Transcribed by Stephen Bloch
Feb. 15, 2013
Called to order 8:10 PM

Exchequer: Kingdom Exchequer sent e-mail Feb. 4 saying our annual report was late, so Mitch's warrant wouldn't be renewed; don't conduct any financial activity.  Back of Pikestaff has reporting schedule for local officers, listing Exchequer as Feb. 15, and "EK Reporting Policy" document still says Feb. 15, but EK Exchequer apparently changed it to Jan. 31 on his web site, without announcing it in Pikestaff.  Report was sent electronically last weekend (c. 2/9), and paper copies have been received as of today (express delivery receipt).

Valgard points out that there are no pressing Crown Tourney-related expenses for the next month or more.
Valgard also points out that renewal of warrants is at the discretion of the Kingdom officer; no reason need be stated.

Carl says he talked to EK Exchequer & Seneschal earlier this week, pointing out that we just finished an event and we have a major Kingdom event coming up, so we need to be able to write checks.

Guy just talked to EK Seneschal (a few minutes ago), who says Mitch can write checks as long as they meet our usual standards, until his warrant expires at midnight tonight.  Seneschal is reviewing the situation.  EK Exchequer is incommunicado until Monday.  Ostgardr status is not in danger; we're looking at various ways to move forward.

Mitch: We agreed at December Officers' Meeting that Exchequer job would change hands at end of 2013 (not wanting Seneschal and Exchequer to change at the same time). So even if warrant is renewed, we need to find a replacement in coming months. Richard the Poor is a possibility, although he's still Northpass Exchequer right now; was planning to step down from that job after Bear's Tavern.
Wilhelm: if necessary, Northpass could accelerate that process.
Hannah says she'd also be willing to do the job.

Knight Marshal: Had Beau Geste tournament last weekend; will have another this Sunday (which is also Viceroy's birthday).  Valgard won last month's BG; 7 fighters, 1 practice since then, but practices aren't regular due to weather.

Webmaster: not much.  Have received a bunch of officer changeover info, not all of which has made its way to the Web site yet. It will.

A&S (absentee): Lots of A&S activities going on.  Musicians' Day happened.  Quarterly reports due March 1.  K&G A&S champs tomorrow.  An Dubh spring school 2/23.  Blak Rose Ball 3/9.  All Things Scribal 3/9.  Mudthaw 3/23.

Vicereine: Tormundr has lots of ideas about making things for Crown.

Historian: History continues.

Archery: No practice until Spring.  Working w/Jimi & Gary to plan for Crown archery.

Pursuivant: Have new deputy (Cy Lambert). Jillian (Lions End) is a great book herald.

Lions End: Not much to report.  We have money.  Considering a new event, which you'll hear about later.  Possible new Knight Marshal Antonius (OK by Valgard; waiting on notification from Regional that it's official).

Whyt Whey: Seneschal & Exchequer changeovers are still in process.  Will meet 3/21 to discuss what to do after Alexandre and Eularia leave.  Scribal & dance are this Sunday.

Chronicler: E-Horses continue to go out; encourage people to sign up.  It's free!  It includes lots of links to interesting stuff!  If you are a new volunteer to hosting Commons, please send Chronicler and Webmaster directions to your home.

Chamberlaine: Things are happening and stuff is getting used.  Want to get things impeccably organized, inventoried, labelled, etc. before Crown.  Crown kitchen is small, so want to take nothing that we don't need.  Working on baldrics.  Will talk to Tom Martin & Bear to work out where things are going after Bear's Tavern.

Chatelain (absentee): got one recent contact from an Ansteorran import.

Northpass: Have a new Chatelaine; Chris Roeder is replacement RTP as Exchequer.

Rockland County ("Nordenfjord") is splitting from Rusted Woodlands; Northpass is sponsoring them, which entails handling all the new group's money until the group comes out of incipiency.
Valgard moves a resolution that Ostgardr supports the relationship between Northpass and Nordenfjord; passed 17-0-0.

Viceroy: Thanks, Bish, for hosting today's meeting.

Events and Demos:

Musicians' Day went well.  Lost some money -- we lost a few people to the date change, and a few to illness -- but everybody who attended seemed to enjoy it.  Hoping to do it again; have started marketing.  Report has been given to Seneschal and Exchequer.

Bear's Tavern (3/1-3): still c. 10 overnight slots left; preregister now if you want in.

Lunacon (3/15-17, Rye Hilton) has given us some contradictory info, but things seem to be straightened out.  Two short demos: Sat. 12-2, Sun. 12-1.  Could use help for demos; will also run booth, and have larger space in hall for other activities.  Contact Magdalena in advance; don't want a bunch of people showing up unexpected on the day.

Barleycorn (9/6-8): check has been sent for site reservation.

Florentine event perhaps first week of October.

Viking Day (5/18): details to follow.

