Capt. Sterling

A very happy birthday to you Petee!

Great little event which has tons of potential. Marcus Hook is part of the Riverfront Ramble with things going on all along the river, rather like a giant street festival. The Devilmen and we were part of the new addition to the event, where Blackbeard's Crew and the Vigilant Crew(this being their third year I believe) were about 14 miles down river, we were in the town of Marcus Hook and we were very well received. The town was decked out with pirate banners etc..There was a lot going on from pony rides to tons of vendors, a stage set up with entertainment going on all day, a pirate feast, and more... More to come as well as more photos... Duke of Albany and York's Maritime Regiment of Foot, circa 1680s Augustine Herman (oh and Arthur wants to come out and play more so we need to keep him in the loop The Devilmen Crews firing during the black powder demo whilst Capt. Scurvy lectured...

Yeah neither can we... yeah...don't listen to yer father...come here and listen to Uncle John...

chocolate caramel candy corn... yeah if I keep this up I'm gonna be ill...

Oh I can certainly agree with this...its what we did with ours...and they have adapted very well to it...one of mine being worried about contacts, prefers to not see things in the distance as well rather than wear her eyeglasses...and after seeing her period correct choices, again, she would rather see something way off as blurry... although ...ahem... the cuddly toy still comes to every event, he just stays hidden at all times... sigh... as to doing reenacting, I can't say enough about how great it is for kids... the grades sky rocketed practically over night in ALL areas not just history... and they aren't germ freaks (for lack of a better term), and when the modern conveniences go bust, they know exactly what to do to survive. Our first winter down in the country in VA, was a nightmare as far as the better half was concerned as the power not only went out a lot, it went out for days... first time the kids grabbed all the lanterns and ran out to collect fire wood... the spouse was truly amazed... and when starting to complain about the electrical bill the other night, the kids immediately perked up and said..."Cool we have candles"... boy did I get the look...

Beside... when they get older and do enjoy the hobby and they are misbehaving...the leverage you get with..."knock it off or you aren't going this weekend" is mighty powerful...

Chris when it comes to kids they are a whole other issue... some jump right in (when they are old enough)and pretending just comes naturally to them...others well if we don't take reality into the equation, we are just forcing them to do something and in the long run they may just end up hating the hobby. Your daughter is just too bloody adorable, especially in her hat, to make her uncomfortable and possibly grow up saying "not another event I hate those" Make it as "realistic" for her as you can, but and I agree with Mickey here, her comfort, health and safety comes first...just ignore the rude remarks...they aren't constructive in any way, shape or form.

Actually all we are doing is just voicing opinions... which everyone is entitled to do so... after all, in the end, opinions are truly just how we feel about something... and everyone's is different... so in the end, none of us are completely wrong and none of us are completely correct...

[quote name='Mission' date='01 October 2009 - 01:26 PM' ti Personally, I wouldn't even want to go to an elite event as a re-enactor. While such a thing would be dazzling to behold as a spectator, it would also probably be replete with overly-talky know-it-alls and stuffy self-rightous prigs and intentionally demeaning jerks. A little of that goes a long way. Honestly Mission, you would be surprised when you attend something like an 'elite' event... for instance the private ball at the Governor's Palace in Williamsburg... not open to the public only the reenactors themselves... it was so amazing, like going back in time, especially in such a wonderful location... that I think most of the reenactors were in awe and not pissing and moaning as some do.... the atmosphere was so electric that folks just fell into character in order not to disturb that atmosphere... see something I have learned is that with most successful businesses/schools/groups, etc... when you raise the bar/standards there are many folks that will aim to achieve those standards... does everyone? no, and honestly that isn't a problem... they still "compete" as it were and still remain often successful themselves... of course some go belly up and close down... often times only the folks not willing to put in the time and effort are the ones complaining about the standards...the ones that are truly interested in learning will make a way to make it work...The nasty know it alls(who never do know it all), for some reason seem to act like they can only survive by putting others down all the time... honestly I find more satisfaction in helping someone and watching them grow and succeed...guess it comes with being a parent....

Honestly I'm comparing any event where reenactors are included, either big or small, festival or reenactment. Sometimes size doesn't matter...and sometime quality doesn't matter... and the folks putting on the event have the right to chose what they want. It really comes down to what the event is wanting to produce and I again I will pick MTA, as they pick and chose who they want to invite/include according to their desires/standards...would they change their standards if they get a smaller turn out... I have no idea... I was speaking hypothetically... and whether or not they can chose from numerous time periods they still set standards/limits...it is Military through the Ages... so you mostly won't see huge groups of reenactors that do strictly civilian crews at the event...that is their choice...do they limit the size of the event because they do not include groups that strictly do civilians, of course... but again that is their choice....do they stop folks from walking around in improper kit during that event that are not actually participating? Not that I have seen... again that is their choice... Now in my opinion, any crew that is not willing to play with newbies, is only limiting themselves, we do everything we can to include newbies when we go out to play, except piss off our hosts...again we are there as guests... In the past when we ran events, we always set standards, and did everything we could to include the newbies, finding them parts to play, helping them with equipment, and making sure they understood what was expected of them in the future...when the event organizers as well as the crews attending,are willing to listen and be inclusive, you would be surprised how quickly many newbies are willing to learn and put the time and energy into growing their portrayal...I have even seen Reel pirates improve their kit, not in accuracy, but in what they are trying to portray as far as the myth aspect goes... so again, event organizers can do as they please with their events, we can try and speak to them about possibly changing things, but it still comes down to their decision. Any wise leader should be listening to the opinions/advice of others especially those with experience, before making any decisions themselves... but then in return it is only decent of the rest of us to respect their decisions...

