Les Habitants du Poste Vincennes 1732-1778
Newsletter: April 8, 2002
Bonjour Mes Amis!
I hope you are enjoying the advent of Spring! The event season will be kicking in soon all over the country.
First Order of Business: WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!!! J
Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14
Brockman Building Grand Opening and History Fair
7th and Hart Sts., Vincennes
1-5:00 each day
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS to man the Les Habitants table each day. Jackie Maddock has graciously volunteered for 1:00 Sunday. (Richard Day will already be roaming the building and environs as the Sieur de Vincennes. Steve Shearer will already be there as an author and with a display of telephones.) You can volunteer for anytime you want for as long as you want. The table will have membership forms and copies of other items related to Les Habitants, plus samples of books and other things pertaining to our history. Hopefully, we'll also have a picture display. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS to be at the table to talk to people, show them things, answer questions, give out flyers and perhaps even take new memberships. This is a great opportunity for us to get the word out about our group, that part of our history and culture and to "hobknob" with people from other parts of the local historical community. You can also enjoy refreshments and live music all day, and see this truly beautiful new historical/genealogical center. We also hope to have GRC re-enactors on the grounds. Please call or e-mail me ASAP about when you'd like to chip in some time. It'll be lots of fun!
(P.S.: any contribution of items or ideas for the table/display is much appreciated. Also, historic clothing is not required, but definitely encouraged. This is a good time for people new to "dressing up" to try out wearing historic clothing. If you don't have any, we may be able to find you some.)
Back in January, dues were established ($5.00/person or household) so that we can take care of mailings and other things, such as flyers for events like the History Fair. The other reason for this is to establish a definite membership list. Thanks to all who have paid dues! J I'm going to have to "clean up" the contact list I have by the end of this month, which means that anyone on the list who has not paid dues by then will be removed (sounds so fatal!) Of course, one can get back on the list by sending in dues. This way, I'm not always sending things out to people who are not interested or otherwise can't be involved at this point in time. If you haven't paid, this is probably the last mailing you'll receive, unless I send something else out before the end of this month. If paying by check, make it out to Terri King. By the way, I finally have a system! I now have a ledger and money bag, so everything is accounted for and I can give you a financial report at the next meeting.
"Early French and Piankeshaw Vincennes: What They Wore and Why They Wore It" was a success on Saturday, March 23! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who participated and attended! There were also some people in the audience who are not connected with Les Habitants, so we have spread some historical knowledge around and hopefully also some interest. We've gotten very positive comments on the program and everyone enjoyed it. A group of folks from Fort Oiatenon came down to participate. They are: Mike, Celia and Devon Tharpe, Aaron, Kelly and Zachary Lauster, and Sidney (sorry I don't have her last name!) It was great to have them come all that way and contribute heartily to the program. I think we and the People of Ouiatenon will see more of each other as we share knowledge and experience and support one another in bringing the early French/Indian history of our state to the public. There's much we can accomplish together. Local participants were Richard and Janet Day, Terri and Sarina King, Mike Cockerham, Frank and Beverly Doughman, and Mark Redfern, and a clothing contribution from Jay Decoursey. We had really nice, interesting presentations from all, representing different aspects of our early French and Indian culture. There was also much in the way of materials to look over.
This is a program that can be repeated ( perhaps once a year?) Maybe next year we could have it in February when nothing much is going on (including major IU games, which put a dent in attendance!), have it earlier in the day (so we can spend more time at it, socialize more, maybe go out to supper together, and no one has to drive home late), and maybe in a different location. But, we did do well for a first-time program!
Spirit-of Vincennes Rendezvous looms on the horizon, in all its joyous colors, smells and sounds. We may have another meeting before then to determine what volunteers are doing there and to decide if, and what, other activities we can do in the near future, as the weather becomes more favorable. So, be thinking of what you'd like to do with Les Habitants du Poste Vincennes!
Terri Talarek King
5240 E. Stagecoach Rd.
Vincennes, IN 47591
(812) 726 4431
ttalarek@hotmail.com
Les Habitants web site (still working on it, but it is useable): http://rking.vinu.edu/leshab.htm
UPCOMING:
Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14
Brockman Building Grand Opening/History Fair
1-5pm both days
Need volunteers for Les Habitants table!
Saturday, May 4
Kids Day
Fort de Chartres, Prairie du Rocher, Ill
18th c. games, contests, storytelling, puppet shows, etc.
ftdchart@htc.net
Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19
Voyageur Rendezvous
Hebron, IN, Grand Kankakee Marsh County Park
French traders and Native Americans
Ccrisan@jorsm.com
Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26
Spirit-of-Vincennes Rendezvous
French Commons and GRC Memorial Grounds
Need volunteers!
Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2
32nd Annual Rendezvous
Fort de Chartres, Prairie du Rocher, Ill.
Ftdchart@htc.net
Got any more event info. pertaining to the early French/Indian history of the Illinois Country? Send it to me!