Posted by Rich/Mohican Press on May 23, 1999 at 08:56:33:
Well, we've hinted at a possible, even probable, surprise for the 1999 Great Mohican Gathering ... It is now confirmed. We will be the lucky recipients of a very special guest. Last year's Gathering was the first. It was spontaneous and that will always make it a special one. This year's Gathering was in need of that added something to set it apart and give it that special feeling. We thought we had it in The River Walk sites. Alas, that is STILL up in the air. Well, regardless of how that turns out, the 1999 Gathering WILL, for sure, be special. A call a few days ago put the stamp on it. Eric Schweig WILL be at The Gathering this year!
Is that all right with you all? He figures to arrive at Chimney Rock Park, on Sunday, June 13 in time to join us for dinner at the Pavilion. Then, he'll stick around at the bonfire and personally give away his Adoption Mask to the lucky winner of the raffle, if that lucky winner is present. Of course, a photo of the winner with both the mask and Eric Schweig will be taken. If the winner of the Mask Raffle is not present, we'll take a nice photo of Eric & the mask for you. The mask is currently on display at Chimney Rock Park, in the Sky Lounge, where it will stay until late Sunday.
And that's that! Whew!
Other Gathering news ... I mentioned the River Walk ... we're going ahead, as far as I can tell at this point, with Plan A, as advertised. We have a suitable back-up, just in case. Not to worry! The theatre is all set; movie secured. The Program Guide is going to be quite a collector's item. A lot of hard work has gone into it, courtesy of Sarah Z. & Jo, and it figures to be a special memento. In addition to the ES mask, we have a surprisingly interesting assortment of neat items to raffle off at the bonfire at $1 a pop. Should be fun! All those locations are just waiting to be tread upon by our feet, not one, but TWO Erics will be there, plus all of you! Not to mention the T-Shirts Ilse has designed. I think we'll have a decent enough time! Thanks to Marcia for coordinating the CRP deal, as well as the raffles! You all might want to give a special thank you to Elaine ... it is she who does most of our Eric Schweig dealings and "lured" him to join us!
Wanna come? The deadline for OFFICIALLY signing on is Tuesday, May 25, so get your check in the mail TODAY and send on an E-Mail to let us & MMMM know you're planning to attend.
Right now, we have 15 folks staying on at The Bunkhouse: 4 Sweetsers, Jenifer Huey, Marcia Meara, John Harkins, Ilse Mann, Adrienne & Nicholas Brown, Patty Kuipers, Gayle Clark, Kate Penman and Cecelia Scott & Diana Strickland, both of whom will be arriving Friday evening. In addition, there are 5 probables, Wendy Baker, mom, & son plus a couple of relative newcomers, Peggy Rogers & Judy Madaris. At the Bunkhouse, open to all, will be a display of LOTM memorablia, photos, etc. Included, will be the LOTM playset & the scale model of Fort William Henry Michael Mann had designed. Be sure to stop by, even if you're not sleeping there. Plus, Program Guides will be available for pick up outside the Bunkhouse on Thursday evening. All paying for either of the 2 CRP packages are invited to The Bunkhouse on Sunday morning for a big breakfast (9AM).
Everyone else attending have made their own arrangements for lodging, with a good congregation at the Chimney Rock Inn. The other attendees? In addition to Elaine & I, they are: Sandy Noykoff, Ann Weldon, Sarah Zentner & husband, Lynn & Glenn Daniel, Cherri & Don Carwile, Claudia Dvorak & husband, John, Linda & Kelli Evans, Emily & Kevin McGowan, Penny Parrish & mom, Sarah Melcher, Eric Hurley, Sharon Cagle, Donna Deslauriers, Darla & Dave Purcel, brother & sister-in-law, Ayesha & Colin Rognlie, Susan Houck, & Jack & Stacia Minchey. Total of 54 Mohicanites.
On a sad note, we've had our first, and only, so far, cancellation ... Pat Anderson, our Old Crone. She had to cancel due to her mother's health. Pat, you WILL be there in spirit!
Moving on ...
Part Two of our Wes Studi Interview is now up. There is STILL much more to come! Hope you all set aside a bit of time & read it. He's a wonderful, and insightful, guy!
Mark A. Baker will be finishing up his story, in addition to a Killdeer report, just as soon as school is out. We're looking forward to his latest contribution.
Hey! We are going to make "Ladies Home Journal"! Yeah, you read that right. Not the magazine I would have expected to contact us, but ... They did! Will be doing an article on the Web Site to be published, I believe, in the Fall issue. It's a start!
Right now, we are busily organizing a Cliff Throwing Event for the Gathering. Victims TBA!
HAPPY TRAILS!
PS - While I was writing this post, I received a call from Soldier #2. Though he sounded a tad on the down side early on, he was sounding a bit more chipper by call's end. He, as we do, looks forward to re-newing acquaintances & meeting all the first-time Gatherers!