Stórfréttir

Please heed the words of Master Illadore:

Greetings my beloved Æthelmearc!

I am so delighted that Æthelmearc is reopening! I want to caution; however, this pandemic is not over. Hopefully, we are at the beginning of the end.

So – as many have seen, the Board of Directors have lifted some but not all requirements put in place, starting in July. Of note – Æthelmearc has some additional requirements. It is our plan to follow both the letter and intent of the BOD’s policies and CDC guidelines – as the Kingdom Seneschalate is somewhat risk averse. Of note – we must follow state and local laws and policies if they are stricter than the BOD’s or Æthelmearc’s rules.

Let’s go over the specifics:

As of July 1, 2021:

Masks: Many of us have had to go back to work and navigate to mask or not to mask. It is a tricky subject. We (Their Majesties, the Deputy Kingdom Seneschal for Pandemics, and myself) have made our decision on masks based on our risk calculus and what my own workplace is doing –

First and foremost, we want to navigate how we proceed with thoughtfulness and kindness. Therefore – we will not ask anyone’s vaccination status. This is also from the Board of Directors. (If you want to volunteer that information to others, that is up to you.) (Venues and homeowners can ask about vaccination status but that is on them to collect and verify.) We also should not ask anyone why they are wearing a mask – folks can have many reasons for wearing them, other than their vaccination status. Again, we want to be thoughtful and kind.

Æthelmearc will also be following CDC guidelines – therefore – as of July 1, 2021 – if a participant in Æthelmearc is fully vaccinated, they do not have to wear a mask. at events, practices, or gatherings. This also means that if someone is not fully vaccinated, they do have to wear a mask (unless they are under two years old) at events, practices, and gatherings. Also – to clarify – if someone previously had COVID, but is not fully vaccinated, they must also wear a mask.

Everyone in Æthelmearc is on their honor to wear their masks if they are not vaccinated. We expect all of Æthelmearc to follow these guidelines as the SCA has always valued honesty, courtesy, honor, and chivalry.

Event size: We can have events of any size. Pre-registration is still required. (Any practice or gathering over 25 still needs pre-registration, otherwise a sign-in sheet is fine.) This is in part, per the Society Seneschal, to make sure we have a list of attendees in case local or state officials ask us for that information. The Webministry is working with branch Seneschals on developing easy online pre-registration forms and the Exchequer’s office is working towards using the SCA’s online payment system, SCARS. Any SCARS questions, please contact The Honorable Noble Rhys at exchequer@aethelmearc.org.

Overnight events: Yes, you can have them.

Food: No feasts. The SCA cannot provide food served buffet style or family style. No branch sponsored pot lucks either. Individuals may do so at their own risk. Boxed lunches however are okay. Please contact me if you have other ideas for food at events and we can talk it out.

Water: Providing water in a large water cooler is okay — but everyone must use their own drinking container or the SCA can buy paper cups. No exceptions. No more water jugs with straws. The SCA and its branches can provide individual bottled water. We also recommend a recycling plan for those bottles.

Demos: We are still looking into demos right now and what that looks like for Æthelmearc. More information on that soon.

Reminder – all of this starts July 1st, 2021. Until then, the previous BOD guidelines apply.

Royal events – August Crown tourney is on and has no event size caps! Please see this month’s announcement in the Æstel. Coronation will hopefully be in September- and will be determined by the Heirs. We will be putting in an official variance request for that event with the Society Seneschal but have already received a go ahead. October Crown details are still being worked on.

In January 2022 – we will be going back to our normal Kingdom Event Rotation. If your branch is interested in hosting a royal event, please check out that rotation on our website.

I know this has been a trying time for all of us but I am happy we are coming back together. I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Always,
Illadore de Bedegrayne
Kingdom Seneschal
Æthelmearc

Greetings Noble Populace,

Please find the ZOOM information for the Business Meeting which will be completely Virtual for June.

Start time is 8 pm EST.

Please remember that you can find our minutes and proposed agendas online at https://drive.google.com/drive/u/5/folders/1hEGCojOZ4_zawYKdOqYymlYq1ne9IesP

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96742767353?pwd=WE11b29mak9lMU0xV2FwSzhEb1NXQT09

Meeting ID: 967 4276 7353
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,96742767353# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,96742767353# US (New York)

Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 967 4276 7353

We had a sheltered sewing circle this past Saturday. We had one person finishing one project, then starting another. Two folks starting projects, one repair project, and an ongoing weaving project. We huddled inside for warmth and had a fun time. We talked about the mystery fabric, and other fun things.

The regularly scheduled first Thursday sewing will be this Thursday, June 3rd from 7:30 to 10PM. It will be held both in-person and online. The in-person location is 1105 Shady Ave., Pittsburgh, 15232. I will post the zoom information when I have it. Feel free to bring any sewing or fiber projects. If you have questions, please email sewing (at) debatablelands (dot) org.

If you plan to attend in person you must wear a mask.

Although the SCA complies with all applicable laws to try to ensure
the health and safety of our event participants, we cannot eliminate
the risk of exposure to infectious diseases during in-person events.
By participating in the in-person events of the SCA, you acknowledge
and accept the potential risks. You agree to take any additional steps
to protect your own health and safety and those under your control as
you believe to be necessary."

Tut tut it looks like rain. We will sew through it. There is a garage, a pop-up, and the indoors for sewing. Bring what you need to sew. Fabric, machine, if you use one, bobbins and thread. We have tables, stools, power strips, extension cords, ironing board and iron, a heater for the garage, and plenty of good company. The address is 1105 Shady Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15232. If you have questions send email to sewing (at) debatablelands (dot) org. Face masks are required by the SCA.

Greetings, Weather permitting, we will have fight practice, at the Washington Blvd site, starting at 2 PM on Sunday May 30. The SCA has mandated that CDC compliant masks will be worn (on the face, and covering nose and mouth) at all times except when food or water is being consumed, which should be done with social distancing. Please bring your own water, food, and hand sanitizer. There will not be any loaner armor at this time. And equipment should not be shared with anyone outside of your family group. It would probably be a good idea to check your authorization card to see if it has expired. If you do not feel well, please stay home, and we will be happy to see you when you are feeling better. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me and I will try to resolve them. I hope to see you there. Robert

Greetings Debatable Lands,

This Sunday will mark the return of regular fencing practices.

Keep in mind that during this time CDC compliant masks must be worn at all times, except while you are actively eating or drinking, during which time you must remain stationary and maintain social distance.

If your authorization expired while practices were not happening you can follow the normal re-authorization procedures. If your authorization expired before practices were suspended, you will need to authorize as a new fencer.

We also have new rules that came into effect last year, so make sure that you are familiar with them prior to coming to practice. Here is a link to the new policies. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BoRrdSEER0bfRW2hrxPK8tCPhHXh2GEc/view?usp=sharing

As an additional reminder there will be no loaner gear available at this time.

See you Sunday,

jorundr