Start Time: 8:15pm

SENESCHAL REQUEST

The Seneschal requests that all CANTON SENESCHALS please email him a list of Officers of your Cantons. Also, all CROWN PROVINCIAL OFFICERS, please email a full listing of all Deputies. Include their:

• -Mundane Name
• -SCA name (including title)
• -Membership number
• -Expiration date
• -Email address

-Let’s make sure ALL officers are members!
-As an FYI, Seneschals can get a census of all EK members with their membership numbers and expiration date by contacting Milpitas, but it costs $5.

OFFICERS' REPORTS

Minister of Fencing, Marion of York (sent via email)

Other than Cake and Death fighter practice, I haven't done much to report. Ettore has found space in a church.

Arts and Sciences, Lada Monguligin (sent via email)

• -Call went out from TRM for beads for newcomers. So we will have a BEAD MAKING CLASS at Piglet's on Saturday June 18th taught by Lord Conor O Ceallaigh. Materials fee is $20 and can be paid at the door. Please RSVP to Lada to hold your space.
• -Pennsic U deadline is May 1st. Consider teaching a class and sharing your knowledge. Additionally this year is Bog U which is exactly what it sounds like.
• -SCRIBAL SHOPPING on April 30th: We will meet at the Astor Place Starbucks at 9am, depart from there at 9:30am, and head to two art stores nearby: Dick Blick and New York Central Art Supply. Then we will make the trip uptown to Lee's Art Shop on W57th.

Chronicler (via email)

There is one deputy, John Elys, who is also Webminister. It was noted by those attending that he has expressed interest in stepping down as Webminister.

MUSICIANS' DAY (via email)

Blue Mountain Lodge was unavailable for traditional weekend (Nov 19-20), so we're pencilled in for November 12-13. It does NOT conflict with Hundred Minutes' War. Projected budget available. Thomas of Northpass has been in touch with the site. We are only pencilled in so we need to give them a check moderately soon or tell them we are cancelling. Cost is $600 for 2 days plus $200 deposit.

It was noted by Francesco that not many people have administrative access to [the Panix-hosted Ostgardr e-mail list] so it would be better to move the list to an East Kingdom server.

Northpass, Thomas of Northpass

• Much of last meeting was spent on Barleycorn, but many details have changed since then (including the fact that it will 95% chance be investiture). Wilhelm is autocrat. Co-autocrat is Phil. Feastocrat is Sheldon Wax. Sephardic cooking was the original idea, but since it's now investiture, a Mongolian feast would be fitting.

  The cost is $3000 for entire weekend, $1800 for feast. It has all been paid for. Northpass had ~$6k in their coffers (including the money given to pay for Barleycorn).

• -Also GOAT'S TAVERN is coming up in the fall at Blue Mountain Lodge.

• -Next month's meeting is going to be at the beach instead of at Wilhelm's so if you come up early you're welcome to use Tom's canoes and such.

• Chatelaine of Northpass: Northpass has a new Chatelaine, Phil! He is trying to get some friends at Westchester Community College to see if they can get a club going. Needs to have 2 students to start club. He already has someone who can be staff sponsor.

Chatelaine, Sofya of Ostgardr

• -Congrats to our new Chatelaine of Northpass, Phil!
• -Next week, Sunday the 24th, is a GOLD KEY WORKSHOP. We have a lot of people coming to help make new loaner garb and even have a newcomer coming! Everyone is welcome to join in! Contact Sofya for details.
• -Sofya is typing up an inventory of the current Gold Key and it will be in Exchequer's hands by next meeting. -She will also be making queens favors if anyone wants to join in on that.

History, Richard the Poor:

• -Viceregal polling is approved!
• -We will be having an investiture in the not too distant future, and majesties will be required to be there. They will also be able to give out awards, so think about who you might want to NOMINATE AWARDS for, and check out next issue of E Horse to see the article about how to do that effectively.

