A and S — Free Fun Time – March 1

Greetings to the Debatable Lands!

Tomorrow, Thursday March 1st, is once again A&S in BMDL!

Got a project you’re working on? Got an inkle loom you can’t get under control? Need embroidery info? Need help with sewing up some garb? Get some help, work on a thing, or just talk about what you’d like to see in the future.

We will be at Victory Pointe Gaming Lounge (and ice-cream parlor), upstairs in the game room, at 1113 Carson Street on the South Side, starting at 7 PM. Come early if you wish, people start arriving about 6:45.

Upstairs is not handicap accessible, so if you need assistance or have questions, please call or text me at 724-759-3333.

Be sure to park safely — feed the meter if needed. They ticket like crazy on the South Side. I think the best place is across the street in the bank par! king lot.

See you there!
Elss Augsburg

New List Ropes!

These are finished and will be debuted at the demo on Friday at the Carnegie Science Center!

A yellow pole on a black wooden base, with a white cap and a metal eye at the top
The new list corner poles

There is a total of 12 corners and 16 ropes that are 20′ long. The poles remove from the bases for easier storage.

Coils of thin rope in white, yellow, and black
New list ropes!

Vivant to Lady Zianna and her helpers for the manufacture!

Demo: Retainers, Heralds, Trumpeters, and Drummers..

From Lady Zianna:

I need to hear from you!!!!

If you have not yet contacted me about being able to retain – we could really use your help. I am looking for shifts to be 30-45 minutes (or longer if you want.) If you have thought about trying to retain or you have years of experience – we have open times this Friday at the Carnegie Science Center from 6pm-10pm.

Trumpets! Drums! Banners! Oh my! Calling all musicians, heralds and warriors: help us process through the masses by clearing a path for Their Royal Highnesses to enter the demo in grand style.

Contact me if you are interested or have questions– ziannaevents at gmail dot com.

See you on Friday!!

William Blackfox Web Awards – Sylvan Strand Nominations AS LII (2018)

The Sylvan Strand Nominees have been announced, and the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands brought home much glory.

Congratulations to Kameshima-kyo Zentarou Umakai, our Webminister; Lady Elizabeth the Hunter, Webminister for the office of Earl Marshal; and to Maighstir Kieran MacRae for being recognized for their hard work!

Here is the list:

Published February 26, 2018

The following websites and people are recognized as the Sylvan Strand Nominees for the William Blackfox Web Awards, as announced in Court at the College of Three Ravens:

Best Overall Website
Winner: Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands, Kameshima Zentarou Umakai, Webminister
Honorable Mention: Barony of Endless Hills, Dono Leo-San, Webminister

Best Appearance
Winner: Shire of Coppertree – Lady Aerin Wen, Webminister
Honorable Mention: Dominion of Myrkfaelinn – Lord Robert of Ferness, Webminister

Best Organization
Winner: Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands, Kameshima Zentarou Umakai, Webminister
Honorable Mention: Shire of Sylvan Glen, Lady Umm Samin Bint Asad Al-Isfahaniyya, Webminister

Best Use of Technology
Winner: Authorization Clerk, Mistress Maria Christina de Cordoba, Webminister
Honorable Mention: Earl Marshal, Lady Elizabeth the Huntress, Webminister

Best Artwork
Winner: Shire of Nithgaard, Graphic by Lady Avitoria Vidua
Honorable Mention: Signet, Banner Graphic by Master Kieran MacRae and Background Graphic by THLady Fiora d’Artusio

Best Special Interest Website
Winner: AE Rapier – Lord Simon Caminante, Webminsiter
Honorable Mention: Brewers Guild – THL Madoc Arundel, Webminister

Best Regular Feature
Winner: Barony of Delftwood, Lord Sabastian Mora, Webminister
Honorable Mention:

Best Content
Winner: Barony of Delftwood, Lord Sabastian Mora, Webminister
Honorable Mention: Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands, Kameshima Zentarou Umakai, Webminister

Best Blog
Winner: Barony of the Rhyderrich Hael, Baron Magnus de Lyons and Baroness Miriel du Lac – http://mandmreign.blogspot.com

Seneschal’s Spotlight – Business Meetings

The Seneschal’s Spotlight is a monthly feature that highlights an aspect of the Barony and/or its people.

