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NEWS

Liberty Tree is working on a NEW program FOR DECEMBER 2021! SING LUSTILY OF WINTER: A GARLAND OF SEASONAL SONGS” with LIBERTY TREE (Stacy Roth and Bob Dupre). Join Bob and Stacy for a set of songs relating to events and customs of wintertime throughout the ages. Includes a few light nods to Christmas, but the overall emphasis is secular.

Bookings for Fall and Winter 2021 are coming in! Stacy hopes to get them up on the calendar soon!

As a reminder, November 2021 (the 400th Anniversary of the First Thanksgiving) will be the last opportunity to book David’s “Stranger Among Saints: Stephen Hopkins of the Mayflower.” The program will be removed from our listings in 2022. (8/18/2021)

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David is available for live programs (preferably out of doors for now). The first programs to roll out are George Washington offerings and Irish Storytelling. 2021 will be the last year for “Stranger Among Saints: Stephen Hopkins of the Mayflower.” We’re now booking these final presentations for October and November, for a belated celebration of the 400th Anniversary of Plimoth Colony.

Stacy’s “Over Here Molly Pitcher: Stories of a Woman of the Army in the American Revolution” will be available again for live outdoor programs in June 2021. “Liberty Tree,” the duo of Stacy and folksinger Bob Dupre, will be available for programs as early as August. (4/15/2021)

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Not unexpectedly, all of our public programs for the remainder of 2020 have been cancelled due to the pandemic. We are experimenting with offering some of David’s customized storytelling programs via Zoom in a pre-recorded format. If interested, please contact us. Please do not contact us with requests to make programs available for free or at “reduced rates.” We are unable to accommodate such requests.

We are also sad to announce that the New Jersey Council for the Humanities Public Scholars Program, which made several of our programs available through grants to non-profits, has discontinued the Speakers Bureau for the foreseeable future. We are proud to have been featured speakers via the Speakers Bureau since its inception in 1998. (8/7/2020)

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In September 2018, Stacy was appointed coordinator of the newly formed Washington Crossing Fifes and Drums of Washington Crossing Historic Park, Washington Crossing, PA. The corps, which began practices in January 2019, welcomes members of all musical levels, aged 10 through adult. Stacy manages the practices on two Saturdays and two Wednesdays each month and provides music programming on several other dates throughout the year. (2/4/2019)

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Bob Dupre and Stacy Roth now have a name for their duo: LIBERTY TREE! (7/14/2018)

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Stacy presented hands-on sessions on Revolutionary War armies’ use of drum and fife (with hands-on drumming) for school groups visiting Washington Crossing Historical Park (Washington Crossing, PA) on six of their special “Colonial Days” in May and June 2018. These were a great success! Children learned drum signals, accompanied Stacy on tunes, and practiced their fife embouchure. (6/6/2018)

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Dave is now presenting Benjamin Franklin programs as walkaround or as formal presentations of various lengths. He recently spent a day at a local elementary school and will be strolling the grounds of Morven (Princeton, NJ) on July 4, 2016 from noon-3. (5/7/2016)

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Stacy has been working with several different drummers on fife and drum bookings over the past few years. In 2016, she also began organizing fife and drum “jams” (focusing on 18th century tunes) at Washington Crossing Historic Park in Washington Crossing, PA. The group is called “Washington Crossing Area Fifers and Drummers.” Get-togethers are organized via a private Facebook page. Contact Stacy for more information on either activity. (3/10/2016)

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Stacy and the Friends of Monmouth Battlefield have been awarded a minigrant from the New Jersey Historical Commission for 10 additional days of Molly Pitcher programs at Monmouth Battlefield State Park in Manalapan, NJ. Many of these programs are in conjunction with complementary living history activities and tours. The dates are on our calendar. To see the entire 2014 schedule of the Friends of Monmouth Battlefield, see www.friendsofmonmouth.org . (2/14/2014)

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David was interviewed by Christine Retz for the Winter 2014 issue of The Link, the newsletter of the Raritan-Millstone Heritage Alliance www.raritanmillstone.org in anticipation of his presentation on February 9. It was a very thorough discussion of why George Washington is such a fascinating historical figure to portray. (2/1/2014)

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Stacy was recently interviewed by gmnews.com about her life as a historical interpreter and reenactor. An article incorporating the interview was published in a number of central New Jersey  newspapers (including the Sentinel of Edison) on June 12. Follow this link to see it!  http://em.gmnews.com/news/2013-06-12/Front_Page/History_envelops_professional_reenactor.html (14 June 2013)

