Rowenna Hamper

Thanks to all who helped us select a location via the survey!  Overwhelming support for the event from Chicago and Milwaukee area residents, combined with interest from south of Indianapolis, provided rationale for selecting Northwest Indiana as the location.  Kaplan College, located just off I-80 near Highland, IN, will host us for workshops with Hallie Larkin and Henry Cooke the weekend of April 11-12.

Ladies will work on stays and men will have the opportunity to build a coat; cost of the workshops is TBD but the class fee is expected to be around $100.  Participants in both workshops will be able to purchase materials kits in order to create a top-notch, authentic garment.  This cost will be in addition to the class fee.

More information forthcoming on this exciting opportunity!

The NWTA SewIn season started with an informative and well-attended workshop on hand-sewing techniques in January.  Up next is a presentation and practice session on 18th century comportment on February 14.  The discussion will center on how we should interact with each other and the public.  Join former Colonial Williamsburg instructor Rod Faulkner as he walks us through polite interactions of a bygone era.  After we get the basics down, there will be plenty of opportunities to practice our knowledge with each other.

If you have a particular scenario that you are curious about, please let us know so that we can try to include it in our practice period.

Snacks to share are certainly welcome, but a brown-bag lunch is essential. As always, modern or period clothing is welcome.  Come for as much of the day as you can!

We will meet at the Glen Ellyn Historical Society
800 North Main St.
Glen Ellyn, Illinois 60138
Begin at 10:30 am and continue through about 3:30 pm.Let us know if you will be joining us!  We look forward to sewing with you. Contact sewin@nwta.com with any questions, or visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/nwtasewin

Mark your calendar for March 14, the next SewIn date–topic TBD.

The NWTA is invited to a unique mid-winter event at historic Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, IN.

When: February 21-22, 2015

Where: Historic Fort Wayne
1201 Spy Run Avenue
Fort Wayne, IN 46805
www.oldfortwayne.org

Amenities include:
Lodging inside the fort in bunks and rope beds
Fireplaces in all rooms
Firewood
Straw ticks (limited qty. available)
One heated modern “break-room” inside the fort
Hot beverages available all weekend long
Dinner provided on Friday night for early arrivals
Meals provided on Saturday (three meals)
Breakfast and lunch provided on Sunday.

We encourage attendees to bring some sort of demo, representative of typical garrison activities of the period. This includes activities like sewing, quilting, candle making, rolling cartridges, etc. We actually made it in the fort schedule this year and should have decent news coverage of the event. It is our sincere hope that we draw a lot more public this year and the years to come.

Due to some new fort policies, $5 per person will be collected to cover costs.  (Editor’s note: Quite a bargain for lodging and meals!)

Please register by emailing Dean Rapp at histdean@hotmail.com or calling Dean at 260-417-7619.

Include the following:
# of adults
# of children
Who you would like to room with (Up to 6 in a single room. First come, first served). If you want to bring canvas, you are welcome.
When you might be arriving (so we can get your fire started and have your room toasty and warm when you arrive).

Happy New Year! Don’t forget to send in your 2015 NWTA dues.  Dues are collected by UNIT and sent to the NWTA Adjutant–contact your unit commander or paymaster to take care of getting your dues paid.

Dues are $20 for a single membership and $25 for a family membership.

Be sure to update contact information, as well!

Dues are *required* to participate in all NWTA events.  Units without at least 5 paid members at the March board meeting will not be able to vote.

Questions? Contact NWTA Adjutant Jane Whiteside at adjutant@nwta.com

 **Note: Please do not send your dues to any other NWTA national or staff officers aside from the Adjutant**

It is my sad duty to forward the following message from Frank Wicker.

THE LAST POST

Judith M. Wicker
Woman of the Company
Commander in Chief’s Guard
and Lady Volunteer

Judy died Tuesday, 20 January, 2015 at her home, Beloit Wisconsin, after a lingering illness and complications of ageing.At her request, no services are to be held.Please remember her for the enjoyment she had at NWTA encampments.Frank