This month’s Spotlight falls upon the Business Meeting. Every other month (Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct, Dec) on the first Wednesday of the month (except for August where we meet the first Wednesday after Pennsic) we hold a Business Meeting. While the Officers of the Barony are required to attend or to send a Proxy if they are unable to attend, the meeting is open to everyone in the Barony.

Every time I send out the reminder(s) for the Business Meeting, at the end is the following:

The Officers of the Debatable Lands are elected by the membership and is made up of members of the populace, just like you. The Officers are responsible for ensuring that the policies of the Kingdom and Barony are followed and are accountable to the populace of the Debatable Lands. The Business meeting is open to everyone in the Barony and attendance by the populace is encouraged.

This is an open invitation to everyone both within and outside of the Barony to attend and participate in the meeting.

What happens at the Business Meeting?

  • Officers Reports – Each Officer of the Barony gives an update of what has been going on in the area they oversee.
  • We review event bids for upcoming events.
  • Get updates on upcoming events and/or demos.
  • Review Letters of Intent for those interested in becoming an Officer when another Officer’s term expires.
  • Discuss concerns or recommendations we’ve received from the Populace of the Barony-Marche.
  • Once a year, in April, we have a Budget Meeting where we allocate the Barony’s Budget for the next year.
  • Once every year we review the Policies of the Barony.
  • Discuss any policies that have been recently changed or added from the Kingdom or Society Seneschal.

While the list isn’t exhaustive, they represent things that have been discussed at previous Business Meetings.

The Barony is all of us, not just the Officers, and your input and presence are very welcome. We want to know what is important to you and hear what you would like to see happening in the Barony. We hope to see you at the next Business Meeting (our Budget Meeting) on Wednesday, 4 April 2018 at 8:00 p.m. at Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church on the North Side.

Captain of Archers

To continue our series on barony officer positions, here is a fantastic look into the position of Captain of Archers from Lady Katherine Tanzel.

The Captain of Archers is an archery marshal in charge of holding and running archery practices for the open populace. In that role they provide storage, care, transportation and maintenance for the target equipment and the loaner equipment. The loaner equipment provides those new to archery with equipment to participate in practices.

Following each practice the Captain of Archers is then responsible for submitting royal round scores and awarding new ranks to the archers as they advance up to Bowman, where the Captain then reports any advancements of Master Bowman or above to the Archer General for recognition through the ranks to the current royalty for recognition of such achievement.

The position of Achery Captain is a very public one open and easy for people outside the SCA to join in the fun. It’s up to the Captain of Archers to see that they are able to access what’s available to them, be that loaner equipment for the day if it’s available, saftey instructions for the range or for the proper use of the equipment, or just the Barony website or Barony blog (Storfetter) so they can see more about the Barony.

TRH to attend Demo

From Lady Zianna:

Hear ye! Hear ye! We have great news this fine morning!

Their Royal Highnesses will be attending this Friday! If you are able to help retain for them, please let me know.

We also learned yesterday that Dream Song will be performing and accompanying the dancing at 7:00pm in the  amphitheater!

Come one! Come all! Join us in making our Barony, Kingdom, and organization shine!  Contact me with questions or concerns.

ziannaevents @ gmail dot com

Demo Update

Read now the words of Lady Zianna:

OYEZ!!! OYEZ!!!

Good gentles of our great Barony and beyond – I, Lady Zianna, bring you glorious updates on the demo coming up this Friday.

Yes, it’s this Friday from 6p.m. – 10p.m. at the Carnegie Science Center (1 Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212).

Come and spend the evening showing off your skills, talents, and interests to over 400 people. That’s right: there have been over 400 tickets presold for the event, and there could be as many as 2,000. If you come dressed in garb and go through the secret entrance, you get in and park for FREE!!!

We need YOU! Below are just some of the scheduled events for the evening. We need more people to make our village come alive!

Their Excellencies will be greeted by all the guests as they enter the gates of the village. There will be a photo opportunity for guests to sit on the thrones. Can you retain for Their Excellencies? Can you guard this area to keep them safe? Please contact me to help out.

