Ball Check List.

[The Major]

Dear Allseeing,

You are far too kind with your words. I believe I just got lucky and I also have a good group in my unit that will help out.

I will keep that flikr site book marked. I should have thought about it, I’ve seen other people’s photos there.

Sometimes I wish I did live on one coast or the other. Here in the Great Plains there is a lot of 1870’s Indian Wars reenacting, some American Civil War, and 20th century stuff, but not much in the Regency / Federalist period. There’s the fort I volunteer at and my unit, but being a military unit type group, they aren’t much into very many of the social aspects. I have not found a single ECD or Regency group anywhere near by. There is a JASNA local chapter that started a couple years ago, but until recently they’ve only been a book club. Being more of a technically minded person rather than literary they didn’t hold much of my interest. But I did join them very recently as they have started exploring the society side and doing some outings and activities. We’ll see how that goes. Otherwise I try to get my Regency social fix when I go to War of 1812 events back East.

I have some relation in Seattle and an old friend whom I haven’t spoken with for a few years in Portland. Perhaps one of these days I should take a trip to visit, and if it should happen to coincide with an ORS event, well…

Those are some very nice dance cards. The idea you have sounds very intriguing as well. Although I fear it sounds like more craft skill than I possess. Plus I’m not sure I would have time to put something together that would be nice enough in the short time I have. Let me know how that works out, if it’s a hit, if it’s appropriate, etc. I too wonder if Dawn has some info on this subject.

Thank you so much for the information. The checklist information you gave me I merged with some of the military logistics I’m used to when we go to campaign events and it was a tremendous help.

[dawnluckham]

Sadly, I don’t have more info than what has already been mentioned on dance cards. A quick search through some of my resources comes to the same conclusion – that they weren’t really that common until a bit later.

On the other hand, Steph, I agree, they’d make an adorable “favour”.

I saw (somewhere – eventually I’ll remember, but not at the moment) a dance card that was also a cardboard ‘Jenny Lind’ fan. (Possibly I saw it in the Fan Museum I visited in September.) They would be quite easy to make, I should think – and could be very pretty if you’re into stamp-art and scrap-booking and that sort of craft.

This example is something like the one I saw only – of course – it had a space to write the dance and the names on it. I think the pencil was attached to the tassel.

tinyurl.com/3cch5m

Not the one I saw – but here is a tiny image of a fan dance card:

tinyurl.com/369x9c

MAY be the one I’m trying to remember, but my memory didn’t say ‘cockade’:

tinyurl.com/34v7vr

More!

tinyurl.com/3xayru

Major, I must say, your quick organization for this assembly is impressive! I get flustered when giving a dinner party for 10! The venue sounds positively lovely. Could I be so bold as to ask which Fort will host your event? “The Great Plains” is a very large stretch of land.

[Val]

My girly opinion is I wouldn't care if dance cards were used in this period, I would want one. Especially a pretty one.

[Mme de Beaufort]

@major
I agree re: JASNA groups. Our local one is very 'academic' as well, and they're not so proactive about participating in ORS events. I mail them regularly, however very few of them stir from their comfortable literary world. It's not that I don't appreciate a good love of Jane's works, and a lively discourse, but I certainly think there's a lot more to her world than just her stories, and I would like to live it rather than just discuss it.

You would also be wholly welcomed if you dropped by our coast on a timely visit.

Val
Your hope for a pretty dance card just validates the idea of a party favour, and I think there would be a similar reaction from our ball/partygoers.

[The Major]

Well, it's the final week and things are getting fairly hectic. Of course my schedule doesn't help - every evening is full so I don't have much time except late at night or early in the mornings to work on the final bits of everything. Although one of those evenings is to get together with a couple that is flying in from Ohio a couple days in advance, that will be a pleasurable delay.

I have been able to recruit a little more help, I'll be dropping off some things today for one of my Corporals and his family to work on for me. There is still so much silver and other metal to polish that I can't believe it. I'm so glad that I have good people in my unit who are willing to help.

Since I may be very busy this week, and then completely out of reach of a computer from Friday through Monday or Tuesday, I may be out of touch for a few days even after that (I'll have to catch up on work and other things as well). But I promise I will be back and start posting pictures as soon as I can. One can always PM me the thread if there is something in particular I should look when I return online. And I may be able to post a little from work, but not too much.

Most everything is falling into place, so hopefully all will work out fine. Wish me luck.

[dawnluckham]

I hope you have a positively perfect event! I'm sure it will be! Share when you're able!

[Miss Credit]

I am most certain that you will not need the likes of us to wish you luck for it seems you have done a splendid job already of planning and managing this event with such short notice. I am postive that everything will fall into place and you shall have a lovely evening!

We will be sure to miss you greatly in your absence and shall be eagerly awaiting your return, with photos of course ;D

[The Major]

Thank you all for the kind and supportive words. It has been a whirlwind and as Allseeing can atest, I'm in the home stretch and really turning it on. I usually work best under pressure, but occasionally I'll nose dive too I'm confident it will be a fun event for all. And yes, I'll share pictures as soon as I can, but be patient, I'm not much of a shutter bug and will have to rely on my photographer and others with their cameras.

Dear Miss Credit,
Most young men are attracted to swords like a moth to a flame. As was suggested, perhaps some type of military uniform or even a sword cane. Also, it was not uncommon for a civilian gentleman to openly wear a sword or rapier. Just food for thought.

[Goblin, esq.]

Dear Major,

I am certain that with your organization, organizational skills, and élan, your ball will be a great success, and the talk of the Great Plains society for months to come!

I am avidly looking forward to pictures of the event.

I wish you luck, while being quite certain you won't need it.

[aylwen]

Good luck! I am snowed under organising a Jane Austen Festival next weekend-we were so busy organising four days of dancing at our National Folk Festival recently that I couldn't find time to do anything until after Easter. Isn't it great when the volunteers come out of the woodwork?!
Cheers, Aylwen

[Mme de Beaufort]

I wonder how the Major fared with his ball. I'm SO excited to see pictures and such! Yay!

[lauren]

Oh yes, I'm very excited to see pictures. I hope the ball was a smashing success :-)

[missmardi]

Feb 19, 2008 13:06:06 GMT -5 Mme de Beaufort said:

Smaller balls are easier.

1) Location (church, community hall, grange, elks...)
2) ECD Caller and music
3) Online and flyer invites to anyone that breathes
4) Staples printable business cards or postcards with pre-printed deisgns can work for tickets.
5) Get people to donate raffle items.
6) Organize food, smaller venues; pot-luck can work; you can challenge people to make period recipes.
7) If you're not fussy, paper plates can do but if you are, goodwill is your friend.
8) a couple of candelabras for mood
9) decorating committee (they can share the costs...

I must say that I am so grateful you posted this information. I have suddenly found myself put in charge of organizing a ball in 5 weeks. This will make things so much easier to organize. I was asked on Thursday to try to organize it in conjunction with our regimental meeting and dinner. That is set for November 21. I confirmed a hall toady, and we already have a caller who will bring music, so I guess those are the main things. I wish there was time to arrange to live music. We shall see how this comes together.

Than you again