-Piglet mentions about a museum? or library? that's interested in SCA archival materials. She will look it up and let people know the info. EDITED TO ADD: Piglet found the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/17551346704/permalink/10153575174811705/ “the University of California Riverside Libraries has created a permanent SCA archival collection...If you have publications or media you would like to contribute, please contact the SCA Liaison to the UCR Libraries, Countess Leonora Morgana (Stacie Tibbetts) at collections@sca.org or at 714-544-8490 before 8 pm PST. (The University Libraries are unable to accept direct donations on behalf of the Society, and sending them materials directly could result in their loss.)”

Exchequer, Angelica di Nova Lipa

• -We have about $7600 in checkings and $7400 in savings, so we have money.
• -We have not gotten rid of funds from the (now-defunct?) Gilded Pearl (an East Kingdom guild that was focused on the Renaissance time period. It was started here and needed somewhere to put their money) yet, which is about $128. We will figure out what is the appropriate thing to do with the money.

Whyt Whey, Alienor Salton

• - Thorfinnr reports that Picnic in Ruins had to be rescheduled due to site permit issue. We were sent the permit, but the Parks Service double-booked the park and rescinded our permit.
• -There will be QUEEN'S FAVOR KITS available at the next Solar. The class will be VIKING WIRE WEAVING taught by Thorfinnr. We may also be taste testing the Anglo-Norman dishes for a feast. (Was going to be for investiture, but that is going to be Barleycorn which already has a feastocrat)
• -We will also be discussing the new Whyt Whey heraldry at the NEXT Solar. Two options are currently being conflict checked.

Captain of Archers, Suuder Saran:

• - We are starting ARCHERY this weekend at Staten Island.
• - Haven't heard from the Lions End marshall, so not sure when they will start up. She MAY step up to be Captain of Archers after investiture.

Brokenbridge, Suuder Saran

• Baconbridge was well attended.
• -Brokenbridge is NOT changing heraldry. That was a miscommunication.
• -Ragnar Blitzkeg is going to step up as drop-dead Seneschal after investiture

Lion's End, Francesco G Greco

• - We have about $2600. Our last meeting had 3 people so couldn't have quorum. Needed 6 officers and only had 5, so meeting was unofficial (?).
• - Heraldry tabard was passed to Mongo (Gary), and Maria is freshening the tabard up now.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Viking Day: May 14

• In Owl's Head Park, put on the Scandinavian Museum.
• No more conflict with Picnic in the Park.
• Brad will get in contact with site for details about when we need to arrive, leave, etc.
• -Maria asked if we could put it on the EK Calendar. As long as posted in E Horse then we are covered for insurance. (EK calendar isn't necessary for insurance), but we CAN post demo, so let's do that.)

Note by Thomas:

What is Ostgardr going to do with June 2-3 reservation at Veteran Memorial Park in Putnam Valley (was made as a possible investiture date) that Tom paid for out of pocket ($150)? Should he get money back or get future date? Tom has got a list of all future available dates and given it to Brad. But we can't wait to decide.

-The site misses us doing demo and likes us. We can get a much better deal, it's only $150. Could hold 300-400 people piece of cake, but doesn't have functioning kitchen. We can even have horses if let them know in time.

--Vote was made. Decided to get the money back, since it is relatively easy to re-reserve it when we decide when we need it.

Riverdale: Sunday, June 5 (NOT JUNE 4!!!)

• -Laurie will autocrat it.
• -We need(?) $600 for it.
• -We will need to figure out how to do the tent once Mitch leaves for Europe. It's more a matter of transport and storage than how to get it up. Piglet has access to a van. Luigi can volunteer to keep stuff in his garage.
• -We thought it was on the EK calendar, but it isn't. We'll need to fix that.

Queen's Farm: Sept 25

Ian is autocrat. Camping, fighting, and everything else.

Cloisters: Sept 18 (not yet official date)

Because the museum puts out a yearly calendar that starts in the early summer, the Cloisters date is not officially official. But Piglet has asked her contact if we can verify the date as firm and will put it on EK Calendar when she hears. It should be Sept 18 which is 2 weeksish earlier than normal.

