01, Saturday -- Celtic New Year (Sunderoak)
02, Sunday -- Bog Baronial Business Meeting
06, Thursday -- Scribal Guild at Chapple's (BSSB)
08, Saturday -- AEthelmearc Autumn Academy (Sterlynge Vayle)
11, Tuesday -- Ceili Night at Rose Thorne's (Greensburg/BSSB)
21-23 - Fiber, Fabric, & Fighting (Nithgaard)

December 2003

Greeting Fellow Boggers

     We want to thank everyone who came out for the Thrown Weapons Day and the Fighter Practice/ Halloween Party this past month. Thank you to Isteri and Lisa for the use of their property and time to teach us to throw axes and knives. Thank you THL's Tower and Cynthia for once again opening up your home for a really great Fighter practice/ Halloween party.
     This issue of the Sentinel is dedicated to the Cattail. A plant near and dear to the Barony. Please take a few minutes to read what your fellow Boggers have dug up on the subject. We expect it to be an interesting tail (er..tale).
     The Baronial elections are coming soon so please vote for your candidate of choice and make sure your ballot is received by the Baronial Seneschal at the December meeting.
     On the Westmoreland Shire/ Canton issue, the Kingdom Seneschal is preparing to make a decision and move forward as soon as the Baronial election is complete. She felt, and we agree, that to try to do both at the same time would be confusing. So please be patient, an answer is forth coming.

So long as the Raven flies and the Cattails grow, we remain, in service to Crown and Bog
Baron Aquila and Baroness AElfra

     First, I would like to extend my apologies to THLs Tower and Cynthia. Last month when I sent out the newsletter with the B&B Letters of Intent, I accidentally used the draft version of their letter. With permission from the current Baron & Baroness and our Seneschale, I have re-printed all three Letters and included the proper one from Tower and Cynthia. I would ask everyone to take the time to re-read each of the letters as this is important in helping us make the difficult decision of picking from such excellent candidates! Thank you and my apologies again!
     Second, as I mentioned in the October issue, I wanted to dedicate this issue to the Cattail, that little plant that dwells in the hearts of all who belong to the Bog. I’d like to thank those who helped contribute to all the things found in the newsletter, primarily Katya and Sorcha. And I’d like to thank our beloved Seneschale, Talishar, for the cover art!
     Finally, to all officers of every position, this is an early reminder for the January issue in which all are encouraged to submit something on their office (what’s been happening, what you hope will be happening, and anything else you want to alert the populace of). Please take a little bit of time to write something up and send to me by December 15th.
     As always, if you have any submissions or suggestions for the newsletter; 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.

In service to crown and bog,
Lady Caitilin "Cait" ni Mhaolconaire

Dona Caroline will retire from the position of Exchequer in March 2004. Anyone interested in taking over should submit their letter of intent to both Caroline and Talishar.

Food for 12th Night

From the 12th Night Autocrat, Baroness Charmaine

Believe it or not, our 12th Night is approaching. And His Majesty will be in attendance. And this year, we are not letting Baroness AElfra do the entire sideboard all by herself!

So, I am looking for Boggers to help with the food. As usual, Green Gables will be cooking the feast, and as usual it will be good food but somewhat mundane. Consequently, I want a huge sideboard of period items. These need not be complicated. Simple finger foods will be fine. (As a matter of fact, I need someone to buy and cut up fresh veggies.)

If you are willing to make a sideboard item for approximately 100 people, please let me know. Baroness AElfra will help with recipes and the Bog will reimburse you for your ingredients (with proper receipts, of course).

We also need desserts! And all I’m looking for here is cookies. These need not be period, but I want a lot. Can you make an extra dozen or two when you do your Christmas baking and freeze them for us? Please let me know if you’re willing to bring cookies to 12th Night. (These will be considered a donation to the Bog.) If you want to make a more complicated dessert for 100 people, the Bog will once again reimburse you for ingredients when you turn in receipts.

Email or call me: sphink@twd.net, 814-255-5176 (before 8 pm). Thank you!!!

The 2^nd Tuesday of the month from 6:00pm till 7:30pm, the Bog will host a Céilí (Irish/Gaelic for Social Evening) - everyone is welcome! Bring A&S projects, Bardic material, bring a scadian project you need help with, bring questions, bring a friend; but mostly bring yourself and your good humor.

