May 2003

    4th, Sunday – Green Gables Demo

    4th, Sunday – Bog Business Meeting

    13th, Tuesday – Gathering on Western Border

     Spring has arrived at long last and with it a flurry of activity as we all get ready for the up coming activities.
     We still need recommendation for Bog awards. We would also like to remind everyone that you should write to Their Majesties with recommendations for Kingdom awards. They would appreciate your input about your fellow Boggers.
     This month we plan to attend the Coronation of HRH Christopher and HRH Maurya, on April 5th near Butler. If you have never seen a Royal Coronation, this is your opportunity. The site is close and the pageantry always inspiring.
     We plan to attend War Practice in May. Please try to come and support our rattan Champion, Corwyn in the 7 Pearls tourney.
     The next at home event is in June in our western borders. We hope to have a good showing of the Barony. This years Spring Thing sounds very interesting and should be great fun for everyone. Of course we plan to attend the Sylvan Crusades. We should start planning now if we are all going to camp together, etceteras.
     Pennsic is fast approaching and we need ideas for the small items to give Kingdom for the gift baskets given to the other Kingdoms. We also need things for the Royal gift basket for the Bog three day.
     Well that's a lot to think about for now, see you all soon.

Since the A&S library has not been used in a long time, it has been decided that it should be liquidated. When and how will be decided at April's business meeting. Anyone who has donated to the library and wants their donated item returned please contact me before the April meeting. If anyone has any items belonging to the Barony please return them at the meeting or it will be assumed you are buying that item. – Baroness AElfra

Greetings unto their Excellencies, Aquila and AElfra and to the entire Bog Populous and Friends,

     FINALLY SPRING IS HERE! May I bid a happy and glorious Spring to everyone! Incase anyone is wondering if this is truly reason to celebrate, allow me to share some weather trivia with you. In the central Bog area starting from October and counting until early March, out of 80 days, 57 saw precipitation. One of the snowiest winters on record for the past 20 years. yuck!
     As everyone heads out for events have safe travels and lots of fun. Injury free participation (for all our aging Boggers) and may hordes of knowledge be gained. Locally there are some projects to be attempted so I'm hoping Spring awakens some fresh new energy in us all.
     Upcoming on our calendar are two demos and the Spring Thing. Far ahead is Three Day and then Baronial Champs. Also falling into this year will be the start of new Baronial elections process. Very many things to keep us all busy. I'm hoping to see many people at the April Business meeting, there will be many things to be covered in preparation for our future.

     I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of Spring. As the weather warms, hopefully we’ll be attending more events and practices and so forth. If anyone has good, clear directions to any of the practice sites the Bog uses (i.e. Roxbury Park), please send them my way. If there are any additional practices taking place with the warm weather, please let me know about those too.
     Spring is the time for cleaning out the cobwebs and getting ready for Summer. So, if time allows, I hope to go through the Chronicler Box and see if there are any treasures to re-share with the group! Meanwhile, consider taking a little time to write up something of your own to share with the Bog. Perhaps someone who has done a lot of scadian camping, might share some good tips with the novices.
     If you have any submissions, suggestions, or artwork for the cover or as inside filler, please contact me, Cait (aka Kathleen) at 724-238-0114 (if you get the answering machine, please leave a message) or bogchronicler@yahoo.com.

SUNDAY, MAY 4: GREEN GABLES DEMO in Jennerstown, PA (12th Night site), afternoon 12-4 pm. PRODUCTION NUMBER DEMO!!! We've held this one before and we're doing it again! We'd like everyone to attend for fencing, fighting, dancing, displays. Come in garb and bring what you can for showing, demonstrating and talking about. This demo will be advertised in the Somerset and Johnstown papers.

REBEKAH MANOR DEMO--PRODUCTION NUMBER DEMO!! We are still working on this one. More information as it becomes available. (Will probably be the last Sunday of June.)

-- Baroness Charmaine, Chatelaine

* Updated Baronial L&P (reflecting changes in Kingdom law) will soon be distributed to the populous including the draft of the budget.

* East hills Rec. center to be rented this month.

* Baron/ess: Need bids for Baronial Champs by June 1st. Need 16 small items for Pennsic basket.

* Any items for the basket for Coronation must get to baron/ess before April 5^th.

* Two Demos upcoming- Green Gables May 4^th....Girl Scout demo April 26^th.

* Possible fund raiser: T-shirts...."bog resistance is futile"

* Possible SCA flea market, yard sale. Would like to hold in conjunction with other local groups, BMDL, Hunters Home. Have a day to get together and flea market. Would need someone willing to spearhead this.

* Baronial "wish list of items" needs people to spearhead the production and procurement.

* The A&S archives will be dismantled. Starting at the March Easthills Rec. gathering it will be gone through. Items will be 1) returned to donator, 2) given to the office that would use them, 3) be auctioned off, and 4) pitched.

* And on a related item: ALL OFFICERS must supply to the Seneschal a list of all items possessed by their office by April. A documented inventory will be maintained by officers and they will be held accountable for items when change of office takes place. (a copy of the inventories will be filed in the Seneschal files under said offices. note: the Seneschal files are available for review by any member of the populous. They will not leave the possession of the seneschal but are open for review. This way the populous knows the seneschal is doing their job as well.)

