| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Seamus |
Posted - November 02 2004 : 08:17:47 AM
(NPI--that's "No Pun Intended....)
Tomorrow I am going to Warrior Run High School, near here, to give a program on JF Cooper and LOTM to classes of Sophomores and Juniors. I was invited by one of the Literature teachers, and when I inquired as to whether he had any direction for me to take, he replied, "No, not really, just wear your stuff and bring all your weapons." Well, as you may be thinking, that can pose some problems, and you are right.
One of the things I always do, whether it is a military demonstration program for schools or a program on civilian life of the 18th century which may involve weapons of any type, edged or firearms, is to meet with the faculty involved and an administrator ahead of time and go over what I have in mind for their program. I have a release form for Firing Demonstrations and for Non-firing Demonstrations which we each sign and file. That way there are no surprises. Also, when I arrive for the program, any firearms are cased or covered and exposed only for the program. Students or teachers are never allowed to handle or touch any weapons, either. It also helps that I am personally well-known here, as this is where Nancy, the former dark-haired lass, has taught for over 30 years, and the Principal I have known since she was a teeny-bopper.
In our very rural area, we can do certain things--still--that will not fly in more urban settings. Whenever I do a program in such areas, I go dressed in a modern business suit, take some clothing and "toys" for demonstration, and a video of our activities which show weaponry being employed. Weapons NEVER go into an urban setting.
Anyway, the important thing here is that tomorrow LOTM (the book AND the movie) will be roundly and soundly discussed with about 100 high school students. This is the first time I have had a chance to discuss LOTM in a school setting, and I am really excited about it. I think my plan will be to present a "History vs. Hollywood", and I really don't think I can do everything I have in mind in the 47 minutes I have. I will guarantee, though, that they shall NOT be bored!!
AND--Rich, you can bet that there will be a bunch of them looking in on www.mohicanpress.com !
This is gonna be FUN!!
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Seamus |
Posted - November 15 2004 : 9:01:01 PM
Hi UL13,
PM is Private Message.....I'll send one to you, open it and go to Reply.....it's quite easy!
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| UncasLover13 |
Posted - November 15 2004 : 8:39:39 PM
Yes, Gadget Girl I know! Very excited! Hmm..never realized that rhymed with Cora! lol.
Seamus, that sounds great!! Very excited! Umm, I know I must sound extremely dumb right now, but what does PM mean? Ugh, sorry for the stupid question. I am honestly about to burst with excitement at the thought of you coming to our school! :) I hope this works out.
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| Gadget Girl |
Posted - November 15 2004 : 7:50:10 PM
OH BOY, UL13 (is it Nora? Hey that rhymes with Cora!!) You are ONE lucky girl. WOW, what an offer!!!! What a treat you may have wrangled for you and your school!!! 
GG  |
| Seamus |
Posted - November 15 2004 : 6:32:24 PM
UL13,
You mean near Erie??? Ha! Been there!! I used to live in Meadville. I am now about 3, 3 1/2 hrs away from you....that, my dear, is NOT out of the question. PM me and I will give you my email for your teacher, and if we can work something out, I'd be happy to pay a visit to the school. Might even be able to talk my cousins, Sjt. Malcolm MacWilliam or Many Flags, into coming along.
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| UncasLover13 |
Posted - November 15 2004 : 2:17:45 PM
Seamus,
I live in a small town called Girard in Pennsylvania. I'm in eigth grade, so the school I attend is Rice Avenue Middle School. I would be sooo excited if you could come to my school!! Any chance of coming now? :)
--UL13 |
| Sjt. Malcolm MacWilliam |
Posted - November 10 2004 : 06:17:39 AM
There is a lot being taught in PA schools. It is part of the state social studies standards, so it is written into grades 3 and 4 curricula and also occurs in 7th grade. I do several days at Dr. Uncle Mark's school, along with my native friend Two Bears, and Many Flags chips in also. However, not all schools use the resources out there. Dr. Uncle Mark understands all this, so his 450 students often have programs on Seven Years War and Rev. War. I also go to 7th grade in this area and present programs on Seven Years War. Again, although it is all written down in the curricula, it is left up to the instructors as to what resources they use to teach those concepts and historical eras. Many of our teachers still find it easiest to teach from a text book about our time period, instead of bringing in reenactors.....but that has not been the case in this area where Dr. Uncle Mark is elementary principal. One aside, this area is next door to Gettysburg. So, most schools and districts utilize Civil War reenactors constantly and Gettysburg has a fine educational program and materials which they loan out to schools and are utilized. Pax Aye! 1st Sjt. MacWm. |
| lonewolf |
Posted - November 09 2004 : 10:11:15 PM
Hi Seamus,
Although not a re-enactor, I enjoy visiting the sites where my ancestors, white and Indian fought in battle. I try to place myself in the shoes (or mocs) of the individuals involved. My white 4x great grandfather, John James Black was killed in battle fighting my Shawnee ancestors in 1781. I plan to visit the site of the battle on the Indiana-Ohio border. I am invited to our Black family reunion to speak on the history of the white and Indian side of the battles. It amazes me how little most people know of the history of their own country.
