| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| richfed |
Posted - June 28 2010 : 08:48:35 AM
What was it ... last Thursday? Maybe? I was working at the Post Office and received a very surprise visit from none other than our own tiny, blue Smurf and her companion, the illustrious Soldier #2. In other words, Stephanie and Eric. The visit was necessarily fairly brief, as I was working, but, it was profound.
I have not really been involved in a Mohican Gathering since 2004 - 6 years - and that was was an immense struggle for me as I was going through a very difficult time in my life which, to a degree, goes on to this day. Oh sure, Stephanie would contact me from time to time with questions or seeking advice on an issue, but that was that. Well, other than setting up the registration forms on-site pre-Gathering, and posting a Gathering recap post-Gathering. Really, over the span of the past 3 Gatherings - produced by Steph - the web site had less and less to do with the Gatherings at all. Ironic, since this is where they were hatched, nurtured, and flourished!
Why was that? Biggest reason was probably my decision to make that 2004 Gathering my last. Then, there was the political bickering, especially around the last Presidential election. That clearly put a wedge between some of us - or, so it felt. Facebook and other "networking" web sites took away a lot of the traffic by providing alternatives ... there were multiple reasons.
But, I digress ... back to "the Visit". So, the two of them are standing there on the other side of the counter and Stephanie hands me this bag ... In it were mementos of the 2010 Gathering:
- A beautifully designed, buckskin-like, car caravan flag, designed by Jayne, personalized with my name. In my opinion, the best one ever ...
- A gorgeous 2010 Mohican Gathering T-shirt, designed by Sharon, quite possibly the nicest one she's done to-date.
- Another gem of a Program Guide designed by Sarah - vivid picture clarity!
- Most touching of all - a generous "web site fund" donation from the 2010 group!
Now, while flipping through the PG pages, I came upon the list of Gatherers ... only a relative hand full do I know. Very few are even active members of this forum. And yet, still they were thanking me in such a manner. The flag said, "Sachem of Mohicanland".
It was moving. It really, really was [IS!!!]!!
I just want to thank all of you for remembering me and for keeping an apparently high-opinion of me through all these years.
I am impressed at how the Gathering has kept on. It has managed to stay fresh - always adding something new - and yet has always maintained the traditions of Gatherings past. No small feat!
The Program Guide, Sarah, is splendid ... some excellent creativity in there, blending, as the web site has tried to do over the years, Cooper & Mann, history and fiction, real and celluloid. Just a great job. This is, perhaps, my favorite page ... that is quite a painting of Chimney Rock.
To see me listed in that Program Guide, for THIS Gathering that I had very little to do with, right at the top of the credits ... well, that was very touching. You are all angels! 
Again, thank you all!! I hope that we will Bumppo into one another more frequently, On the Trail ...  |
| 1 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Stephanie |
Posted - June 28 2010 : 1:29:25 PM
Rich,
Despite the passage of times and differences between people, we have never lost sight of who created the Gatherings, and who researched and shared all these film locations for us. The Gatherings are truly something special, and it is no exaggeration to say that the first Gathering I attended in 2000 literally changed my life. There is certainly magic there, and perhaps merely entertainment and pastime for some, but a great thing nonetheless. You have never been far from our thoughts during the Gatherings. It was nice to stop in and visit you briefly last week, and I do hope to see you "on the trail" someday!
Stephanie |
|
![The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!]](images/wwwboard.gif "The Mohican Board! [Bumppo's Redux!]")