If interested or if you have any question or need directions, contact Rose Thorne (Beth Rose 724-850-7404 ThornesKeep@att.net). December’s meeting should return to the Library.

"All the world is a stage and the people merely players" Forgive me I couldn't begin an an ad for a possible Thespian's guild without quoting Shakespeare. While the quote could apply to all Scadians who dress up and get together to play on a regular basis. My aim is to see if there is any interest in starting a formal Thespian's guild i. Several areas within the Kingdom have such guilds including Sunderoak and Endless Hills. I have quite some time ago had offers from Baron Connor Mcliam to teach a class if I could find folks interested. Before formally contacting him again I'm trying to gauge interest in forming such a guild or having such a class. I would ask that anyone interested contact Michela Summervale (mka Michelle Gelles) by e-mail mgelles@charter.net or phone 814-539-4498.

I would also be interested in opening my home for a Bardic Circle at some point if people are interested. Though I've no talent for singing myself I do enjoy poetry and have given a recitation or two. I would imagine most of us share a love for period and/or fantasy literature and song and would enjoy having a celebration devoted to the same (especially with the release of return of the king fast approaching:-)

Michela

As the hour grows late
I stare at my fate
an ode to a cattail I must create

But what shall I say
about that plant, nay,
that rose of the bog if I may

That plant, delicate and tall
that grows on the marshes over all
with dragonflies flitting small

This I say of our famed cattail
that plant to which we all hail
long may you avail

*Chronicler note: ok, I wrote that poem - sorry! But I think it’s safe to say that the Cattail is a symbol all good people of a Bog embrace. And as we’re about to learn this plant to which we pay such homage, actually is more than just a weed growing on the local marshland but is used for medicinal purposes as well as food! Some of our fellow Boggers have found recipes online, and I have included them in this newsletter. However, I can’t overstress that these recipes are untried, and therefore none of us can verify that they are as good as they sound. As someone with Allergies, I would also stress that anyone thinking of trying one of the recipes, please be careful. In the article written by the gentleman below, he explains that while the cattail is not poisonous, there are some similar plants that are! So if you are not sure what you have is an actually cattail, DON’T EAT IT!!! While I and my fellow cattail explorers find this interesting, please remember that you are responsible for what you do with the information.

Scrape off two cups cattail flowers and place in a bowl with:

Mix well then add 1 cup scalded milk slowly to the mixture. This is then poured into a greased casserole dish garnish with ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese and cooked at 275 E for 30 minutes. As the pollen ripens shake it off into a zip lock back and use it as a flour substitute for pancakes, muffins and other quick bread recipes.

Cattail pollen has a distinctive flavor and will add a yellow color to any recipe. For more yellow coloring reduce the amount of conventional flour in your recipe and add more pollen.

Mix ingredients, roll out on a floured surface and cut biscuits. Place in 425 Eoven for 20 minutes.

Use the dry root method for extracting the flour from the roots. After the first flour has been removed from the fibers boil the roots for 10 minutes in just enough water to cover them. Take 4 cups liquid and add four cups sugar and one box of commercial pectin. Bring to a hard boil and boil for one minute. Place in sterilized jars and seal. This jelly has a wonderful honey color and is remarkably good.

Once again, the Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog invites the Knowne World to join in celebrating our annual 12th Night event to be held on Saturday, January 17, 2004. The event will be held at our traditional site: Green Gables in Jennerstown, PA (no street address), an incredible, period-looking hall with stone walls, huge tree-trunk columns holding up a cathedral ceiling, parquet floors and mullioned windows covered with vines.

Doors will open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 9:00 p.m. As Green Gables is a commercial restaurant with a liquor license, no alcohol can be brought on site; however, the restaurant will provide a cash bar. For your enjoyment we will have an all-day sideboard, entertainment, a sumptuous feast, court and country dancing in the afternoon, plus our traditional auction.

Autocrat for the event is Baroness Charmaine of Falkensee (Sally C. Fink, 331 Penn Ave., Johnstown, PA 15905; 814-255-5176; sphink@twd.net) with Dame Vivienne Marie de Beauvais (Pamela Faint, 136 Strayer St., Johnstown, PA 15906, 814-535-6394; ladyviv@gte.net) as co-autocrat and also entertainment coordinator. If you wish to be part of our entertainment, please contact Dame Vivienne.

