Easton Heritage Day 2018

Once again the Frontier Guard took part in Easton’s Heritage Day festival.  This celebration commemorates the reading of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, but it features reenactors from all eras of Easton’s history, with a military timeline that spans the gamut from the French and Indian War to the Vietnam War, if not beyond.

We had our customary spot at the corner of the central square, and throughout the course of the day, we talked to hundreds of people and posed for dozens of photographs.  In fact, we hadn’t even gotten our gear unloaded before a photographer was asking my daughter to pose for a photo.

Of course, my son was in demand as well, as were we all....

There were a host of other craftsmen, military reenactors, singers, and vendors, as well as personalities like Abraham Lincoln and General Pershing (this year complete with horse), and a great attendance by the public. The weather cooperated, everyone had a great time, and it was another great event.

It’s been too long....

It has been far too long since I’ve updated this site - far too long.  Work and family responsibilities have played a big role in this lapse, but that’s not sufficient.  Rather, however, than detail reasons, I’ll just give a brief update on one or two events and try to keep up a bit better going forward.

In March, my son and I presented to the fourth grade at Green Hills school.  Students got to see a small slice of life from over 250 years ago.  They were rapt with attention, keeping the presentation going for nearly an hour, and they asked a lot of good questions...

 While a cold, wet rain prevented an outdoor setup, within the limitations of a gym we were able to show the students a good deal, with my son showing off 18th century childrens’ toys and helping out. As this was a school setting, two members of the State Police gave friendly, professional oversight.

Im working on the next post now; please check back soon...

Quiet Valley Harvest Festival

One of the year’s biggest and best events is coming up....

Join the Guard Sunday at Trailside Nature Park in Mountainside

Easton Heritage Day 2017

Each year, Easton, PA celebrates its heritage on the day the Declaration of Independence was first read aloud - or on the weekend closest to it.  The Frontier Guard has been attending the event for several years, and each year we have watched it grow and get bigger and better.  This year was no exception.  There were military and civilian reenactors from every era, a parade, and even the Budweiser horses at the end of the day.

Ron and I went, and while our display was perhaps a bit smaller and different from Capt. Pitchell's beautiful collection, the huge crowds seemed to enjoy it.  Ron brought his diorama, which I featured in an earlier post, and the public loved the attention to detail of it.  They also responded well to the items I brought along, and was an enjoyable and successful day.

Even General of the Armies "Black Jack" Pershing was on hand, adding personality to the military timeline.

  

4th of July in Blairstown

Each year Capt. Pitchell sets up in Footbridge Park of Blairstown for the Blairstown 4th of July festival.  This year I was able to join him for a short time and snap a photo or two.  As usual, the display looked great.

Ron's Diorama

Ron, whose cabin I featured in a previous post, is a man of many talents.  One of those is constructing beautifully detailed dioramas, like the one below:

Gradually Restoring Photos

When Photobucket unexpectedly changed its terms of service, prohibiting what it called "3rd Party Hosting" retroactively unless users were willing to pay $399 per year for the privilege of doing what had heretofore been free, as long as users put up with Photobucket's endless stream of advertisements,  most of the photos that I had placed on this blog were replaced with Photobucket's placeholders.

I have, however, begun to replace some of the more recent posts and pages with photos hosted on Google Photos.  This will be a gradual process, but I hope eventually to restore all photos.  Please bear with me, as this will take a bit of time.  I welcome any and all suggestions, comments, and support as I do this.  Thanks!

A (very temporary) switch in Allegiance!

At the end of June, my children and I returned to Southeastern Pennsylvania for the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation's annual French & Indian War skirmish.  This is always a fun event, with two skirmishes around the historic farmhouse for the enjoyment of public and participants alike.

This year, however, was a bit different; the Indians did not attack!  Due to a combination of a big Revolutionary War event and family obligations, none of the interpreters who have portrayed the Lenape in the past were able to make it.  This means that the conflict devolved to the French Regiment de la Reine against British colonial Rangers and militia.

Unfortunately, the French numbers were low, with only three regulars and one Québécois militiaman to fight a force of about ten British Provincials.  I was wearing my blue suit - an outfit that could be mistaken for a French Companie de la Marine soldier if you squint - I became a "frog" for the public that day. My children occupied the plantation farmhouse, and screamed or fled at the appropriate moments. All in all, despite the lack of Lenape attacks, the public enjoyed the skirmishes, and so did we.  

Photobucket trying to gouge its users

I apologize for the current look of the website.  It appears that Photobucket has abruptly changed its terms of service, and is now restricting photos stored on its servers - no longer permitting what they call 3rd party hosting, unless users upgrade to an account that costs just under $400/year.  I will gradually attempt to replace the photos, but it will take some time to download and replace them.  Please bear with me.
Thanks.