I have been in contact with Dan McGraw and he has offered the use of his 100+ acres of wooded property for an event idea I would like to pull off. I post this to see if there is any interest.

December 6th at noon we arrive at Dan's property for, Christmas on the Picket Line.

SCENARIO

Two picket lines near Fredericksburg on a Christmas night 1862 decide to stop hostilties and share a fire and companionship on this the most special of nights.

FORMAT
Arriving at noon on Saturday, we organize the two sides (each guy comes in the impression of his choice. We then seperate and set up picket lines opposite each other. As dark approaches we meet build a nice fire and set up camp where for the rest of the night we share comradship and sing christmas carols. At one point in the evening each man offers a gift to another. AFter a good night's sleep we pack up, shake hands and depart the way we came then after heading back to the cars go somewhere for breakfast.


The key is each man be willing to stay in 1st person, have the ability to sing period christmas carols and maybe other songs, be willing to sleep out in the winter as well as be willing to give something they currently own to another.


Well there it is so now the question is how many guys are willing to drive to Green Bay, spend the night outside in December and stay in Christmas 1862 first person?

I'm not looking for legions of men. Honestly 6-10 would make a fine experience.



Before I work further on this, I need a count of those guys who will commit as well as their impression choice.

Steve Acker
Prefer Confederate but will go Fed if numbers need it

Steve Acker wrote:
Before I work further on this, I need a count of those guys who will commit as well as their impression choice.

Yes, I can commit to attending.

My desire would be to portray confederate of the ANV late 1862 persuasion.

I even have a gift in mind now!

Members of the ONV,
The property is located near Peshtigo, Wisconsin and about 30 miles north of Green Bay. The highways are excellent (four lane until the last six miles). There are two structures on the propery that are modern, but the exterior design is from the antebellum period.....very much like you would have found on a Virginia farm in the Winter of 1862. Approximately 40 acres is tillable and the remaining 80 is woods. Certainly, weather can be an issue during early December. However, if the weather conditions become extreme, we can seek shelter in a heated out-building that resembles a carriage house from the period. The modern intrusions should be minimal. There should be plenty of firewood and we could have venison for a meal. The winter sky at night can be beautiful.......lots of stars and sometimes the Northern Lights. If someone would like to arrive earlier than Saturday noon, that can be arranged. I have some mainstream friends from the 10th Tennessee that camp (wall tents) every December in a nearby National Forest to hunt deer with their M1861's and P53's. They always have a good time. With the scenario that Steve has proposed, there is great potential that this could be a very rewarding and memorable event for members the ONV.
Regards,
Dan

Holler, last year we had it the second weekend in December. I remember because the first weekend I was out in the ice storm chasing the whitetails!!

I wanted to post the event far enough away so family holiday time would not suffer and the ONV meeting still had that second weekend.

Steve Acker

I always wanted to do a winter event that won't interfere with school (W64). What dates are you thinking?

December 6th, a Saturday mid-day arrival and a Sunday morning departure. It can be moved if more folks can make another weekend.

Steve Acker

It doesn't matter

Fine, we'll move the date to one that does not correspond with last years ONV meeting date. I am more interested in if anyone wants to do the event than the specific date.

Back to the point of the post, so far Andy myself and of course Dan McGraw since it is in his back yard. Jim Schuman has also showed some interest.

Anyone else?

Steve Acker

Steve,
I really like the concept of the event, and for some reason I like winter events (glutton for punishment, I guess), but up by Green Bay would be tough for a flatlander down here like myself, especially since I already put in for a kitchen pass for the Fredericksburg gig in November.

For me, the sure bet would be the weekend of the 20th because of finals and work. I could probably make the 13th though and just take my finals earlier. Would not apply to my brother, I'd just drag him along.

I am definately interested, but will need to check on dates. This sounds like a lot of fun!

I too have some interest but I think the next weekend of the 13th and 14th might work out better.

I'm in if the timing works. I have to work until noon on the 6th. Green Bay is about 4 hours north. The 13th would work just fine. Would prefer to go Grey but could do Blue as long as I can still cuddle with Andy .

Brad Bodoh
Mess #3