The fee for this grand event will be $16.00 which includes the all day sideboard, feast and dessert cornucopia. Off-board will be $14.00, which includes the all-day sideboard only. If you bring an auction item, you may take $3.00 off your site fee. (The $3.00 non-member surcharge will be collected at the door. Please do not include it as part of your reservations.) All halflings (12 and under) will be $8.00, but no auction discount. Make checks payable to "SCA, Inc.—St. Swithin's Bog." On-board reservations are limited to 100 and should be mailed to the reservations clerk: THL Cynthia Loved of Tower (Cynthia J. Chapple, 1945 Florida Ave., Johnstown, PA 15902; 814-266-1347; ladycynthiaKE@aol.com). Deadline for on-board reservations is JANUARY 7, 2004. If you send a reservation including the discount, we will assume you are bringing an auction item. (NOTE: Please DO NOT bring alcohol as an auction item. Corpora law does not allow us to auction it off.)

Tentative schedule:

10:00 a.m.—Site opens
Afternoon—Sideboard available, Entertainment, Bardic Competition, Court and Country Dancing
5:00 p.m.—Courts begin
6:30 p.m.—Feast
Auction will commence during latter part of feast
9:00 p.m.—Site closes

Green Gables is located in Jennerstown, PA, and is easily accessible from Rt. 219 or Rt. 30.

FROM THE NORTH OR SOUTH: Make your best way to Rt. 219 and take the Jennerstown Exit. From the north, make a right off the ramp, from the south make left off the ramp. Go approximately 3.2 miles on Rt. 30 west. At the second light make a right. *Green Gables is a short distance down the hill on the right. Park either in front of the building or in the larger parking lot to the left of the building, beyond the trees. (Entrance to this lot is a few hundred feet further down the road.) Go in through the SIDE DOORS to the left of the building. Signs will be posted to direct you.

FROM THE EAST OR WEST: Make your best way to Rt. 30 and follow it into Jennerstown, PA. At the Jennerstown light (crossroads of Rt. 30 and Rt. 985) turn onto 985 North and follow from * above.

*Chronicler’s Note: I would like to extend my apologizes to THL Cynthia and THL Tower and the populace of the Bog. When putting together the October issue of the Sentinel, I accidentally put in the draft version of their letter. With the permission of Baron Aquila and Baroness AElfra and Talishar, BSSB Seneschale, I have reprinted all three Letters of Intent and this time I have included the proper version of Cynthia and Tower’s letter. I encourage all to please read over the letters again! In service, and with apologizes, Cait.

Unto their Excellencies Aquila & Aelfra, Baron and Baroness, Lady Augusta Long, Seneschale, & the most notable populous of the Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog.

Greetings unto all this day:

     By this letter do we The Honorable Quinn Kerr & Dame Vivienne Marie de Beauvais announce our desire to be considered candidates for the office of Baron & Baroness in the upcoming Baronial election.
     We feel that the role of Baron & Baroness bears many responsibilities. No single one of these should hold precedence over the others.
     The Baron and Baroness are representatives of the crown and are then by definition royalists. Swearing fealty to that crown no matter whom it might be, and following their edicts and commands is essential to the office.
     They are the heads of state for the Barony and as such become the window through which many people will view the Barony. Consequently many people will form their opinion of the Barony based on their experience with its Baron and Baroness. We believe that it is of paramount importance that the Baron and Baroness maintain a level of decorum and honor that will reflect positively on the Barony and its populous.
     It is further their duty to endeavor to support and encourage Baronial members in their pursuits both inside and outside the Bog. To assist them in expanding into the kingdom in any field of interest they so desire. Supporting Barony members in whatever manner the office might allow cannot be overlooked.
     The Baron and Baroness are also ceremonial heads of state. Much of what we all love about the society is the ceremony it provides us. They will set the tone of court. It is important that the Baron and Baroness be comfortable with public speaking and addressing larger groups with ease.
     And finally the Baron and Baroness are officers of the Barony. They must work hand in hand with the other officers in administrating the group, encouraging new membership and Baronial cohesion. Each of these must be handled in equal proportion to the other. This is the balancing act that is being Baron and Baroness. We feel that each of us can bring to this office unique talents and abilities that will enable us to bear these responsibilities for the betterment of the Bog.
     Any questions or comments are welcome. Please feel free to contact either of us.