Same at the reunion of my white Klingensmith relatives. Some of us are descended from John Peter Klingensmith, who was a white boy captured at present day Jeannette, Pa. by Senecas in 1781. He was raised by the Oneidas and became their only white chief to this day. His wife, my 4x great grandmother was Seneca. Most family members are not aware of the history of the family. Our family lived through, and participated in all of the history of the formation of this country, but I can't get but very few interested in their family heritage.
My Shawnee people ranged up the Loyalhanna Creek to raid Ft. Ligonier. We fought at Ft. Necessity, Monongahela (Braddock), Bushy Run, Fallen Timbers and many other battles. We supported the great Ottawa Chief Pontiac.
We were involved in almost all engagements in this area of Western Penna.
When I attended school near Pittsburgh, more years ago than I care to count, Pennsylvania History was a requirement. What happened?
Almost all of my white relatives descend from individuals my Shawnee people tried to rid themselves of in the 1700's.
Fortunately, the killing was over a long time ago, but we should never forget those who lived through it.
Thanks for going to the schools to make the next generation aware of our rich heritage. It simply is not being taught in the classrooms. |
| Seamus |
Posted - November 08 2004 : 2:15:21 PM
Hi UL13!
Maybe....where are you? |
| UncasLover13 |
Posted - November 07 2004 : 3:45:57 PM
I wish someone would come to my school and talk about things like that. I love James Fenimore Cooper, LOTM, and history, so I would have loved it!! People in my school need that kinda presentation to listen too. Seamus, any chance of coming to my school? heh heh. :)
--UL13 |
| Fitz Williams |
Posted - November 05 2004 : 09:15:20 AM
quote:
We can choose to play by their rules or stay home. It's that simple.
I suggested this to some folks who were complaining about Fort Necessity this summer. My thoughts are that if everyone stayed home, there would be no event, thus no spectators, thus attendance would fall, performance reviews of park management would suffer, management would get mad, and changes would be made. Just exactly what the changes would be, I cannot say, but there would be changes. It's hard to imaging changes being for the worse, and if you are not attending anyway, what does it matter. If the changes are for the better, then attendance will pick back up. There are two NPS sites where friends and/or relations our unit are employed. When those people retire or move, then we will be NPS free! |
| Seamus |
Posted - November 04 2004 : 12:04:21 PM
Hello, Kurt,
It seems to me that you already "know enough to be useful in school prorgams." We don't always have to do history stuff, you know. Just the interaction with young people...in any setting, not just school...allows many opportunities to impart and observe that of which you speak: "Seeing a youngster discover something - what a reference means, why something is the way it is, how simple steps combine to great accomplishments - is always a pleasure to witness."
Hey! Learning takes place anywhere!
Amen. |
| Kurt |
Posted - November 04 2004 : 11:22:19 AM
Hi Mike,
I'm with you. There's more than enough real life in real life. Let's keep a few places unnatural.
Hopefully someday I will know enough to be useful in school programs. Seeing a youngster discover something - what a reference means, why something is the way it is, how simple steps combine to great accomplishments - is always a pleasure to witness. |
| Seamus |
Posted - November 04 2004 : 09:37:16 AM
Hello, Lonewolf,
Yes, we were in garrison at Ligonier in October. Since we represent troops who actually built the fort at Loyal Hannon in 1758, and our Commandant, Col. James Burd, was CO at Ligonier, we play an important part in the fort's interpretive program. In fact, we quarter in the Pennsylvania Officer's Hut, and I take my turn as Officer of the Day and my men stand guard duty in turn, too. I commanded the Provincial Division for the tactical demonstration both days.
I expect that we will take part in the Braddock's Defeat event at Old Bedford Village next July, for sure. We will be portraying a unit that was actually with Braddock, probably a militia company. It never made any sense to me to have troops who were not there, or in our case, did not exist at the time, be a part of an event specific reenactment. That is why I really like Bushy Run and the event there. "Event specific" reenactments should be proper, for the sake of education. Can you see a Battle of the Bulge, Siege of Bastogne, reenactment with Japanese troops, for instance?? It's acceptable, IMHO, to mix and match in tactical demonstration events, incorrectly called 'reenactments'.
