Welcome to the Reenactor Chronicles newsletter

The Vision

It's so exciting to see this vision become a reality! But this first issue is only the beginning of its reality.

This blog and newsletter are designed to change and evolve as you, the readers, become involved. I welcome your input, ideas, contributions and feedback. The home base is the website, www.ReenactorChronicles.com and this newsletter is planned for every other week, beginning today.

My vision is to provide a community space where reenactors can share their knowledge of history, living history and reenacting. It's a place where:

• New reenactors can get their questions answered by veterans who have the answers.

• We can tell the stories of men and women who are highly skilled at their arts, crafts, music, performances and demonstrations - or highly skilled at shooting, archery, hawk & knife, fire starting, and any of the competitive skills.

• We can learn more about "everyday reenactors" who sit quietly in their camps, and why they do what they do.  

• Everyone can share their photos.

• Clubs can share their news.

• We can stay informed about all the special programs and events related to reenacting that will be taking place as the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary.

I hope you get the idea. There won't be space necessarily for all that in this newsletter, but more can be found on the blog. And the third leg of the project is a Facebook page/group where people can post and discuss.

This newsletter and blog will change as time goes on. The information it provides will be a product of the people who are willing to share their knowledge and skills.

Vicki's Background

I promise my blog posts and the stories I write won't be all about me. But in this first issue I want to tell you a bit about who I am. There are many people out there who don't know me and don't know why I took on this project.

I've been a reenactor for more than 25 years, starting in 1999 as a member of the Seneca Muzzleloaders, a rendezvous club based in Tiffin, Ohio. For the first nine years, my family attended small, local events. At the urging of friends in the club, I attended my first Old Northwest Territory Primitive Rendezvous and Eastern Primitive Rendezvous in 2008.

And my eyes were opened to a bright new world!

In February 2009, I started publishing the Rendezvous Ohio website - and even published a paper magazine-type publication for a little while. In my full-time job I was a newspaper writer and editor, so it wasn't a big stretch but I didn't have a lot of time. I thought I knew a lot about reenacting. Ha! I soon learned how much I didn't know. But that was all good. I love learning new things.

Over the past 16 years I've continued to publish the RO website, and it evolved into a listing of events in Ohio and neighboring states. It continues at www.RendezvousOhio.com.

Also during those years, I've traveled to events as far south as Florida; as far north as Mackinaw, Michigan; as far east as Eastern PA; and as far west as Wisconsin. I've attended juried events and rendezvous. I was involved with the NRLHF for about six years; served as editor of Smoke & Fire News for two years; served on a board that started a new event; provided leadership, publicity and marketing for another venue near my home; and just generally got involved in the reenacting world.

That's when I started to envision this blog and newsletter.

About a year ago, I retired from a 40-year newspaper career, and I'm excited to be working for YOU in this new stage of my career – providing the latest news and information to my fellow reenactors.

Again, this blog and newsletter aren't about me, but I serve as the behind-the-scenes person who provides the structure and makes it all come together every other week.

If you would like to be considered to be a regular contributor in this endeavor, please email your qualifications and area of interest to Vicki@ReenactorChronicles.com. … Or if you have one topic you want to write about one time, I'm open to those ideas too.

I'm seeking suggestions for reenactors, artisans, craftspeople, musicians and other talented folks. I want to tell their stories. If you have suggestions, please share.

And - oh yes - if you received this newsletter forwarded from a friend, you can subscribe to get your own copy by visiting www.ReenactorChronicles.com and signing up at the bottom of the page.

Please pass along this newsletter to anyone else you think might be interested.

Have a wonderful day!

Vicki