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"Mother the Queen of My Heart" has turned out to be a sweet little program appropriate for occasions other than Mother's Day. The show includes songs and stories about personalities that many remember first hand! We're considering offering it at other times of the year. This program is appropriate for women's clubs, senior organizations, and similar groups of 15-50 people.  SPECIAL OFFER: Stacy has a couple of openings during the last week of June (midweek only). If your group is located in our home area (Northern Burlington Co. / Mercer Co. Western Monmouth) and you book during that week, you can save approx. $50 over our usual honorarium. (28 May 2013)

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Our webhosting provider is in the process of changing hands. Our historyonthehoof.com email is not getting through to us. Please use historyonthehoof AT verizon.net until the problem is corrected. Thank you. (3/28/2013)

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In the middle of an impending nor'easter, it is hard to believe that Spring is just around the corner. Dave and Stacy are preparing for another season of presentations.

Stacy is happy to announce that she'll be accepting bookings throughout the year, including the summer, with the exception of a few clusters of days here and there for various family events. (Feb 12-March 8 are unavailable as Stacy assists her mom with a move.)

Several slots are still available for Women's history programs in March (after the 8th).

Now is a good time to book "Mother, the Queen of My Heart," which is only offered in early May.

(added 2/8/2013)

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It seems odd to think about Christmas just after the summer solstice, however, if you are seeking stories or carolers for December programming, NOW is a good time to contact us about David's Christmas Stories or our Quartet Spiced Punch, now in our 20th year of historical caroling.

When July 4 rings in the end of the Spring 2012 season, Stacy will be taking a 12 week hiatus to attend to personal and family affairs. Bookings for "Over Here Molly Pitcher" will be accepted for programs starting in mid-October 2012, those for "Soldiers Without Guns: Women Defense Workers of WWII" beginning in November, and "Revolutionary Tea" in December." Another hiatus is planned for the typically slow season of January and February, with programs commencing again in March 2013.

This break does not affect David's schedule. Contact us for Irish Stories, George Washington, Davy Crockett, or his program on 18th Century Tavern Beverages.

(added June 27, 2012)

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Stacy's program about women defense workers in WWII - "Soldiers Without Guns" has been added to the roster of offerings of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities' Horizons Speakers Bureau, joining "Revolutionary Tea" and "Over Here Molly Pitcher." This is a grant funded way to book one of these programs (or one of the many other fine programs in their catalog) for your non-profit organization. Organizations that meet certain criteria may join the Speakers Bureau for a $50 fee and choose one program per year from the Bureau (based on availability of the speaker). Three of David Emerson's programs -- "The Shannachie of Glendunbunn Ballybegg," "Greasy Luck (stories of a 19th Century whalerman)" and "Stranger Among Saints: Stephen Hopkins of the Mayflower" are also available through the Council. Funds are very limited and memberships fill up quickly. For more information, visit the New Jersey for the Humanities' Horizons Speakers Bureau web page.    and see our PROGRAMS page for descriptions of the above programs. (April 12, 2012)

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It is with great sadness that Stacy relates the passing of her father, Richard N. Roth, an Air Force veteran of WWII, who took his final flight on March 19, 2011. This was followed by the death of Stacy's Aunt Evelyn, who was a WAVE during the War. As a consequence of these events, Stacy is a bit behind with History on the Hoof paperwork and has had to make some adjustments in her performance schedule.

In the works - a public event featuring WWII living history exhibits and displays coupled with a big band concert in honor of her father, who was passionate about jazz and swing music. The date is November 13, 2011, 12-4pm. Location: Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Lambertville, NJ. www.howellfarm.org. The event will open with exhibits by groups including the Army Air Forces Historical Association, the 45th Infantry (recreated), Len Enourato's WWII Museum, and Rob Flory (radio equipment). From 2-4 pm, we will feature a concert by the Full Count Big Band. There will be floor space available for dancing. Download a flier here.

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David's Shannachie of Glendunbunn Ballybeg will be featured at two unique festivals this month: The first, on March 6, 2011 is a day-long Gael Scoil for young people interested in Celtic Culture. In addition to stories by David and fellow storyteller Tom Slattery, attendees will learn about traditional Celtic music, Celtic foodways, Celtic culture.  The Scoil takes place from 8:30am to 3pm in Lawrenceville, NJ. Enrollment is required. For information, see http://www.aohdiv10.org/gaelscoil . The event is sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 10, Hamilton, NJ.

