Notes submitted by Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong, South Downs Chronicler.
Magister Lorenzo called the July meeting to order. The Seneschal Lady Raven Helmsplitter, started recording the meeting and greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Lady Raven read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
Practices have been proceeding, weather and other events permitting. Sundays starting around noon (concurrent with armored practice). Schedule changes, cancellations, and any other relevant information is shared on the FaceBook group “Atlanta SCA Fighting,” and we’re trying to get better about including Discord. Loaner gear is usually available, but it doesn’t hurt to check the “Atlanta SCA Fighting” group in advance. Sometimes when I’m not available, the “stunt marshal” might not be able to bring it.
If you have any trouble at all finding practice announcements, feel free to reach out directly to me or Ld. Eirikr. If you are using Discord, please @ us, otherwise your post will be lost in the chatter.
Thanks to everyone for working together to keep practices happening. My continued thanks to our celebrity stunt marshal team, particularly Ldy. Ogata, Master Ximón, Master Nikoslav, Baroness Mairghread.
Thanks also to those who are fighting the never-ending administrative battle to obtain their rapier marshal’s warrant. I look forward to adding you to the Stunt Marshal crew so that practices may proceed unabated.
This coming weekend is the Shire of Arenal’s 1559: Dios de los Muertos. The Meridian Order of the Blade will be hosting the annual MOB Open Tournament at this event. It’s “open” to any authorized rapier fighter from any kingdom except those with Grant- or Peerage-level rapier awards.
RUM coming up, contact me with when you need to stop by to get stuff for the event.
Stepping down at the end of the month, if you are interested in taking over, please contact me by the end of the month or contact the Seneschal or Baronage.
Not much to report for this month except of course RUM. We have an excellent class schedule that is up now on the event Facebook page. I hope to see you all there on July 20th!
We had 7 people in attendance this past month for Magister Lorenzo’s class on A&S Faires.
This month’s class will be on July 24 at 7pm via Zoom. It will be a Linguistic Overview of “William and the Werewolf” with Lady Sara Wandrownyczka.
I am currently looking for teachers for August and September – both in person classes. If you have something you would like to teach or otherwise share with the Barony, please get in touch with either myself or Sumarliþi. Also Please begin thinking about classes you would like to teach for Red Tower and Castle Wars, as those two events will be upcoming soon.
Looking for a deputy, coming up at a year as Chronicler.
Always looking to interview the populace for each issue, so please fill out this form to get included! Eventually I’d like to collect these into one PDF so we have a good collection of information about our members: https://forms.gle/MNxww3KUQJo2VsEG9
Please submit photos, art, articles, shout-outs, or anything that you’ve found interesting and want to share! I’ll always be collecting stuff for the newsletters going forward. You can submit either through this form: https://forms.gle/8SyEF9D7c8rMCnZP6 or email me at chron.southdowns@meridies.org.
Notes submitted by Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong, South Downs Chronicler.
Magister Lorenzo called the June meeting to order. The Seneschal Lady Raven Helmsplitter, started recording the meeting and greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Lady Raven read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
Practices have been scarce due to events and weather. I am looking forward to having more this month.
The practice on 9 June will be run by Baroness Margheraed as I will be at Giants Dance. There will not be loaner gear available. I am planning on holding practice the rest of the month if weather will allow.
The demo last weekend at Viking Alchemist Meadery went well and was well supported by artisans and fighters alike. His Majesty has expressed his appreciation for the help and I know the Owls Nest practice had some people come out due to the demo on Saturday.
It is hot out, please drink plenty of water before and during practice.
Practices have been proceeding, weather and other events permitting. Sundays starting around noon (concurrent with armored practice). Schedule changes, cancellations, and any other relevant information is shared on the FaceBook group “Atlanta SCA Fighting,” and we’re trying to get better about including Discord. Loaner gear is usually available, but it doesn’t hurt to check the “Atlanta SCA Fighting” group in advance. Sometimes when I’m not available, the “stunt marshal” might not be able to bring it.
If you have any trouble at all finding practice announcements, feel free to reach out directly to me or Ld. Eirikr. If you are using Discord, please @ us, otherwise your post will be lost in the chatter.
Thanks to everyone for working together to keep practices happening. I wouldn’t mind having a deputy step up who could take over from me in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, my continued thanks to our celebrity stunt marshal team, particularly Ldy. Ogata, Master Ximón, Master Nikoslav, et. al.
This weekend is the Southeast Renaissance Fencing Open (SERFO), a non-SCA historical fencing event. Most of your local rapier marshals will be attending (many competing). I encourage y’all to come see what it’s all about. This event is popular with SCA rapier and C&T fighters. The venue is on the Kennesaw State University Marietta Campus (635 Walter Kelly Rd, Marietta, GA 30060). No charge for spectators. Parking is free, but not immediately adjacent to the gym (689 Polytechnic Ln, Marietta, GA 30060). We’ll be there on Friday, 12nn-6p (Eastern) – Under-Represented Gender longsword tournament – Rapier & Dagger tournament – Saber tournament Saturday, 9a-7p – Three open longsword tournaments (different levels of skill/experience) Sunday, 9a-4p – Single rapier tournament – Sword & Buckler (C&T) tournament Weather permitting, South Downs weekly fighter practice is still being held on Sunday, 12nn. Baroness Mairghread (Charmone Newell) will manage the administration for rapier fighters. It is unlikely that there will be much in the way loaner gear.
We had Live Weapons practice last month alongside the cavalry practice. There were 3 participants. The pasture at Mistress Peryn’s farm has been cleared, and is beautiful for archery.
Peryn has scheduled the next cavalry practice for Saturday 6/29. I will be at Atlantia’s Bardic Madness event and will not be able to marshal the practice for archery.
Our storage costs have gone up by $29/mo, making each month cost $335
This will add an expense of $203 to the approved budget. May we take a barony vote if approved, for the records, please?
17 for, 1 opposed, motion passed
Second, our super cool deputy reeve did some magic with our Quarter reports from Q4 and Q1 and made the scary (but not really) ledger not have a negative number due to timing of when checks are written. We have a mystery $200, likely from me not separating the troll seed monies from the troll income cash before depositing it, so heads up to always deposit the troll cash separately. It confused the subtemplates on the file but Salim worked with Kingdom and we are all set for Q2.
Salim is taking over soon, so please be sure to cc deputy or include him in any exchequer questions or chats. This will super duper help the transition of the office to him.
We do have money to tide us to the next event, but as approved in the budget, we need fundraising to keep treading. Special deputy for reeve, Honorable Lady Majda Anwar, will take that lead in her report.
ps as a note, if any of y’all see my name Justina or Meg anywhere with an address that is not a PO box, please let me know- want to make sure people have the right address for sending mail to the barony.
Fundraising Deputy (THL Majda Anwar)
Looking into options for fundraising ideas for the Barony
Fundraiser lunches, bake sales, merch, silent auctions, etc.
Display devices on castle walls at Castle Wars/Fool’s War?
Gave a presentation with ideas on possible fundraiser ideas for feedback and brainstorming
Link to the presentation, please let me know if you have ideas for fundraising ideas!
Looking to get together a group of people to help pinpoint events and plan how to execute these ideas
Will post in the discord to look for volunteers, keep an eye out!
Unfortunately, we had to cancel / postpone last month’s class on Sacred Geometry due to technical difficulties. We will be rescheduling as soon as possible.
