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The town of Calico is occupied by the Confederate forces who are defending themselves from Union Patrols. While the troops wage battle for control of the Town of Calico, the Civilians will be entertaining and educating the public with a Fashion Show, Dance Lessons, a Band Concert, a Field Hospital demonstration, and Demonstrations of Crafts of the Civil War Era.

Before and right after each battle the Civilian Corps will be collecting donations for the ACWS general fund There will be a lot of the public at this event and these donations help the ACWS plan more and better events all year long. We need every available civilian/citizen who would like to volunteer to report to Sheila Smoley at the Civilian Headquarters 45 minutes before each battle to pick up a red, white, and blue sash and a bucket to collect donations in. There will be a red licorice reward for each helper and a prize for the boy or girl collecting the most in their bucket each battle.

All available Civilian Adult Volunteers are needed to be in place 10 minutes before each battle for Crowd Control Duty. This is to keep the spectators from crossing the barricade lines and to answer questions. Don't worry about your depth of knowledge as most questions are in the category of "When was the Civil War?" and "What color is which side?". Crowd Control members need to know that they are to call a cease-fire to the combatants if a hazard occurs. They could also pick up a bucket in case there are generous members of the audience who would like to make a contribution to the "cause".

The Civilian Headquarters will be in the Calico Artisan Shop. It is the first building on the left after the horseshoe pits (army camp) next to the Lane General Store. We have room for about 8 borders to sleep in this building. Please RSVP to the Widow Peters if you would like to "let a room" in her boarding house. I have three reservations at this point.

Our Tea Hostesses, Lynne and Michelle Hamilton will be serving at our Civilian Tea at 3 PM. Saturday. They will have a special presentation to give about the History of Taking Tea. Bring your teacup and something to nibble on. We will also have an informal Tea on Sunday and Monday, times are TBA. Check at the Civilian Headquarters for the time and place so you can come by and visit and get to know someone new! The place for the tea will be announced when we know what the weather and space will be like. It will either be in front of the Civilian Headquarters or in back of the restaurant or inside the restaurant if there is inclement weather. Lois Tunnel and the Calico Literary Society will also be having a Tea with Mrs. Grant at Glassworks, North Calico at 4 PM Saturday and Sunday. Please be prepared to take a quick break from the Tea to model in the Fashion Show. We have to fit everything in, somehow!

Cindy Price will be teaching a "Year in the Life of" Scrapbook Craft Class at 3:45 PM Saturday, right after the Tea. The cost is $5 for the basic kit. Bring any seasonal fabric scraps, lace pieces, ribbon, buttons, stickers, and embellishments to add to each month's page.

Tom Atkins and the Occasional Strings will provide dancing in the street in South Calico at 1 PM every day. There will be a Blue and Gray Cotillion at Calico House Restaurant at 7:15 PM Saturday. Day dresses are OK. Men should be wearing white gloves to be proper.

The Fashion Show will be narrated by Lisa Baughn. She would like to incorporate history lessons into the fashion show, so if you have a special impression or an unusual dress, or would just like to show off your Civil War attire, please have a 3 X 5 card with the important information written on it and be in line and prepared to model. There is a fashion show scheduled for all three days. Saturday it is at 3:30 PM and Sunday and Monday at 1:30 PM.

Catherine Eliot will have a full field hospital demonstration set up with several nurses and doctors. She can use some more 100% cotton sheets to tear up for bandages as the wounded soldiers usually do not return them. It's OK if they are colored, but any polyester affects how realistic the blood looks.

The Civilian Corps will once again have a bake sale at the Lyceum on Sunday evening. With the bitter winds and bone chilling cold that settles in after dark in the town of Calico, a hot steaming cup of coffee, cider, or hot chocolate will be the hit of the evening. All donations of baked goods are welcome. I hope you are practicing your many talents and will be prepared to present them to entertain us that evening. The Lyceum will start at 7 PM this year in order to allow enough time for supper.

Ann Severi has volunteered to do the Children's Corner. She will be making corn Husk Dolls and playing Hoops and Graces. The times are Sat 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and Sun. 10:00 AM, & 3:30 PM. I'm sure she could use some help!

We are hoping that there is enough room in front of the Civilian area to set up demonstrations, quilting and needlework displays. So, bring your chair and your fiddle and join the Civilians on our front porch.