The Sentinel

Friday 6-Saturday 7 Kingdom 12th Night 4-10 p.m Saturday and 8:00 a.m-9:00 p.m Saturday (Shire of Sylvan Glen)

Congratulations to Dona Caroline for taking over as our new Seneschal. Thank you Mistress AElfra for putting up with us these past two years. VIVAT!!!

Our beloved Quinn is doing well and is expected to be at our 12^th Night!!!!!!!!

Even though we had a nice quiet time at Kingdom 12^thNight, it was sad to see only three other Boggers in attendance. The Shire of Sylvan Glen made us feel most welcome. You missed a wonderful event!!!

If you did not hear already, Prince Andreas announced in court that the Mid and East are siding together against AEthelmearc and her allies this year at Pennsic!

Duke Sir Malcolm stepped down as our Kingdom Knight Marshall and his dear lady wife Duchess Tessa took over. VIVAT!

Still in need of gift basket items for our wonderful King and Queen for our 12^th Night, let us show them the generosity that is bog.

We will be attending Spring Coronation and encourage as many of you to attend as possible, Sylvan Glenn is only about two hours away. Please get out of your comfort zone and attend.

Our Prince and Princess are in need of royal guards during their reign as King and Queen, this is a good opportunity to meet them. Please read the letter sent from one of their Captains’ of their Guards in our newsletter.

If you were born in January, please check your authorization card for the expiration date!

The financial Committee is looking for 2 new members for the 2012 year. You must be a paid SCA member to serve.

The financial Committee is responsible for voting on financial policies and the uses of Bog funds. Also need to keep the Exchequer up to date on your current SCA membership # and expiration date as this is reported in the Quarterly reports. Please let the Exchequer know if you are willing to serve.

Our first demo of 2012 was a success! We handed out ~50 business cards and the Scout leaders and parents seemed very impressed with us. They want us to come back in the Spring and do Thrown Weapons outside. Special thanks to Gunther, Rose, Gareth Craig, Arvik, Faolon and my sister (who isn't on this list) for helping me out with this!

2. We have another Cubscout demo in the making. I believe it is for a group in Summerhill. Arvik and Talishar know the Scout leader. We are working on securing a date.

3.  Was told of another demo opportunity in Cookport (I believe). Rose and Craig are gathering more information and getting back to me.  It will be in June. It does not interfere with Spring Thing.

4.  Just an update regarding our 2011 demo's: I am currently sending our monthly newsletter as well as event/demo information to 11 people that we have picked up from the demo's done in 2011.

Yours in Service,

~~Rosheen~~
                                                                                                                                 Back to the Index

Scribal meetings are held Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m at the home of the Baron and Baroness.

Contact Person: Her Excellency, Baroness Cynthia, a.k.a. Cynthia Chapple, 814-266-1347 or mistresscynthia@verizon.net)

Setup Friday the 20^th starting at 1:00P.M.-everything will be setup including high table.

The Chainmail Guy as he is known or by his business name Knights of the Classroom is hoping to attend, weather permitting, and will gladly donate an item for our auction. (He was at our past summer event and had a great time) He carries an assortment of mdse from chainmail to candle holders to wall hangings to jewelry.

Venders, if you want to also put up a table or throw out a blanket and sell your wares, we will work hard to find room for you.

As you know our 12^th Night auction is our group fundraiser and still need items. (This helps to cover the cost of our wonderful site and make us a little coin each year) We are looking for retainers and servers for High Table.

There will be a scroll contest as well as a cookie contest, may the best scroll and or cookie win!

I have a basket of period games and looking for someone to take charge of setting them up and putting them away.

Melee Practice is held the First Sunday of every month at the HGA center; and is a dedicated heavy melee practice for swords and boards, poles and spears, and combat archery that will work on individual weapons skills as well as unit skills.

Meeting minutes for January 8, 2012 (some sections forthcoming):

Baron & Baroness: detailed report forthcoming

Seneschal: Thanks to our Baroness, who threw the key at me (nicely) so I
could catch it. :) Thanks to everyone for the congratulations & support
as I take on this responsibility. Thanks to Lord Guillaume, who has
graciously volunteered to be my deputy/drop-dead. Thanks to Dona Emily who
will be taking over as Barony Fencing Marshal.

