K. Qt. Etruscus--
Our first sponsored event was held at Locust Lawn in New Paltz, NY. All our planning and coordinating came together and overall it was a great success. The weather was varying from about 50°-70°, mostly sunny, so it was perfect. From 10:00-4:00 we had activities going on outside the manor and tours of the house itself were being conducted throughout the day. We had a couple hundred visitors come to see the program and they were very friendly and well-informed! A number of kids came along, too, and they enjoyed Joe Balmos's fantastic display of Greek arms and armor and his archery and javelin-throwing targets. Actually, we all enjoyed Joe's targets, not just the kids. Our Roman display consisted of a joint effort by Legio XIII Gemina and Legio III Cyrenaica. We were also joined by some barbarians who showed up and drank the wine rather than sacking the estate.
Albina had created an archaeological mini-dig for kids. It consisted of a big plastic box filled which sand and in it she had buried pottery pieces, coins, and other objects to be discovered. A grid was overlaid and she taught the kids how archaeologists would very carefully take note of what they found and where. Well, that was the theory, at least. The kids did find everything but, ultimately, they really just got a kick out of playing in the sandbox. Oh well! Sandboxes are good, too.
Our Romans had on-going drills led by Quintilus of Legio III and equipment displays. We hosted a few presentations on the porch of the manor. First, Kim G. started off with her select readings from Sophocles's "Antigone" and "Electra", giving a background about each and Greek theater itself. Afterward, Andy V. of Legio III got up to talk about the Roman legionary and some of the evolutions of his military kit. Senator Etruscus (the author) was next and was wrapped up in a toga praetexta, showing the audience the somewhat cumbersome nature of men's formal attire and how it is not, in fact, a bed sheet. A little discussion about men's and women's Roman clothes followed and our crew then went back to circulate and talk with the visitors. Throughout the day, towards the side of the house where a large open lawn stretches out, Dawn E., the caretaker, was instructing visitors on ancient slingshots. Instead of using lead bullets, however, tennis balls were employed. There were some pretty good shots!
We are very thankful for Dawn and our restaurant sponsors who donated food for our program. We had a lot of fun.
Our first sponsored event was held at Locust Lawn in New Paltz, NY. All our planning and coordinating came together and overall it was a great success. The weather was varying from about 50°-70°, mostly sunny, so it was perfect. From 10:00-4:00 we had activities going on outside the manor and tours of the house itself were being conducted throughout the day. We had a couple hundred visitors come to see the program and they were very friendly and well-informed! A number of kids came along, too, and they enjoyed Joe Balmos's fantastic display of Greek arms and armor and his archery and javelin-throwing targets. Actually, we all enjoyed Joe's targets, not just the kids. Our Roman display consisted of a joint effort by Legio XIII Gemina and Legio III Cyrenaica. We were also joined by some barbarians who showed up and drank the wine rather than sacking the estate.
Albina had created an archaeological mini-dig for kids. It consisted of a big plastic box filled which sand and in it she had buried pottery pieces, coins, and other objects to be discovered. A grid was overlaid and she taught the kids how archaeologists would very carefully take note of what they found and where. Well, that was the theory, at least. The kids did find everything but, ultimately, they really just got a kick out of playing in the sandbox. Oh well! Sandboxes are good, too.
Our Romans had on-going drills led by Quintilus of Legio III and equipment displays. We hosted a few presentations on the porch of the manor. First, Kim G. started off with her select readings from Sophocles's "Antigone" and "Electra", giving a background about each and Greek theater itself. Afterward, Andy V. of Legio III got up to talk about the Roman legionary and some of the evolutions of his military kit. Senator Etruscus (the author) was next and was wrapped up in a toga praetexta, showing the audience the somewhat cumbersome nature of men's formal attire and how it is not, in fact, a bed sheet. A little discussion about men's and women's Roman clothes followed and our crew then went back to circulate and talk with the visitors. Throughout the day, towards the side of the house where a large open lawn stretches out, Dawn E., the caretaker, was instructing visitors on ancient slingshots. Instead of using lead bullets, however, tennis balls were employed. There were some pretty good shots!
We are very thankful for Dawn and our restaurant sponsors who donated food for our program. We had a lot of fun.