Well honestly all events are organized by someone or some group... and some organizers set there own rules and expect to be listened to and they have every right to do so.. and then there are some organizers who are willing to listen to what their participants are interested in... but someone is still organizing the thing...some are just allowing their participants input.. tell MTA to lower their standards to include everyone and see how far ye get... hmmm perhaps not a good comparison on my part in the first place, due to the fact that most parties carry on as folks either don't attend due to the dress code, OR they go out and rent a tux...Can't say I have heard of too many weddings where the guests were up in arms about the dress code and all refused to come. Granted in the old days folks would not have been rude and would have complied if they could afford to especially since a formal party is usually to honor someone or something...and not the individual attending who was invited... Ah this I well know, especially regarding that flash guard thread as I am the one who started the stink in the first place... as I will not be applying my standards to another time frame nor due I expect another time frame to apply their standards to mine... Honestly it all boils down to what the event organizer is wanting to produce with his event...are they running a Pirate type festival where they have both "reel and real" pirates? In which, most cases, the two groups truly work well together and set each other off well with their differences... I have yet to go to an event where the spectators turned against the Reel pirates (Hollywood/myth folks)because there were reenactors at the same event or vice versa. But say MTA is running the event, is it really wise to encourage them to change their rules? They are out to teach history and actually judge the groups attending... would it be wise for them to lower their standards? I don't think so...and they have every right not to do so... and who is to say that maybe they would rather shut down their event then lower the standards so that spectators are truly getting the wrong impression? Honestly still don't understand why everyone is getting so defensive, whether or not the Sea Rats ever reply or not? Maybe they don't even care? Sometimes when we get defensive, we make them look even worse not better... maybe, once again, folks should learn to stop assuming that others mean the worst by what they say....

Oooppps ..sorry Hawkyns, assumed Mission split the thread... see how much trouble we all get into when we assume....still sniggering....

sniggering... Mission strikes again...

Honestly it truly boils down to what the event organizers want for their event. They provide the event, the playground, and sometimes, fringe benefits...we should respectfully adhere to their wishes... as it is their event, their playground and their fringe benefits... I think we in the pirate genre are very spoiled, as crews set their standards(which in many cases apply only to each crew) and so far, not the event organizers, although I have noticed some things along those lines are starting to change... but this is for OUR time frame..do we really have the right to apply our standards to other time frames... again, not our events... When I did A. Rev War... you didn't dare show up as a newbie in what you thought might be passable...you arrived in street clothes and asked questions first... if you didn't, in many top events, you were promptly, and politely, asked to leave or change... and the time frame grew and flourished... I guess I am old school as well, but when you are invited to a special event and there is a dress code, such as white tie and tails or black tie only... you don't show up in your comfy jeans... Frankly all Hawkyns did was post his opinion and back it up with examples... and from what I know of the Sea Rats, they would most likely be willing to listen to said opinion and learn from it...or at least I would hope... after all, none of us know it all and anyone who claims they do ...well... I hear tons of high praise from thousands of people regarding the Archangel's accomplishments, but its the folks that mumble "that's not correct" or "I would question that particular camp item" that truly get my attention... can't fix something if you don't know its broken... granted I am not going to butt heads with some nasty know it all either... life is too short for arses...and all it takes is a little sense not to be rotten or assume the worst. In the end it all comes down to attitude... Lady Brower, I cringe to think where you would be now, IF you hadn't run into a nice experienced reenactor, who was willing to help and not blindly bash away at you, your first time out... With the proper attitude, experienced reenators/living historians can easily encourage and help the newbies, out, but the newbies have to accept said help with an equally gracious attitude and not assume that they are being ripped apart all the time...not every experienced reenactor is a nasty button pisser... here's one for Mission and Jessi, why is that people get so damned defensive all the time? instead of just assuming that someone is actually trying to help? Time to get back to the old standard of believing the best and not the worst of people...

Caramel apple candy corn... mmmm

How dare ye call my cousin a twit... ahem... Only I am allowed to do so....

Well for what its worth, the translation on the last item calls it a leg guard not a boot and states supple... so it sounds more like a gaiter type item...I wonder if the loose tops, what looks like to protect the knee eventually turned into the knee wraps worn by Rev War dragoons over their breeches but under their boots...

Wishing ye all the best! Hope ye have a grand day of it cuz...and remember ye need to blow out the candles on yer cake, not let them melt all over....

a... Robbie, don't need three on the gate at one time...how about helping out Saturday instead, by pairing up with either myself or William Red Wake? BTW cuz, you and William would get along just wonderfully.

just a reminder

Of course I took it seriously, all right maybe not the costumes, but the dancing, aye.... as they are both very good at it...besides everyone knows Jack is Princess Leia..

sorry Mission after hours and if they end up sleeping in my tent again (which they are certainly welcome to do so)... no green...

Ah now here's the rub, you will have to ask to see a special coin, ye just won't be allowed to collect it...

Thank ye MadPete, Captain Mickey, Stynky and Hurricane...