Henkel Square: 7-9 November 2008

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Henkel Square: 7-9 November 2008

Just a reminder that the structure assignment deadline is coming up fast, August 31. If you wish to have a bed in a structure at this event, you will need to provide your registration, photo if you did not attend last year, and biography if it has changed from last year.

The registration is available at http://www.geocities.com/txcwcivilian/henkel.html

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Henkel Square: Impression

We will have an interesting impression at Henkel Square this year--a newspaperman employed by the Civilian & Galveston Gazette traveling throughout the State gathering the public view on the upcoming election and the talk of secession, especially the opinions of the pro-union German population living in and around Henkel Square. This should lead to some interesting scenarios for the weekend. The Civilian & Galveston Gazette was an actual paper in publication in the 1860s and had pro-Union leanings.

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Henkel Square: 7-9 November 2008

The July edition of the Henkel Square Herald can be accesses through

http://www.geocities.com/txcwcivilian/Henkel_herald.html

This edition includes several articles regarding the fires in and around Dallas, the discovery of some dinosaur bones, and the drought.

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Henkel Square: 7-9 November 2008

Just a reminder that the deadline for registering for accomodations at Henkel Square is August 31. Registration can be done online or through the mail. The registration form (online and PDF) is available at http://www.geocities.com/txcwcivilian/henkel_form.html

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Henkel Square: 7-9 November 2008

It has been brought to my attention that the online registration form is not so straight forward to use. I apologize for that, have attempted to fix it to no avail. However, there are now instructions on using the form on the registration form page. Sorry for any confusion or inconvenience.

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Henkel Square: 7-9 November 2008

The August Henkel Square Herald is now available at http://www.geocities.com/txcwcivilia...el_herald.html

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Henkel Square: 7-9 November 2008

Two more weeks or so to register for Henkel Square and have a home during the event. I’ve noticed that the event announcement is appearing in several statewide travel magazines and web calendars, so there is potential for a good public crowd. Registration information can be found at http://www.geocities.com/txcwcivilia...istration.html.

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Henkel Square: 7-9 November 2008

The deadline for registering for Henkel Square with a guarantee of space in a structure has passed; if your registration is not already in the mail, you may not have a spot in a structure for the event. Those of you who indicated you plan to attend but have not sent an actual registration form, picture and/or biography (if necessary), please do so as soon as possible.

You still have an opportunity to attend the event by registering by October 15. However, there is no guarantee of lodgings on site. The scenario has been adjusted as the impressions needed for the original scenario did not materialize. The new scenario is available at http://www.geocities.com/txcwcivilia..._scenario.html.

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Henkel Square: 7-9 November 2008

Two more weeks to register for the event. We do have a couple of structures not occupied so there will be space for anyone wishing to find sleeping quarters on the fly.

[Annette Bethke]

Re: Henkel Square: 7-9 November 2008

The last day to register for this event is tomorrow, Oct. 15. You can find registration information at http://www.geocities.com/txcwcivilia...istration.html.

[Annette Bethke]

Re: AAR

Henkel Square is over and I'm tired. But the event was fun 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.

Pictures of the event are posted on my website.

[Silvana Siddali]

Re: Henkel Square: 7-9 November 2008

The letter exchange was Annette's idea. When we realized that both of our events were going to take place on the same weekend, Annette came up with the brilliant notion of having residents of the two villages write to one another. That made for some wonderful moments. In our case the post office was managed by Mrs. Brenton (Deborah Hyland) in her Mercantile, which was also where the musicians often met to sing and play. Throughout the weekend, villagers would meet in the Mercantile, sit around the stove to listen to music and trade stories, and whenever someone received a letter from Texas we would all listen with great interest. The visitors & spectators enjoyed that as a rare treat. Annette and I are going to continue this tradition into the future, and I hope very much that we can also visit each others' villages some time soon.

The letters were full of fantastic details and interesting news. Thanks, Annette! Sounds like you all had a great event, and much better weather than we did!