Christkindlmarkt In Clark, New Jersey On November 21, 2010

The sign at the entrance promoting the event:






This quaint wooden house is located close to the Christkindlmarkt area. Very nice. You will note the Bavarian curtains:

A seated Santa prop:


Some of the food I purchased [Bayrischer Blockmalz Bavarian Malt candies (these sold out quickly!), Alpenmilch chocolate Bishop/Saint Nikolaus figure, Crunchy Gherkins (absolutely incredible spiced pickles - one jar was not enough!!), Schicht-Nougat (milk chocolate, hazelnut and nougat treat), Katzenzungen (translation: cat tongues!), and Lebkuchen by Weiss]:


Here are some decorations I purchased (most were made from wood in Germany):


This one is amazing! It is known as a Ratags Doppelschwibbogen. Look at the detail!


Here is a video of this extraordinary handmade wooden masterpiece:

233rd Anniversary Of The Siege Of Fort Mifflin Reenactment Held In Philadelphia, PA On November 14, 2010

A fantastic Reenactment of the Siege Of Fort Mifflin (sometimes referred to as The Battle Of Mud Island) took place on November 13 and 14, 2010. This blog entry specifically covers the Reenactment held on the 14th. As a number of you have seen from my previous entries, Fort Mifflin is located very close to the Philadelphia International Airport and airplanes fly overhead quite often. Just before the Reenactment began, a British Airways jet flew overhead and a few of the guys portraying the British Forces cheered. It was pretty funny. It was flying in the same direction as the British offensive too.

Here is a sign that makes reference to this very battle:


A gathering of reenactors prior to the battle:




The start of the battle. I had a great spot above the action. You will note two Colonists on the right:






The next three are images I made from the videos (screen caps you could call them):


















Post-reenactment gathering:


I bought a Fort Mifflin Flag at the gift shop:


Many more photos can be found at this link: http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u213/portaltothepast/Reenactments/Revolutionary%20War/Fort%20Mifflin%2011-14-2010

I recorded and uploaded six videos from the event. They can be found on my youtube page (http://www.youtube.com/MichaelTheResearcher) using the search term "Siege".

Squirrels Stealing Pumpkins In Front Of My House On November 13, 2010!

I bought some pumpkins to use as autumn decorations. Some squirrels showed up and took the pumpkins off of the steps and tore into them!
I had recently purchased a new camera, and wanted to test it out in front of the house. When I opened the door, I saw this mayhem!











Showdown ...






























Here are two videos of this mayhem ...

Veteran's Day 2010 And The Importance Of Dedicating A National World War I Memorial Immediately

To all of America's Veterans ... a hearty salute to you and a resounding thank you for your collective service and sacrifice. There is a Veterans-related matter at hand that is, in a word, dire ...

Frank Woodruff Buckles is America's Last Surviving Veteran of World War I. He drove an ambulance and escorted Prisoners Of War during (and just after) the Great War and he himself became a civilian P.O.W. of the Japanese during World War II. At the age of 109, he still has one battle left ... seeing the dedication of a National World War I Memorial. He is the last of the Army's Dough Boys, the last living link to the conflict that was considered in its time as the "War To End All Wars". Frank Buckles believes we should honor the brave soldiers who fought in the Great War with a suitable Memorial. Time is truly of the essence. We as Americans should come together to erect a fine Memorial ... Frank Buckles himself stated it does not have to be elaborate. When should we make this happen? In one year? In five years? In ten years? Ladies and gentlemen ... the time is NOW!

Note: There is currently a dispute between the parties who seek to have a local World War I Monument, erected in Washington, D.C. in 1931, re-dedicated as a National Memorial and those who already recognize the Liberty Memorial, completed in 1926 (and houses the National World War I Museum) in Kansas City, Missouri, as being the National Memorial. Monuments in honor of Great War Veterans have been built in New Jersey, Rhode Island and Connecticut as well.

Some of you will remember I met Frank Buckles in January of last year. Here is my blog entry describing the day:
http://michaeltheresearcher.blogspot.com/2009/02/happy-108th-birthday-to-frank-woodruff.html
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The 150th Anniversary Of The United States' Election Of 1860

Today is one of the most significant days in American History. On November 6, 1860, 150 years ago today, an election was held ... an election that changed the United States Of America forever. One can easily consider the Election of November 6, 1860 as the spark that ignited the War Between The States. The candidates included incumbent Vice President John Breckinridge (a Southern Democrat), Illinois Senator Stephen Douglas (a Northern Democrat), former Tennessee Senator John Bell (a Constitutional Unionist) and former Illinois House Representative Abraham Lincoln (a Republican). Once Lincoln was announced the winner, Southern States began to secede and form the Confederacy thus leading the country to a Civil War.

Be on the lookout for many commemorative events in honor of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War in the coming months. Plans are underway for the year 2011 including Reenactments as well as participation from still-living "Real Children" of Civil War Veterans. I will, of course, be covering many of them in this blog and on youtube.
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