Investiture: Barleycorn

• -Their Majesties have contacted us, and said polling was valid. Congrats Lada and Suuder!
• -Suuder: We have been in contact with TRM and Gui has been instrumental in talking with them. We are looking at Barleycorn for investiture. About a week ago TRM sent us a message saying that Barony of Smoking Rocks put in the same date as Barleycorn for THEIR investiture, but since their polling is still in process, TRM has asked Smoking Rocks to use a different date. Smoking Rocks has tentatively agreed. So we are 95% sure that it will be Barleycorn. Brad will let you know ASAP when it can be made official.
• -Maria mentioned that it would be a nice gesture to thank Smoking Rocks. Suuder says he and Lada plan on visiting them in Pennsic to thank them and possibly giving a gift. (Maybe also go to their investiture?)

NEW BUSINESS

Bylaw Committee, Francesco G Greco

-The new Bylaw Committee is a committee to go through our laws and bylaws and find loopholes and other things that need to be fixed. Richard the Poor, John, Beatrice, and Valgard have volunteered for this at the last Commons. We can still take volunteers if anyone wants to join.

Youth Participation, Thomas of Northpass

• - His daughter (17 yo) doesn't want to go to Pennsic, because it's not fun for teens. She's going to write a thesis paper about why. Thomas wants to create a committee to find out why kids don't want to go. Is the SCA a fighter's group or a family group?
• -Tom wants to have two meetings at Pennsic one with 11 and under (with parents) and one with 12 and over (without parents). But he may need more Minor Chancellors? Would like to get Sir Edward (Pennsic Lord Mayor) and some Royals to come.
• -What sort of changes can we institute?
• -Piglet mentioned the East Kingdom Forum of Teen Activities that has been having roundtables with teens and kids and started on doing some similar activites.
• -Jackie recommended getting input from families who HAVE successfully had teenagers grow in the SCA and stay active

Old Known World Handbook

-If you have the old (1994?) version of Knowne World Handbooke, (the one with the blurb about Fun Mavens and Authenticity Mavens) contact Tom:

Eternal Con Demo: June 10-12, Zorikh

• - There is a really good demo opportunity at a SFF con, EternalCon, June 10-12 in Garden City, NY at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. eternalcon.com
• -The date is in conflict with Southern Region War Camp, but not everyone goes.
• - ACL and several LARP groups had successful demos in parking lot. ACL might not be able to make it, but the con runners are interested in having similar. We can have a table or lots (workshop, lecture, panel discussion, fight demo. The more we do the more discounts or free passes they can give us.
• - We Voted YES to do it
• -We discussed whether we wanted to do one or two days. We thought two days would be a lot, but Maria is going to ask An Dubh if they wanted to do the other day since the con is near the border. For now, we will plan for Saturday only.
• -Zorikh asks people to think about any workshops or lectures or other programming that they would like to give/hold.

New Dorp Fine Arts High School Comic con Demo: May 21

• -Gui has brought to our attention a comic con being put on by the students at a high school in Staten Island
• -It is very easy to access via public transport and car and there is parking.
• -They will have an arena for LARPers, etc.
• -Is anyone interested in taking the lead on this? Let us know!

UPCOMING MEETINGS

• May: Baron Francesco (Lion's End)
• June: Lada and Suuder's new home (Brokenbridge)
• July: Nonexistent for Pennsic
• August: Piglet (Whyt Whey)

Motion to adjourn: 10:33

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Directions to May Commons

May Commons will be Friday, May 20, 2016, 7:30 p.m. at the home of Gy Dioguardi, 16 Sandy Court, Port Washington, NY 11050-1736