This month’s class will be on June 26 at 7pm – in person at Doraville Civic Center. It will be a A&S Judging Workshop with hands-on exercises presented by La Magnifica Signora Justina di Silvestri.
I am currently looking for teachers for July, August, September, and October. I will not know if those will be in person or virtual until in-person nights are officially scheduled for the later half of the year, but if you specifically need one or the other, we can be flexible and shift months around if possible. If you have something you would like to teach or otherwise share with the Barony, please get in touch with either myself or Sumarliþi.
Looking for a deputy, coming up at a year as Chronicler.
Always looking to interview the populace for each issue, so please fill out this form to get included! Eventually I’d like to collect these into one PDF so we have a good collection of information about our members: https://forms.gle/MNxww3KUQJo2VsEG9
Please submit photos, art, articles, shout-outs, or anything that you’ve found interesting and want to share! I’ll always be collecting stuff for the newsletters going forward. You can submit either through this form: https://forms.gle/8SyEF9D7c8rMCnZP6 or email me at chron.southdowns@meridies.org.
RUM has a webpage thanks to Margavati. I have taken on the duties of regional webminister and Margavati has agreed to take on the duties of Baronial webminister, she has a lot of experience doing this work and has a lot of plans for making our site better.
Minister of Children (VACANT)
Position is still open, if you are interested, please contact Lady Raven.
Next week’s meeting is a planning meeting for RT 50, please come and help us hash out some ideas
Looking for an autocrat or co-autocrat to help head up the discussion for RT 50.
It was wonderful to see everyone at Artsy Crown under the pavilion. Thank you to everyone who helped set up and tear down the pavilion!
Baroness Rhiannon
RT 50 planning
A lot of the event will be planned or ironed out in the next week or two, so please let us know if you’re interested in being an autocrat
Artsy Crown
Thanks for hanging out together as a Barony at the event, and congratulations to all the fighters in the Barony who fought in Crown as entrants for their great fights!
SCA Business
Royal University of Meridies
Lord Sumarliþi
Sign-up sheets for volunteers have been posted
Will need help with basic set up, tear down, etc
If you have any ideas or jobs that you’d like to do, let me know and we can find something for you
Sign up to teach!
Food options may be better as the dining hall will be open that day
Planning on Quiet Space like we did before previously
Baron Ximon
Vote for a check to hold the rental at the pavilion for the fighter practice after RUM
Will require a check for $150 to hold the rental, but they do not cash the check unless there’s damage or something after the rental.
Motion raised to approve funding for the pavilion, 18 in favor, 1 against, motion passed.
Red Tower 50
Still looking for an autocrat, please contact Lady Raven or Their Excellencies if you’re interested
Come to the meeting next week to discuss planning for RT!
Castle Wars
We currently have Camp Bert Adams reserved for Castle Wars in Covington GA
Please contact us if you are interested in running the event!
Currently looking for bids, please submit a bid if you’re interested in running Castle Wars.
Dance, Art, and Gaming Event in Trimaris
June 15th
Daytrip
St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1950 Silver St., Jacksonville FL
Non-SCA Business
SERFO is this weekend, a couple of us are attending. It’s free to spectate, so come watch people fight!
Marietta, GA
Quick shout-out to our new member Hannah for winning her category in the Foundations Revealed contest that she entered! Congratulations!
The business meeting was closed @ 8:48 PM EST
The next business meeting will be held on July 3rd, 2024, 7:00 PM EST via Zoom Meeting.
Notes submitted by Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong, South Downs Chronicler.
Magister Lorenzo called the May meeting to order. The Seneschal Lady Raven Helmsplitter, started recording the meeting and greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Lady Raven read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
Practices have been proceeding, weather and other events permitting. Sundays starting around noon (concurrent with armored practice). Schedule changes, cancellations, and any other relevant information is shared on the FaceBook group “Atlanta SCA Fighting,” and we’re trying to get better about including Discord. Loaner gear is usually available, but it doesn’t hurt to check the “Atlanta SCA Fighting” group or message us in advance. Sometimes when I’m not available, the “stunt marshal” might not be able to bring it.
If you have any trouble at all finding practice announcements, feel free to reach out directly to me or Ld. Eirikr. If you are using Discord, please @ us, otherwise your post will probably be lost in the chatter.
Thanks to everyone for working together to keep practices happening. I wouldn’t mind having a deputy step up who could take over from me in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, my continued thanks to our celebrity stunt marshal team, particularly Ldy. Ogata, Master Ximón, Master Nikoslav, et. al.
Big shout-out to folks recently giving rapier a try. Congratulations to a slew of new authorizees.
If you helped out transport and load the castle walls to Fool’s War, thank you so much!
We had 6 students in attendance at this past month’s class on basic concepts and language in Archery. I think it went really well – if a little long for the format.
This month’s class will be on May 22 at 7pm. It will be a virtual class night on Zoom and our teacher will be Master Rhydderch discussing Sacred Geometry. Come out to learn about the invention of geometry and its use in medieval construction and architecture, all without having to do any math.
I am currently looking for teachers for July, August, September, and October. I will not know if those will be in person or virtual until in-person nights are officially scheduled for the later half of the year, but if you specifically need one or the other, we can be flexible and shift months around if possible. If you have something you would like to teach or otherwise share with the Barony, please get in touch with either myself or Sumarliþi.
Aiming to have the May issue of The Read Tower Newsletter released this Friday.
Always looking to interview the populace for each issue, so please fill out this form to get included! Eventually I’d like to collect these into one PDF so we have a good collection of information about our members: https://forms.gle/MNxww3KUQJo2VsEG9
Please submit photos, art, articles, shout-outs, or anything that you’ve found interesting and want to share! I’ll always be collecting stuff for the newsletters going forward. You can submit either through this form: https://forms.gle/8SyEF9D7c8rMCnZP6 or email me at chron.southdowns@meridies.org.
We’ve begun to get the word out about RUM; please keep an eye out for the Paypal registration, schedule, etc to become available. I’m pleased and thankful to report that Baroness Emelina will be the Social Media Officer deputy! Thank you!
Planning on having a DEIB class on May 15 this month
DEIB Officer Q&A and Suggestions from the Barony about DEIB classes in the future
Come and ask questions about the DEIB Office and bring suggestions on what kinds of classes you’d like to see in the future
If you can’t come to the meeting, please feel free to send questions and suggestions to my email beforehand so your questions can be answered: dei.southdowns@meridies.org
Rough graphic is up gate token, please take a look or submit other designs to get some more ideas in
Site is Little Tallapoosa
Thinking about giving young heralds a chance to get some practice and have a chance to herald in combatants at the tourneys at RT50
Major kudos to everyone who’s been active at events, in and off the field and supporting and helping the barony shine at events. Thank you for making this group the best group!
Baron Ximon
Progress:
Golden Lily – May 11 – Daytrip
Artsy Crown – Memorial Day Weekend – Arriving mid. afternoon on Sat
Will need to go to storage to pick up the baronial pavilion, will need help on Friday to help set up the pavilion and help tearing it down at the end of the event
June
Warden’s Challenge – hoping to go
If you’re into archery and thrown weapons, come out!
RUM
Fighter practice after RUM – will discuss with financial committee about funding for that and securing the pavilion
You guys rock! Please write in recommendations so we can get people recognized!
