Greetings all,
Several of us involved with the reenacting community here in Northeast Ohio just had a wonderful meeting with the event team at Hale Farm, and specifically the event director Becky Carlino. As many of you know, last year was a disaster due to the individual who was calling the shots for Hale Farm. This resulted in the banning of certain reenactor favorites such as the Flying Turtle Tavern. It also forced the Confederate commander to script out the battle shot by shot. Believe me; Col Perry was not happy about having to do it. Suffice to say, the Western Reserve Historical Society quickly broomed this individual out the door after last year and brought in Becky to take the helm.
As a professional in the event organizing field and a Civil War junkie, the first thing Becky did was to reach out to the reenactors and, for the first time in Hale Farm history, involve them in helping plan the event. This will expand next year with the formation of a Hale Farm Civil War Round Table which will be a committee of WRHS staff and reenactors dedicated to developing and planning the Civil War event.
One thing the new Hale team wants to get away from is what Becky calls the "Sea World Syndrome". As we know, it is the same thing year after year. Blahhh... borrrring. Though this year may see only a few new twists, the Round Table will have the key task of introducing new activities and scenarios for reenactor and spectator alike. This includes plans involving those spectators who are veterans of our military.
That isn't to say there won't be some new surprises this year. There will be an extended battle scenario and a period-authentic location for the dance in one of Hale Farm's newly reopened structures.
PLUS… important for both blue and gray, the Flying Turtle will be back this year!
As with places like Old Bedford Village in PA, the Civil War weekend at Hale Farm is a make or break event for the facility. As I have said before, if we don’t support our local events, they are going to disappear. More importantly, if we don’t support places like Hale Farm, they will cease to operate and either be boarded up or knocked to the ground.
So, with all of that being said, Becky has asked me to pass along that she welcomes your comments. If you are on the Birney's Division Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1612316477#/group.php?gid=113780435888), look for Becky Carlino in the member list. She is also going to try and come down to Beaver Creek on Sunday next weekend to chat with those who have questions. The Hale Farm reenactment is also listed in the Events on the Birney's Facebook page. Make sure you add your name to those attending.
YANKS and REBS: For registration information, go to http://www.wrhs.org/index.php/hale/augustdrumspage and register BEFORE July 31st to get the discount. It is important to register early so we can make sure there will be enough dinner and ice cream for everyone.
If you have received this message more than once, my apologies as I am posting it in several locations for the widest distribution. I look forward to seeing you in the field!
Your Servant,
Lt Col Christopher L. Smith
Commanding, 2nd Battalion
Birney's Division
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