| 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 2000 by Paula Peterka, unless otherwise noted or authored. Yeah, like you'd WANT to steal anything out of here! Hey, come bac-, no put that dow-, you can't have tha-, don't put that in your mouth! Wait! no! . . .Who'd have thought babies were so much WORK? |
| Volume 7 | |
December 28, 2000 | |
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 hope you enjoyed the Christmas Eclipse, and remember to celebrate the beginning of the Third Millennium!
The Official Annual Unit Business meeting will be held on Sunday, January 7, at 1:00 p.m. at the home of Larry and Paula Peterka. This is conveniently scheduled as the day after the Peterka's annual Twelfth Night Party, which will be held January 6th, starting at 6:00 pm (see next article). Both established and prospective members are welcome at both the party and the meeting. Party leftovers will be provided. There will be a very full agenda for this meeting, including election of corporate and field officers, acceptance of new members, promotion of existing members, setting of next year's schedule, group goals, budget, and purchases. Please plan to attend, even if you cannot attend the preceding night's party.
You are all cordially invited to bring a friend and come to the Peterka's house for a Twelfth Night Celebration. This year's Twelfth Night Party will actually be ON Twelfth Night - which is to say January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. Traditionally, Twelfth Night marked the end of the Christmas Holiday season (as in, the Twelve Days of Christmas), and usually saw the biggest party of the year. Since this will also be the first Twelfth Night of the New Millennium(r), the Peterkas are planning for an all-out event. The festivities will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 6, 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. The annual party, which this year will include a round of "pass the baby", 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. Dress is whatever-you-care-to-wear. Conveniently, the unit's Annual Meeting is scheduled for the next day, and there is space available for those who wish to stay over. (see previous article)
Contributions of food and beverages are not necessary, but would never be turned down. Alcohol is not served, but you may certainly bring your own, assuming that you are of age to do so. All current members, prospective members, and friends of the unit are invited to attend (basically, anyone who gets this newsletter), and may bring a guest if they wish. There will be various party games, so please bring a wrapped $5.00 - $10.00 gift if you wish to take part in a pirate present swap. Please RSVP to 410-924-4034 or 202-283-6328, ASAP.
Congratulations are very much in order for the unit's performance at this year's Maryland Renaissance Festival. Once again, the unit has overwhelmed and delighted the cast, crew, and crowds at the event, our seventh such appearance. We received many positive comments about our unit's efficiency, approachability, and generosity from performers and patrons alike. The Royals we guarded were pleased with our attendance (even if they did occaisionally run us out of breath), as was their director. We received a great many compliments from the audience as we went about our duties as guards for King Henry VIII and his court, and our willingness to assist with crowd control and other tasks was much appreciated by the directoral staff.
Larry and Paula, busy with the Living History Guilds, were only remotely involved in the daily operations of the unit, leaving the unit direction to Kellie Hendley and Janice and Ray Partenheimer, who did the best job yet of leading the unit at this event. The experienced team worked hard together, managing daily activities to ensure things ran smoothly and any problems were resolved quickly. The final calculations have not been made, but it seems that most of our salary went to the Unit Treasury, which will be very helpful when setting the coming year's budget. 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.
Thursday nights before ER are going to heat up once again for the Peterkas, as they open their home for another season of Landsknechting. Now that everyone has had a chance to decompress after this year's hectic schedule, Larry and Paula will again host an Open House every Thursday for costuming, character work, history discussions, and general socializing, starting on January 18. Landsknechting will begin at 7:00 p.m., and end at 9:00 p.m.. Topics will be set and announced in advance, and suggestions are always welcome. Come work on your kit, further develop your character and accent, and brush up on your 16th Century current events!
Plan Ahead!!! The Seventh Annual Landsknecht Invitational Winter Campaign will be held on February 17 & 18, 2001, at the Marietta Mansion Historical Site in Glen Dale, Maryland. We will invite other reenactment units to participate with us again at this event, even though no one else ever comes, 'cause they can't take the cold weather. The food plan for this year's campaign will include breakfast and lunch both days, and Saturday night's dinner, and will cost $12.00 per person. There will be a site fee of $4.00 per person, which is basically to cover the straw, firewood, port-o-potty, and other miscellaneous expenses. Please pay your food and site fees directly to Drew Jones no later than February 1, 2000, and sooner if possible.
Everyone should start acquiring/assembling their own camping gear, personal dishes and other accouterment. This is one of the few opportunities we have to really spread out, so everyone is encouraged to bring a tent and all their gear. Winter Campaign has long served as a "shakedown" before Jamestown; a chance for everyone to go through their equipment to find out what still works and what needs to be repaired, as well as to refresh their memories about 16th century camping. The Captain may also use this opportunity to hold a kit inspection, and reassess theatrical ranks based on what he finds.
Members who have joined since the spring should also think about making some cold weather gear over the winter. We will set the schedule for winter workshops at the Annual Meeting (see related article). 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. 6, 2001 | Twelfth Night Party, Peterka's - 6:00 p.m. - ???? |
| Jan. 7 | Annual Business Meeting, Peterka's - 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. |
| Jan 18, and Thursdays thereafter | Landsknecht Open House, Peterka's |
| Feb. 16 - 18 | Winter Campaign, Marietta - Noon Fri. - 3:00 p.m. Sun. |
| March 16 - 18 | Military Through the Ages, Jamestown |
| April | Marching Through Time, Marietta |
| June | Muster on the Maumee, Ohio (tent.) |
| Aug. 25- Oct. 21 | Maryland Renaissance Festival |
To the Peterka's House: Please e-mail us.
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.