And thus concluded the March meeting which didn't actually erupt into chaos, it sort of decompensated subtly into ending.

Talishar, Seneschal

The Spring Thing Event is coming together. People willing to marshal, help with Troll, and so forth, please contact Lord Deryk (aka Derrick the Wanderer) at 724-433-6784 after 8pm or ThornesKeep@hotmail.com.

The topic of demos was broached. All agreed to forgo the Twin Lakes Demo for another year. We also agreed to continue looking into other places, i.e. Barnes & Noble, area colleges and libraries.

We also discussed our Summer gatherings. Adams Memorial Library shifts to Summer Hours for June, July, and August, closing by 7pm.

• June 10 - the library is closed, we’ll be gathering in Ligonier.
• July 8 - discussed holding the meeting at Twin Lakes or Linn Run State Park.
• August - the Western Border does not meet in August due to Pennsic.

In September the library will resume it’s normal hours and we’ll meet there for the remainder of the year.

We discussed the idea of having a Saturday or Sunday picnic at Linn Run State Park. There is a very nice pavilion at the Summit Park with plenty of ground for fighting and fencing. Also, within walking distance, is a real live bog! In addition, there is a 4-mile trail, for those who want to enjoy the outdoors and go for a serious walk. Small grills exist for cooking hotdogs or hamburgers. And there are rudimentary but working bathrooms (similar to the one at 3-day). We would have the option of taking our chances or reserving the pavilion for $30.00 (price will have to be verified). If anyone is interested, please contact Cait (724-238-0114 or snowdragon1027@yahoo.com).

At that point, we reached the end of our allotted time.

The next gathering on the Borderland is Tuesday, April 8, 2003 at Adams Memorial Library (1112 Ligonier Street, Latrobe PA; 724-539-1972) from 6:30 pm till 7:30 pm. As always, we have the room beginning at 6pm so don’t be afraid to show up early.

     By pre-registering, you increase the land your group’s agent can claim, guaranteeing yourself a place to camp.  You also save a little money, Aug. 8-16: Pre-registered nonmembers pay $70.00, then an additional $25.00 at the gate. Pre-registered members pay only $70.00. Not pre-registered nonmembers pay $105 at the gate. Not pre-registered members pay $80.00.  While it’s not a tremendous difference, for some it adds up especially when more than one family member is attending.

If anyone has a registered device, please send a pic and blazon to Lord Kenn so that it may be placed in the Bog Armoral. If you haven't been there lately- check it out!! Lord Kenn does a fantastic job but could use your help with info and pictures and such. – Baroness AElfra

Is there someone in the Bog whom you think should be recognized for their service or skills (marshal or artistic)? Now is the time to write in recommendations for awards to their Majesties, Christopher and Maurya, and their Excellencies, Aquila and AElfra.

The enemy is now so close we can hear them sharpening their swords. Come help the denizens of St. Swithin's Bog defend our border (or help the attack) where we will stand shoulder to shoulder and fight to the last man or woman.

Bring your favorite weapon and your courage for the enemy attacks at dawn (well okay, the site opens at 10 AM and closes around 8 PM). Heavy weapons and fencing tourneys are to be held, as well as a novelty archery shoot. Space for thrown weapons will be available. Two Bardic competitions will be held for the pleasure of our Baron and Baroness this day. First, war's tragedies and glories, and then Bardic tales and songs which will lighten the hearts of our noble Baron and fair Baroness. There will also be "Men in Tights II" should there be enough interest. A&S items related to the finer articles necessary for battle, the support of our swordsmen and archers, or the favors our ladies presented to their Lord's as remembrances of their affection will also be displayed and rewarded (please remember your documentation).

The children have not been forgotten with activities planned and some age appropriate A&S projects (please include number of children and ages in reservation).

The site fee is $8 for adults, $4 for ages 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. Please don't forget to add the $3 non-member fee if appropriate. Make checks payable to "SCA, Inc.– St. Swithin's Bog" and mail to Lady Caitilin ni Mhaolconaire (Kathleen Giesey; 112 Deeds St., Ligonier, PA 15658; snowdragon1027@yahoo.com).

Our traditional event site has been secured at the Flax Scutching Grounds (No street address) for June 14, 2003. Should you have any questions or food related requirements, please contact Lord Derrick the Wanderer (autocrat) at 724-433-6784 after 8 PM or email him at ThornesKeep@hotmail.com.

Directions:

From the West:

Make your best way to Route 30 East to Ligonier. Turn right onto Route 711 South. *Go 8 miles to the village of Stahlstown, the Flax Scutching Grounds are on your right as you enter town. Or take 176 PA Turnpike East to Exit 9 Donegal. **Turn left onto Route 31 going only 1/10 mile to Route 711 North (turn is on left over a bridge) and go through Donegal until Route 711 N turns right. Go North 5 miles through the village of Stahlstown and the Grounds are on your left.

From the East:

Makes your best way to Route 30 West to Ligonier. Turn left onto Route 711 South, then follow as above*. Or Take 176 PA Turnpike West to Exit 9 Donegal and follow as above**.