Be not alarmed!

The Oregon Regency Society web page is undergoing a server migration--so the website (and the RSA Regency Society of America website) will be out of commission for a day or two while the new folks who will be updating it get their ducks in a row. You can email the ORS at orregency@msn.com with queries, and it will be answered.

The ORS is also going through a leadership transition. I will be stepping down as President so I can get my insane life back together, and Thea Peck of ORS Central Valley Chapter will be taking my place. The ORS Northwest Chapter now has 5 chapter leaders; Stephanie Robertson, Charlotte Cunningham, Nora Azevedo, Guy Holady and myself in a limited capacity. I have decided now I want to just show up and have fun, and try to find my sewing love again! :)

Either way, we are here, despite the ORS web page being down, and we will be up and running business as usual very soon. Thanks!

Stephanie Johanesen

UPDATE - Due to a series of professional differences, the above described situation did not resolve itself as we had hoped.  Because of uncommunicated intentions coming to light before the transition, the ORS has been restructured to move forward without a seated President. The organization is now structured to be run by the chapter leaders as a collective. The ORS is a volunteer-run, not for profit organization and will continue to remain so.


Also as a result of the differences between the chapters, the current leadership of the Oregon Regency Society made the difficult decision to withdraw support for the leadership of the ORS Central Valley Chapter. As a result this ORS chapter was dissolved. We apologize sincerely to the Eugene-area ORS members for this inconvenience, however we hope to re-establish a chapter in that region as soon as new, fair and dedicated leadership steps forward, willing to do the hard work necessary with the right, selfless motivations--without generating unnecessary negativity towards other leaders.  This group's leadership has decided that they must all seek equal footing if they are going to work together.


The ORS is and always has been an organization of volunteers. The people who have dedicated great quantities of their personal time to build the group, organize the broad array of events, negotiate deals for venues, market the group, interact with members and listen to the needs of the membership are the very foundation of what this group stands for. None of us are doing this for the sake of personal gain (except for the fun of dressing up, of course), a hope for a career, or a means to elevate ourselves above others. It isn't about how much enjoyment we derive from our events, it's about how much enjoyment the membership derives from the events. We, as leaders, understand that being a leader means working, taking lumps, putting out fires and doing sometimes less than fun things for the sake of making brilliant fun events.  So in essence, it's not about us.  And we have resolved that this will always be part of the mission as we move forward from now on.


As a result of all this, my participating in leadership in a 'limited capacity' has been postponed; I am much engaged as I always have been in making sure we have lots of events going on for our NW Chapter members, and also striving to find leadership to expand our chapters around the state. However now, I share equal grounds with a tremendous group of leaders who put in the time and effort needed to keep this group growing. And I foresee many lovely things happening.


As we enter our fifth full year of operation we are looking forward to all the new and lovely things our leadership will bring, and we welcome the ideas, suggestions and assistance of any members who wish to take part in the leadership role.  Let us know. :)


Stephanie Johanesen - January 2012.

How sweet!

The ORS's bonnet tutorials are much-viewed, and I discovered this little gem on YouTube this weekend, a young lady who is delightfully thrilled by her bonnet that she made using our tutorial. She's adorable, so I must feature her.

A Regency Retreat

Yes it may finally happen! We have found a location that will let us rent their space for a very fine price. The event will be held over a weekend in December. That gives us all plenty of time to plan and save money. Three nights with two full days of workshops and sewing time! Sounds fantastic! The price will include lodging, six meals prepared by the retreat center, two high teas by our chef, and some workshop fees. Certain workshops may cost an additional fee or materials.

There are three sets of dates available and we would like to take a poll of what you think would work best for you.

December 1st-4th
December 8th-11th
December 15th- 18th

Are there any workshops you would really love to see at the retreat? We are very excited and would love some feedback from you!

Longing for Summer and all its diversions

Good Day Ladies and Gentleman,

While it is dreary and snowy, many a daydream has centered on the wonders and comforts of a warm summer's day. Others find the careful planning of the summer season to be a fine consolation to being kept in. What keeps me in high spirits is the careful planning and dreaming of a summer wardrobe and the accessories to accompany it.

I have acquired over the holiday season a book that has become a great deal of joy to me as well as information. I received "English Fashions of the Nineteenth Century" by C. Willett Cunningham (no relation to our own Mrs. Cunningham).

While this particular volume has many different styles and over 1000 illustrations of various fashions. The first chapter in particular is of interest to people enamored of the regency and federalist era.

Here are a few peeks at the fashion plates from this wonderful book:







I hope that these are inspiration for hats and fashions for the delights of picnics, promenades, carriage rides and any number of pleasurable country diversions.

Your Humble Servant,
Mrs. N. Azevedo

Save Public Broadcasting!

We rely on public broadcasting for the period pieces we love the most! If we allow our government to slash public broadcasting, it will severely limit or completely wipe out any of the things we've come to count on. Call your government representatives today and raise hell!

Extraordinary photos from the Duchess's Feast.

Photographer: Michael Linn; see originals on his flickr page: CLICK HERE.

Shadow puppet show performed by Mary Kowal; author of Shades of Milk and Honey.