Fayma Callahan

Ok. I hear the concern. Let me be the one to say this, the "changes" are not "changes". These are things that have been in place, although not always strictly enforced. Harry, our wonderful Park Service "buffer" is not here at the park anymore. We have to manage ourselves in a more"organized" way, so that we are even allowed to have PiP. The big reason that I have asked for footprints, is because unlike before, we do NOT have unlimited area, and I was given VERY specific direction from the Park as to where the encampment could be. If we are going to have a problem with space, I can go back to the park "armed" with actual tent sizes and tell them we won't fit, with proof. As to the fires and pits, there have always only been a certain number, but with the increase in participation, now we notice it. We didn't ever hit the "cap" on fires, because we didn't have as many participants. This has been an incredible amount of growth in a short amount of time. Remind me again how many pyrates were there in 2005? Now in 2009, we have almost 140 signed up. Even if we do have some unfortunate cancellations, we are still looking at around 80 or so if the attrition rate holds from previous years. Please also understand, that there are also people who are not on the pub, that also must be counted in the numbers. I am going to have a series of topics posting that should help to make everyone feel better about things. I have been very busy behind the scene to get everything ready for these topics, so that the information would be accurate and complete. Many thanks to Sterling and Lily for keeping things going for me while I got us all some answers. As to the "Inner Circle", yes, there has been some off pub discussions, as there are in any event. If anyone would like to be on the "inside", all they need to do is call or pm or email me. I can always use more help, which is what these folks have given. I DO NOT want PiP to be anything less than the amazing, different festival that it has always been, and with some cooperation and sharing within our pyrate family, I believe in US! Who knows, this may just keep getting better every time, and we can show the Park Service what we are made of, and secure our home for future years. Look for the new topics...coming up shortly! Thanks, Fayma

I was hoping to have a chance to put all of the information together into a single post this week, but I will start here. I have been named by the Bone Island Buccaneers as one of the event organizers in the role of "Reenactor Liason". I, in such capacity as it is, asked that the captains/crewe representatives start to get together the footprints for our camp this year. It was done "off-pub" as it were, and then Captain Sterling offered to put the post up, to assist me. There was also a discussion from Spikes posting that mentioned it as well, so it is not entirely new. Please understand that we know that people may not be able to be "exact" at this time, but if we are going to have a "space problem" and need to go to the Fort to ask for more, we need to do this soon. I will be posting a separate thread, with all the forms needed, as well as area maps showing the designated camping that we have been given to date. The survey only occurred on Saturday, and I have yet to finish the overlay map. We don't mean to make this the "end" of registration for footprints, only a place to start to figure out how to fit everyone in. I will post more complete information very soon. We want to be more organized than in year's past, so that we can make a positive impression to the new park staff, as well as getting what we need to have a successful festival. In order to do this, we need everyone's help in the preparation. If there are any questions, please contact me at either my email: faymacallahan@aol.com or by phone at (812) 290-6056. You can also pm me, but I found that the box gets full fast! Fair Winds and Full Holds, Fayma

Sorry to be a day late... Busy life and all. Happy Belated Birthday, may ye and yours enjoy the day's celebration ,and have joy throughout all the next year. With Love, Momma Ratsey and The Crewe of the Sacred Heart

Me dearest Cheeky~ A most joyous of Natal Days we be a wishin' ye! Can't wait to see ye again, and Bess as well! With Love, Momma and Poppa Ratsey

A tankard be lifted in ye honour fyne sir! Even tho 'tis a bit late. Just saw this and wanted to add the best wishes o' me crewe for a grand day! See ye at PiP!

Welcome aboard! Glad to see that bein' stuck witout the ocean hasn't stopped ye from the sweet trade! Let's hear more 'bout the event ye mentioned... may have a word or two to offer ye.

We will be posting all of the needed forms and current information here shortly. We will have the updated forms with mailing information etc. available from links on the Friends page and also here on the pub. There will also be site maps that will show the areas that everyone is talking about, and we will be asking for tent footprints so everyone will have enough space. Looking forward to seeing you all at PiP!

Oi Mission, say it isn't true... ye shall be missed!! Now who is going to show all of the great surgical stuff?? And eat my vegetarian stew... and lose tankards regularly... and hats... Hope all is well, and hope to see you again soon!