SCA Business
Royal University of Meridies
Lord Sumarlidi and Capt. Brendan
Flyer has been made, will send it to the Exchequer and Deputy Exchequer to get Paypal set up for the event
FB Event is set up, thanks to THL Agnes for handling that
Sign-up sheets for staff positions will be coming soon
Red Tower 50
Little Tallapoosa Park in Carrollton
Did confirm site policies regarding fire pits, archery, and equestrian. The same rules as MacIntosh. Raised fire pits are okay, we can have archery and equestrian as long as things are set up correctly.
If you have any questions, please email Their Excellencies or Lady Raven
Looking at hosting various salons at RT
Castle Wars
We currently have Camp Bert Adams reserved for Castle Wars in Covington GA
Please contact us if you are interested in running the event!
Bardic Event in Trimaris
Jacksonville, FL
May 4th 2024, hosted by Barony of Castlemere
Please contact Mathias if you have any questions
Dance and Gaming Event in Trimaris
June 15th
Daytrip
St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1950 Silver St., Jacksonville FL
Artsy Crown
Baronial encampment in the works
Lady Maren has moved out of the area to Chicago, and she donated some things to the Barony. Baron Ximon will be bringing some of the items to the potluck at the end of the month so come by and feel free to peruse and grab some things.
Maestra Isabetta – Looking for a deputy for quartermaster for Gulf Wars. If you’re interested, please contact me. Will just need a copy of your resume.
Job: You would be the person that department heads could come to for checking-out inventory and check back in at the end of war.
Non-SCA Business
None reported
The business meeting was closed @ 8:22 PM EST
The next business meeting will be held on June 5th, 2024, 7:00 PM EST via Zoom Meeting.
Notes submitted by Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong, South Downs Chronicler.
Magister Lorenzo called the April meeting to order. The Seneschal Lady Raven Helmsplitter, started recording the meeting and greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Lady Raven read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
Practices have been proceeding, weather and other events permitting. Sundays starting around noon (concurrent with armored practice). Schedule changes, cancellations, and any other relevant information is shared on the FaceBook group “Atlanta SCA Fighting,” and sometimes other locations depending on circumstances. Loaner gear is usually available, but it doesn’t hurt to check the “Atlanta SCA Fighting” group in advance. Sometimes when I’m not available, the “stunt marshal” might not be able to bring it.
BTW, “Atlanta SCA Fighting” is still visible publicly and searchable, but is now “Private” to keep the bots out. If you have any trouble at all finding practice announcements, feel free to reach out directly to me or Ld. Eirikr. It should be readable to anyone, but you’ll need to join in order to post.
Thanks to everyone for working together to keep practices happening. I wouldn’t mind having a deputy step up who could take over from me in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, my continued thanks to our celebrity stunt marshal team, particularly Ldy. Ogata, Master Ximón, Master Nikoslav, et. al.
Big shout-out to folks recently giving rapier a try. Looking forward to seeing more folks having fun!
Meridian Challenge of Arms was successful. Congratulations to Master Ximón on his elevation to the Order of Defense and Ldy Ogata on her induction to the Meridian Order of the Blade. Barons Mark de Wytteney and Piers Simmons were the Royal Family’s choices to be included in the MCA Championship. Well done everyone!
April Class night will be April 24. This will be in person at the Doraville Civic Center. Our class will be Archery 101 with a focus on terminology and basic archery concepts taught by Lord Ælfric. This will be a lecture and Q&A style class – I will have items on hand to look at and help illustrate the discussion, but due to location, there will be no live demo shooting.
I am still looking for classes and teachers for most of the rest of the year – July, August, and October. Please reach out to me if you have something you would like to teach or if you have any suggestions for class topics that I might be able to request teachers to provide for us.
Always looking to interview the populace for each issue, so please fill out this form to get included! Eventually I’d like to collect these into one PDF so we have a good collection of information about our members: https://forms.gle/MNxww3KUQJo2VsEG9
Please submit photos, art, articles, shout-outs, or anything that you’ve found interesting and want to share! I’ll always be collecting stuff for the newsletters going forward. You can submit either through this form: https://forms.gle/8SyEF9D7c8rMCnZP6 or email me at chron.southdowns@meridies.org.
Putting together notes and will send them out based on the last meeting that we had for RT 50 planning
Working on ideas on how to honor the Red Ravens and token/fundraiser ideas
Going to put ideas together in a document to discuss and vote on
Feel free to send me emails or messages with ideas
If you’re coming to Coronation, please come by and hang out with us
THLady Alisandre will be providing a hospitality table, come eat some of her yummy food
Bringing the wing instead of the Baronial pavilion, so look for the green and white stripes
Lady Mairghread will be getting the walls out of the storage unit on Wednesday evening, please come help to move them out of the storage unit if you can
Fool’s War
If you’re coming to Fool’s War, please come help with the castle walls
SCA Business
Fool’s War
Sumarlidi
If you’re camping with South Downs, please sign up to bring food for camp so we can make sure that we have enough food for camp
Check out the sign up sheet on the FB encampment page or the discord
Baron Ximon
He will be taking a protege in camp at Fool’s War
Trimarian Dance Event
Halfdan Eldinghogg
June 15th, daytrip event in Jacksonville, FL
Event will be hosted by the most northern barony of Castlemere
Will be willing to split funds with SD, just asking for SD to send teachers for the event
Primary focus on the event will be the ball at the end of the day, but there will be courtly gaming classes and performance things through the day
Royal University of Meridies
Sumarlidi
Staff sheets should be going out for sign-ups on Sunday afternoon, please keep a lookout for that
Will have more information on staffing needs after this weekend
Remember that we need to get the ad together for Pop Chiv by May 1st to hit the deadline
Red Tower 50
We’re still working on finding a site for the event
Looking at Little Tallapoosa Park in Carrollton, still have a few questions that we need to hear back from
Need to find out about equestrian and archery, open fires, etc
Also looking at Camp Lumpkin, boy scout camp in La Grange
Some regulations with Serv-safe certifications to be able to run the kitchen
Still need to go down to take a tour of the site
Possible hour-long Commedia show in honor for Red Tower 50
Would like players from SD in the show, please let Master Mathias know if you’re interested in participating
Castle Wars
We currently have Camp Bert Adams reserved for Castle Wars in Covington GA in case the future event steward wants to use it
Bardic Madness Deepsouth
May 4th 2024, hosted by Barony of Castlemere in Jacksonville, FL
Star Wars themed event
Free event with fundraiser lunch
Will share flyer to the barony page
Kingdom Webminister
We currently don’t have a Kingdom webminister, please contact Majster Nikoslav to apply
Non-SCA Business
Patrick Wade suddenly passed away in December and there will be a Memorial Service on Thursday April 11, 2 PM at United Methodist Church, 85 W Church Street Jasper, GA. 30143.
The business meeting was closed @ 8:30 PM EST
The next business meeting will be held on May 1st, 2024, 7:00 PM EST via Zoom Meeting.
Notes submitted by Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong, South Downs Chronicler.
Magister Lorenzo called the March meeting to order. La Magnifica Justina di Silvestri, covering for our Seneschal, Lady Raven Helmsplitter, started recording the meeting and greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. La Magnifica Justina read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
Practices have been proceeding, weather and other events permitting. Sundays starting around noon (concurrent with armored practice). Schedule changes, cancellations, and any other relevant information is shared on the FaceBook group “Atlanta SCA Fighting,” and sometimes other locations depending on circumstances. Loaner gear is usually available, but it doesn’t hurt to check the “Atlanta SCA Fighting” group in advance. Sometimes when I’m not available, the “stunt marshal” might not be able to bring it.