Exchequer:

Checking: $3,609.94

Savings: $2,119.30

A&S: N/A

Chatelaine: detailed report forthcoming

Demo was great fun & very successful - possible demo opportunity
coming up for June

MOL: N/A - Check authorization cards

Knight Marshal: Fighting

Fencing Marshal: Fencing

Webminister (via email):

Josh is still working on redo of bog site. Send your updates and corrections
to me via e-mail.

Thrown Weapons Marshal (via email):

Off for the winter. Stinkin badges to be given out at 12th nite.

Archery Marshal (via email):

Trying to schedule indoor practices at Flood City Bowmen for thw winter. Let
me known what good dates are. I want to make a motion that we spend 150.00
on the archery program to buy paper targets, a bag target, and a stand to
hang the bag target. We haven't even spent any of the 50$ per year stipend
for archery in over 5 years and this will help now that interest is growing
again. Stinkin badges will be given out at 12th nite.

Chronicler (via email): Send in articles

Herald: Thanks to everyone who attended the class. Everything else
remains the same.

Historian: Please look over the Bog Address List that was emailed to the
e-group & submit any corrections/changes before January 13. Printed copies
will be available at 12th Night, please be sure to pick one up.

Scribal Mistress: Will still meet twice per week until 12th Night.

Old Business:

12th Night (January21) - detailed report forthcoming - Setup will be Friday,
as usual - site opens Saturday at 8:00am - we may have a vendor - still
looking for a few more items for the auction - we also need servers for high
table during feast and at least one person to help as a retainer for the
Baron & Baroness

July event/3-Day - Previous bid was modified & resubmitted. It was
unanimously approved. (Event announcement forthcoming)

Title: Bog 3-Day 2012 - A Spanish Romance

Dates: Either the weekend of July 13-15 or July 20-22 depending on the
site's availability (New Germany Grove) - we are currently scheduled for the
weekend of the 20th but that is the weekend right before Pennsic Land Grab.

Autocrat: Lady Ursula of Rouen/Danielle Duvall

Feastocrat: Lady Rosheen O'Fayh/Tracey Kline-Zimmerman

New Business:

Baronial By-Laws need to be updated - more information
regarding this will be emailed later

Additional/Misc:

Baroness Cynthia mentioned that Baron Master Quinn has been
doing very well at home and plans to be at 12th Night.

Next Meeting:

February 5, 2012 at 4:00pm - HGA

If there are any corrections, please email me at: burgundy3@verizon.net

In Service,

Dona Caroline of Burgundy

Seneschal BSSB

Back to the Index\

I am one half of TRH captains of the guards, Mark le Gabler. I am speaking for myself and THL Robert O'Connor)

We are looking for people who deserve, and are willing, to serve on the Guard when TRH step up next April. We are searching for reliable, trustworthy, and dependable people who could use some extra exposure in their marshal activity. We are looking for about 3-5 people from each region so where ever we may go, there will be someone to guard in every region.

Requirements would include, but not be limited to, ability and willingness to travel (and to devote time to their task at Pennsic 41); experienced “guards” would be considered but especially sought are the up-and-coming participants of any martial activity—Heavy and rapier, thrown and archery, equestrian..as the members of the guard are highly visible, the simple act of doing guard duty would be great exposure for those chosen.

If you have anyone you would like to reccomend, we would really appreciate if you would send us a list to my email(tdu77@yahoo.com) or I can be reached at 570-814-1447, please call after 4:30pm and no later than 9pm.

Thank you on behalf of the Captains of the Guard for TRH!

Back to to the Index

Newcomers to the SCA will probably hear a bunch of words, phrases and titles that are new to them. Some words are from the time period the Society studies, while others are slang words used to describe different aspects of SCA life. The following is a very incomplete glossary of terms used at Bog/Canton/SCA events. This issue will cover the letter G. Disclaimer: Please note that some explanations are just plain silly, and are meant to amuse myself and you, the reader. I do not mean to offend anyone. If I do offend, you may flog me with a glow stick at Pennsic 41. ~~Rosheen O’Fayh~~

Garb- clothing based on that worn in the middle Ages or Renaissance. Required at all events except some local meetings and activities. Many local chapters (including ours) have loaner garb. Contact the Chatelaine. (chatelaine@stswithinsbog.org)

Gate- point of entry to an event where fees are collected and paperwork signed.

Geographical Branch- official SCA branches based on a specific modern geographical location. They are, in order of size: kingdom, principality, barony, province, shire, canton, and riding. Note that the size of the branch is based on the number of paid SCA members in residence and not on the size of the modern location.

