1:00 pm |
| Jan 13, and Thursdays thereafter | Landsknecht Open House, Peterka's |
| Jan. 21-23 | Sewing Workshop - 7:00 pm Fri - 10:00 pm Sun |
| Feb. 4 - 6 | Sewing Workshop - 7:00 pm Fri - 10:00 pm Sun |
| Feb. 18 - 20 | Winter Campaign, Marietta - Noon Fri - 3:00 pm Sun |
| March 3 - 5 | Sewing Workshop - 7:00 pm Fri - 10:00 pm Sun |
| March 17 - 19 | Military Through the Ages, Jamestown |
| April 14 - 16 | Marching Through Time, Marietta |
| May 13 & 14 | The Age of Steel, Jamestown |
| June 16th | Cent. Symposium, New Bern, NC |
| June 16 - 18 | Musterung, Lehighton, PA |
| July | Takoma Park Parade |
| Aug. 26- Oct. 22 | Maryland Renaissance Festival |
If you need directions to an event please E-mail the web-mistress.