After the 150ths, Are You In or Out?

[akmadmoose]

Re: After the 150ths, Are You In or Out?

Being located in Alaska for the last nine years I missed the 150th events. I have not been active in the hobby since the 135th events. My last large event was Antietam in Hagerstown, Maryland. We are trying to do our part here in the "Last Frontier" by doing school presentations and living histories. Our attempt will be to make it back to CONUS for one event per year.

Ed Forquer
4th U.S. Co. E

[NCSoldier]

Re: After the 150ths, Are You In or Out?

Unfortunately I was deployed for most of, if not all of, the big 150th events. So that being the case I'll be staying around much longer (not that I considered getting out either way). Still haven't made it out since I got back stateside, but I'll be going to quite a few this fall and winter, if I am able to.

[guad42]

Re: After the 150ths, Are You In or Out?

I'm not sure this will add a whole lot to the conversation, but went back through this discussion after a rush of nostalgia last week, triggered in large part by watching portions of Ken Burns' "The Civil War" for the first time in many years. I missed out on the 150ths completely and I really regret that. Back in '09, '10 I had really started to make plans about attending a handful of those events and never was able to in the end. Working in television, the busiest times of year are usually the season where events take place. The energy used up at work leaves very little at the end of the day for hobbies, especially when you have a wife and five-year-old son who deserve what's left. On top of everything else was the gradual end of the unit I was a member of for several very happy years. In 2013, after I missed out on both Gettysburg and Chickamauga, I got rid of most of my gear. I have regretted it ever since.

So, for the second time in my life I find myself getting back into the hobby. No, my schedule is no better than it was for such a thing three or four years ago, in fact I have even less time (just completed a non-fiction book on contract and continue to work in television). But, what little time I will have for the hobby in the next few years will probably be well spent. Having sat it out a few years now, I miss the people. There's really a lot of nice folks in this hobby, even at the mainstream events. You make a lot of friends in the ACW hobby that you won't find in other hobbies and generally the events are more satisfying than the "paintball with blanks" atmosphere of WWII events.

Lastly, watching the Burns' series last week, I was reminded of my genuine love for the subject of the ACW and missed being a part of the hobby.

My advice to any of you old soldiers hanging it up now is that I would hold on to my gear. Sell it off and start collecting stamps and I can promise you that you will miss it sooner than you might think.

-Sam Dolan

[RSchuda]

Re: After the 150ths, Are You In or Out?

Even though I'm of the younger generations, I figured I'd add my comments.
The 150's saw my interests in this hobby skyrocket as I became a reenactor, and then within the last year or two, began to move to the authentic side of the hobby, which has only made this even more enjoyable. I think it's safe to say the bottom line is that I'll be doing this for many years to come.

[PogueMahone]

Re: After the 150ths, Are You In or Out?

I started in 1976. At the end of the 125ths, I said I'd attend the 150ths if I was still doing this. So, here we are, wrapping up the 150ths. I've got arthritis in my hips from too many nights on the cold, wet ground, too much middle and apnea, so marching around the woods and running across open fields is no more for me. A few years ago I started looking for civilian roles. I like the news correspondent and sutler thing, because I get to interact with the boys in camp, but I don't have to answer the bugle or the orderly. I've dallied in civilian only events and had fun. I recently pulled out an ancient bamboo fishing pole and am searching out my home made, whittled cedar bobbers, fishline and hooks. I envision a new role - man going fishing. Mind, I hate fishing. I can't clean a fish well enough to eat it. But I can sit and watch a line bob, smoke a pipe and sip from my flask until I doze off. It may be my ultimate impression.

I'm not done yet. Despite my wife's protests to the contrary.

[CaptBen]

Re: After the 150ths, Are You In or Out?

I started in 1992 and have been reenacting full time since then. Am now on my second "tour" as company commander and at 35, am enjoying the hobby more now than did when I was 15. A great unit full of people interested in improving their impressions and drill with no politics is to "blame".

Ben Cwayna
12th South Carolina/4th Michigan Vol. Inf.

[NCSoldier]

Re: After the 150ths, Are You In or Out?