BTW, “Atlanta SCA Fighting” is still visible publicly and searchable, but is now “Private” to keep the bots out. If you have any trouble at all finding practice announcements, feel free to reach out directly to me or Ld. Eirikr. It should be readable to anyone, but you’ll need to join in order to post.
Thanks to everyone for working together to keep practices happening. I wouldn’t mind having a deputy step up who could take over from me in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, my continued thanks to our celebrity stunt marshal team, particularly Ldy. Ogata, Master Ximón, Master Nikoslav, et. al.
Big shout-out to folks recently giving rapier a try. Looking forward to seeing more folks having fun!
Meridian Challenge of Arms was successful. Congratulations to Master Ximón on his elevation to the Order of Defense and Ldy Ogata on her induction to the Meridian Order of the Blade. Barons Mark de Wytteney and Piers Simmons were the Royal Family’s choices to be included in the MCA Championship. Well done everyone!
If you sent Reeve a receipt, look for your reimbursement check coming to you in the mail- if you want me to hold sending it till after Gulf Wars, please let me know.
We had 6 students in attendance at the February Class Night for Baroness Rhonwyn’s Research Basics class. We also got a bonus class on Research Papers.
There will be no Class Scheduled for March, as the normal Class Night (3/27) is going to be used for the In Person Red Tower 50-year planning meeting.
I am still looking for classes and teachers for most of the rest of the year – April, June, August, September and October. Please reach out to me if you have something you would like to teach or if you have any suggestions for class topics that I might be able to request teachers to provide for us.
I am still looking for a Deputy. The job is not difficult, just requires a little bit of organization and scheduling ability. If you are interested, or know anyone who might be, please get in touch with me so that we can start getting someone trained to be able to help with the upcoming Fall Event Season and to take over when I step down following Midwinter 2025.
Always looking to interview the populace for each issue, so please fill out this form to get included! Eventually I’d like to collect these into one PDF so we have a good collection of information about our members: https://forms.gle/MNxww3KUQJo2VsEG9
Please submit photos, art, articles, shout-outs, or anything that you’ve found interesting and want to share! I’ll always be collecting stuff for the newsletters going forward. You can submit either through this form: https://forms.gle/8SyEF9D7c8rMCnZP6 or email me at chron.southdowns@meridies.org.
We’ve got socials! Note about Discord and meeting schedules: Discord is currently reporting the baronial meeting schedule based on an automated link to the barony Google Calendar. Thanks to Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong for setting that up!
Something for the barony to think about is figuring out how to get everyone, or at least the appropriate leadership and officers, access to add and edit meetings and other activities to that Google Calendar to take full advantage of this functionality. There is a google sheet that also has meeting information on it, but it isn’t linked to Discord and not sure it can be. Your humble Agnes does not know if the website could also be configured to be linked to the Google Calendar, but that would be cool to explore. Thank you!
Notes submitted by Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong, South Downs Chronicler.
Magister Lorenzo called the February meeting to order. Our Seneschal, Lady Raven Helmsplitter started recording the meeting and greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Lady Raven read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
Feb. 28th: in person meeting – Research Basics with Baroness Rhonwyn
Thanks to all who came out to Midwinter and the Fighter Practice!
We got the bid for RUM at UWG
Event stewards: Sumarlidi and Captain Brendan
If you have a website as an officer, please check the website and submit any changes to keep the information up to date
For the populace, we have a page for interests and information to be listed, so please contact the westminster if you need to update the page
The Baron and Baroness want to meet with the officers sometime soon to discuss plans for 2024
Officers, please email me if you haven’t already to update warrants and paperwork for the officers
We are going to start collecting items from South Downs’ history to display at Red Tower 50, so if you have anything you’d like to be displayed as well, please let me know.
We have been having practices that have been relatively well attended. Completed a few authorizations at last weeks regional practice. Regional practice was fairly well attended even with the horrible weather. There were 5 youth fighters. And also 2 brand new fighters in loaner gear. Performed multiple authorizations and reauthorizations. My squire brother Ajax got authorized for youth sparring.
There will be no practice on 11 February due to Knights Gambit and the Comicon demo and 25 February there will also be no practice, this is the week of MCA and I intend to be there to see his Excellency be recognized as a MoD. As always I will post any changes to practices on the Atlanta SCA Fighting Facebook page.
Practices have been proceeding, weather and other events permitting. Sundays starting around noon (concurrent with armored practice). Schedule changes, cancellations, and any other relevant information is shared on the FaceBook group “Atlanta SCA Fighting,” and sometimes other locations depending on circumstances. Loaner gear is usually available, but it doesn’t hurt to check the “Atlanta SCA Fighting” group in advance. Sometimes when I’m not available, the “stunt marshal” might not be able to bring it.
BTW, “Atlanta SCA Fighting” is still visible publicly and searchable, but is now “Private” to keep the bots out. If you have any trouble at all finding practice announcements, feel free to reach out directly to me or Ld. Eirikr. It should be readable to anyone, but you’ll need to join in order to post.
Thanks to everyone for working together to keep practices happening. I wouldn’t mind having a deputy step up who could take over from me in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, my continued thanks to our celebrity stunt marshal team, particularly Ldy. Ogata, Master Ximón, Master Nikoslav, et. al.
Big shout-out to folks recently giving rapier a try. Looking forward to seeing more folks having fun!
Regional practice after MWAS was successful. Fencing, lessons, a little meleé. Good fun.
Demo at Comic Con coming up this weekend, come hang out and help out at the demo!
Arts & Sciences (Lady Maryam)
We had a wonderful Midwinter A&S this weekend. Thank you to the autocrats, Her Grace Thorkatla, and Baroness Rhiannon for your help and guidance in making this happen.
A shout out to Mathias Blackett who received a score of 20 on his Shakespearean soliloquy entry!
I’m looking forward to Red Tower 50 right now – I definitely want to make sure we can show off all the prowess of our barony’s artisans!
Last month’s class night – Medieval Nicknames with Wenyeva – had 5 students in attendance.
This past weekend was Midwinter A&S. We had 80 total students take 26 different classes over the course of the day.
This month’s A&S Class night will be February 28th – in person at Doraville Civic Center. Baroness Rhonwyn will be teaching a class on Research Basics. If you’ve ever wanted a bit more help or information on how to get started with researching that A&S project you want to start, don’t miss this class.
Finally, I am still looking for a deputy Provost. February of 2025 will be the end of my term in office and I would like to start training a replacement before we get deep into the planning season for Red Tower.
As always if you have anything you would like to teach, please reach out. I have openings most of the rest of this year through October.
Always looking to interview the populace for each issue, so please fill out this form to get included! Eventually I’d like to collect these into one PDF so we have a good collection of information about our members: https://forms.gle/MNxww3KUQJo2VsEG9
Please submit photos, art, articles, shout-outs, or anything that you’ve found interesting and want to share! I’ll always be collecting stuff for the newsletters going forward. You can submit either through this form: https://forms.gle/8SyEF9D7c8rMCnZP6 or email me at chron.southdowns@meridies.org.
We’d like to say thank you for all the work for Midwinter and congratulations to all those who received awards this weekend
Looking forward to basically having a repeat of the same thing at RUM in July
In March, we’re hoping to host a kick-off meeting to plan for Red Tower 50
SCA Business
Midwinter A&S
Baron Piers and Lord Eirikr
Event went smoothly, thank you to all volunteered to help make it happen
Magister Lorenzo
Shout out to Ælfric for taking advantage of the tools to schedule classes for Midwinter
Maybe work scheduling out with meetings and classes next time so that meetings line up with classes so people don’t have to miss two classes for one meeting
Baron Ximon
Shout out to Ysabel who did the Royal Luncheon, it was a fantastic lunch
As far as we know, no complaints!
