Greetings to the populace from your Chronicler, Silence!
I write with two missives. First, I am assembling the newsletter wrapping up the final quarter of 2023, and as we lost some dear members of our barony in this past calendar year, I would like to hold space in the Althing for photos, memories, or words the populace wishes to share to commemorate them. As I am formatting the newsletter this week, if you know you want to send something but aren’t sure what, please feel free to drop a line and say “Hey Silence, please save a spot for me,” and I will reach out before I publish, which I anticipate to be in two weeks.
Second, my 2-year term comes to an end, and I am formally issuing a call for letters of intent should anyone be interested in becoming the next Chronicler. I am seeking a second term and I am also seeking a deputy to train. The Chronicler is in charge of producing the Althing, the newsletter for the Barony. Past issues are available at http://debatablelands.org/newsletter/ for your perusal. Any gentles wishing to submit a letter of intent should email both seneschal [at] debatablelands [dot] org and chronicler [at] debatablelands [dot] org by the next business meeting, which will be February 7th. If you are interested in becoming Chronicler or becoming my deputy, please email me at chronicler [at] debatablelands [dot] org and I will be happy to discuss what that entails!
Third Thursday sewing resumes this Thursday Jan 18th from 7:30 to 10pm. It will be both online and in-person. The schedule for this year is occurring on the third Thursday of every month, except May. Email sewing (at) debatablelands (dot) org for the zoom information. If you want to come sew in person, the address is 1105 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh 15232.
Now that registration for Pennsic 51 has opened, it’s time to make the official announcement – after eight years of service to the barony, Joe Broom Marfice is stepping down as Camp Reeve for the Baronial Encampment at Pennsic, and I will be stepping forward to fill that role moving ahead. Don’t worry – Broom isn’t going anywhere just yet; he will be staying on to help me in this transition, and is taking over as Land Agent for the Barony.
As we get closer to Pennsic, I’ll be posting more and requesting information from those who have signed up to camp with the Barony. We’ll have more information regarding rules and fees and whatnot, but expect things to be relatively similar to years past.
It must be the dead of winter because we’ve got so many A&S opportunities this month! With many guilds meeting regularly again and posting their information across several places on the internet, I wanted to do a round-up of all the guild postings I’ve seen recently in one centralized place. See below if any of these meet-ups interest you; email Elinor Walden at gabbie.kaplan@gmail.com if you have questions about guild specifics and I’ll direct you to the right person.
Sewing Guild – meets in-person every Sunday from 3pm-6pm at the home of Hara Kikumatsu (1105 Shady Ave). There is also a virtual only meet-up on January 18th from 7:30-10pm.
Fiber Guild – Fiber Guild is back! They’re meeting both in-person and virtually today, January 8, from 7pm-9pm at Mistress Ts’vee’a’s home (5167 Rosecrest Dr). Let Rei Morikawa or Helewys Spinner know if you have any questions or need the zoom link.
Debatable Lands Choir – meets every Tuesday at the home of Mistress Ts’vee’a from 7pm-8:30pm; contact Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope if you want to join them.
A&S Nights – There are two monthly A&S nights. The South Hills meet-up will be on January 11th, hosted by Beth Chatham. The Stanton Heights meet-up will be on January 25th from 6pm-10pm hosted by Elinor Walden (recurring schedule update – we’re going to take up that last Thursday spot every month this year for consistency).
Scribal Guild – Pittsburgh Scribal West is every Tuesday from 5-9pm in Moon Twp. Contact THL Nicola Beese for the address and details.
Brewing Guild – The Brewing Guild has a meet-up at Spoonwood Brewing Co. at 7pm on January 11 for craft brew tasting and twelfth night(s) planning. Email Muirgheal if you have questions.
Baronial A&S Championship and Display – the A&S Championship will be held at Debatable Lands Twelfth Night on January 27th with a theme of “pastoral”. There will also be a display for those who do not wish to complete and for works-in-progress. Again, contact Elinor if you have any questions about whether you should compete (yes) or if there is room for your art at the event (absolutely).
If I’ve missed your guild meeting this month, please let me know and I’ll add your information to the next round-up! Happy crafting!
The Brewers Guild is meeting Thursday (1/11/24) at Spoonwood Brewing Co. at 7 pm est. [https://spoonwoodbrewing.com/ address is 5981 BAPTIST ROAD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15236]
Anyone is welcome to come join us. We’re going to get snacks and taste some of their craft brew. We are going to be planning for Kingdom Twelfth Night and Debatable Lands Twelfth Night and starting to look forward to our upcoming events!
If you would like to be added to the brewers guild email list; please email me at Muirgheall@gmail.com
There is in-person sewing on Sundays after martial practice, but at a different location. It will be held at 1105 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh 15232 from 3-6pm The goal is to provide some guidance for basic garment patterns and construction. However, if you are working on your own sewing project and would like to come work on it feel free.
I have served as your Seneschal for 4 years and my time draws to a close. We will need someone that is willing to serve as your Seneschal starting in February of 2023.
If you have an interest in keeping the Policy and Law of the Debatable Lands, Æthelmearc, and the Society, overseeing the activities and events, encouraging the other Officers and in general being a helping hand to your fellow Debatablelanders; this is the job for you!
Please feel free to reach out to me or seek me at practices and events to ask questions. I will freely share all that I know and assist you in learning the job or just help you to understand the job.
You will find a copy of our current policies for the Barony located at http://debatablelands.org/resources/policies-and-forms/
Please send letters of interest and intent to myself and Their Excellencies by no later than February 7th, 2024 or be present at the February Business meeting with your letter of intent in hand.
baron at debatablelands.org seneschal at debatablelands.org
It is time for the Debatable Lands to find their next Arts and Sciences Champion! I will be holding a competition at Debatable Lands Twelfth Night on January 27 to find this good gentle to serve as champion for Baronessa Violeta and Praetoria Prima. Documentation is not required but appreciated. If you do not plan on attending but would like to enter, please let me know so we can arrange transport and display of your work.
The theme of the championship will be “Pastoral Life – The Beauty in Simplicity”. I encourage you to submit your works that celebrate that which would be made in the home of the average medieval person; the mundane works which go unnoticed but demonstrate the timeless accessibility of crafting. Baronessa Violeta and Praetoria Prima will use these entries to award the title and role of their Arts and Sciences Champion for the coming year.
There will additionally be an A&S Display for those who would like to showcase their works-in-progress and ongoing research but do not wish to compete! All are encouraged to participate so that we may show off the widespread and varied talents of our barony.
Please direct any questions to me via email at gabbie.kaplan at gmail.com or other methods of contact. I look forward to seeing all that our barony has to offer!
Sincerely, Lady Elinor Walden, A&S Champion Second