The following are our qualifications as required for this letter of intent in the Baronial Laws and Policies:

Dame Vivienne Marie de Beauvais.
Age 54.
I have been a member of the SCA since 1985. I was an original member of the Shire of St. Martin’s Field, later renamed St. Swithin’s Bog. My current membership # is 29280, expiration date 11/03, however, I have already sent in my renewal fees.

Kingdom Awards Include: Award of Arms, Companion of the Order of the Keystone, Companion of the Order of the Millrind with a Grant of Arms, Companion of the Order of the Sycamore, and Companion of the most noble Order of the Pelican with a Patent of Arms.

Baronial Awards Include: Principal of the Special Order of St. Swithin, Companion of the Orders of St. Swithin for Service and for Arts.

Offices Held: Chirurgeon, Herald (7 years), Seneschale, Interim Seneschale for three months until new election of Seneschale could be held, Minister of Arts & Sciences, currently I am Principle Herald for the Barony once again.

Kingdom Offices Held: Sycamore Herald (regional herald), and drop-dead deputy for Silver Buccle Herald (Principal Herald for the Kingdom of AEthelmearc).

I have taught a variety of classes including court and country dancing, heraldry, and heraldic display.

Autocrated or Co-Autocrated numerous Shire, Baronial, and Kingdom events, both large and small.
Served as court herald for Baronial and Kingdom Courts.
Member of the scribe’s guild and creator of the first Baronial Champion’s award scrolls.
Have attended and participated in numerous demonstrations with Shire/Baronial members throughout our boundaries over the years.

     I have attended numerous events, both in the Barony and outside our boundaries. As Seneschal, I attended AEthelmearc’s First Crown Tournament and the subsequent Coronation of our first King and Queen of the new Kingdom of AEthelmearc.
     I am more than willing to travel to events outside the Baronial borders and I feel confident that I will be able to meet the financial requirements of this office.
     I am currently employed mundanely as a Medical Language Specialist for MTS, Inc., a privately owned Medical Transcription Service in Johnstown.
     I was previously employed by the Conemaugh Health System (15 years as an LPN and 20 years as an RN).

The Honorable Lord Quinn Kerr.
I have held a national membership in the SCA for 10 years. Original member of the Shire of St. Swithin’s Bog. Current membership number 129758.

Kingdom Awards Include: Companion of the Order of the Golden Alc, Companion of the Order of the Sycamore, and Companion of the Order of the White Scarf, Sigil of AEthelmearc.

Baronial Awards Include: Order of St. Swithin for Martial Activities, Order of St. Swithin for Arts and Sciences, I also received the Order of the Vert Comet from BMDL (this award is given to individuals who are not members of BMDL, but who have done much to assist them in services rendered ).

Baronial Offices Held: Chronicler

Baronial Rapier Champion
Seven Pearls Rapier Champion.
Queen’s Rapier Champion.
Baronial A&S Champion.
Served as staff on three Royal Reigns.
Rapier Marshal At Large.
I am a founding member of the leather worker’s guild in the Bog.
Historical classes I have taught included leather stitching, fire making, and rapier combat.
I have also helped organize and set up various fencing practices with other groups in this area of the Kingdom.

     In the past year, I have attended events in every Barony and numerous other groups in the Kingdom of AEthelmearc. I plan on continuing this attendance and am confident that the financial and travel requirements of the office can be met without difficulty.
     I am currently a freelance writer and Historian with a degree in History from UPJ working for institutions such as The History Channel, Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission, Ohio Historic Society, and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

We thank you for considering our letter of intent and hope that you will support us in the Baronial election to come.

Done this 14^th day of September, A.S. XXXVIII (38), in the Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog.

