2012 ORS Regency Retreat (and some photos of Topsails and Tea)

Apologies to all for the lag in updates. The ORS has had a bit of a spike in fertility and we've had some unexpected pregnancies among the leadership that sort of threw a couple of sabots into our proverbial looms. We're now one baby boy (Master Logan) stronger in our Regency family here with the ORS, and hopefully we'll know tomorrow if it will be a little white dress or a skeleton suit for the second arrival coming in November.

Anyhow, I'm happy to post the details on the ORS retreat in August. There are a few spots still open, so please feel free to query us if you're interested in coming.  Full payment should be submitted before July 25, if possible. Contact us at orregency@msn.com if you have questions, or if it's after July 25 and you want to know if there are still spots available.

Click HERE to download the registration packet.

Read the details online on the ORS 2012 Regency Retreat page.

Click HERE.

Additionally, I'm adding some highlight photos of our lovely May 19, 2012 'Topsails and Tea' event in Newport Oregon.  We enjoyed a sail on the tall ship, the Lady Washington. She sails out of Grey's Harbour in Washington State and with her sister ship, the Hawaiian Chieftain, they visit a number of ports along the Pacific Northwest throughout the year.

It was a lovely event and we all had a great time. It began with a delicious tea, we enjoyed a lovely day, heard great music, saw baby sea-lions, and some of us capped off the night with some wine and seafood and good company.  I cannot wait to do it again next year! We're going to try to buy out a whole ship this time. :)

Here come LOTS of photos. These were taken by myself, Stephanie Johanesen, Stephanie Robertson and by Megan Funk.

A golden-locked serenade.

Spiders on a web.

Paul always cuts a striking figure.

One of the highlights of the sail. Beautiful
bagpipes.

Blue steel.

It wasn't just the men making striking poses.

Our sister ship offered lots of 'beauty passes'

The crew.

Some of the AMAZING crew of the
Lady Washington.

This is George. I was going to sea-lion-nap him.
I was advised I could not. Mostly by
George's massive family members loafing nearby.

As you can see, it was a lovely event. We hope to have more and more as the baby-making surge levels out. :D  Happy weekend all!

Some sparkly new events!

Hello all. The first thing I'd like to do is talk about the 2012 retreat. Yes, it's on.  This time it's a Summer retreat.  What we've decided to do is to 1) alternate between summer and winter so we can both do outdoor activities, and cozy up by the fire, and 2) to alternate locations. 2013 will be hosted by the ORS Rogue-Valley Chapter.

But this year's retreat will be held at Tilikum Retreat Center again. And it will be held on August 24, 2012 to August 27, 2012.  The theme for the masquerade is 'Myth and Mystery'.  Pre-registration is now open. Click the link under the image to go there.

Pre-registration is now open.

Another delightful event we have coming up is "Topsails & Tea".  The Grand Victorian Bed & Breakfast will be hosting a lovely tea. It also provides for possible lodging for those who made a long voyage to take to the sea.  Tea is $15 per person and begins at 2PM.

After tea, we take a leisurely path to the port, where we will board either the Lady Washington or the Hawaiian Chieftain at 6 PM for a two-hour sail aboard a tall ship.  These tickets are $25 a person and can be purchased using the button below.  The Historical Seaport, home of the two tall ships, recommends that participants buy tickets for the evening sail as soon as possible, because the evening sails sell out very fast.

And our tried and true event comes into its 5th year.  The Pittock Mansion picnic, a wonderful social event.

We have more events in store, we came up with a good, full year of dress-up opportunities and costume fun, and we will be adding them in as venues are confirmed and dates are locked down.

Check back! And as always, join our facebook page for the most up-to-date ramblings.

The ORS Facebook Group Page

Like our ORS page as well.

Sweets to the Sweet, a Regency Valentine Tea

Many thanks to our hosts, Connie & Mike Jarrett for opening their gorgeous home to our members and guests, this past Sunday. Twenty three gentlemen and ladies were in attendance at the historic Ferdinand McCown house in Oregon City, for the ORS Regency Valentines Tea.

Decorated with handmade paper cameos, the chandeliers illuminated new friends and old, as they gathered 'round to sample the savories treats provided therein. Oh my, a scrumptious menu of scotch eggs, mini mince-meat pies, shrimp roll-ups, scones, acres of brownies-including allergen free options- were laid out on the antique dining room table and carved sideboard. Tea and coffee were on hand in the kitchen, where many kettles of water were boiled by our kitchen pixies.

