INTERNATIONAL REENACTING

As one who has been on the organizing end of Canadian events, the only problems that occured repeatedly were linked with a certain loyalist reenactor who has been repeatedly searched and detained by Canadian customs - not sure if it was his shifty appearance, or his green coat? One of those NJV types you know :-)

Seriously, we provided each participant with a letter from the organizing committee, verifying that the individual was attending a reenactment in our city. Both muskets and cannons crossed with this authorization, but its helpfulness depended on the officer on duty.

From the point of view of a Canadian traveling to the US, we have had no problems crossing from Canada to the US, and have had no problem with US Customs. As was suggested, we carry customs cards from the Canadian Customs, which venify that our muskets (and cameras, etc) were all owned prior to our journey into foreign lands. We have had no problem coming back into Canada.

By Wendy from DeLanceys Brigade, Allison's Company, S1. John NB, Canada

As for traveling to Canada, I have the same experiences you had, entering Canada with a musket, no problem. Lots of questions when you're crossing back into the States. A big help was to register the musket with US Customs before I crossed the border. That certificate (which is free) with your weapon's serial # on it helps grease the skids going back. Their biggest concern at that time was not my bringing a weapon into the States, but rather making sure I wasn't evading a customs duty.

The certificate gives proof that the musket was in your possession prior to entering Canada. Another important tip when dealing with US Customs - when you want to register the weapon do not carry it into the customs office. Tell them what you want to do and that the weapon is secured in your car. They are jumpy about this!

What is even better is that you only need to do this once. If you take the same musket back the following year you can use the same registration from the previous year. Once verified as yours, it is permanent.

by Rick Sherman

MUSKET SAFETY

Several years ago, a customer gave us another good reason for using one of our lead jaw pads for holding flints in the musket. It seems that one time. the leather pad had retained a spark and was smoldering just slightly. I don't recall if an accidental ignition occurred but it is just another thing to be alert to.

By John White, Avalon Forge, Baltimore

EVENT SCHEDULE
Feb 28 - Mar 1: Oshkosh, WI (Trade Fair)
Mar 7: Portage, IN (Board Meeting)
May 23-24: Vincennes, IN
Jun 13-14: Kenosha, WI
Jun 27-28: So. Milwaukee, WI
Jul 11 - 12: Indianapolis, IN
Aug 1-2: Wheaton, IL (Cantigny)
Aug 14-16: Quebec, Canada
Sep 5-6: Fredonia, WI
Sep 19-20: Vernon HiHs, IL
Oct 10- 11: W. Lafayette, IN (Feast)
Oct 31-Nov 1: Kalamazoo (Gun Show)

MEDICAL HISTORY

Liz Leudtke is preparing a list of our unit members with some medical history. In the unfortunate event that someone would get injured and can not speak for themselve, this information will be helpful to the medical care taker. Required medication, medical conditions, and allergies are needed to complete the list. Please forward this information to Liz in person, by mail, or by e-mail at GFNIANDRAGN@aol.com