South Downs rocks and pulled it off again!
Lady Maryam
Her Grace Thorkatla helped make the A&S go smoothly, as she always does
Meridian Challenge of Arms
Baron Ximon
If you’re planning on going to MCA on Friday, we could use some help setting up the pavilions
We’ll have a hospitality table set up
Royal University of Meridies
Sumarlidi
In the planning stages, be on the lookout for for more information as it comes it coming weeks and months
Red Tower 50
Lady Raven
No bid yet, looking to do it at McIntosh
Baron Ximon
Looking to showcase the history of South Downs
Looking to host a panel/roundtable on the history of South Downs
Want to see if we can create tshirts for it and host special tournaments
Want to put together a website specifically for the event, not just a FB page
Master Rhydderch wants to build a full size trebuchet for the site
Bring your ideas to brainstorm on what we can do for Red Tower 50
Castle Wars
Lady Raven
Looking for bids, please contact me if you’re interested
Looking to use Bert Adams for Castle Wars
Lady Lily
Wondering if we have a Baronial Historian when we’re discussing showcasing South Downs’ history
Baron Ximon
If you’re interested in becoming a Baronial Historian to help shape that office and start keeping track and recording our history
Will post a link to his virtual vigil
Discussion on display at Red Tower 50, possible tshirts, and other ideas
Non-SCA Business
None reported
The business meeting was closed @ 8:36 PM EST
The next business meeting will be held on March 6th, 2024, 7:00 PM EST via Zoom Meeting.
Notes submitted by Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong, South Downs Chronicler.
Magister Lorenzo called the January meeting to order. Our Seneschal, Lady Raven Helmsplitter started recording the meeting and greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Lady Raven read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
January in-person dates are 1/17 and 1/31 (5th Wednesday potluck)
Project online, class on third wednesday
His Excellency and I went to Bert Adams for a site visit to scout out the site for RedTower 2024 (RT 50!). Looking for a new site since it’s booked for the weekend that we wanted.
We need to start thinking about what KLE we might put in a bid for, as every barony is required to submit a bid for a KLE
Another group may be doing RUM this year
Midwinter A+S is coming (3 February 2024)!
Officers:
Please check your officer page on our website to make sure your info is correct – especially links to external websites (kingdom, for example). If there are any updates needed, please get your updates to Eirikr (I believe he has a form to use).
Populace – please also check your listing in Dramatis Personae > People of South Downs. If you have updates (or are not listed), please let Eirikr know and he’ll update your listing.
Their Excellencies would like to meet with all the officers (and deputies) sometime soon (possibly in January, after the holidays), to discuss what we want to do in 2024.
Our pause during the pandemic made our usual processes, well, weird. I want to get back on track with our normal terms of office, and am looking into what the usual/expected terms of office should be. In the meantime, I’d like to have all the officers let me know when they started their terms.
Practices have been proceeding, weather and other events permitting. Sundays starting around noon (concurrent with armored practice). Schedule changes, cancellations, and any other relevant information is shared on the FaceBook group “Atlanta SCA Fighting,” and sometimes other locations depending on circumstances. Loaner gear is usually available, but it doesn’t hurt to check the “Atlanta SCA Fighting” group in advance. Sometimes when I’m not available, the “stunt marshal” might not be able to bring it.
BTW, “Atlanta SCA Fighting” is still visible publicly and searchable, but is now “Private” to keep the bots out. If you have any trouble at all finding practice announcements, feel free to reach out directly to me or Ld. Eirikr. It should be readable to anyone, but you’ll need to join in order to post.
Thanks to everyone for working together to keep practices happening. I wouldn’t mind having a deputy step up who could take over from me in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, my continued thanks to Ldy. Ogata, Master Ximón, Master Nikoslav, et. al.
Big shout-out to folks recently giving rapier a try. Looking forward to seeing more folks having fun! Just before Castle Wars, we had several new authorizations, and a couple of new auths at CW. The field is getting bigger!
The castle is now as functional as it’s ever been. It still needs paint. It’s really nice to see it stored indoors again, but let’s please keep in mind that it really does need a work day sometime for a sprucing up (new paint will also help protect the wood from bugs and weather).
His Highness and Baron Engelbrecht have put together a demo at Atlanta Comic Con Feb. 9-11th.
If you want to get involved, contact His Highness Sebastianos or Baron Engelbrecht
Demo Deputy (VACANT)
Demos covered by Lady Ogata
Arts & Sciences (Lady Maryam)
I hope everyone had a good holiday season and a great start to the new year.
Midwinter A&S pre-registration is open, and the regional faire is open for all kinds of entries (except brewing due to site restrictions)! To register in the faire, find the link on the Facebook event page, the event’s Discord channel, or you can message me.
Even if you don’t have anything to enter, there will be an opportunity to show your appreciation for our artists by voting for your favorite entry at the faire and sharing your input.
Additionally, if maybe you have been researching a topic or fixated on something you’d like to share – please consider teaching or sharing your knowledge at a class night!
Getting back into the A&S Class Swing for the new year.
Midwinter class signups are in full swing. Still have approximately a week and a half remaining before the signup deadline Jan. 14.
Wenyeva will be teaching about Middle English Nicknames online on Jan. 24th.
I still have most of the year open for teaching slots, as well. Please get with me if you have things you would like to share with the barony. Our class nights are a great way to test out or dry run a class that you might be interested in offering for larger events as well.
Thank you to all who got your reports sent in early!
Behind on newsletters, but will post them as soon as I get them done
Updating the baronial calendar with the in-person/virtual meetings, should update and in turn update the baronial calendar as well.
Always looking to interview the populace for each issue, so please fill out this form to get included! Eventually I’d like to collect these into one PDF so we have a good collection of information about our members: https://forms.gle/MNxww3KUQJo2VsEG9
Please submit photos, art, articles, shout-outs, or anything that you’ve found interesting and want to share! I’ll always be collecting stuff for the newsletters going forward. You can submit either through this form: https://forms.gle/8SyEF9D7c8rMCnZP6 or email me at chron.southdowns@meridies.org.
Notes submitted by Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong, South Downs Chronicler.
Magister Lorenzo called the December meeting to order. Our Seneschal, Lady Raven Helmsplitter started recording the meeting and greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Lady Raven read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
Stay tuned for January 2024, still TBD. January in-person dates are 1/17 and 1/31 (5th Wednesday potluck)
Baronial calendar has been updated for 2024 with the in-person dates through June 2024.
Castle Wars was a huge success! Thanks for everyone who came out, and everyone who helped make CW happen 🙂
We will have our post-mortem later on in the meeting
Many, many thanks to Isabetta for securing our new storage unit, and for everyone who helped move our stuff there.
His Excellency and I went to Bert Adams for a site visit to scout out the site for RedTower 2024 (RT 50!). Waiting to hear that our requested reservation date is approved.
We need to start thinking about what KLE we might put in a bid for, as every barony is required to submit a bid for a KLE
Midwinter A+S is coming (3 February 2024)! Piers and Eirikr will present their bid later on in the meeting.
Officers:
Please check your officer page on our website to make sure your info is correct – especially links to external websites (kingdom, for example). If there are any updates needed, please get your updates to Eirikr (I believe he has a form to use).