MARTIAL ACTIVITIES

Heavy Fighters – beginners to Knights – we have some great fighting areas at this event!
We have a river/submarine view that will have one, if not two, lists set up for bouts and education. Get boasted into a bout by a herald – we will have them!
There are two 20-minute demo slots in the Works Theater, at 6:30 and 8:30. We need volunteers for the demos!!! This is such a cool place to demo, in the round and with the spotlight on you!
Weather permitting: give the visitors a glimpse of your skills right outside of the entrance doors! Feel free to sit at a table and work on armor or weapons – we will have spots all over the venue.

Fencers – Oh my! We have a balcony with two lists for you to duel in. You will be visible from three floors on this great balcony!
Our neighbors from Silva Vulcani are joining our forces this great evening. Vivant! Come and test your blades against theirs.
We have a 20-minute demo slot in the Works Theater at 7:30 that we need volunteers to help with.
You, too, can be outside as the visitors enter, should the weather permit.

A ballista and trebuchet will be guarding the entrance to our great village. Siege engineers, and those interested in siege, keep watch for a shift, and teach the visitors about these forms of combat!

Speaking of combat…. Calling all combat archers! If you can be there, we need protection!!

Join the archery and thrown weapons display. Need to sharpen those axes or repair those arrows? We have the space and this area will also be visible from all floors of the venue.

Jousting, anyone? Our great equestrians will be out in force! They will be slaying some silly “Bouncy Jousting” enemies. Come and cheer them on!

ARTS AND SCIENCES

We have an entire floor dedicated to Arts and Sciences. We have a lot more space to be filled!
There will be appearances by the Great Wheel and the Printing Press. We have knitting, weaving, embroidery, and calligraphy for the start of a great arts circle.

Have a project you are working on? Bring it! Sit by the windows or by the fighting or in the theaters. We all need a few extra hours to work on a project!

I would love to have an illumination display! Who can make this happen??

Brewers: we will have the bar set up for you. Bring your best to let our visitors sample them. Remember there are already 400 tickets sold. A few good gentles unable to join us have arranged to have their product transported to the venue, but we need more!

Music! We need music! If there was ever a space for loud band, it’s here! Stroll the halls – sit by the tavern – did I mention there are several stages?

Bards, Dancers, and Drummers–OH MY! Tell a story from a balcony – stroll about, singing your favorites. Demonstrate a dance under the leadership of THL sionn the lost. Perform on a stage. Do one or more or all of the above! Members of the choir will be there to sing a few selections, as well.

Heralds, HELP!! We are going to have announcements to make all night long. Please contact me if you are available to be a roving or stationed herald.

BRING YOUR BANNERS! We want to see your heraldry! There are places for them to be hung – there are places for them to stand.

As you can see, this is a major exposure opportunity for the region, so the more participation we can get, the better. Again it’s this Friday from 6p.m. – 10p.m. at the Carnegie Science Center.

If you are on my list already, the secret entrance location will be given to you posthaste. Remember, you need to come in this way or you will not get in free.

If you have other questions, or need to be added to my list to learn the secret entrance location, please contact me:

ziannaevents at gmail dot com or Lady Zianna on Facebook.

Special Announcement coming soon….

-Lady Zianna

(Posted by
Gwendolyn the Graceful, Brehyres, OL)

A and S — Making a Belt Favor – Feb 22

Greetings to the Debatable Lands!

Tomorrow, Thursday Feb 22nd, is once again A&S in BMDL!

This is a make-and-take — make yourself a belt favor to display important things — your heraldry, kingdom/barony affiliation and such-like. Materials provided, but you are on your own for “important stuff”.

We will be at Victory Pointe Gaming Lounge (and ice-cream parlor), upstairs in the game room, at 1113 Carson Street on the South Side, starting at 7 PM. Come early if you wish, people start arriving about 6:45.

Upstairs is not Accessible, so if you need assistance or have questions, please call or text me at 724-759-3333.

Be sure to park safely — feed the meter if needed. They ticket like crazy on the South Side. I think the best place is across the street in the bank parking lot.

See you there!
Elss Augsburg