Upon an invitation from my sister Carmel, Carol and I traveled to Sherman Mills, Maine to give a demonstration of the Colonial and American Revolution era, with an introduction of the Loyalist view to three classes.

This trip was made possible by the considerable labors of my sister and the principals of the Elementary and Junior/Senior High Schools in arranging their schedules to accommodate us.

As it turned out, we were well received, and enjoyed ourselves immensely. Also to our surprise another class was added to our schedule. It was the 1st class of 3rd graders that showed the most enthusiasm. Sometimes the questions were asked so quickly it was difficult to keep up in answering and the children found it hard to keep in their seats. The elementary principal attended this demonstration and we utilized him in exhibiting some additional clothes and equipment we brought along as teaching aids. Unknown to us at the time, the principal is a retired National Guard officer. Carol and I ended each demonstration with several volleys from our muskets, after which one 3rd grade girl commented that the smell was like when her father cooks!!

The other 3 demonstrations of two 11th grade and one 8th grade classes were also successful for Carol and I with the great assistance that we had from Carmel. The initial response of these classes was more subdue. However, with the additional clothes and accouterments plus selecting volunteers, their curiosity was piqued after all.

As a post script, the following Monday Carmel called and told us the great reaction of the 3rd graders. We have a standing invitation to return -- a most gratifying request. We have also gotten a nice letter from the 8th grade teacher with comments from the students and an invitation to return.

Your Servants,

Mark and Carol Cafazzo

The Regiment traveled to Birdsboro Pennsylvania on the weekend of May 22-23 to participate in the British Brigade event at the Daniel Boone Homestead. Bill, Tom and Matt arrived Friday afternoon and had our tents up and ready for occupancy by the time the balance of the Regiment arrived late Friday night. Thanks lads!! Members in attendance for the weekend were: Bill, Diana & Zach Wigham; Tom DeLucco; Brian Zawodniak; Matt Ryan; Mark & Carol Cafazzo; and Dan & Nancy Moraski. Your humble Adjutant was nominated Sergeant De Jour for the event. We served with the Indian Department for the weekend under the command of Captain Walker who utilized Peters Corps the way we were intended. He brought out our best and we give him three huzzahs for his fine leadership.

The Regiment participated in Tactical Exercises on both Saturday and Sunday. It was very hot and humid on Saturday, a bit too much of both so early in the season. We left the engagement ready for sleep that night. Before retiring, we were treated to a fine meal prepared by Nancy and Diana during the day of spit roasted chickens, salad greens and breads. We're going to have to build permanent fire pits in our yards as the chicken was just the best!!! Literally done to a turn and juicy!! Yum!! Three huzzahs to the ladies.

On Saturday night the skies opened and cooled us down with considerable rain showers. This continued into the morning hours, but cleared right around noon to give us one more poke at the doodles.

This scenario was to be the exact reverse of the one fought the day before. We once again covered a great amount of ground, harassing the enemy on all sides, giving no ground or quarter, andtook NO casualties. Toward what would become the end of this engagement, we were maneuvered to the rear of the doodles. We were on high ground firing at will to the enemy rear and saw our main forces fire tremendous volleys into the Treasonous Whigs. This broke their spirit and they broke and ran to their rear, where we and our red brothers were waiting for them - easing their transition into the next life.

This was a great weekend in a lovely site. We wish to thank Christian Cameron for inviting us to such an enjoyable event.

In looking over the folks attending this year's Brigade School one could notice very few signs of repair work such as darnings and patchings. It appears that most folks just get new items rather than fixing up their old things. Especially significant in its absence is the use of rawhide in making sheaths and other items that do not have to be supple. One might say that strips of rawhide were the Duct Tape of the 18. Century. To mend a broken stock wrist, a spoke, or any such thing, the strips of rawhide were thoroughly soaked in water and wrapped around the fracture, tied off and let dry. In the drying process the rawhide shrunk and tightened so markedly that it was hard to improve on the repair. Rawhide was available on almost a daily basis in every good size camp as "beef creetures" were butchered and their skins became available.

Now-a-days the large rawhide chew toys for dogs and rebels are available in many stores. All one needs to do to make these rawhide items useable is to soak the toy overnight, untie and unwrap it, lay it flat and hold it down with flat weights until it dries. When dry it can be cut into strips or to a pattern and re-soaked for further work. Here is a chance to have some fun using your imaginations and your ingenuity.

Think of rawhide as Duct Tape-with-a-Grip-like-Iron.

Our Serjeant.

Again I was impressed by the genuine family spirit that pervades our QLR. Despite being on Sick Call for a damaged toe and a case of the "Dreaded Lurgy" Mark Cafazzo stuck around until the "last gun was fired".

Our other man reporting in as Excused from Duty on the Chirurgeons orders, Bruce Wallace, was also loath to pull foot as early as he might have and must have taken comfort in the knowledge that the Cricket game he launched was a great success.

It was quite evident that no matter where the wedge tents and sail might be, that we lot congregated near the fire. This is something to remember.

My impression was that we did well in both battle scenarios under the command of S.d.J. Chris Kennick. If anything seemed awkward it was due to our officers not being decisive nor quick to communicate, although I am sure they did their best under the circumstances.

Thanks to Tom for breakfast and all his helpfulness as duty corporal. It was meant to be a learning experience and from all observations it certainly was.

Most impressive of all is the fact that he has made, by hand, his waistcoat and linen workshirt! (When I first saw his shirt, I asked him where he purchased it from! It is that good!) He has also made his bayonet frog and a handsome leather-bound journal for which, because it was so well put together, he now has two additional orders!!

Finally thanks to Cliff Nichols, Matt Ryan, Dan Moraski, Brian Zawodniak, Carol Cafazzo, Marcia Kennick, Diana Wigham and Michelle Ryan for their flawless efforts on behalf of the QLR. I for one was very proud of our group. We had a total of nine of our men-at-arms in attendance for a total of 14 man-days of participation. The ladies provided 7 woman-days ditto for a grand total of 21 days of service.

Quite impressive!

Thanks to all for a job well done!

W. Wigham

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