....
My advice to any of you old soldiers hanging it up now is that I would hold on to my gear. Sell it off and start collecting stamps and I can promise you that you will miss it sooner than you might think.

-Sam Dolan

I echo this Sam. I started reenacting Civil War around 15 years old, then girls, work, slipping grades, baseball, and the thought of college made me dump it all. Fast-forward a few years and I bought it all again, only to sell it all after some inner-unit strife and a weird 180 turn the unit started to take (and now those people that almost ruined the unit are no longer in the hobby, or aren't a big part any more), and jump to today, and I am still assembling stuff from selling it off that last time. I've probably spent that money 3 times already re-purchasing gear and uniforms. Between this and WW2 reenacting, I've heard it more than once from a lot of people "Don't sell what you don't have to, you'll regret it", and 9 times out of 10 it always seems to hold true.

I imagine we'll see, like normal, here in about a month and a half, 2 months tops, the Wanting to Sell thread full of stuff from guys leaving after the 150th's, prepping for end of the year bills, and trying to turn some Christmas money real quick.

[Secesh]

Re: After the 150ths, Are You In or Out?

In for the duration.

[JustLemmons]

Re: After the 150ths, Are You In or Out?

I started this amazing hobby in June 2014, a little over a year ago during the last leg of the 150ths. I fully regret not joining sooner because I've heard about a few over-the-top events which I am jealous of not being able to attend. When I was looking to join reenacting and asking certain groups on where to start, I was lucky to meet progressives who took me under their wings and did not let me lose time and money in the other side of the hobby. I was not able to go to all the 150th events in the final year, but events like the Franklin 150th Living History totally cemented by love for this hobby and those in it. As a living historian I find it more enjoyable and rewarding to spend more time and resources into creating the persona rather than just accumulating authentic gear. And i feel like I'm in a group of like-minded individuals. Of course I am going to continue this hobby now that the 150ths are over because I am hooked, and because I see the path this authentic side of the hobby is steering towards. Smaller events, but more in-depth immersions with more rewarding outcomes than just burning powder. I am new at this, but I continue to read and research with the help from some of you all on this forum. So if you happen to see a new face at an event it might just be me, come on over and talk because I love meeting you guys and hearing your stories and guidance.

[PaveyWV]

Re: After the 150ths, Are You In or Out?

Been around since 2003 and will be around for awhile longer.

[tjdull]

Re: After the 150ths, Are You In or Out?

Been doing this since 1989 ... have "retired" to the Artillery ... great position to still be involved AND get to be a spectator :-)

[Grabenkater]

Re: After the 150ths, Are You In or Out?

I've tried it, still have most of my kit but it never "clicked" with me like other time periods. Still have some good friends in the hobby and I may slip out to an event here or there in the future. I can see myself doing a civilian impression more than a military impression though.

[Ken Cornett]

Re: After the 150ths, Are You In or Out?

How many times did Brett Favre retire? Or did KISS have it's Farewell Tour? I'm in until it's no longer fun for me or my body says stop.

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: After the 150ths, Are You In or Out?

Hair dye and keeping in shape are wonderful things... ;)

[Strawfoot]

Re: After the 150ths, Are You In or Out?

I started in 1976. At the end of the 125ths, I said I'd attend the 150ths if I was still doing this. So, here we are, wrapping up the 150ths. I've got arthritis in my hips from too many nights on the cold, wet ground, too much middle and apnea, so marching around the woods and running across open fields is no more for me. A few years ago I started looking for civilian roles. I like the news correspondent and sutler thing, because I get to interact with the boys in camp, but I don't have to answer the bugle or the orderly. I've dallied in civilian only events and had fun. I recently pulled out an ancient bamboo fishing pole and am searching out my home made, whittled cedar bobbers, fishline and hooks. I envision a new role - man going fishing. Mind, I hate fishing. I can't clean a fish well enough to eat it. But I can sit and watch a line bob, smoke a pipe and sip from my flask until I doze off. It may be my ultimate impression.

I'm not done yet. Despite my wife's protests to the contrary.

This hobby is a much better place with Joe Smotherman in it. Wish The Chawls was still around too.