I know there are sites, such as NPS, for instance, that do go overboard in many ways when they are involved in events, but in today's extremely litiginous society, and for the sake of the ridiculously Politically Correct crowd, it's a giant CYA. We know the rules and restrictions up front and going in. We can choose to play by their rules or stay home. It's that simple.
Anyway, I do not want this thread to go in the direction of site-bashing, or the rights and/or wrongs of management decisions, so that is the end of that discussion.
Good to hear from you, Ken, and again, I enjoyed making your acquaintance at Ligonier, and I am glad the Chamber of Commerce gave you the honor of leading us through town! Hope to see you there next year, too. |
| Seamus |
Posted - November 04 2004 : 09:08:55 AM
Hi Rose,
Thanks for the kind comments. I try to make my school visits interesting, and if I can cause just one student to want to do further study, and perhaps start them on a path toward a lifelong interest in history, then I feel I have been successful.
I understand your grandfather's desire and his plight! My own grandfather would drift back and forth mentally near the end of his Journey, too, and relive his days as a logger, and the building of the sawmill on his farm. He had no idea who I was, but I would get into his world and prod him to talk, actually assuming a role to get into his head so I could learn as much about his younger days as I could. I was in college at the time. One time he stopped in mid-story, looked at me and said, "Who are you?" I thought the jig was up!! I said I was Burton's (my father) oldest boy. He looked at me a moment and said, "Oh, yeah." Then he said, looking away, "Burton's in the Army....he's overseas," and looking me straight in the eye, says, "I'm sleeping in his bed until he comes home." He had no idea who I was at that moment. I was stunned by this, and I remember it as though it was last night. He died a few days later.
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| blueotter |
Posted - November 04 2004 : 08:46:05 AM
Seamus,
I wish there had been someone like you visiting when I was in school, lo! these many years ago! I would have been enchanted and inspired!
This has brought back a memory of my grandfather, who was born in the 1880s and talked about being a boy in New York State. One day toward the end of his life (he was 94 when he died) he was remembering his favorite book and wished to God he knew where it was, because he thought he might give it another read... but he couldn't find hide nor hair of it! Guess what it was? Yup, LOTM! When this memory came to him, it was as if he had last read the book shortly before his family's move to Illinois when he as a boy. Such is the way of memories and aging brain cells! I was too young to have thought about finding a copy for him so he could experience the adventure again, but I imagine his spirit was around for the movie, and perhaps he tried to look up old JF (Cooper) himself when he got to the other side. It's one thing I'll have to ask him when I get there, myself! |
| Seamus |
Posted - November 04 2004 : 06:24:24 AM
Had a very full plate yesterday after the program, so please forgive this late report.
It was an interested and attentive group of young people, most of whom had not heard of James Fenimore Cooper, The Leatherstocking Tales, nor LOTM, (the movie, Lake George, Ft. William Henry, nor Carillon, nor Montcalm before yesterday, which I found incredulous! They had not yet read the book, as the unit was just starting, and none had seen the movie. All this caused a quick shift in my program content and sequence of delivery. (The best laid plans, etc., etc., etc.....)
After a very short background briefing on the F&I War, I used this website as a major resource for them, since they all are internet savvy, and got into cast, characters, storyline...while running a comparison to actual historical events which are referred to and drive LOTM. They were fascinated to learn, for example, of the script being available, the tattoos page, bloopers (a favorite!), stills, etc.
The 47 minutes flew by, and too soon it was time to go. Since they had not seen the movie nor read the book, I told them that, should they have any questions about anything, to write them down and give them to their teacher. He would then give them to me and I would answer each and every one.
I was wearing my powder horn which I carved and engraved in the style of John Bush, my favorite carver of all. John Bush was captured by Indians at the fall of Ft, Wm. Henry, traded to a French officer and was put aboard a ship bound for France. He never made it. He died and was buried at sea. Twelve horns by John Bush's hand are known today. Some can be seen at Ticonderoga in the museum. Many more exist which copy his style. He was widely copied because of his outstanding work.
John Bush was a free black man, a mulatto. After the fall of Wm. Henry, his father searched for him, imploring his governor to help him, and wrote several letters which are preserved in archives today. John's fate was learned after the war, when the surviving prisoners returned from France. One of them had kept a list of all on board the ship, and noted John's fate after his name. No mention, however, on the cause of his death. One can only speculate.
In my opening remarks, I had promised to tie my program to the day, meaning yesterday. To close the program, I told them John Bush's father's name was---
Georges Bush. |
| SgtMunro |
Posted - November 04 2004 : 04:46:41 AM
Most of the educational programs I've ever done, involved a waiver similar to the one that Seamus mentioned.