Gold Key- both items of SCA costume for loan to new members and guests at SCA events, as well as the officer in charge of their maintenance and distribution. This is usually part of the Chatelaine’s job description.

Guild- a group who’s function it is to further the study and practice of a singular art or science of the SCA. Guilds usually exist in SCA geographical branches. Examples include: Scribal Guild, Sewing Guild, Brewer’s Guild, etc…

12th Night 2012 Event Announcement

St. Swithin's Bog Annual 12th Night
Saturday, January 21, 2012

Green Gables, Jennerstown, PA

Welcome to our Twelfth Night celebration! Let us now celebrate all things German! Our 12th Night event will take place at our traditional site, Green Gables, 7712 Somerset Pike, Jennerstown, PA. And we will hold our usual Silent Auction of select and desirable items. Also entertainment and an open bardic competition (entries do not need to be German themed).

We will once again sponsor a scroll contest. Participants are encouraged to use a German theme in their work. Scroll size is to be no less than 8" X 10" to provide sufficient space for calligraphy. An award will be given to the most original scroll as judged by our Baron and Baroness. If desired, your scroll may be donated to the to the Barony. Please mark your name and contact information on the back of your scroll in pencil.

Doors 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. The all-day munchie sideboard is open to all attendees and will commence at noon, with heartier dishes appearing after courts in the evening.

Autocrats for this event are Mistress Cynthia Baroness of St. Swithin’s Bog, (Cynthia J. Chapple, 1945 Florida Avenue, Johnstown, PA 15902; mistresscynthia@verizon.net; 814-266-1347) and Master Caoinlean Baron of St. Swithin’s Bog (David C. Chapple; 1945 Florida Avenue, Johnstown, Pa 15902; thltower@verizon.net; 814-266-1347 and Co Autocrat is Mistress Charmaine of Falkensee (Sally C. Fink, 331 Penn Ave., Johnstown, PA 15905; 814-255-5176; sphink@verizon.net) Feastocrats are Lord Gareth Craig and Lady Rose.

Your cost for a day of hearty fellowship and delicious food is $18.00. (The $5.00 non-member surcharge will be collected at the door.) All halflings 12 and under will be $8.00. Babes in arms (under 5) free. Make checks payable to "SCA, Inc.-St. Swithin's Bog." Reservations are encouraged and may be sent by January 18, 2011, to: Lord Battista di Lupo Speranza (Paul Tedeski, 499 Southmont Blvd. Johnstown, PA 15905; 724-859-7190 , ptedeski@atlanticbb.net).

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 bit further down the road.) Go in through the SIDE DOORS to the left of the building.

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.

.
Back to the Index

Contact Person: Lady Rachel Dalicieux, a.k.a. Rachel Shively, 724-853-7520 or friscokitty@hotmail.com

The joint fighter practice between the Canton and Gryffyn's keep will resume in warmer weather.

The Canton of Westland Mor holds “Spring Thing” each year. Over the years we have enjoyed many different themes from a murder mystery to pirating. The ladies of the Cattail Choraliers decided to run Spring Thing 2011 with the theme, “A Highland Fling.” (I am fairly certain it was their desire to see men in kilts that led to the decision.) My wife, Lady Rose agreed to feast-o-crat if I would assist her. I, in a moment of weakness, agreed. How hard could it be to help plan a menu of plain, hearty, and plain-old-tasty dishes? I’m a Scot with a culinary degree. Rose and I poured over cookbooks and decided on delights like Cock-a-leek-lee soup and roast beef with a cranberry chutney that tastes even like rowanberry to serve the purpose. Then, I had to go and ask, “What about Haggis, then?”

Traditional haggis is made from mutton bits. Southwestern Pennsylvania has lots of sheep, so we didn’t think it would be too difficult to get the sheep bits we needed. Those sheep bits are apparently a hot commodity and sold off as soon as the herd size is known each spring. Luckily a fellow fighter from the Midwest grew up on a farm. It was common practice to make haggis from pig bits, which are easily obtained at the Great Market of the Barony Marche of Debatable Lands. You know. The Strip District! Wholley’s market sells much more than fish and offer free ice for your cooler.

