Newspapers

For the Henkel Square event I began formatting Vicki Betts' Texas newspaper transcriptions into newspaper type sheets. It was requested that I continue the job for the rest of the war years. I have on my webpage March - December 1860; 1861 will be up soon. The sheets can be found at http://www.geocities.com/txcwcivilian/Henkel_herald.html

I have the different years broken out to their own pages. On the individual year pages are listings of the different papers represented with links to any Handbook of Texas articles on the paper. Under each month is a list of some of the headlines in that edition. (Yes, I do have a life, but I really enjoy doing this.)

Vicki's transcriptions of all the papers she has worked with can be found at http://www.uttyler.edu/vbetts/

Silk disaster

My silk arrived and I'm disappointed. It is not light blue, but electric blue, less of a taffeta and more of a slubless dupioni, more of a lining weight, and there are several flaws throughout the fabric. Very disappointing. So on the look out for another fabric. I'll hang on to this for lining or maybe a bonnet...I should have known it was too good of a deal.

Oh well. I'm still looking at the same style, maybe I'll find a really good red like the fashion plate.

Change in plan

There were only four yards of the fabric I wanted for my ballgown, so I have changed designs to this one, the red. My dress will be a very pretty light blue with the ribbons on the under skirt and berthe also blue. The underskirt and berthe will be white silk gauze with the skirt lined in white muslin and the sleeves white silk organza. This one is a little more labor intensive but I think it will turn out beautiful.

On With the Ball

No reeanctments coming up nor any sewing at the moment. I am, however, concentrating on the ball in January. I have added some new links to the ball page of my website. I think this will be fun. The caller is really excited about it as well, which will just add to the evening.

No Liendo

Well decided not to go to Liendo. The weather was not great and none of my friends were able to go this year, so I stayed home. It sounds that others stayed away as well. It's a great site and at one time was a great event, but I think it has too many modern vendors and few period sutlers now. Skuttlebutt is that the event may be ending as the site owner has some medical issues to deal with. Many events in Texas are going by the wayside and I'm not sure what is the real issue behind it.

Up next then is the ball, I hope. Have picked out my ball gown, still looking for the fabric. Probably won't start on it until after December 31 when I'll know for sure if the ball will make. Here is the inspiration, the blue one on the left.

Henkel Square

Henkel Square is over and I'm tired. But the event was fun, the site had more visitors than I think they usually do, and all the participants seemed to have a good time and want to see the event continue. The site had about 47 visitors, the majority saying they came out because of the Texas Highways article, and we had about 11 participants. Very small group of Henkel Square residents, but it worked. We could not have asked for better weather; it was beautiful! Clear skies, maybe 70 degrees, a slight breeze, chilly at night...perfect reenacting weather.

Steven and I arrived at the site about 1:00 on Friday to set up. We had the Muckelroy house and the Schumann I to set up as a general store. Most everyone arrived later that afternoon or later that night. We had three boarders in our house for the weekend. Saturday morning we got up and prepared for the day. I knew that it would be work cooking for the household plus two other guests I was expecting, but the reality really hit on Saturday. Made eggs, ham, and biscuits for breakfast. Got it served, cleaned up and immediately started getting the stew ready for dinner. Had a brief opportunity to run get the mail while the stew, well stewed, then to serve lunch and clean up. The men in the meantime spent the morning playing dominos at the store and lounging around.

I finally got to read my letter from Silvana at the Boonesfield Mo. event. The letter exchange really made the event special, to receive unexpected mail. It also gave an interesting ice breaker with the public. That afternoon I was able to go pay some visits and we found out from a rider that Lincoln had won the election, which spread fast and caused quite a stir. Captain Crosby, of course, reassured the community that no rash action would be taken by the state and that great thought would be put into what the state would do next. At the post office, Mrs. Betts read her letters from her family.

Supper that evening was simple with cheese, eggs, ham, and bread. The evening was passed by the gentleman playing dominos and I repairing my corset.

Sunday one of our gentleman boarders was so kind as to prepare our meals. We also had church service with Mr. Collison filling in for Mr. Nix and giving a wonderful serman. Mrs. Russell provided the music on her dolcimer. Church was held outside under the oaks as some visitors who had used the church on Saturday failed to remove their property. But the day was so lovely, it was a pleasure to sit outside. After church we gathered on the porch of the Muckelroy house and visited for some time. Then we dispersed to our respective homes for lunch and to prepare for departure.

Although this year's event was small everyone seemed to enjoy it and expressed an interest in seeing the event continue. We're looking at possible dates in November 2009 or February or May of 2010. We also discussed different scenarios for the event and possible activities. The lack of activities this year was my fault; I really zoned out the last few months with medical issues but now hopefully they are under control and I will be more in tune and proactive with the planning of the next event.

Pictures of the event are posted on my website.

So the next event is Liendo in 2 weeks. I think I'm just going out for the day. Look for a post and pictures after the 22nd.

TMD 2008

What a weekend. First to Round Top for a school day at Henkel Square with about 600 kids all between 8:30 or so and noon. Then to George Ranch for Texian Market Days. Stayed in the 1860s house Friday and Saturday nights. It didn't seem that we had as many people as last year but still there was a steady stream of visitors throughout the day. Nancy and I sat in the parlor with Collette, one of the site docents. She was so good with her knowledge of the house and family, we pretty much let her talk and we sat for pictures :). Two Texas Rifles civilians took the kitchen and cooked stew, which was a big hit with the visitors. In the afternoon our house was over ran by Yankees with the Confederates coming to the rescue. Not really a true Texas scenario, but the public loved it and it was a fun time. The site provided a hospitality tent for the reenactors with sandwiches and drinks. Saturday evening was the traditional dinner, but not barbeque this year. As it was the 25th there was a slide show running with shots from various years' events. Different staff members and volunteers were recognized for their work with the event and cute "Texian Market Days" pins were given out to all the reenactors.

The event is only a one day event so Sunday just loaded up, surveyed their cemetery for a designation and come home. Pictures from the event can be seen at http://www.geocities.com/txcwcivilian/TMD08.html

I did wear the new silk and here it is