In Service, Past, Present, & Future,
The Honorable Lord Quinn Kerr & Dame Vivienne Marie de Beauvais.
(George Irvin & Pamela Faint)

Greetings from Tower & Cynthia,

     It is our intent to run for Baron and Baroness of this our wonderful barony and feel we have the Barony's best interest at heart.
     We have been members of St. Swithin's Bog for over ten years now and have been a constant in the barony, from Baronial officers to, participating in Demos, to Autocrating, Feastocrating, Tolners, and supporting staff for other Autocrates. We have sponsored fighter practices, scribal meetings, and Bog Halloween and fighter practice parties and have offered our home whenever it is needed, especially when it is needed for crash space. Tower has sponsored multiple armor workshops and has made at least a piece of armor for every currant fighter; including some fencer pieces.
     Tower has served on Queens Guard for two reigns, and Cynthia is a Kingdom Officer going on four years now, the Exchequer office will not be in anyway compromised by winning since my term ends in May of 2004 and the investiture is in July of 2004.
     Because of all of the above service, we feel that we can better serve you. Our experience has given us incite as to what is expected of a Baron and Baroness. Since the Barony is most important to us our Baronial obligations came first.
     We have always been here for you and will continue to be!!!

Thank you,           
Tower & Cynthia

Lady Katerina de la Marne and Lord Kenn the Just,

Lady Katerina de la Marne (called Katya)     Cindy Leap
Device: Azure, in bend four horseshoes inverted between in bend sinister two four-leaf clovers slipped, within a bordure all Or.

AoA                                             1999
Order of St. Swithin for Service     2001
Rank of Archer                              2001

First Chancellor Minor of St. Swithin's Bog
Chronicler                     AS 32 to 34 and
            o May-June 2002 to set up Online Newsletter
Deputy Seneschal          Jan. 2002 through July 2004

Financial
By-Laws revision 2002
Served as autocrat for AEthelmearc Academy
Co-autocrat for 3 day
Taught A&S class on ribbon roses
Member of Scribes guild (doing both calligraphy and illumination)

National Membership # 121089 Expires Dec. 31, 2003

Lord Kenn the Just Kenn Leap
Device: Azure, on a bend sinister within a bordure argent, three pellets.

Awards

Companion of the Keystone                         07/20/02
Award of Arms                                            01/14/90
Rank of Archer                                             2001
Order of St. Swithin for Service                     January 2001
Order of St. Swithin for Marshal Activities     January 2002

Current Baronial Web minister
Past Seneschal
Past Fencing Marshall

Fencer
Archer
Served on both the Financial and by-law revision committees

National Membership# 121090 Expires: December 31, 2003

To Christopher King by right of arms and Maurya our gracious Queen, Prince Henri, Baron Aquila and Baroness Aelfra of St. Swithin's Bog, our tireless Seneschal Lady Talishar and the members of St. Swithin's Bog.

We searched our hearts and listened to those who asked us if we were going to run for election. And when Kenn answered, "YES." I looked at him and said, "What?" It is with great pride and after great reflection, that we Lord Kenn the Just (Kenn Leap), and Lady Katerina de la Marne (Cindy Leap) announce our willingness to stand for election as your next Baron and Baroness.

Some may wonder if Lady Katya is physically up to the challenge of being your Baroness. Have you seen her run around an event on her scooter? At this past Three Day event, she helped Dame Vivienne hang banners in the great hall and around the horse ring. She acted as herald for the Baronial Pearls Fencing Tournament. She did calligraphy on two scrolls the day of the event. She also found time to chase kids around, shoot archery and host taco night at our camper. Those who were at the Spring Thing, will probably never forget Katya "jousting" with the piñata!

Riding on a scooter may seem a bit unconventional, but Katya looks at it as a horse you don't have to feed or clean up after! It gives her back her mobility and her "joyeaux de vive" (Joy of Life!)

What can we offer that the other candidates can't? We have been living the dream for a combined total of over 28 years. We met, fell in love and married because of the Society and the Bog. We have actively participated in officers and business meetings, and have rarely missed a meeting. Our lives revolve around our children, grandchildren and the Barony of St. Swithin's Bog. Some of our deepest friendships are with members of our extended Bog family.

We enjoy traveling around our glorious Kingdom extolling the Talents, Spirit, and Camaraderie that makes unique the Barony of St. Swithin's Bog. Our home is always open, to those who want to sit, talk and enjoy the company of others. We are willing to accept the financial responsibilities and burdens associated with this great honor.

If chosen as your Baron and Baroness, we would hope to represent you with humility, humor and honor. For it is in serving you that we are truly served.

Kenn and Cindy Leap
Lord Kenn the Just                        Lady Katya
327 Martin Road, Johnstown, PA 15904 814-536-0045
Email: kennthejust@yahoo.com or Cindleap@charter.net

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