David's Shannachie of Glendunbunn Ballybeg tales will "warm, tickle, and chill the heart" for two identical sessions at the 5th Annual Storytelling Festival of World Music and Story at the County College of Morris, Randolph, NJ on March 20, 2011. Come hear tales to "warm, tickle, or chill the heart." Download the festival brochure from the New Jersey Storynet: http://njstorynet.org/wpnjstory/wpcontent/uploads/2011/02/11StoryFestBroch1.pdf  (2/24/2011)

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Effective immediately, History on the Hoof has an email address at our own domain. The new address is info AT historyonthehoof.com. Our old address, historyonthehoof AT verizon.net will continue to be active for a while. Please update your address book with the new one. (1/3/2010)

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David and Stacy will both be among the featured performers at the 18th Annual New Jersey Storytelling Festival at the Grounds for Sculpture, Fairgrounds Road, Hamilton, NJ on Sunday, September 12, 2010. The event, which will take place come rain or come shine, runs from noon to 6pm.  Stacy will relate tales of following the Continental Army during the American Revolution with anecdotes from her program "Over Here Molly Pitcher" (1pm adult stage) and David will tell stories in the personage of his blarney-hurling "Shannachie of Glendunnbun Ballybeg" (4pm general stage). The festival is organized by storytellers Carol Titus and Ken Gallipeau of NJ Storynet in cooperation with the Folk Project. For more information and directions, visit the websites of NJ Storynet or the Grounds for Sculpture, or call or email the latter at 609 586-0616 / info@groundsforsculpture.org. The event is free with general admission to the Park. Special storytelling workshops are available in the morning by registration only (with fee). (8/18/2010)

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Dave recently completed a course in Mixology! For the past several years, he has presented workshops on historic beverages for private clients. Now, he announces a formal title for his program: "The Lure and Lore of Liquor: Tavern Beverages of the American Revolution." The program answers the age old question "What was fueling the debates between the Sons of Liberty or the Virginia Burgesses?"  His  presentation includes discussion of the various types of beverages available to the 18th Century tavern tippler, how they were made, and even some recipes that you can try on your own (if you dare). Discover our forefathers’ alternative to the modern Mohito and Martini, and what Ben Franklin considered “The Proof of God’s Love.”   (9/29/09)

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Stacy announces a new program, "Mother the Queen of My Heart:" A tribute to Mother in Song, Poetry, and Prose. The program features musical pieces and readings from historical to modern. Audience members are invited to share their own memories, too. Filled with love, humor, and, of course, sentiment. The show makes it's grand debut at East Jersey Olde Town in Piscataway, NJ on Mothers Day. (See our calendar listings to reserve a seat.) Bring yourself, your Mother, your children, and your memories...  (4/3/09)

"Are you married?" Folks often ask us if we are husband and wife. "No, but we play them on TV," we like to say. Stacy and Dave began performing occasionally together in 1992, and launched  History on the Hoof in 1996  In 2008, Stacy married John Niemiec of Fairless Hills, PA, a military history enthusiast and reenactor of many different time periods.  If you hear of  Stacy Flora Roth, Stacy Flora Roth-Niemiec and Stacy Roth Niemiec, they are one in the same person. Stacy has named her new defense worker character "Rose Helen Niemiec" in honor of her new husband. It's pronounced "NIMIK," btw.

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Would you like occasional periodic updates of our new programs and upcoming appearances? Please send us an email.

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History on the Hoof to appear at the Spirit of the Jersey's State History Fair. Stacy and David will be performing as Molly Pitcher and George Washington at the annual Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair, Saturday, May 2, 2009 at Washington Crossing State Park, Titusville, NJ. The New Jersey History-themed Fair features character interpreters, displays by reenactment organizations, historical societies and museums, antique automobiles, historical food demonstrations, radio theater, music and dance performances, and much more from distant to modern times in the State's past. This is a one of the best living history events anywhere, great for families, and there is currently NO ADMISSION. It is HUGE. Wear comfortable walking wear.

History on the Hoof
Stacy F. Roth / B. David Emerson
P.O. Box 421
Burlington, NJ 08016
(609) 239-2706
email: historyonthehoof AT verizon.net

 

Photo credits: Stacy with teacup by Andrew Wilkinson of Wilkinson Media, "David MacCaffrey" by Stacy Roth, "Rose Helen Niemiec, Welder" by John Niemiec, David as George Washington by Tim Griscom.

page updated 8/18/2021

photo of Stacy Roth by Andrew WilkinsonPhoto of David EmersonPhoto of Stacy Roth as a WWII welderPhoto of David Emerson as George Washington