ARCHERY PRACTICE IS BACK!

Archers of BMDL, the moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here! This Sunday from 11am-3pm, archery practice is back on! (though not in the usual place)

Given the current state of things, we will NOT be having practice at the Washington Blvd site where we can’t control who shows up or who follows our social-distancing rules. But thanks to the generous offer of Mistress Odriana and Master Kieran, we can use the field next to their house, which has ample space for all of our stick-throwing needs!

*NOTE: At this time, we are asking that only the archers attend this practice. If you aren’t there to shoot, then please do not attend. In addition, loaner gear will not be provided.


The address of the site is 3000 Harts Run Road, Allison Park, PA 15101. To get there from the city, head north on Route 8 and make a right on Harts Run Road, then after 1 mile their house is on the right side. The driveway for the site is a small bridge. Look for the SCA sign!

Parking will be at the empty lot next door (2984 Harts Run Rd on Google maps). Anyone who needs to may drive directly up to the site to drop off people or equipment before heading to the parking lot.


We want to do this as safely as possible, so the following safety and social-distancing guidelines will be put in place:

  • Masks must be properly worn at all times (covering both nose AND mouth).
  • No sharing equipment. This includes bows, arrows, gloves, armguards, etc.
  • The loaner gear will NOT be available.
  • Only the marshals can handle another person’s bow, arrows, or equipment, and only for inspections.
  • Maintain 6 ft. of separation when shooting on the line and when waiting in line to shoot. The ground will be appropriately marked.
  • When retrieving arrows, only one person per target may retrieve their arrows at the same time.
  • Only one person at a time can be under the canopy at the water cooler and hand washing station.
  • Marshals will be monitoring the practice and reminding people to adhere to these guidelines.
  • This is a practice for archers only. Please do not come just to socialize.
  • DO NOT COME TO PRACTICE IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING WELL OR ARE ESPECIALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO ILLNESS

These rules will be posted on site and will be reviewed with everyone prior to the beginning of practice. In addition to these guidelines, I will do my best to ensure there is hand sanitizer, hand wipes, a hand washing station, etc. available for staying clean. Being considerate of the health and safety of our populace is greatly appreciated!

If anyone has additional questions or concerns regarding the practice please reach out to me at archerymarshal@debatablelands.org.

Stay safe out there!

Yours in service,
Rónán Ó Conaill
BMDL Captain of Archers

Input Requested: Baronial Activities Online

Hello Debatable Lands! Salve Accolens!

By now, you may have heard that the SCA Board of Directors, at the behest of most of the Kingdoms, has suspended all in-person SCA activity until at least January 31, 2021.

Here’s the announcement:
https://www.sca.org/news/resolution-to-suspend-in-person-sca-activity-until-january-31st-2021/

There are provisions for small gatherings like meetings and martial practices, when it is safe and within local regulation to do so. Here in Allegheny County, that may be awhile, as cases of the virus do not seem to be decreasing.

While we can’t hold in-person events, we can continue our activity online! We’d like to hear from YOU! What would you like to see from our Barony over the next 6 months? What would you like to organize and run? Let’s get creative! What shall we do for Barony meetings? For Baronial Courts? Other online gatherings?

What would ignite the fun, passion, and camaraderie?

We’re looking forward to the conversations!

In Levitate et Caritate, Cheers, and In Service,

Baron Brandubh
Baroness Hilda
THL Muirgheal, Baronial Seneschal

Woodworking February 16th

The woodworking guild will have a shop day on Sunday, February 16th from 10am to 2pm at Ishiyama’s house. Our spring project this year is improving everybody’s Pennsic through the glory of seating. We will be researching and recreating period seating furniture that is appropriate for our personas.

Woodworking January 19th

The next Woodworking Guild shop day will be on Sunday, January 19th, from 10am to 2pm. This is the day after Baronial 12th Night. The shop day will be held at Ishiyama’s home (1105 Shady Avenue, 15232).

The current plan is to spend multiple shop days this spring working on projects that take longer than 4 hours. You can work on whatever you want, but the main purpose is for us to work together making things to sit upon. Chairs! Stools! Benches! Sturdy boxes! We’ll all help out with research, planning, shopping for wood, and technically tricky bits. For this first workshop, you don’t need to bring anything other than your dreams of a persona-appropriate period-looking thing.

The hope is that we can all get something done by Pennsic, and then we can all sit at the Barony meeting on something other than a folding chair, looking awesome.

Woodworking Shop Day, this Sunday (12/08)

Get some work done on those nearly-last-minute projects for the holidays, make some holiday decorations for your home, or help make some items for largess at this month’s Woodworking guild Workshop day at Ishiyama’s shop (1105 Shady Avenue, Pgh. 32) from 10am to ~2pm. This is the last workshop day for the year, and the weather is supposed to be warm-ish so take advantage.

The next planning meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 19th at 7pm in the Boulevard of the Allies Panera location. these meetings haven’t been as popular as the workshop days, so they may be discontinued next year.

Updated Schedule for Equestrian Practice/Champs

Updated Schedule for Saturday:

Doors open Saturday 10 AM
11:30 AM Safe the Holidays – Equestrian challenge on a trail through a forest obstacle course.
1 PM BMDL Equestrian Championship Starting – M’Lord Nohaaj as the current BMDL Equestrian Champion will host this activity this year.
2 PM Hobby Horse obstacle course – open to all ages Followed by head to head race on bouncy horses – open to all ages
3:30 PM Foam Joust – this will be depending on footing for horses.

Don’t forget this is a potluck feast. Feel free to bring food to share, feast gear, plus chairs as needed. Take a moment to visit the potluck list and add what you are bringing —
http://www.luckypotluck.com/potluck/DebatableLandsEquestrianChampionship

Note: This is an outdoor activity. Please wear shoes made for wet grounds and dress appropriately. It looks like, the weather will be on our side. The place is pet friendly, but dogs have to remain on the leash. This is an equestrian practice, so please make sure you stop at the barn and sign the equestrian waver!