| Vol. 11 | No. 1 |
Meeting of February 11, 2001
On February 11th, Peters' Corps held its annual meeting for 2001. Peters' Corps members in attendance were: Bill, Diana, and Zachary Wigham; Marcia and Chris Kennick; Mark & Carol Cafazzo; Neal Bourbeau; Dan and Nancy Moraski, Bruce Wallace and Tom DeLucco.
Subjects discussed during the meeting included an election of officers, member advancement, various officer reports, the schedule for 2001, and peterscorps.org.
Mike Williams was advanced to Full Civilian status under the provisions of the unit constitution. Congratulations Mike!
Nominations were made and elections were held with the following results:
Chris & Marcia's son Stephen Kennick and Neal Bourbeau's friend Shelly Ljunggren both received waiver forms to join the Regiment.
The Regiment will start using its registered domain name and move the unit website to: www.peterscorps.org.
(Editors Note: the move to www.peterscorps.org will be on hold temporarily. We'll report back when it's accomplished.)
As well as providing a location for the meeting, Nancy also provided munchies, veggies & dips, drinks, and deserts. The Wighams, Cafazzos, and Shelly Ljunggren also brought desserts. We sent out to Pompeii for pizzas.
AAR: Enfield Heritage Day
"I can get two perogies with one ticket?"
"Sodas are only one ticket?"
"We took the table because the Italians did not show up!"
Tom DeLucco got his first taste at being the NCO for the event. Tom did well for his first time out. There is not much room to maneuver at the Strong House to begin with, and a new stone walkway was no help. But Tom prevailed and did well. This humble linseeded private got his first sergeantship at the Strong House as well back in 1997. Ah, memories!
These were just some of the memorable quotes from the Enfield Heritage Day Festival on January 27, 2001. Members in attendance were Cliff, Neal, Chris, Bill, Tom, Mark, Brian, Dan, Nancy and Diana.
For the first time in recent memory, our unit was actually allotted food tickets! This was a very pleasing gesture as well. We took advantage of them that is for sure!
The event featured many different things. Irish step dancing, cultural demonstrations, karate kids, food, more dancing and us. We were stationed in the gym with plenty of rugs for our hobnails. We attracted many visitors as well.
The time flew by too. It was a very different venue for us, but like good rangers, we adapted.
And we did not have to clean our muskets. . .
Your most humbled and hobnailed,
Pvt. Linseed
For the Ladies Only
NOTE: This column is the result of the increasing female membership in the CCM (civilian class membership) of Peters' Corps. The focus will be on different women's garments, bringing in an overview of the garment and the latest research. Research is always ongoing, and is being published by both book publishers and email discussion groups. It is NOT meant to be the complete, definitive source on any garment. View it as a resource and a springboard to other areas.
"Lucy Locket, lost her pocket,
Kitty Fisher found it;
There was not a penny in it,
But a ribbon round it."
Do you remember reciting this nursery rhyme as a child and wonder how someone could lose a pocket that was sewn onto your shirt or pants? I pondered this thought and never figured it out. Until I oined the Brigade, and had to make a pocket. The first pocket that was, umm, manufactured, left much to be desired. It was the result of not having a mentor, not knowing what I was doing, and poor 18th century sewing skills.
Think of our 18th century pockets as the ancestor of our pocketbooks. They are a convenient place to hold our car keys, wallets, combs, and whatever else that your mind can imagine. Just be wary of the jingling that might be heard, or the leaning to one side if one pocket is overloaded! As this is said, it should be mentioned that pockets were usually worn in pairs, both sewn on to one piece of tape that was then tied around your waist. Pockets are considered underwear and are not worn on top of the petticoat; rather, they are worn under the petticoat and can be reached by your hand going through the pocket slit that you made when you sewed your petticoat seams.
There are no exact measurements for a pocket. It might appear that the size is proportionate to your body. Take a look at some paintings, showing pockets, such as Tight Lacing, or Fashion before Ease, by John Collet, 1770-1775, England. There is a great article in Costume Close Up by Linda Baumgarten and John Watson, pgs. 65-68. This also includes a decent set of directions for making a pocket. As you look at paintings, keep in mind the type of person that you are seeing. If there is a pocket that is worn outside of the petticoat, what type of woman is she? Is she dressed in a gown? Is she wearing ragged, patched clothing? Does she look as if she belongs in the "red light" district?
What types of fabrics were used to create pockets? You are always safe using plain linen, but not lightweight! Dimity is another option. If you have the envied ability to embroider, crewelwork is often found on extant pockets. Look through needlework books that deal with 18th century techniques and patterns for possible ideas for crewelwork patterns. Patchwork? Well, according to research done by Lana Eisenbraun, the pockets that have been found in museums date from 1780-1810 and "late eighteenth century." It is for this reason that patchwork pockets should not be used by those of us reenacting the 1770's the documentation is not there yet. Maybe it will be someday, maybe not. Feel free to start a research project! In the meantime, happy sewing!
Diana Wigham
A Message from the Serjeant
Dear Membership,
At our annual meeting we discussed, and voted on, many upcoming events. The fact that we had about three times the number of events as we were able to accommodate for this season, points to the fact that, in the upcoming years, we may find ourselves overwhelmed with events. Along with our BAR events, we again have lined up some of our own, what with at least one paying parade, and the Strong House being a paid event, we stand to add some to the treasury.
At our first company clothing and accoutrements inspection, this past Sunday (March 11th) we had Bill and Diana Wigham, Brian Zawodniak, Marcia and Chris Kennick being inspected ; Zak Wigham was along just to keep us all in line. Things went well, and there was some discussion about the colors and types of materials used for different types of clothing. There were no glaring problems with any of the clothing inspected, and with minor repairs it all looked like it could be made serviceable for the next season.
This inspection is the first one we are doing; although we voted it into our constitution and have just not attempted it before now. It is not my intention to re-inspect every garment every year, only those new items, either made or bought by the members. Or, I suppose, an article that has been greatly changed from the last time it was inspected. No shoes were looked at, although we should have a peek at them (having had a past member that soled his new, correct, 18th c. shoes with vibram rubber ones) . Hopefully we'll have a chance to inspect everybody's' stuff before the New Windsor event in May, or shortly thereafter. It bears mentioning that, in Peters' Corps. case, with the men at arms wearing mostly civilian clothing, an inspection for proper fit and materials, as well as workmanship and serviceability, will have a lasting affect on the unit. So far, we have been able to police ourselves, as a unit, and have maintained a high level of quality, both in our clothing, and in our general impression. With the recent addition of a pair of proper cook kettles, and with our prior knowledge of the use of a tripod over the fire, we are very well set in that dept., and can retire the iron pot. This is just one example of our everlasting search for what " they " would have had and used.
I, for one, am very excited about the upcoming season, and look forward to many more with my friends in PETERS' CORPS.
YOS Christopher Kennick, sgt.
Capt. Justus Sherwoods cmpy
Peters' Corps. - Queens Loyal Rangers
Editor's Note:
As of this writing, our new web address is on hold. Please continue to visit us on the web at our current address. I'll keep you all posted as to when we "make our move."
To view past editions of our unit newletter, The Loyal Gazette, click here.
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