An Dubh/Ostgardr Non-War No news.  Want bards capable of singing praises of anybody on either side, upon demand.  Planning a wide variety of combat activities.

Lions End demo medieval entertainment demo at local library; need performers of all stripes.  Hoping for a weekend afternoon, or perhaps a Friday evening.  No date yet.

Riverfest no news.

Crown Tourney (4/26-28): Did a site walk-through in the snow.  Kitchen is functional but tiny.  Confirmed that scheduled number of diners can fit in hall.  Asked about archery: we can use archery & thrown-weapons ranges, but Scout rangemasters have to be in charge, and we wouldn't have exclusive use.  Asked about fires: NYC has law against importing firewood, but site will provide some.  We can bring raised, enclosed, off-the-ground fire pits; site can also provide fire rings.

Planning Torchlight Tourney Friday night before Crown, for people who don't want to enter Crown.

Call for department directors to list their staffing needs, by the end of this week.

Chef (Carl) will want people to help with pre-cooking the two previous weekends; also want to borrow large pots, turkey-fryers, etc.

Any changes to event announcement need to be by 2/25 or so in order to appear in Pikestaff.

Announcements:

Jacqueline l'Oisel & Katherine Gillesfleur's workshop will be 2/24 (postponed due to weather).

Rufina: fabric potlatch after meeting.

Alexandre: has been accepted to York University, hence moving to England in Sept, followed by Eularia in Oct.  Have several thousand paperbacks to unload.

Upcoming meetings:

• 3/15 at Motylewskis'.
• 4/19 at TrueBerries'.
• 5/17 TBA (Bronx?).
• 6/21 at Bornanders'.

Adjourned 9:50

March Commons will be on Friday, March 15 at the home of John and JoAnna Motylewski, 658 53rd Street, Brooklyn, New York

By Subway
R train to 53rd Street station. Walk uphill to #658; use downstairs 1st floor entrance.

By Car
➦From Bronx or Manhattan:
    Take Battery Tunnel, Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge or Triboro Bridge to BQE (Rt 278) westbound. Exit at 39th Street. At the end of the ramp, turn left, then turn left again at the next corner. You are now heading east on 40th Street. Go 2 blocks to 4th Ave and turn right. At 52nd Street, turn left and go down to 7th Ave. Turn right. Then turn right on 53rd Street. Number 658 will be on the left. You may need to take some time to find parking.

➦From Queens and Long Island:
    Take the LIE or your best route to the BQE (Rt 278) westbound. Proceed as above. Alternately, take the Southern State Pkwy to the Belt Pkwy and proceed as below.

➦From Southern Brooklyn or from Staten Island:
    Take the Belt Pkwy or the Gowanus Expwy to the BQE (Rt 278) eastbound. Exit at 38th Street. At the end of the ramp, turn right onto 4th Ave. Proceed to 52nd Street and turn left. Take this up to 7th Ave and turn right. Then turn right on 53rd Street. Number 658 will be on the left. You may need to take some time to find parking.

Spring Crown Tourney: Apr. 26-28
Brooklyn Viking Fest: typically mid-May; check here or the Ostgardr website for updates
Riverdale Riverfest:  June 30

Sunday, March 17, is the next cooking thing at Countess Brekke's house.  Participants will discuss recipes, cook a Medieval meal, and then eat it. Reservations are required as space is limited. Brekke has five resident cats, and a fairly small kitchen, so please call 631 249 5113 before 9:00 PM or e-mail Brekke (you know the drill) in advance if you're interested. Kitchen and bathroom are clean; the rest of the house, not so much.

Yes, the date is St. Patrick's Day.  No, we're not doing Irish (though maybe for lunch...).

For those of you not going to Lunacon, the next Ostgardr scribal workshop will be Sunday, March 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the basement community room in Jeff and Lorree's building, 552 Riverside Dr.

Bring your own projects to work on or use the scribal supplies to practice whatever you'd like.

We maintain a Webbed database of upcoming early-music concerts in the Østgarðr area. Click here for the latest.

Renowned Worcester, MA institution will close Dec. 31, and its collection will be moved and integrated into the Worcester Art Museum.  [So visit the Armory before it's too late....]

In 1420, a Netherlandish scribe found out that a cat had urinated on an unfinished manuscript page, and added his own aggrieved commentary (complete with illustrations).  In a fit of inspiration, Lions End resident Lady Aquilina of the Sea Cliffs penned the following:

O cat, whose essence graceth thus a page
Like ink of utmost scorn, or godlike rage
The wrack thou've wrought all mortal men must flee
Thy scents offend all sensibility
O kitty cruel, thy commentary base
Does many hours of deathless prose deface
O pissy pussy, hie ye hence from me!
No parchment should endure thy vicious pee
How mightier indeed than sword or pen
This unasked-for review from thy rear end
The moving tushie writes, and having writ
I should perhaps be glad thou didst not…!