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Graphic Enterprises - Home of the Pioneer Times - A Web Site for Living History
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We are preserving living history
today so that the past will not be forgotten.
Jim Cummings
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To nominate a Re-Enactor of the Month
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John Timms
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Our featured Re-enactor is no stranger to a lot of people. Whenever this man takes the field in a re-enactment his presence is immediately noticed.
He looks the part, he talks the part, and when you talk with him you feel that you have turned back the clock to the 1780’s. And if you are a re-enactor you can’t help but fall into your own persona.
He makes you feel that you are who you are portraying. He does this by being honest with you and honest with himself.
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When looking at John Timms you see a man that could have just walked through the Cumberland Gap with Daniel Boone or since he has often portrayed him - Boone himself. Or he might remind you of Simon Kenton landing at Limestone.
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His face is dirty, his clothes are ragged and torn. He might look as if he hasn’t slept in days, or has just escaped from a brush with death at the hands of Indians.
In other words - John Timms looks the part.
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I first met John this summer at the home of Dean Phillips. Dean and White Turtle were
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having one of the famous Turtle cook outs and John and his wife Tobbi drove in from Ohio with their children. And in just a few minutes of taking with him you would feel like you have known John for years. That his the type of person he is.
This fall John and Tobbi joined in at the Long Run Massacre re-enactment. His portrayals in the prisoner exchange and also in the duel were chilling. A re-enactor well versed in history, John was as usual, a man who has stepped back in time.
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IN HIS OWN WORDS
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The people that have had the most direct influence on me as far as my pursuits in re-enacting and experimental archeology are Carolyn Raine, Ron Francis, Gerry Barker and Mark Baker. These folks facilitated and fostered the mindset to except nothing but the documentable truth in my journey into the past. The mindset is everything! Since I "saw the light", My enjoyment of the hobby has sky rocketed and to be quite frank, doing things as close to the way my 18th century counterparts did is just easier! No coolers, no tents, no "modern" anachronisms, nearly hassle free! To these souls I owe an immeasurable debt and my most sincere thanks!
One of my most treasured experiences was being able to work on the reconstruction of Martin's Station with Gerry Barker and all the many volunteers that shed their blood, sweat and tears to see that grand adventure to its completion. To be able to walk up to the fort and say "I made that window with my tomahawk" means alot to me.
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Another treasured experience also happens to be one of the highest compliments that I have ever been paid. That is the extreme pleasure and privilege of being asked to portray Daniel Boone by Carolyn Raine and Gary Foreman. Carolyn and Gary really try to find souls that to a great degree in some way embodies the person to be featured. I don't mind telling you that D. Boone's moccasins are some hard moccasins to fill. In reality I know I could never come remotely close to the kind of man Boone was, but it was nice to think folks like Carolyn and Gary thought there was something in me that was Boone-like.
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I rarely attend public events. I much prefer to hit the woods and patrol with my brothers in Hobbs' Co. The times we have shared in cave or woods are truly precious! To share the woods with kindred spirits remains
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unrivaled. I have been to many "Big" events that profess to be "The Best", and though their clothing and camps are on the whole excellent the mind sets just aren't there, simply a 21st century person in 18th century clothes. In a way it's ironic that some folks will spend thousands of dollars for the "Stuff" but makes no effort to obtain a decent mindset. I won't give up hope though, may be someday.........
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Without a doubt, If it were not for the encouragement love and support of my wife Tobbi I never would have taken this wonderful journey. To her I owe everything but can only offer her my love.
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The Photo Gallery of Events
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