However, despite the dramatic posing, cooking on such an adorable period stove was really no chore! The afternoon's entertainment was provided by the passionate and knowledgable Professor D.R. Schreiber, whose slight of hand and conjuring illusions delighted the entire assembly. A superb presentation, which was full of fun and interesting history of "Conjuring" during the Regency period. During the show's intermission, Lady Lauren once again thrilled us with her divine voice. A rendition of Handel's "Silent Worship", she might truly have charmed birds from the trees, with her own superior trills.

After the show's conclusion, the professor was on hand to further discuss the topics of conjuring, and indulge in a cup or two of tea. The whist tables were brought out, and a second trip to the groaning sideboard was in order. Perhaps a third (or fourth) cup of the Chocolate Mint tea, if you please? And so, the remainder of the time was passed in good conversation and excellent company. As a further note, I'd like to also thank the several members whom stood on ladders, baked amazing yumminess, and/or washed dishes.

The Lady of Portland House (Lauren) and Lissa

The Lord and Lady of Portland House (Aaron and Lauren)

The Amazing Professor D.R. Schreiber and The Lady of Portland House

A lovely game of Whist

Connie and Mike, our gracious hosts

Christian and Tara preparing tea in the kitchen.

Lots to catch up on!

New Events!

• July 31 ~ August 16, 2009 - "Pride and Prejudice" on Stage
  Mago Hunt Center (at University of Portland), Portland, Oregon
  A Production by Quintessence Language and Imagination Theatre
  

• August 29, 2009 - A Tour and A Tea
  Bishop's Close, Lavender Bleu Tea Room - West Linn, Oregon
  

• September 4, 2009 - An Evening of Music and Dance
  Ainsworth House & Gardens ~ Oregon City, Oregon.
  

• October 3, 2009 - ORSCVC Harvest Ball
  Details and Location TBA
  

• October 10, 2009 - "What Not To Wear" Regency Workshop
  Home of Lauren Marks, SE Portland.
  

• December 5, 2009 - ORS Winter Ball
  The Sunnyside Grange, Happy Valley, Oregon
  

• January 9, 2010 - Feast of the Twelfth Night
  McLean House ~ West Linn, Oregon

Details and ticket information is available at the Oregon Regency Society Events page.

Pittock Mansion picnic
Pictures Here

Second bonnet workshop
Pictures Here

A host of new ORS Events!

Hurrah! At last we have some events for you! It's been rough-going for a month or two, but we're starting to get some of our ducks in a row and have some lovely things for you to do for the following months:

March 28, 2009
A Free ECD Workshop
Sunnyside Grange, Happy Valley, Oregon

Brush up on your English Country Dance skills, or learn the basics in this free workshop in the Portland area.
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March 29, 2009
A Jane Austen Afternoon
Albany, Oregon; Sponsored by Elysian Designs

Join the ladies of Elysian Designs in a special cinema viewing of Sense and Sensibility followed by tea.

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April 4, 2009
A Spring Debut Ball
Veterans Memorial Ballroom, Eugene, Oregon

ORS Eugene kicks off the season with the year's first dance. Join us for an evening of dinner, dancing and diversions in the Emerald City.

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May 9, 2009
Un peu de thé et des Beaux-arts.

Heathman Hotel and the Portland Museum, Portland Oregon

Join us for a gourmet tea at the luxurious Heathman Hotel at noon, followed by an exploration of the Portland Museum's Madame de Pompadour Exhibit.

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There is definitely more to come; including a June Dance event, and a picnic at Pittock Mansion again. And we are already working on the details of this year's Winter Ball. :)

Go to http://www.orregency.org/ for details and ticket information for any of the above events. Click 'Events'.

A lovely tea party

Sixteen ladies (and girls) in Regency costume converged on the Lavender Tea Room in Sherwood Oregon this past Sunday to enjoy a delicious tea of savory sandwiches, scones and delightful desserts.

You can see a full collection of photos here.

An excellent time was had by all. We enjoyed a mix of new as well as familiar faces in the ORS. A usual, it was a civilized, wonderful group of people.

Our next event; a Regency Dance workshop will occur in Eugene this coming Sunday, and then we will be hosting a Bonnet workshop on the 26th of April.

If you're in Oregon, or somewhere nearby... join us!