Populace – please also check your listing in Dramatis Personae > People of South Downs. If you have updates (or are not listed), please let Eirikr know and he’ll update your listing.
Their Excellencies would like to meet with all the officers (and deputies) sometime soon (possibly in January, after the holidays), to discuss what we want to do in 2024.
Our pause during the pandemic made our usual processes, well, weird. I want to get back on track with our normal terms of office, and am looking into what the usual/expected terms of office should be. In the meantime, I’d like to have all the officers let me know when they started their terms.
Practices have been proceeding, weather and other events permitting. Sundays starting around noon (concurrent with armored practice). Schedule changes, cancellations, and any other relevant information is shared on the FaceBook group “Atlanta SCA Fighting,” and sometimes other locations depending on circumstances. Loaner gear is usually available, but it doesn’t hurt to check the “Atlanta SCA Fighting” group in advance. Sometimes when I’m not available, the “stunt marshal” might not be able to bring it.
BTW, “Atlanta SCA Fighting” is still visible publicly and searchable, but is now “Private” to keep the bots out. If you have any trouble at all finding practice announcements, feel free to reach out directly to me or Ld. Eirikr. It should be readable to anyone, but you’ll need to join in order to post.
Thanks to everyone for working together to keep practices happening. I wouldn’t mind having a deputy step up who could take over from me in the not-too-distant future.
Big shout-out to folks recently giving rapier a try. Looking forward to seeing more folks having fun! Just before Castle Wars, we had several new authorizations, and a couple of new auths at CW. The field is getting bigger!
The castle is now as functional as it’s ever been. It still needs paint. It’s really nice to see it stored indoors again, but let’s please keep in mind that it really does need a work day sometime for a sprucing up (new paint will also help protect the wood from bugs and weather).
Castle Wars: The Meridian Order of the Blade Invitational tournament Saturday morning went well (Congratulations to Lady Ogata on her victory!), and the new meleé scenario from Ldy. Ogata was well-received.
Castle Wars was a very big day on the live weapons range, over 50 people show up on the range
Lots of tournaments and busy time on the range!
13 people completed at least one royal round, including a little six year old girl who really enjoyed herself and didn’t want to leave.
Will need to get more target butts soon, will put together a proposal to purchase new targets, probably around $150 each.
Had a conversation about the new potential practice location, will go check out the site to see if it’ll work. If it is, we’ll have archery practice Dec. 17th!
Firstly, I am very excited to announce I have a deputy reeve! Lord Salim will be training with me over the next year and has already helped so much with paperwork. He is very skilled in all things reevery and the barony’s financial matters are going to be in such capable hands. We have submitted his request to be warranted and I will include him in the majority of correspondence from my office moving forward.
As previously discussed, the Honorable Lady Majda is also joining the reeve team as fundraising special deputy
The biggest thing to cover tonight is getting the 2024 annual budget discussed and approved.
I uploaded a pdf to our facebook group files page and will also add to the Zoom chat
THL Mairghread made a motion to move it to vote, M. Isabetta seconded. 22 for, 1 opposed, vote passed.
Second approval needed is an overage from castle wars, the only overage. Original approved budget was $1150, the financial committee approved an urgent addition of $400 due to the expected attendance, and the bathrooms needed mid event cleaning. The final total was $1635, putting it $85 over budget. we need the barony to vote to approve this overage
THL Mairghead made a motion to move to vote, Baron Ximon seconded. 22 for, 1 opposed, vote passed.
Another overage to note for your records, the FC approved $42.20 to reimburse Red Tower Travelers fare, no additional vote is needed
Salim and I are going to get the ball rolling again on completing the Financial policy update- stay tuned.
Castle Wars saw a lot of classes and Salons being offered for the enjoyment of the attending populace. 26 individual people took 8 different classes with 31 RUM credits received overall.
There will be no Baronial A&S Class night for the month of December. January Baronial Class Night should be Wednesday, Jan. 24th – and I am still looking for a teacher for that month and all of the rest of 2024 as well.
Also be thinking about classes you might want to teach for Midwinter A&S. I will be putting out a call for teachers soon.
And finally, on that note, I am looking for a deputy Provost to begin helping me organize and promote A&S Class activities for the coming year, as well as help with coordinating classes for Midwinter Arts and Sciences in February. Please get in touch with me on Facebook or Discord if you are interested in the position.
Thank you to all who got your reports sent in early!
Behind on October and November’s newsletters, but will post them as soon as I get them done
Updating the baronial calendar with the in-person/virtual meetings, should update and in turn update the baronial calendar as well.
Always looking to interview the populace for each issue, so please fill out this form to get included! Eventually I’d like to collect these into one PDF so we have a good collection of information about our members: https://forms.gle/MNxww3KUQJo2VsEG9
Please submit photos, art, articles, shout-outs, or anything that you’ve found interesting and want to share! I’ll always be collecting stuff for the newsletters going forward. You can submit either through this form: https://forms.gle/8SyEF9D7c8rMCnZP6 or email me at chron.southdowns@meridies.org.
Not much to say, but if you think people should be recognized, please give us award recommendations!
SCA Business
Castle Wars Post-Mortem
Lady Ysabel and Lady Hessa
Thank you to EVERYONE who came out and helped out with the event, it was incredible seeing our vision for the event come to life and become a reality.
Lots of happy people and vendors who were pleased with the setup of the event. We had the chance to try some new things with vendor services and an info point to help out and check in on people.
Spoke with the park, they are building showers and toilets permanently on the site in the cinderblock building. They were pleased with how the group handled our parking passes and they appreciated how we handled it.
We were having trouble with the gate codes, but moving forward they may add in multiple codes to help keep the gate from malfunctioning again.
We may need to find a way to tell the general population that it’s a closed and private event to help prevent random people from walking through the event.
Lost and found is still posted on the FB group, please check to see if you’re missing anything.
Please send in names for the volunteer drawing so that people can get a chance to get something after all of the help with Castle Wars.
Campsites have stone/rock markers with numbers and numbers on trees, and may want to use them going forward to help organize camps next time.
Baron Piers Simmons
Only complaint is that the last camp had to walk past parking for the closest porta potty, but the event was fabulous in general.
Lady Lily
Loved seeing the event stewards in one place and easy to find, and thank you for the food and snacks and general hospitality
La Magnifica Justina
So many thanks to Dorian for all of his help at check-in, you were a rockstar!
Thank you to the event stewards for letting us try new things with the location of check-in, and many thanks to Lady Ysabel for getting more signs to help inform people where to go.
Still some things that we can learn and improve on.
Going forward if we use this site again for bids since they use a flat fee, $625, but they also charge per person overnight per night. The total fee ended up being $1806, so it may be hard to calculate this bid in the future.
Total attendance: 455 people
Profit: $2758.40
We didn’t have the infrastructure to support late check-in. If we want to have support late check-in, we will need to plan ahead to make sure we have lights and staff to help cover shifts.
Midwinter Bid
Baron Piers and Lord Eirikr
Bid for Feb. 3 2024 at Pafford Hall at UWG.
Proposed $15 prereg and $20 at the gate for site fee
Myeong Su made a motion to bring the bid to vote, Dorian seconded. Motion passes and the bid is approved.
Popchiv and Kingdom Chronicler will be contacted to get the flyer in.
DEIB Directive
Acharya Mewadi Margavati Bai
There’s been a directive from higher up to restructure the DEIB office and local offices may be reworked or eliminated structurally. The work will not stop being done and we will still have resources, but we’re not sure how it will work going forward.
