The Long Hunter's Journal
The newsletter of the Utah ALRA
March 2006
LIEUTENANT'S MESSAGE
I hope you will all come out and support the ALRA at the Spring Rendezvous. We will see you there.
WESTERN GATHERING
We are proposing having the Western Gathering at Fort Buenaventura November 3-5 at Fort Buenaventura. We already have the Fort reserved for that weekend. Please let the Lieutenant know if any of you have any concerns about that date. Thanks.
FORT BUENAVENTURA SPRING RENDEZVOUS
The annual Fort Buenaventura Spring Rendezvous will be held Easter weekend April 14-16. We have been asked to do the Saturday morning flag ceremony as usual. Everyone should muster at the Camp Ground office at 7:30 a.m. Step off will be at 8a.m. Donuts and drinks will be provided. The Lieutenant will set up his Marquee that will be used for 18th Century period demonstrations throughout the weekend. Anyone who would like to stay in the Lieutenants Marquee is welcome. The Lieutenant and Family will not be spending nights at the Fort. We are planning on doing historical demonstrations to help with our service hours to the Fort. The Lieutenant has been working with Weber County to make sure the demo's are a integral part of the Rendezvous. They are planning on a central camping/demo area for those members participating in the demos. Camping will be free of charge for those doing demos. If you have not done so already, please let the Lieutenant know if you are going to demo and camp. We need the help of as many as you as possible so that we can get a lot of service hours to count towards our Fort usage. The Lieutenant will provide the ball casting demo supplies for those that don't have another demo planned. The Lieutenant needs to know what other demos are planned, so please e-mail him or call him at (801)718-9982 if you are planning a demo.
MAY MEETING
Tintic Mountain Trek - May 5-6th. An overnight trek up a secluded valley in South Tintic Mountain (see map) will serve as the May meeting. From the parking area, the trek is up a narrow canyon with a gentle grade to the campsite perhaps a mile distance. This means, if you can't pack all you want on the first trip you can make a second with little effort. Tentatively, we will meet at the BLM gate at 5 p.m. However, if you can't make it, follow the road to the parking area and Steve Gish will meet you there at 6:30 pm to guide you to the camp site. The road is ok for two-wheel drive vehicles providing the weather is good for several days in advance. Please let the Lieutenant or Steve Gish know if you plan to come Friday night. We will have a shooting range on Saturday morning at 10 am near the parking so if you can't make it Friday night you might want to attend Saturday. This notice will appear in next month's Journal as well.
Map (Click here for a printable Map)
WEST BOUNTIFUL ELEMENTARY COLONIAL FAIR
West Bountiful Elementary has contacted the Lieutenant again about doing the colonial fair. The date of the fair is May 17, 2006 and it runs all day. Gregg Hansen, Kirk Davis, and Grant & Kim Davis are planning on doing it and would appreciate in help others are willing to offer. The school has a great organization of parents and the kids had a fantastic time last year.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April - No meeting April 14-16th - Fort Buenaventura Spring Rendezvous (ALRA will do period demonstrations)
May 5-6th - Tintic Mouintain Trek
June 16th-17th - Uinta Camp July - No meeting
August 4-5th - Fort Buenaventura (Skill weekend, workshop, etc.)
September 1-4th - Fort Bridger Rendezvous
September 15-16th - Moon Lake Canoe Trip
October - Feast of the Harvest Moon
November 3-4th - Fort Buenaventura - First Ever ALRA Western Gathering
December - Christmas Party (date and place to be determined)
NEWLY REPUBLISHED
RURAL PENNSYLVANIA CLOTHING by Ellen J. Gehret A careful study of the wearing apparel of the German & English inhabitants of southeastern Pennsylvania in the late 18th and early 19th century. Research based upon examination of surviving pieces of old clothing and descriptive information from primary sources. First printed in 1976, this reprint has been requested by many reenactors and historians. $40.00 http://www.shumwaypublisher.com/catalog/ 717-755-1196 888-748-6929
NEW COMPILATION
LONGRIFLE ARTICLES Published in Muzzle Blasts Volume I & II A collection of articles entitled 'Longrifles of Note' written for Muzzle Blasts magazine, the official publication of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, from 1965-2001. Volume I describes and illustrates hundreds of longrifles made in Pennsylvania. Volume II has more than 80 articles illustrating rifles of Maryland, Ohio, New England, the South, and other articles of interest. [softbound] $35.00 per Volume http://www.shumwaypublisher.com/catalog/ 717-755-1196 888-748-6929
NEWS FROM THE OUTPOSTS - NY ALRA
I have attached some photos of Crystal (Frazier) from our Skills Weekend at Niagara this past weekend. The other girl in the picture with Crystal is my sister Dawn. She was a joy to have along and brought great credit to the ALRA-Utah. She has picked up some New York phrases, which must be blamed on the ALRA-NY.
She provided a great on-going demonstration of the inkle loom, despite having little knowledge of it. She learned very quickly and was able to provide another aspect of period living to the public.
Regards,
Ellis M. Delahoy (NY State Lieutenant)
Click on the Thumbnail to View the Full Size Image
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GAME OF "FARKLE "
The game of Farkle originates in the Renaissance. It is said to have been named for Sir Albert Farkle. In France the game is known as Dix Mille (10,000). There are several variations of the game - some played with six dice and some played with five. The most common game is played with 6 dice rolled at one time from a dice box, dice cup, or soldier's tin cup. Any number of players may play.
Equipment: 6 Dice, A Dice Box, Dice Cup, or Tin Cup, and Paper and Pencil for scoring.
Play: To start the game the first player casts all six dice. The player then has the choice to remove all or some of the dice that score points. The removed dice are set aside and not thrown again by the player for that turn. Points must be made on each throw or the turn ends (FARKLE). To start the game each player must throw 1000 points or the player may not begin to accumulate a score. Some variations of the game set this number to 350 points - which is much easier to attain and gets each player into the game much more quickly. If on each players first turn the player does not score 1000 or 350 points then the dice are passed to the next player and no points are counted to score. When the player rolls again on the next turn, the player again must throw a total of 1000 or 350 points. Once the decided point count is reached all points are counted to score.
Spots 1 on one die = 100 points 5 on one die = 50 points 1 1 1 = 1000 2 2 2 = 200 3 3 3 = 300 4 4 4 = 400 5 5 5 = 500 6 6 6 = 600
Four of the same number, double the points for three of the same. For example 2 2 2 2 = 400 Five of the same number, double the points for four of the same. For example 2 2 2 2 2 = 800 Six of the same number, double the points for five of the same. For example 2 2 2 2 2 2 = 1600 Three pairs in one throw is 500 points. One of each number in a throw is 1500 points.
If a player has no points in a throw the turn is over and all points from that turn are lost.. This is a FARKLE and the player passes the dice to the next player. The strategy in this game is for the player to decide if after throwing scoring dice will the player continue to roll. If on a roll no points are made all points made on that turn are lost.
If all six dice are thrown and have points, the six dice must be thrown again. As long as there are points on the next throw the points may be added to the score. The player may then decide to continue to throw or pass the dice.
A player may choose to remove all or some of the point dice from a throw for scoring - but at least one of the point dice must be removed.
The players continue to take turns until one player has a total of 10,000 points or more. All other players have one more turn to see if anyone may pass that score. The player with the highest score or 10,000 or greater wins.
There are many variations to this game. One is that each turn must achieve 350 points or no points may be scored for that turn. Another variation is when all six dice have points and have been removed on successive throws, the player must throw the dice again. There seem to be so many ways to vary this game that it is wise to discuss the rules of play prior to the game when playing with experienced players.