Immersion: fun or scary?

[Paul L Muller]

Re: Immersion: fun or scary?

WHERE IN iLLINOIS IS THIS EVENT AND HOW DOES ONE GET INFO? PLM

[Michael Comer]

Re: Immersion: fun or scary?

Paul and any other folks interested.

Right outside Oakland, a bit north of Charleston in Coles County.

If you're on Facebook go here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/282532561813239/

Here is the google group page: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=...endencevillage

[Hank Trent]

Re: Immersion: fun or scary?

WHERE IN iLLINOIS IS THIS EVENT AND HOW DOES ONE GET INFO? PLM

It's near the little village of Oakland, near the Indiana/Illinois state line, about an hour west of Terre Haute. Here's a brief thread on it:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?36797-Independence-Village-Fall-Event-2012

For more information, you can contact the organizer, Silvana Siddali, with a private message through the fourm, and she can answer questions and put you on the google email group.

There's still time to register and attend the September event, Sept. 21-23, since there are some slots open, if you hurry! If you want to attend and need something to do, I'd be glad to "hire" an unskilled (or skilled) person to assist with carpentry, so you'll have an instant way to fit in, make friends in 1862 and something to pass the time. If you're interested in that role in particular, email and we can make plans. This weekend, I'll be out of town trying to recover some runaway slaves, ironically on the same site 15 years earlier, so if I don't reply right away, I'll definitely get back to you by Monday evening.

I'm betting that Huntdaw here on the forums (Michael Comer) would also be willing and available to give other ideas or suggestions for men's roles, if you private message him. He's usually our sheriff. Edited to add: Hah! We were posting at the same time. Looks like I was right.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[Rick C.]

Re: Immersion: fun or scary?

Hello Mrs. Lawson,

Ask Bernie about my first person attempt with a business idea for post war.

[georgerutherford1861]

Re: Immersion: fun or scary?

Many here have added very powerful incentives to give immersion a try if you haven't already. Mrs. Lawson's comments about an "ongoing community" struck me as being incredibly important. The ability to interact with people in the same setting over a period of multiple events builds that community and makes immersion easier from the start of an event, like a well-worn set of clothing it just goes on and "feels right" from the start.

Dang, I hope to make it next spring.

Doug Frank

[c.irelan]

Re: Immersion: fun or scary?

I have to say that this is one of my favorite events to attend. It brings so many things to my impression. With it occurring twice a year with the same folks it gives me a period home! I also took up a actual physical profession of the time this year! To routinely do a event of this type will only make you a better living historian!

To borrow a quote from one of my best pards, Jasper I found the event I didn't realize I was looking for....Thank you!

Christopher Irelan

[Silvana Siddali]

Re: Immersion: fun or scary?

Just returned from our fall event. After I got home I realized that there had been so much to talk about. Not the least of which was the murder that took place in town ... more about that later!

For example, someone found beautiful walnut logs in Mr. Good's woodpile, which gave us all an opportunity to talk about what should be made from the wood. No one wanted to see it burn. Some of us may end up with new knitting needles, spoons, tool handles, or walking-stick heads.

Another time we chatted about Mrs. Ragsdale's new hairstyle, which many of us ladies are going to try to copy. After the gentlemen left she graciously took her hair down and showed us how to do it. There was a lot of talk about the delicious beef stew Mrs. Good made. I had offered to scrape some parsnips for it, and Mr. Trent became quite insistent that parsnips were too good to waste in a stew -- so he cleaned them himself. We ate them mashed in butter and milk, with a little salt and pepper, to great acclaim. Of course tiny 3-year old Westley said they were "very nasty."

The children were always good for a few chuckles.

There was lots more, but as you see, these conversations all arose very naturally and easily just from what we happened to be doing at the moment.

[51stNCVCo.K]

Re: Immersion: fun or scary?

I have always wanted to attend a event in which i must stay in character. I will admit it seems scary. Even taking to easy route and portraying a quite person , or if you are that way naturally, it can be even more frightening because you will not get the needed interaction to practice. However from this report I think I can survive the weekend by picking and choosing my battles like conversing about a log and some stew.

[Silvana Siddali]

Re: Immersion: fun or scary?

We have lots of quiet folks in the village. Some people are shy by nature and do best one-on-one. Others love to hold forth. By all means come visit and see what happens!