Things will be shared more as we know more going forward.
Many, many thanks to Lady Lily for all of your work!
Majster Nikoslav
DEIB stuff for the Kingdom is not going away, but will be restructured. The system will be more regional instead of local to help deal with issues as they arise.
Many thanks to Lady Lily and Acharya Mewadi Margavati for all of your work in both local and Kingdom offices.
Non-SCA Business
None reported.
The business meeting was closed @ 9:12 PM EST
The next business meeting will be held on January 3rd, 2024, 7:00 PM EST via Zoom Meeting.
Notes submitted by Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong, South Downs Chronicler.
Magister Lorenzo called the November meeting to order. Our Seneschal, Lady Raven Helmsplitter started recording the meeting and greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Lady Raven read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
Holding off on scheduling new meetings at the in-person site until we work out new finances
HE Ximon and Raven will be doing a site visit at MGT and Crown Lyst site – Bert Adams (?)
Looking to host Red Tower 50 there next year
We need to start looking at a KLE event for next year to satisfy the Kingdom requirement
We still need Midwinter A&S bids, please contact ASAP so that we can have the bid approved by the December business meeting to make the Popchiv deadline to ensure that we can host court
Then Castle Wars the next weekend, so we’ll just have practice this weekend and the last weekend of the month
If you want to be reauthorized before Castle Wars, come out this weekend to get authorized. We will have forms at Castle Wars in case you want to get it done there, too.
We do have a combat archery marshal for Castle Wars
Practices have been proceeding, weather and other events permitting. Sundays starting around noon (concurrent with armored practice). Schedule changes, cancellations, and any other relevant information is shared on the FaceBook group “Atlanta SCA Fighting,” and sometimes other locations depending on circumstances. Loaner gear is usually available, but it doesn’t hurt to check the “Atlanta SCA Fighting” group in advance. Sometimes when I’m not available, the “stunt marshal” might not be able to bring it.
BTW, “Atlanta SCA Fighting” is still visible publicly and searchable, but is now “Private” to keep the bots out. If you have any trouble at all finding practice announcements, feel free to reach out directly to me or Ld. Eirikr. It should be readable to anyone, but you’ll need to join in order to post.
Thanks to everyone for working together to keep practices happening. I wouldn’t mind having a deputy step up who could take over from me in the not-too-distant future.
Big shout-out to folks recently giving rapier a try. Looking forward to seeing more folks having fun! We did a new Basic Authorization and a re-authorization this past weekend. We had one brand-new fencer!
The carpentry on the 4’ high crenelated walls is done. Each panel is free-standing and promises to be sturdier than the last couple of times we used them. Sadly, my work schedule got insane, and the painting probably won’t get done this time. I’ll be setting up the towers & gates for a test run just before loading them into the trailer for transport.
Castle Wars schedule will include a Friday Night Firelit Fighting event, the Meridian Order of the Blade Invitational tournament Saturday morning, and a new meleé scenario from Ldy. Ogata which draws from a story of St. Martin’s life.
Not much to update, we have $2,091.95 in the bank, with a few deposits pending but reimbursement checks will be sent out this week if you are waiting for Red Tower Checks
Keep a look out for a Castle Wars troll volunteer sign-up sheet once a schedule is finalized.
Please remember to get any 2024 budgetary requests to me or the financial committee before the last week of November. Barony will be voting on the 2024 budget next month.
Getting a new storage unit in Douglasville – $320 a month. 10×30, pretty sure we can fit everything in, including the castle walls. The unit also comes with insurance.
Goal will be to get everything in the weekend after Castle Wars.
Isabetta has purchased a lock to make sure we can lock stuff.
First of all Happy After-Halloween everyone!! I hope you all had fun last night and your ‘eens got Hallowed
We have some big news about upcoming demos
Count Sebastianos Ionnides has started coordinating an SCA panel for ATL Comic Con
The dates for our panel at the con are February 9th and 10th, 2024
I can put you in touch with Sebastianos about more information on ticketing, parking and staff passes
Although I couldn’t be at the last one personally, I heard that the SCA panel went OFF and it was absolutely amazing
So, if you were there helping out at the last one, you made it what it was and you’re awesome for it.
I’ve been asked to put together a list of classes and arts exhibitions for this next one. If you do arts and/or sciences, and you are available on February 9-10, 2024, please hit me up so we can get you on our class schedule!
Demo Deputy (VACANT)
Demos covered by Lady Ogata
Lady Ogata is planning on taking over the demo deputy position when Baroness Arnora takes over, but if you’re interested, please let us know!
Arts & Sciences (Lady Maryam)
We had a project night! Thanks to everyone that showed up to share what they were working on.
Thank you to everyone who is sharing their work on the Discord server! Our server is a great place to share your current projects and discuss anything A&S related. We’ve also got a channel just for research topics, because sharing your research is fun!
Magna Faire is coming up, on December 1-3 at Dalwhinnie Fields, and there will be two faires – the Magna Faire and the Kingdom A&S regional. Registration is open now – you can sign up for one or both of the faires!
And thanks everyone for the warm welcome as the new A&S officer.
This past month we had 8 people show up for our monthly class night – Theodosia Colloquia (Spooky Edition) hosted by La Magnifica Justina di Silvestri. We will not have A&S Class Nights for November or December due to Holidays and scheduling. Our next Class night will be January 24, 2024. I do not currently have a class lined up for that night yet, so please let me know if you have something you would like to teach.
Castle Wars is coming up the weekend before Thanksgiving. Teacher and Salon signups have closed and I am still working on wrangling together a schedule, but at final count we are expecting 6 different salons as well as 15 classes, discussions, or demos.
And finally, on that note, I am looking for a deputy Provost to begin helping me organize and promote A&S Class activities for the coming year, as well as help with coordinating classes for Midwinter Arts and Sciences in February. Please get in touch with me on Facebook or Discord if you are interested in the position.
Thank you to all who got your reports sent in early!
Behind on October and November’s newsletters, but will post them as soon as I get them done
Always looking to interview the populace for each issue, so please fill out this form to get included! Eventually I’d like to collect these into one PDF so we have a good collection of information about our members: https://forms.gle/MNxww3KUQJo2VsEG9
Please submit photos, art, articles, shout-outs, or anything that you’ve found interesting and want to share! I’ll always be collecting stuff for the newsletters going forward. You can submit either through this form: https://forms.gle/8SyEF9D7c8rMCnZP6 or email me at chron.southdowns@meridies.org.
Thanks to Lady Maryam and Lady Ogata for hosting the newcomers session last month for our newcomers!
This month there will not be a DEI class; November is a very busy month for me, and I don’t want to try to put the extra pressure of a class on myself. Additionally, the class would be the day before Castle Wars, and while I’m still not sure I’ll be able to make it, I want to try. So, I think it would be easier for everyone if we skip this month. The good news is we will be able to do dance instead!
Probably not going to have a class in December either, due to the holidays. If you have any class ideas for January or any month going forward, please let me know!
As a brag on our populace, at Danelaw, Alexius was fingerloop braiding and ended up teaching others how to do it too. Kudos to him!
Castle Wars court on Saturday is going to be pretty full, so we’re not going to hold baronial court during Kingdom court at Castle Wars.
Baronial court will be a short, morning court at 10:30 AM. Come to court if you can to see people get recognized.
Jumping to 2024 – next year, South Downs will be 50 years old. Therefore, we should plan something big for our 50th year at Red Tower – Oct. 4th-6th, 2024.
