1st, Sunday -- Bog Business Meeting

July 2003

Greetings Fellow Boggers

We hope to see many of you at the Spring Thing Event in the Western Borders. Looks like a really great time and we would appriciate any support you can give to our western Boggers. The site is beautiful and we had a great time last year.

We still need recommendation for Baronial awards, so please send us the names of any gentles you feel are deserving of recognition. Please send recommendation to their Majesties as well for Kingdom Level awards.

Lady Kat has put in a bid for Baronial Champs and was approved at last month's meeting. Baronial Champs will be held in the western borders area and is scheduled for August 30. Thanks Kat!

We look forward to seeing as many of you this summer and look forward to serving the Bog.

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

    If you have any suggestions or submissions, contact me at bogchronicler@yahoo.com or 724-238-0114.

Thanks to everyone who attended the Green Gables demo on May 4! I think we all had a good time and we may have garnered a new member or two out of it! Please remember the next demo coming up quickly:

SUNDAY, JUNE 29 -- REBEKAH MANOR DEMO in Ebensburg, PA -- 1:00 to 4:30 PM –– PRODUCTION NUMBER DEMO!! This demo is under the direction of our own Lady Esmeralda, who is the Activities Director at Rebekah Manor. And once again we need as many Boggers as possible! Fighters, fencers, archers, thrown weapons, dancing, displays, A&S, demonstrations of crafts. Lady Esmeralda is planning to involve the Ebensburg community in this demo with food vendors, local publicity and non-profit organizations. PLUS, Rebekah Manor will be holding their summer PIG ROAST before the demo and the Bog is invited!!! (You will need a ticket for the Pig Roast, so if you're interested call Esmeralda at 539-0924 or email mtcatmw@aol.com.) I will be sending out reminder emails and updates as the demo grows closer.

-- Baroness Charmaine, Chatelaine

On May 13th we had our local meeting and discussed many items.

-June meeting: We are planning on having it at Casa Chapala in Ligonier on Tuesday, June 10, at 6 pm.

-Fianna Concerts: Local members- Morgan, Rowan and Connor make up the Irish SCA band known as Fianna (for those of you who are new to us). They played a wonderful evening concert this past Saturday after court at the War Practice. This was a benefit concert for the chirurgeons and they raised over $75 for this just cause. If you missed them this time, you will have a second chance! They will be giving another similar benefit concert at Pennsic for the first Tuesday of War at 7:30pm in the barn. If there are any changes to this info, I will note it quickly. Also, photos from War Practice that I took will soon be posted to you and be on the Baronial web site for all to enjoy!

-Spring Event: Still on for June 14th. Please see write-up on the Bog web site (or newsletter) for more details. I am planning on making more banners for the hall, so the other banners we have can be used to decorate the fence. Game board blanks were given to Rose to complete. We are also ok with food and marshals, and understand all is ready to go.

-Baronial Champs: My proposal was accepted at the Green Gables demo/meeting. So, the Champs will be held on Aug. 30th at Cooperstown Vets Club in Latrobe from 10am-dark. Last years' Baronial Champions are asked to contact me ASAP to let me know what needs they may have. There will not be an official feast time, but a continuous buffet. The Baroness says this will be a free event to attend! The only thing we ask of you is that you bring your favorite medieval style food item (doesn't matter what- we'll eat it). If you can't cook, other items such as drink, napkins, etc. are acceptable also. Main food meal items will be provided. More details and directions will be coming later on this.

-Archers: Gwilym has held two archery practices recently at his house near Apollo. He is planning on continuing these practices at least once a month (more if people interested). These practices are open to any activities, not just archery. Contact Gwilym (longbow@sgi.net) to be put on his list of practice postings, as sometimes they are planned with short notice.

-We will be having a workshop on "scribbling", better known as the Scribal Arts, at my house some time in mid-June (after Spring event). This will include a good introduction for beginners, as well as work space for those who want to work. We will try to make it on a weekend for those work weekdays. Remember this is not just for painters, but all artisans are welcome. I will post a notice closer to then.

-We also need to update our email/address list for local members. Those at this meeting checked my email list only, but we will need to know any other additions/changes ASAP.

-Rose has created an updated newcomer booklet, just to revamp the overly copied old one. She will send a copy to Talishar for approval before making final copy.

In Service,

Lady Kathryn de Lyon, "Kat"

Greetings,

The monthly gathering/meeting on the border is scheduled for Tuesday, June 10, at Casa Chapala in Ligonier. Reservations are for around 6 p.m. but the meeting will officially start around 6:30 p.m.

On the agenda for this meeting will be the final update on Spring Thing event; also to be discussed are efforts being set in motion to create a shire in Westmoreland County that will include WC members of BMDL and WC members of St Swithin's Bog. Anyone interested in having input on the topic of developing a Shire, please plan to attend the meeting. If for any reason you are unable to attend, but want your opinion shared please email your comments to me (Cait) using the email address cairdeas@laurelweb.net and I will print and take it to the meeting.

If you are planning to attend, please email or call (724 238 0114) by Wednesday, June 4. Leave a message on the machine if no one answers, you can call as late as 11 p.m. The restaurant has asked for a ball park figure on how many will be attending to determine where to put us. You are welcome to attend even if you haven't notified me of your intent. There is no obligation to order a meal, drinks would be nice.

Casa Chapala is located across the street from the large municipal parking lot located just off the Ligonier Diamond on North Market Street/Route 711 North. The municipal lot has 24 hour meters at a cost of 25 cents per hour. Street parking is free after 5 p.m.

Any questions feel free to contact me.

In Service,
Cait

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 following offices need to be filled in 2003, before the current officer goes bad:

• Chatelaine, July 2003 (currently held by Charmaine)

The following offices need to be filled in 2004, before the current officer goes bad:

• Seneschal, January 2004 (currently held by Talishar)**
• Arts & Sciences, January 2004 (currently held by Vivienne)
• Exchequer, March 2004 (currently held by Caroline; has deputy, Francis, who will take over)**
• Baron and/or Baroness, July 2004 (currently held by Aquila and Ælfra)

The following offices need to be filled in 2005, before the current officer goes bad:

• Chronicler, July 2005

All offices generally run two years. If you’re interested in the office, become a deputy or assistant to the current officer. This is the best chance to find out what all that person does, and be prepared when the duties fully become your own. Anyone stupid enough... ahhh... I mean, interested enough to apply for one of these offices, should write a letter of intent to be sent to the current Seneschal and the current holder of the office you are interested in.

Other offices to consider:
Herald
Historian

** These are offices that must be filled, as per SCA laws for a barony.

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**.