~ From I-495/LIE, Exit 36 North, Searingtown Road [Route 101]
~ Travel 6.2 miles North, crossing Route 25A, (now Port Washington Boulevard), past St. Francis Hospital, past the Police Department and Downtown Port Washington...
~ ...Down the hill, up the hill, past the St. Peter's RC Church (old stone church)...
~ ...Down the hill, up the hill, down the hill, up the hill, (now Middle Neck Road), [Route 101 ends, but the road continues]...
~ Continue north past the United Methodist Church (large lawn with a tall steeple)...
~ Just past the church, make the first LEFT on Radcliff Avenue.
~ Continue to the end of Radcliffe Avenue (at the bottom of the hill).
~ Make a RIGHT (on East Soundview Drive) and a QUICK LEFT, onto Sandy Court.
~ Opposite the second left is my house (a white house with black shutters).
~ Park & go up the stairs. When you enter the house, go up the stairs, find a seat & park.

If you get lost, please call (516) 883-5870.

Eatables will be greatly appreciated.

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Viceregal Succession

The Succession is ensured!   The Polling was declared valid, and Østgarðr's new Viceroy and Vicereine will be Suuder Saran and Lada Monguligan. 

As of press time, the word was the Viceregents were "95% sure" that the Viceregal investiture would be at the Feast of John Barleycorn in September.  Watch This Space for updates....

Unfortunately, due to a scheduling error on the part of the Prospect Park Alliance, the Picnic in the Ruins planned for May 14th has been cancelled.  We are looking to reschedule for dates in late August or September.

NEEDLEWORK CLASS: "Florentine Flame Stitch...before & beyond"

May 19th, 7 - 10 pm.

Please join us in Manhattan for another night of A&S in the City at Whyt Whey's "EVENING IN THE SOLAR"

Do you like to COLOR? Then learn how to color with yarn and MAKE A THING ! We will be creating small pin cushions. No prior needlework experience is necessary. Supplies & materials will be provided..... and wine. Class taught by Godiva D'Mer

Location & directions: whytwhey.eastkingdom.org/directions-to-our-as-gathering-an-evening-in-the-solar/

Riverdale Riverfest is coming up on June 5. They have once again agreed to give us a stipend for attending and this year they would like us to include archery. We can demo it or if there is a way to make it secure, may even be able to let people try. They are really opening the door for anything we wish to do because they are trying to make it more of a festival instead of an environmental event.

Come One, Come all to celebrate life on the Hudson River and the Greenway in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. Calling all calligraphers, weavers, jewelers, stonemasons, fletchers, fighters, fencers and archers. This is a family oriented demo on a college campus. We have the opportunity to showcase what the SCA has to offer and make a grand impression. The event's theme has changed to a more festive idea with hot air balloon rides, besides the tall ship rides.

Site opens at 9am. Cars need to be unloaded and moved before the gates open at noon, preferably by 11.
Site closes at 6pm

Also, Sir Gui's Greatsword Dance Party: We of Ostgardr have decided that the fighting at Riverfest this year will be dedicated to that most Knightly weapon the Great Sword and its illegitimate brother the Bastard Sword. Please let us know if you wish to learn, authorized, teach, or just fight. So join us for fun, join us for fellowship, join us to just hit things.

Pavanes in the Park

Dance Practice in Central Park

Everyone is welcome to join us for practice May 17 from 6:30-9:00 p.m.; no prior dance experience required... Practices are held in street clothes, as many are traveling after work. We'll meet in the grassy area of Shakespeare's garden if it is open. If you follow the "From the West Side" directions at northpass.eastkingdom.org/DancePractice_CentralPark.html, the grassy area is the "little clearing" before you reach the castle steps. We are typically near the bench on the left side. Once it gets dark OR if the grass isn't open (or if it is soggy) we move atop the castle.

For more info, to be added to the dance email list, or for other questions, please email dance@northpass.eastkingdom.org

Ostgardr has been invited to participate in EternalCon (June 10th through the 12th) and we need volunteers!

