From the pen of the Seneschal… Candidates

Thank you to everyone for your patience. Below are the letters for the candidates for elections. Please be sure to attend the Business meeting on Sunday Feb. 21 at 5:00pm at Days of Knights in Newark, or send in an absentee ballot by Saturday, Feb. 20 as indicated.
-Lady Shoshana Gryffyth, Seneschal

 


From Baron Adolphus Benner, interested in taking over the position of Seneschal.

I am running for the position of Seneschal because I am interested in working, spreading our hobby to others.

I have worked in many different areas in the SCA.

I have worked with Royal Households, held the local office of Seneschal, Chatelaine (2) and Chancellor Minor.

I was also Deputy Chancellor Minor in charge of children with challenges, a position I held for three years.

I do have plans for the Shire:

1) I’d like us to have at least four events per year, they don’t have to be huge events but something.

2) Along the line of events, I want to start fostering relations with our neighbors and to that end, Co events. We are lucky enough to have event sights available in the Shire that are relatively inexpensive. Other groups have people and the money, we have the spaces.

3) Regular monthly A&S items gatherings in both the North and Central parts of the state.

4) I want to send out a “mailer” to members of the SCA in Delaware to see what they want the Shire to do. This hopefully will get more people interested in what is going on in the Shire and plan classes that they might want.

5) Create more of an online presence. I want the Shire’s webpage to contain more about the people that make up the Shire and encourage people to build their Wiki Page.

6) Recruitment and in this I would like to be “seen” more. It used to be we did more demos and etc, I want to look into doing more of that.

7) My big wish is that we could “build” a Cooking Guild in the Shire.

8) There has been talk about getting Kingdom Crusades going again with the Kingdom of Atlantia. I would like to get the event “re-started” sometime in 2017. My hope is, the Shire could be the home for the event.

These are my ideas I have for the Shire and would welcome other ideas and help with them.

Thanks for you support in these matters.

Baron Adolphus Benner


From Lady Laurena Mouchot, interested in taking over the position of Chatelaine.

Greetings to all,

I would like to say that I love the office of Chatelaine…it is a position that really can change a person’s initial experiences in profound ways and really help individuals by being the first welcoming link to a whole new world or helping people who may have been in that world, but in other kingdoms, where rules and policies, as well as local shire customs, may be different than what they are accustomed to. A Chatelaine has the ability, through their service, to ease this transition and aid the newcomers and old timers alike in finding a place to belong within the established group. I have found that these initial experiences can really make a lasting difference in a new member’s perception of a group and can seriously impact their decision to stay. The bigger a group gets, the richer the diversity of skills and ideas are that become available to the entire group. While it can be challenging to manage and may result in growing pains at times, new growth is so worth it.

I would welcome the opportunity to serve the Shire of Caer Adamant in all the ways a Chatelaine can. By assisting with organizing demos and activities, making sure new members have garb for their first event, encouraging new people to participate in A&S, games, and dance nights, as well as, fighter practices and meetings whenever possible. Checking in on people who have been out of touch for a bit to see if there is any way they might need support to come out and play again. I like people, even ornery, hard to get along with people. I love hearing their stories and sharing my own with them. I love showing them why I find the SCA to be such a magical pastime and how it is possible to make fun in even the roughest spots by finding your talents and sharing them with others. I love those magical times when you experience the “time slip” and you drift into another world for just a little while and sharing those moments with people really makes me happy. I hope that you will consider my bid for the Office of Chatelaine.

Yours In Service,

Lady Laurena Mouchot


From Lady Mairi Crawford, interested in taking over the position of A&S Mistress.

I would like to submit my letter of intent to be the Shire mistress of Arts and Science. I try to attend all A&S nights and have been attending A&S nights offered out of the shire. Due to working retail I will not be able to attend all Shire meetings but will try to make at least once a quarter at the least.

In service,

Lady Mairi Crawford


From Lady Dionise O’Towie, interested in taking over the position of Chatelaine.

When I went to my first event in the summer of 2014, I really did not know what to expect. Earlier that year three different people mentioned the SCA to me and told me I should check it out, so I contact the Chatelaine, Marietta Messina, through the website. I had lunch with Mari, and we made plans to attend the upcoming Southern Region War Camp. I quickly sewed up a dress, threw some stuff in a bag and off I went to New Jersey. That day I wandered around the event, chatting with the people Mari introduced me to and had the wide-eyed tourist look on my face and a huge smile. At one point, I was standing by myself watching the fighters on the field, the families gathered around it, people in all sorts of garb shopping the vendors or just sitting talking with a project in their lap and I thought “Why haven’t I been doing this for the past twenty years?”