My wife and I knew relatively little about haggis other than it was sheep bits cooked in a casing made from more sheep bits. So off we went to do some research. As it turns out, haggis is fundamentally a pudding made to make use of the organ meats that couldn’t be stored prior to refrigeration. Many cultures have a dish similar to pudding. These are mostly black puddings that contain blood. Haggis is not a black pudding and that is probably the nicest things anyone ever said about haggis. Haggis disguises itself as a sausage-like pudding that is then cut open, scooped out and eaten like a loose meat hash.

The techniques involved in cooking this dish are similar to making the Cajun sausage, bodon. Prepping the ingredients is time consuming and not for the faint of heart. Even with my culinary training and years of restaurant work, I can say with certainty the hardest part is peeling the stomach—separating the connective tissues, muscle and a little fat. It is tough and slippery. There is also a chemical in the tissue that numbs your hands. The kidneys were easy to clean, but time consuming to remove all the strand of connective tissues. Liver and some lean meat are also included.

The meats are simmered in a broth spiced with allspice, cloves, onions sliced into blossoms, bay leaves, salt and pepper. It is necessary to skim the broth regularly during cooking. Reserve two cups of broth to add to the meat and oatmeal. The meats are then cooled and ground. Steel cut oatmeal is then blended into the meat mixture along with nutmeg, cumin, red pepper, herbs de provincial, and a diced onion. This is then spooned into the casing, and sewn shut with butcher’s string. Do not overfill the casing because as it cooks the casing will shrink and make a mess. I found a needle used for sewing leather worked well. Leather needles work by cutting through the project instead of piercing. Next it is boiled until solid. Each haggis ended up being a little bigger than a large grapefruit. We made the haggis in advance and baked it in an oven to reheat it before serving at the event.

We were very surprised to find that most everyone at the event enjoyed the haggis. Many were reminded of ethnic food from their childhood, like scrapple. Those who did not like liver weren’t fond of the haggis, but even my wife said that it smelled good when it was cooking. In closing, haggis is a much misunderstood food. It was rewarding to see people enjoying a food from our shared food heritage and being able to learn a little more about our ancestors by eating what they ate.

This is The Sentinel, a publication of the Barony of St. Swithin's Bog and the Canton of Westland Mor, of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. The Sentinel is available from Michela Summervale(Michelle Gelles) and the Bog's Homepage or Canton's Homepage. It is not a corporate publication of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., and does not delineate SCA policies.

EVENT FINANCIAL REPORT
EVENT DATE:_11/5/2011______						GROUP:______Barony of St. Swithin's Bog____________________________________________________
EVENT:_____Queen's Rapier and Bardic Champions__________________________________________________________
INCOME
(A)	(B)			(C)			(D)			(AxC) + (BxD)
# Reserved	# at the Door			Fee-Reserved			Fee-at Door			Total
Site-Adult		92			$12.00				$1,104.00
Site-Child		9			$8.00				$72.00
Site-Adult-Gratis		8			$0.00				$0.00
Site-Child-Gratis		7			$0.00				$0.00
$0.00
$0.00
NMS		12			$5.00				$60.00
GROSS EVENT RELATED INCOME:						$1,236.00
Other Income
donations						$0.00
GROSS OTHER INCOME:						$0.00
TOTAL INCOME:						$1,236.00
CANCELLATIONS / REFUNDS
Number			Amount					Total
Site-Adult						$0.00
Site-Child						$0.00
Feast-Adult						$0.00
Feast-Child						$0.00
TOTAL REFUNDS:						$0.00
EXPENSES (PAYMENTS)			NET INCOME					$1,236.00
Advertising
Equipment Rental and Maintenance
Fees and Honoria (Itemize on back)						$50.00
Food (cost of Feast supplies)						$479.60
General supplies
Insurance (Non-SCA)
Occupancy and Site Charges						$500.00
Postage, Shipping, PO Box rental
Printing and Publications
Telephone
Travel (Gas, Tolls, Airfare)
Other Expenses (itemize on back)
EXPENSES SUB-TOTAL:						$1,029.60
NET PROFIT:						$206.40
To SCA, Inc Aethelmearc (Non-member Surcharge)						$60.00
Moved to Another SCA Account(s)						$73.20
TRANSFERS TOTAL						$133.20
FINAL GROUP PROFIT:						$73.20
Autocrat print:____Troy Headland_______________________________						Autocrat signature:__________________________________
Exchequer print___Paul Tedeski_________________________________						Exchequer signature______________________________________