Greetings! EternalCon is one of Long Island's largest Comic Cons and is held at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, NY. We've been invited to participate and we are asking for volunteers to participate in our demo. To find out more about EternalCon, please visit their website at http://www.eternalcon.com
We have agreed to commit to one day, Saturday, June 11th (10AM to 7PM) and have reached out to our neighbors in An Dubh and Hawks Reache to see if they wanted to participate on Sunday, June 12th. We have a number of volunteers already and we are looking for more people. This is a fun, well attended event that can be an excellent opportunity for recruitment and we have the ability to make a strong presence at this event. So far, we have silk-painting, brass-rubbings and medieval games lined up so but we are not limited to table demos.

• Are you interested in teaching a class? If so, a room can possibly be reserved for you.
• Want to demonstrate a skill? This is the perfect opportunity to do so in a fun environment.
• Fighters and fencers: interested in showing off your skills? There will be space reserved outside for fighting and fencing.
• Do you have something different you'd like to share or do? Don't be shy. All ideas are welcome.

Let me know if you would like to participate and I will add you to the program list forwarded to the organizers of EternalCon for approval.

Please forward all questions and comments to my email address:
chatelaine@ostgardr.eastkingdom.org.

YIS,

Lady Sofya Gianetta di Trieste
Chatelaine-Crown Province of Ostgardr

Our Webbed database of upcoming early-music concerts in the Østgarðr area seems not to have survived the transition to the East Kingdom server. Until we get it working again, please see polyphony.com.

The Black Panther May Have His Roots in a 15th Century African Kingdom

Marvel superhero's home kingdom of Wakanda bears parallels to the Mutapa empire of 15th-century Zimbabwe.

Exquisitely Preserved 17th-Century Dress Recovered from Shipwreck

Incredibly well-preserved textiles, including a silk damask gown, may be "one of the most significant maritime finds ever made"

Medieval Whip Used by Self-Flagellating Monks Found

British archaeologists conclude that copper-alloy woven wire fragments from Nottinghamshire were once part of a scourge used by 14th-century monks

Solving the Mysterious Handwriting of a Medieval Scribe

Based on analysis of his "distinctive" handwriting, a prolific 13th century scribe known as "the Tremulous Hand of Worcester" may have suffered from a condition called "Essential Tremor"

The Librarian Who Saved Timbuktu's Cultural Treasures from Al-Qaeda

Middle-aged librarian/book collector staged "a heist worthy of Ocean's Eleven" to save priceless Arabic books and manuscripts from occupying jihadists

Now that we are starting to plan for the Investiture, there is one other thing that we can plan for. Their Majesties will be in attendance, and will be able to bestow awards and honors on those who They find worthy. So now is the time to bring people to Their attention.

There is a website where anyone can nominate anyone else for an award: surveys.eastkingdom.org/index.php/945932/lang-en
That makes it easy for the basics, but there are other things one can do to improve the nomination's chances of success.

Include as much information as you can in the nomination. The “higher” the award, the more information you'll want to include. If it's a polling award like a Silver Crescent, mention the person's home group in the comments. True, it is asked for elsewhere in the nomination form, but that part isn't shared with the members of the polling order when the polls go out. If you need help putting your thoughts together, I can suggest writing a “resume” as if you were the person applying for the “position” of the award.

Let the Viceregents and the Provincial seneschal know that you are nominating someone for an award. Not only is it a simple courtesy, they can also speak with Their Majesties and add their influence to the nominee's cause.

If you're not sure what award is most appropriate for someone, ask around. Be discreet. You don't want the person to find out they're being nominated ... and then suffer disappointment when they don't get the award.

Remember that things take time. While Awards of Arms and the like don't normally require much lead time to prepare (say four to six weeks to assign and prepare a scroll), the higher level awards require ceremony and special regalia. Though the Crown can bestow pretty much any honor based only on Royal whim, that happens very, very rarely. If the award doesn't happen at the event you thought it would, it's possible that the necessary arrangements couldn't be made in time.

Look around. Maybe there's someone who's been doing a bang-up job who hasn't yet been recognized for it. The Crown cannot see and hear everyone and everything. They rely on our nominations to know who is worthy of honor. So if there's someone out there who deserves an award, nominate them!