Your Most Humble Servant,
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| 42ndOfficer |
Posted - November 04 2004 : 04:13:50 AM
I've only done two school programs since the bulk that I've done were down at the museum.I've never had any problems with bringing in weapons,but I guess that it depends upon where one goes.I do ask whomever I'm doing the program for(teacher,parent etc.)to please notify everyone who is involved (security,principal)to let them know that I am coming.In this manner,the best suprise is no suprise. |
| lonewolf |
Posted - November 03 2004 : 4:25:44 PM
Any one of you is welcome to contact me at my home at lonewlf99@aol.com |
| lonewolf |
Posted - November 03 2004 : 4:14:38 PM
Hi Seamus,
I used to take weapons to demonstrations in schools, but now prefer not to. Things are simply too much of a hassle now. I do wear my Shawnee regalia, but no knives or anything else. If they request weapons, I put them on a display table, and they are not picked up or touched.
I also have to watch what I say, as they don't want to hear anything bad that white settlers were responsible for. They really want to hear the "sanitized" version of these events.
Good idea about taking tapes. Maybe I can make one.
I was honored to meet you at Ligonier. I am glad that re-enactors are in the parade, after all, this is a celebration to commemorate history, although most wouldn't guess it.
I am normally half way in the back of this two hour long parade, but this year I was honored to lead it off in the number one position.
Hope you had a good time. The weather held out beautifully. Did you partcipate in the re-enactments at the fort?
I stood outside in front of the fort, and discussed Native culture and my family's participation in the French and Indian War, Pontiac's War, and the Revolution. A lot of people took photos of me with their kids. I enjoy the kids, as they are our future. They need to learn the history of our country, something that is sadly lacking in today's public schools. Studying to pass SAT's only, doesn't leave much time for real "meat and potatoes" learning. Sad!
I don't go into the fort anymore, since the people who run it have treated me like dirt for the last two years. One of the for-real Shawnee women, in regalia, who was in the parade, wanted to go to the bookstore to buy me a birthday present. She didn't wish to go into the fort, since she had been there several times. They refused to let her enter without paying admission. They also charge me to enter, but allow non-Indian re-enactors to enter for free. It's not the money, it's the principal.
Are you going to the Braddock re-enactment at Fort Bedford? Will they have all sorts of restrictions on you guys, as they did at Ft. Necessity?
I couldn't even bring a very dull tomahawk (really a prop) into that place. I go to these places to honor my ancestors who fought there, and one of my wife's ancestral cousins, George Washington. Again, even though I am a for-real Indian, I am treated like the ugly stepchild.
What gives at these places? I am getting a bit tired of their attitudes.
Do you guys have to put up with this nonsense?
The exception is the Bushy Run Battlefield, where I have been asked to provide them with information as to my family history, which I gladly gave them.
Take care,
Ken Lonewolf |
| Seamus |
Posted - November 03 2004 : 07:55:55 AM
Cousin Malcolm! Now don't go starting anything......
UL13, I will give a report for you, and, Jacy, I don't allow videotaping of my programs anymore. They have been used as a 'replacement' Guest Speaker too often. Such a program is much more effective in person. Besides, content changes, and such is reflected in my presentations. Interaction is Up Close and Personal, too, and not an option in a previously taped show. Much of my presentation is spontaneous and stimulated and directed by the audience to an often large degree. There is no way to adequately present such a program without interaction; one must know the subject inside and out and react and respond to whatever is offered. Most times the Q&A part is the best part! I simply read the crowd, feed off of it, and go with the flow...
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| Sjt. Malcolm MacWilliam |
Posted - November 03 2004 : 07:09:22 AM
Cousin Seamus....maybe you and Many Flags can do a film version of the Chronicles??!! You could entitle it "LOTM, The Pennsylvania Story, 1758"!! Cousin Malcolm |
| Jacy |
Posted - November 03 2004 : 03:19:35 AM
I may be a bit out of date for this one, but is there any way you could film your demo? I'm another one that would love to see it!
Jacy ;) |
| UncasLover13 |
Posted - November 02 2004 : 8:45:25 PM
Seamus,
Let me know how the day goes, and what the students think of LOTM. I would love to see your demonstration as well!
--UL13
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| Seamus |
Posted - November 02 2004 : 3:01:43 PM
Hi Kurt,
I am aware of the story about the lad whom you mentioned. It is, indeed, a sad commentary on today that something like this happened, or that release forms are necessary. So we carry on, using CYA papers and so forth, and respect the sensitivities that cause such actions, agree or not.
"Life sure has changed since I was little." For sure, my friend, for sure.
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