If we fast forward a year to the same event, you’d find me wandering around talking to people again. But things had changed a lot in that past year. At my first event, I followed Mari the Chatelaine around like a new puppy, bouncing from person to thing, desperate to soak up every little detail. This time, I was following around a Queen as one of her retainers. Last time I didn’t know to bring my own chair and drinking vessel but this time I had my own stuff. Last time I was newbie from Delaware, but this time I was the Webminister of the Shire of Caer Adamant, deeply involved in the local group, planning to attend Pennsic and receiving my Award of Arms. I’d grown into my little spot in the SCA because some people encouraged me with a kind word, a bit of advice, a hint of direction and my own determination to fix the Shire’s website. It snowballed into an entire hobby, which I love.

It is easy for the people who have been in the SCA for a while to talk about their hobby and forget that they were once the wide-eyed newcomer. Eventually your friends are SCAdians, too, and you acclimate to the distinct culture of the SCA. But it’s not easy for a new person to navigate the SCA world and not everyone can jump in and hit the ground running or has a friend to hold their hand in encouragement. The job of Chatelaine appears simple on the surface: it is the newcomer liaison. But the real job of the Chatelaine is to smile and try to help all the people feel good about the SCA; she’s the PR gal, in charge of recruitment and retention. It’s a full time position, since people don’t often schedule appointments to start a new hobby or only need attention at big events.

When at any Shire function, I will be the one who approaches an unfamiliar face and strikes up a conversation. When someone contacts me through the website or Facebook, it will be not only my job, but my pleasure, to respond as quickly as possible and make that person feel special and welcomed. If you bring a friend to a meeting or activity, I will want to be introduced. Expect me to pop up at Fighter practice and chat up the crowd and try to get them to tag us in any pictures the take; I will still your Webminister and I want the Shire to shine online. If a family relocates to our Shire from another part of the Known World, I will be there to help them transition to our culture. Are you Shire member who doesn’t play anymore with the Shire? I want to know why and what I can do to bring you back into the fold and experience Caer Adamant at its best; you can expect to hear from me soon. I will help outfit new members from the Gold Key, and will be working on getting that up to a level where the garb is not only an “attempt” but something people will want to wear.

Realistically, the Chatelaine won’t be able to be at every event, practice or activity, nor will every person want to be deeply involved in our game. But you can be assured that I love what the SCA does and feel passionate about helping Caer Adamant grow and enrich the lives of its populace. If I am your Chatelaine, I will be here for you, your friends and anyone else who comes along with a word of encouragement, a bit of advice, and a hint of direction on the SCA path.

In Service,

Lady Dionise O’Towie


 

Officer Election 2016

2016 candidates for the offices of Seneschal, Chatelaine and Minister of Arts and Science have submitted their letters of intent and the election is scheduled for the next Shire Business Meeting on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at Days of Knights in Newark.

Seneschal

Chataleine arts_and_sciences

 

1. SENESCHAL (One candidate)
o Baron Adolphus Benner (David Smith, Jr.)

2. MINISTER OF ARTS AND SCIENCE (MOAS) (One candidate)
o Lady Mairi Crawford (Lisa Moran)

3. CHATELAINE (Two candidates)
o Lady Dionise O’Towie (Denise Setchko)
o Lady Laurena Mouchot (Lorraine Padgett)

In order to vote, you must be a current member of the SCA and live within the boundaries of the Shire (geographical Delaware.) You will need to bring identification showing your address and a copy of your SCA Membership card in order to cast a vote at the meeting.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, you may submit an Absentee Ballot. Absentee Ballots must be received by Saturday, February 20, 2106 and will be counted at the Shire’s Business meeting on Sunday, February 21, 2016. Please print the ballot at the following link:

Absentee Ballot Caer Adamant 2016

Complete ballot and send via postal mail along with a copy of identification showing your address and a copy of your SCA Membership card to:

Hope Mick (Lady Sybilla of Rona)
40 Fairway Road, 3C
Newark, DE 19711-5659

If you have any questions please contact Lady Shoshana.

Schola in the Shire – Saturday, February 13, 2016

Join us for Schola in the Shire, a day of classes with something for nearly everyone!

Schedule!