May your son make a complete and quick recovery, fyne sir. No one is ever prepared for a child to be in grave danger, not especially in a random act of violence. Ye have touched me heart, by posting here one of the most difficult times in any parents life. It is a testiment to the friends and family we all truly are. Many prayers and positive thoughts are coming your way. We pray for a speedy and full recovery. Please let us know if there is anything more that we can do. With Pyrate Family Love, James "Poppa Ratsey" and Fayma "Momma Ratsey" Callahan Crewe of the Sacred Heart

My Dear Animal, Tis only a change in port, not a change in yer heart. You have the undying love and loyalty of all of your pyrate family, fer all o' yer days, no matter the port. I hope you will be able to be at PiP this year, as it is the greatest gatherin' o' the brethren because of our family. But if not, be rest assured that we will drink to ye, and call often. You and Suzi need to take care of yourselves, and everyone understands that. If there is anything we can do to assist ye in this journey, PLEASE call. Who knows...those of us that drive may just take a detour....say to VA and take ye at sword point...with rum in the other hand...yeah, we can ply him wit that...and take ye to PiP anyways... Hmmmm, makes one think.... Yep. It could be done. Love to you both, let us know how you are doing!! Fayma

My Dear Harry, It is the 30th of June today...and you are still leaving us...I had so hoped that this day would not come. I rejoice for you, your family and the courage of your decision. I know it cannot have been an easy one. Words simply cannot express the deep gratitude and love that we feel for you and Sue. You took us into your home at the Fort, one and all, and made us reenactors feel welcome. The dream you had for reenactors and living history at Fort Taylor has come true, and your legacy will live on in each one of us. With each volley of cannon fire, each round of rhum, each voice in song and each story shared, you will be there. No other person has brought so much to the Fort, and so much to our PiP family. You will be missed, my dear friend, but only in your previous capacity. We fully expect and desire your presence with all of us on the other side, as a true pyrate should be. We hope that you and Mrs. Pettitwatt will be there with us come December, as our family grows. It is with utmost respect, honor and love, that I propose a mighty HUZZAH for ye Harry. For all that you have done, and all that you will do in your future. No matter what, you have FAMILY with PiP. From Our Crewe to yours, The Sacred Heart James "Poppa Ratsey" and Fayma "Momma Ratsey" Callahan

Poppa also put them out to webshots: webshots.com search: jamesacallahan100 Use the most recent uploads to bring the Blackbeard Festival to the front. Enjoy!!!

New link with more pictures from Poppa!!! http://picasaweb.google.com/jamesacallahan100

First Batch of Poppa's Pics...here they are! Enjoy! http://picasaweb.google.com/jamesacallahan...r01PoppaRatsey#

Ahoy all~ Sacred Heart Crewe all home safe and sound. Many, many thanks to all the crewes that participated in the Blackbeard Festival, it is all of you that make us look so good! Poppa and I are already starting on the mountains of photos, and hope to have a link to them up soon. Dutch and Grace- A million thanks for all of your hard work and dedication. Please pass on our thanks to all of your crewe! Well Done! Looking forward to seeing you all soon! Love, Poppa and Momma Ratsey

Sacred Heart will bring the cheese and butter, as we will have access to a refridgerator in the hotel. Please let us know if there is anything else we can bring to help. We will also have a vehicle there, so if anyone needs to run an errand, it's covered. Can't wait to see you all, we miss our pyrate family!

Rats~ Never fear, when you arrive (note- not IF) and depart can be anytime ye need it to be, we can work it out. Ye just HAVE to be there, all else we will be glad to help with. The sooner ye can be there the better, and as for staying on, we can help there too. We usually have plenty to do even afterwards, and like to take some "tourist" time on the following Mon-Wed or so. So we will be there. We always come in early to help with the set up, so we can pick you up and stuff. PLEEEEASE!!! Winter in Wisconsin...blah, PiP....WOOHOO!!

Here are some more of Poppa's work~ Potential Posters for PiP. What do ye think? Enjoy!

Diosa~ Wishing ye the best of birthdays from our crewe! Miss ye something awful, hope to see ye soon! With much love, Mama and Papa Ratzi and the Crewe of the Sacred Heart

Ahoy Beryana! Welcome to the Pub! A round for all from the Crewe of the Sacred Heart. Glad to see ye here, met ye while photographing RF5. Gotta start planning to go to PiP with yer crewe... Meet some of these fyne pyrates!

So sorry to hear about the job. It is hitting everywhere. But keep yer chin up and know that the brethren here 'ave yer back. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. Here's to better times for us all!

Thanks for the spell check Hurricane! Hope ye like the proofs, even if we are spelling challenged at times...

Not voting, just thought ye all would like a peek into what Poppa was up to this weekend. There will be more to come...

A round for ye from me crewe! My ye have many more anniversaries here in our happy port!

Best Wishes for an easy and speedy recovery! Our thoughts and prayers are with ye lass!