Westville Updates 7-11-08

[Jim of The SRR]

Well, the early registration date for Sparks of Secession - Westville, 1861 is closing in fast. Early registration of $35 ends August 17th. Late registration will be accepted until Sept. 25th and is $45. Don't wait! Lock in your role now by sending in your registration. We can assign you a role or you can select your own to be approved.

Significant updates have been added to the website at:

www.geocities.com/scar_civilwar/WestvilleIndex

These updates include:
- Updated and cleaned up Registration/Roles Listing.
- Nearby Sites
- Vendors & Services page
- Updated Site Photos page
- Site Map (print and bring to event).

We are in need of the following roles:
- Lawyers
- Court Clerk
- Tax Collector
- Teamster
- Street cleaner
- Potter (skilled)
- Musicians (fife & drum, bugle and civilian period musicians)
- Full time 21st GA Recruits
- Farmers, miners, plantation overseers and others to portray travellers
in town doing business.
- African-Americans who are willing to portray slaves
- set up, sign-in and parking volunteers
- Docent/Interpretor volunteers
- Recruitment clerk

Don't miss this opportunity to bring a period 1860s town to life!

Regards,
Jim Butler
SRR
SCAR

[Jim of The SRR]

One additional clarification:

Childrens Registration fees are $20 for early and $25 for late.
This also includes their meals and they too will be issued "Notes" to spend at the event (less than the adults).

Thanks,
Jim Butler

[Jim of The SRR]

Please note that the Men's Dress Guidelines for Sparks of Secession have been updated on the webpage. Additional research had required us to update these guidelines. Thanks to Joe Blunt for writing them for us. Please review these prior to the event.
We have also added the Muster list for the original 21st GA, Company I.

Updates are at www.geocities.com/scar_civilwar/WestvilleIndex

Also note that early registration ends August 30th!

Thanks,
Jim Butler

[C.R. Henderson]

I was just looking at the town map and it's a good thing that the woodworkers shop id just across the street from the doctor's office! Chisels are sharp! (Knock on wood):D

[Coatsy]

The EVEN better news is that the Sheriff's office is in a centralized location so I can respond to any shenanigans in quick and efficient manner. Can't let my constituents down now can I?

[Jim of The SRR]

More Updates have been added to the Sparks of Secession webpage.

These updates include:
- Registration list updated and many first person names have been assigned.
(Herb you are Daniel McKennen and your deputy is George McKidd...
hmmm Irishmen). http://www.geocities.com/scar_civilwar/WestvilleRegistrationList.html
- Diary account of Gilbert Richardson by Robbie Mitchell
and Census Data for Lumpkin, GA http://www.geocities.com/scar_civilwar/SecessionandStewartCty.html
- Updated Men's Dress guidelines by Joe Blunt.
http://www.geocities.com/scar_civilwar/WestvilleIndex
- 21st GA, Company I Rolls per Lillian Henderson's Confederate Roster.
- Event Description has been refined. http://www.geocities.com/scar_civilwar/WestvilleGuidelones.html

Remember that your registration fee covers 5 meals (including a period BBQ by Charles Heath) and $10+ dollars is refunded in "Notes" to spend at the event (additional "Notes" to spend can also be purchased at sign-in). Early registration ends on Aug 30th, so do not wait until the fee goes up. Also, roles are not locked in till you register.

Regards,
Jim Butler
SCAR www.geocities.com/scar_civilwar
SRR www.geocities.com/saltriverrifles

[Coatsy]

Jim,

You Anne, Robby, and Joe have done a bang up job on setting the event up with some great information. This is such a great oppurtunity for all of us to bring their "A" game and see what develops.

I'll be there with shackles for all the nere' do-wells.

[Pvt_Sullivan]

Herb,

Are you going to enforce any laws concerning firearms?

As the town's Banker, I feel it would be best for me to carry a Derringer just in case. But I am an upstanding Gentlemen and do not desire to be afoul of the local Sheriff.

Damn, I can't wait for this event!

[C.R. Henderson]

Herb needs a billy club.:D

[Coatsy]

If everyone follows the rule of law, then all will be well.

[VA-Patriot'61]

Herb,
If everyone followed the rules then you'd serve no purpose (and be quite bored). If my small mess of miscreants is allowed to attend the event to sell fish as traveling fishmongerers then we may frequent the tavern and cause a bit of trouble for you and your deputies... we need to give the deputies in Eufaula a break so we're expanding our horizons to the other side of the Chattahoochee.

[Coatsy]

Kirby..... Bring the miscreants. Judge Tripp needs more practice.