10:00 a.m.: doors open
11:00 a.m.: classes begin
12:30 p.m.: dayboard is available
4:00 p.m.: classes conclude
4:30 p.m.: Court of TRM
6:00 p.m.: site closes

The Classes!

CLASS SCHEDULE AND INFORMATION (Google Docs)

Our teachers are developing a diverse offering. Some of the classes being offered are:

Martial:

*How to watch heavy weapons fighting for the non-fighter
*Doin’ the Deed (Pas d’Arms, the Deed, and the formal tourney)
*Rattan Weapons and Design
*Melee Tactics and Training

Performance and General:

*Ethnic Folkdance — what it is and why it is important
*Songs Every SCAdian Should Know
*Lampwork (Glass Beads)
*Tips and Tricks of the Professional Tailor

Calligraphy & Illumination:

*Twists: Acanthus and Ribbons
*Making Gouache Paint for Scribes
*Starting from Scratch
*Award Document Layout

Embroidery:

*Introduction to German Brick Stitch
*14th Century Purse Embellishments
*16th Century English Monochrome Embroidery
*Athena’s Thimble 101…Guild Information and Panel

BIOGRAPHIES OF OUR TEACHERS


The Food!

Our talented kitchen staff will take us on a culinary tour.

First Service — French
*Crepes with Applesauce
*French Toast
*Smoked Salmon
*Brie
*Fruit
*Bread

Second Service — Andalusian
*Batter-fried eggplant
*Ahrash (fried-flattened meatballs)
*Grape Leaves
*Green Chicken
*Naan

Third Service — German
*Quark Savory
*Good Roast Pork
*Bread
*Apple Pillows

For food-related issues, contact our Head of Kitchen, Lady Hasanah bint al-Khalil ibn Habib (LadyHasanahOfCarillion@yahoo.com).


Event Location
First Unitarian Church of Wilmington (DE)
730 Halstead Road
Wilmington , DE 19803
Google Map

Directions:
The site is just off of Route 202 (Concord Pike) in north Wilmington, and is relatively accessible from I-95. Google maps and most GPS programs provide reliable directions. Parking is available behind the church. If there is no snow on the ground, additional parking is available in a vacant lot across Whitby Drive.

Event Fees
Site: Members: $12.00 age 18 years and older (non-members will be subject to the SCA’s $5.00 non-member surcharge.) Youth younger than 18: $10.00. Children under the age of 5 are guests of the Shire. A family cap of $44.00 ($54.00 for non-members) can be applied to family members residing at the same address.

Feast: No feast, but a substantial dayboard will be available to all at no extra cost.

Make Checks Payable to: SCA, Inc. — Shire of Caer Adamant

Contact Information
Event Steward:
Hedewigis Ockenfussin
(Linda O. Brizendine)
hedewigis@gmail.com
tel. 302.239.9787 (land line)

Send Reservations to:
Hope Mick (Lady Sybilla of Rona)
40 Fairway Road, 3C
Newark, DE 19711-5659

Other Contact Information:
For any food-related issues, please contact Lady Hasanah bint al-Khalil ibn Habib (LadyHasanahOfCarillion@yahoo.com)

Class scheduler Baroness Mari Clock van Hoorne (Marietta.sca@gmail.com)


 

Text copied from the East Kingdom Event Calendar

Please use the link provided above for the most up-to-date information on classes.

2016 A&S Evenings Topics Announced

Arts and Sciences (A&S) Evenings are the 2nd Monday of each month starting at  7:00 p.m. at Baroness Hedewigis’ home in Hockessin, DE (directions) Contact Baroness Hedewigis 302.239.9787 for more information.

A& S Evenings are an opportunity to work on various A&S projects in good company. Trying an new stitch? Need help marking a hem? Need tasters for your new recipe? Light refreshments will be available.

The following topics* will be covered in the next months:

December 14, 2015 – Make your own four-panel Viking fur hat

January 11, 2016 – Songs that everyone should know

February 5, 2016 – Event prep for ‘Shire in the Schola’ (Feb. 13)

March 14, 2016 – Garb Night

April 11, 2016 – Make a Butter bar

May 9, 2016 – Recipes for Pennsic

June 13, 2016 – Glass bead making

July 11, 2016 – Pennsic Prep

September 12, 2016 – Pennsic class review

October 10, 2016 – Planning for 2017

*Subject to change

If there is a date change or cancellation, the Google Calendar will be updated to reflect this.