[Victoria Rumble]

I would like to encourage all of you to tell your friends about the event and encourage them to apply. "Invitation" doesn't mean you have to sit at home and wait for me to contact you. I've spent a great deal of time in the 18th century for the last 2 years, and little in the 19th century so I am sure there are a lot of quality impressions out there that I am not aware of. Please encourage those you know with good kits and impressions to contact me to discuss attending. If they are worried they don't have necessary skills I can very easily have them assist with the aid society which will give them people without pulling people away who are registered to be elsewhere. I also need people to act as docents or interpretors to lead tours on Saturday. We will have information ready for those doing that so that they are prepared and won't feel overwhelmed with explaining the vignettes to the tour. That will be done in 3rd person and will be ideal for anyone who is a little concerned about the first person elsewhere. There is something for everyone who meets at least minimum guidelines on kit and is willing to come, play nice, and have a whale of a lot of fun. There will be two different tours - each lasting 2 hours. If anyone or everyone wants to spend the time there (4 hours for both) to take both tours the interpretors should please encourage them to do that. If not, they can join whatever tour is in progress at the time of day they get there.

Anyone with children who may be concerned about the cost of registration please note that we have discounted registration to $20. for children and they receive the same meals as full registrant fee adults. We hoped this would encourage family participation. By family I mean a parent and children or conventional 2 parent household - or whatever your current situation is. A few of the ladies have been concerned that they do not have re-enactor husbands, and therefore, have no male head of household in the 19th century. I have hopefully set their minds at ease by offering countless reasons why a male would have been away from home - gone to sell a crop, purchase farm equipment, gone on a missionary trip, gone to visit a sick relative, etc. etc. The public is not going to stay at any one location long enough to find out our life stories anyway.

We need specifically someone to take on the role of a defense attorney and a law clerk. If you know anyone who would be interested in either of these roles please ask them to contact Jim or me. There is space for oodles of farmers and farm laborers as the census shows primarily farming families.

Keep in mind the early cut-off on registration and encourage those who may be interested, or who may have something to contribute and are not aware of the event to get in touch with us before that date. Since we are providing meals we must have a head count in time to figure the amount of food we need to purchase. Anyone who misses early registration will pay extra and there will be no walk-ons for the same reason.

I know gas prices are high and the economy is suffering, but that doesn't mean we can't do events, it just means choosing wisely and doing the ones that have the most to offer. I do think this one offers a great deal. There is a page on the event web site for those who are seeking to carpool to the event. Some are flying in or busing in and others have volunteered to pick them up in Columbus (GA) and get them to the event. If you need a ride, or are willing to offer a ride, please visit the web site and make that known.

If you have a table and chair and a way to haul it we have people who will be portraying various businesses in the village that are in need of these. If you have them and are willing to share please make that known. Each attendee will provide their own plate, cup, utensils, etc. and be responsible for taking them with you to meals or to the tavern for food or drink. No plastic or paper, so come prepared.

I'm available for questions at thistledewbooks @ comcast.net (type together).

Vickie Rumble,
www.thistledewbooks.com

[redfizz]

Vickie,

Would you be able to give us an idea of expected tasks you want the different types of roles to do? For example, the teacher is to teach on Friday from Xam - Ypm; farmers farm; and so on. With my role being the McDonalds' visiting cousing from DC bringing the latest political information and frock styles, I am assuming I would be a little "better off". I am planning on helping Mrs. McDonald write invitations to the Aid Society, maybe play croquet, and I migh have a silk, quilted petticoat that I could be quilting on or a nice hood I could work on for the winter.

Any guidance would be nice. We would like to know how to plan and research the tasks that we will be performing.

Thanks!
Angela

[Jim of The SRR]

Angela,

A detailed Vignette Guideline and Tour schdeule documents are emailed out to all registered participants. Once you register you will get more detailed info. The website has a lot of good info as well.

Thanks,
Jim Butler

[trippcor]

Good folks of Westville,
I will be arriving in town to hear cases in October 18 -19. If you have a legal issue you need addressed please contact our able court clerk Mr. E. J. Kukery (aka Greg Deese) to ensure it is placed on the docket. If you need legal assistance I am sure one of Westville's two esteemed attorneys, Mr. B. S. Worrell, Esq. (aka Brian Hicks) or Mr. Carl Evans, Esq. (aka Matt Young), will be more than willing to help for a reasonable fee.


Your Humble Servant,
Isaac Sherman

[D.W. Scalf]

I just have to say that I'm extremely envious of the chance that all of you have to attend this event. I remember going to Westville as a kid in the late 70's and thinking that it would be a great place to do a "civil war reenactment". And back then, I didn't even know what one was !! It looks like this will be a first class event, with the organizers really working hard at assure that everyone is prepared. What really kills me is that now that they've agreed to let an 1861 living history take place at Westville(which is about an hour and a half from my house in Valley,AL), I'm 15,000 miles away in Brisbane Australia !! If someone has several extra thousand laying around, and you're still short of peole, there are a few Progressive reenactors "downunder" who wouldn't mind making the trip...lol. But seriously, I ask God to bless you all and keep you safe. And have a great time. And take lots of pics!!!! I remain,

Your obedient Servant and Confederate Ambassador to Australia,

D.W.(Trace) Scalf

1st Geo. Regulars
2nd Geo. Vol Inf Co G "Columbus Guards"
44th Geo. Vol Inf Co. A(Australia)
19th Ala. Vol Inf(in the works)

[redfizz]

Jim, thanks for the information. I registered about a month and a half ago, and I don't think i recieved anything in the mail. I have also been following the threads and website. I suppose my concern is that some people were getting excited about participating in a particular event, but I have heard from others that they will not be participating because their role would not allow it. I was just wanting to be on the same page as everyone else. I am getting different information from different people. I figured I would go to the source :).

I am really not trying to be difficult. I just want to make sure I don't particpate in events that I shouldn't. (Plus I just ask a lot of questions and don't want to disappoint you.) By the way, perhaps I should email you directly with specific questions. Would that work?

Thanks, again, for understanding, and we are really excited! You are doing a great job! What a coup for bringing us such an opportunity!
Angela

[Victoria Rumble]

Sparks of Secession is coming fast and early registration is now closed. We will announce early reg. door prize winners soon (must be present to collect). Late Registration closes on October 7th and there are NO walk-ons. So, do not delay. Roles available are already limited. We have put many hours of research, labor and love into this event so far. NOTE, your registration fee covers, five meals (two breakfast, two lunch, one dinner-period BBQ) and $12 in "Notes" issued back to you to spend in the Village. We also will make a $5 per registration donation to the Wetsville Historic Site. So, have fun and help support the site!

Event info and registration is at:
www.geocities.com/scar_civilwar/WestvilleIndex

New things added to the site:
-Updated Vendor Page
-Registration List/Roles is updated weekly.
- 'Notes on Cotton' page (see 'Secession and Stewart Cty.')
-Event Guidelines updated.

This is a VERY UNIQUE event on one of the best historic villages in the U.S. Be part of and witness farmers selling cotton to brokers, period pit BBQ and rally, court preceedings in the courthouse, recruting station, tavern, ambrotypyst, textile makers, Blacksmith shop, Wood workers shop, period church service on Sun., Ladies Aid Society, Military drills and encampment (21st GA, Co. I), Stocked General Store, post office, Flag Presentation ceremony, etc, etc. Don't be surprised if you receive a tax notice, subpeona, Jury Duty summons, fines for violations, rewards for fullfilling "goals",etc, etc. Being able to enlist and shift from civilian to military is also a unique aspect of this event. You can see the AC discussion for further info on the events unique aspects.
This event is not about "Us vs Them". We have made camping arrangements for those wanting to use tents and creature comforts in a Reenactor Refuge area. In the village we maintain our event minimum standards and first person. This is an event for women and gentlemen, young and old, mainstream and c/p/h, but not farb. This is a nice balance that accomodates a wide range of reenactors. If you want to bring a period town to life and can meet a basic, minimum, posted standard then this event is for you! We encourage people with children to register. We will extend the early childrens registration fee of $20 to all children who register with an adult.

ALSO, we NEED just 4-6 more guys to sign-up for Westville and attend as full-time military. If they sign up, I will allow them the lower $35 early, registration fee. Please tell people that they are issued passes throughout the weekend. They can bring their A-frame, wall or Sibley tent, shebangs for the Military camp( no dog tents). Passes will be issued to shop and visit in town, Rally, meals, etc. But, there must be military demos throughout Saturday 10 am-5 pm for the public.
Dress for this military role is mostly civilian, some militia and commutation gear. Weapons are optional. If you don't have a pre-61 weapon, it is okay as many of these men did not have weapons or issued gear till they reached VA. We will also have some loaner pre-61 weapons. Robby Mitchell is the 1st Sgt and Drill Sgt for the event. We will be using Gilham's per Robby Mitchell.

The primary men's roles that are left are:
- Full-time military.
- Farmer in town on business.
- Clerk for brokerage or law office.
- Overseer in town for business.

Tours of spectators will be led by 3rd person docents throughout Saturday 10 am-5 pm. The rest of the time we have the village to ourselves, but we will maintain first person in the village the entire weekend. The Reenactor Refuge (off limits to spectators) is a place to rest, sleep, break first person, for anyone to utilize.

If you would like to be a Tour Guide/Docent (on Saturday for 2-4 hours) or Volunter at set-up (2-4 hours) on friday please contact me at unionguy1@comcast.net

Regards & Thanks,
Jim Butler
Vickie Rumble
SCAR www,geocities.com/scar_civilwar
SRR www.geocities.com/saltriverrifles