Hoping to throw some ideas around to see how we can celebrate next year
Send in award recommendations!
SCA Business
Castle Wars
Lady Hessa
Could use help on a couple of things:
Fire marshal to monitor fires on site
Royal Liaison
In the middle of scheduling right now, including a Pelican meeting
If you need anything from the storage unit, please contact Maestra Isabetta
No children’s activities right now, but we do have a combat archery marshal
Will need to contact the financial committee since we need an additional porta potty
Master Mathias – Going to check to see if he can get a couple extra trash cans for the food vendor section of the site
The site doesn’t have a dumpster on site, so we usually place the trash somewhere so it can be picked up after the event.
There are 4 camps that have submitted over 10 reservations, going to need to figure out land layout for camps
La Magnifica Justina – Should we look into getting some large trash cans or collapsible ones for the barony to use for future events?
Lady Lily – Do we have a list of current food vendors so that we know in advance who will be there so we can plan accordingly.
There are currently 4 food vendors.
Lord Ælfric – may need one of the large pop ups for classes at Castle Wars, can use one for two classes at once. Need to get tables as well.
La Magnifica Justina – Troll is going to need tables and chairs as well.
Knowne Worlds Cooks and Bards – no updates on this yet, plan is still for 2026 and possibly at Bert Adams
Non-SCA Business
Next Friday, Nov. 10th is the Fernback After Dark Vikings event.
The business meeting was closed @ 9:17 PM EST
The next business meeting will be held on December 6th, 2023, 7:00 PM EST via Zoom Meeting.
Notes submitted by Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong, South Downs Chronicler.
Magister Lorenzo called the October meeting to order. Our Seneschal, Lady Raven Helmsplitter started recording the meeting and greeted the populace joining the Zoom meeting. Lady Raven read the Kingdom Anti-Bullying statement.
Next week is virtual meeting project hosted by Baron Ximon via Discord
Oct. 18 – in person meeting
Spooky Ted Talk with Justina
Still looking for storage space, preferably on the east side of town, so if you find something, please let us know.
Site reservations, two times a month in person next year until budget gets fixed
We’ll need a bid for KLE, we should plan now for next year, start thinking now about it.
Midwinter is coming up, Feb. 2nd, 2024. Still need a bid for Midwinter. Usually Sat event, then regional FP on Sunday, but we could consider it being a weekend if we want. Need a bid in December to meet the popchiv deadline.
Practices have been happening. Last weekend was MGT, but the stunt marshal held practice.
People should be coming out this weekend, especially more heavy fighters. I will be out for War of the Wings and Gatalop, but we’ll see if we find a stunt marshal..
Looking for a combat archery marshal for Castle Wars, if you know someone, please let me know.
Practices have been proceeding, weather and other events permitting. Sundays starting around noon (concurrent with armored practice). Schedule changes, cancellations, and any other relevant information is shared on the FaceBook group “Atlanta SCA Fighting,” and sometimes other locations depending on circumstances. Loaner gear is usually available, but it doesn’t hurt to check the “Atlanta SCA Fighting” group in advance. Sometimes when I’m not available, the “stunt marshal” might not be able to bring it.
This Sunday (9/10) we’ll still be cleaning up and returning from Red Tower. Sorry, no rapier practice.
As my mundane schedule gets even crazier, we’ve started a chat including every rapier marshal who might step in to fill those gaps. Thanks to everyone for working together to keep practices happening. I wouldn’t mind having a deputy step up who could take over from me in the not-too-distant future.
Big shout-out to folks recently giving rapier a try. Looking forward to seeing more folks having fun!
Red Tower in the books! Thanks everyone! Congrats to M. Nikolaus Hildebrand, Red Tower Rapier Champion and M. Nikoslav Mikolajevich, winner of the Baron & Baroness’s rapier prize. Huge thanks to M. Lorenzo for administering our lists, Mssrs. Nikoslav & Niccolo for marshaling assistance, and Cpt. Pietro for hard work as Baronial rapier champion. Also a huge shout out to THLs Eamonn and Alessandra for field setup help, and to everyone who helped clear the field Sunday AM.
Castle Wars is coming up faster than you think. Castle Wars requires a castle, which we happen to have. However, it needs work. If you are interested in helping beautify the castle, please contact me. Some of the pieces are heavy, some of them need some minor carpentry (mostly done now), and all of them need some paint. (Insert new calendar info)
Castle Wars schedule will include a Friday Night Firelit Fighting event, the Meridian Order of the Blade Invitational tournament Saturday morning, and as all the meleé we can pack in around it. Stay tuned.
LW at Red Tower went really well, thanks to Magistra Mara and Tyme for running the range
Thanks to all who took the class to learn how to set up the range
Still looking for an archery site
Might hold a thrown weapons practice and 20 yd archery at my house
Also currently setting up LW stuff at Castle Wars, still trying to figure out themes and such for the shoots.
We’re in need of new target butts, they’re getting to the point where they may not be safe anymore. They were originally set to last five years, but have lasted longer than that already. This is the main thing I’m looking to get for LW. They cost around $190.
We are still waiting for Paypal checks from RUM and Red Tower.
We are under audit, but the documentation for the auditors is getting prepared.
We’ve discussed the need for fundraisers with Kingdom, THL Majda have agreed to be a deputy to focus on fundraising.
We’re losing more money that we’re making due to storage, we need to find a solution soon.
The financial committee will be meeting to focus on budgets going forward.
If you’re on staff or an officer, please stay within budget for your events and offices. Please reach out to me if you want to discuss the process on how to request a budget for your office and how to request purchases for the barony.
Without the castle walls in the storage unit, we may be able to downsize to a 10×20. I’ve been looking at storage units down in Douglas county, the prices are much cheaper.
Justina made a motion for a budget to be established for the storage unit for $350. Motion passed.
Baron Ximon made a motion to look at the 10×30 unit in Douglas county
HE Rhiannon has helped Lady Maryam transition to her office, and after this meeting Lady Maryam will be officially the new officer.
We’ve had a few classes and we’ve got people working on stuff. If you have any questions/advice/reports for A&S, please let me know!
Nothing much to report this month. Coming out of summer there isn’t a whole lot of A&S focus.
I do hope everyone is thinking ahead to Magna Faire and our own Midwinter A&S Faire. I’d really like to see a good showing at both. Remember that if you enter into any or all of the regional A&S Faires and then update your entry as suggested on your judging sheets, you can re-enter the same piece for Kingdom A&S for a final judging. It’s like getting expert advice on your entry before the big event.
This is my last report as Baronial A&S Officer. Thank you so much for all of your support. Starting next month you’ll be hearing from Lady Maryam. Please give her all of your support as well!
This past month we had 7 people show up for our monthly class night – Sumarliði taught us about workouts and exercise culture in the Greco-Roman world. October’s class night will be October 25 and will be an in person Theodosia Colloquia (Spooky Edition) hosted by La Magnifica Justina di Silvestri. Come out and participate by sharing a short 5 min. talks on a spooky or spooky-adjacent topic of your choosing. If you do not have a topic you wish to talk about, you are welcome to attend and listen in.
This will be our final Monthly Class night for the 2023 calendar year. We will start up monthly classes again in January. Currently the full 2024 year is open and I am looking for those interested in teaching.
Also, Castle Wars is coming up the weekend before Thanksgiving. I need teachers and those wishing to host Salons for the event. If you are a member of a Guild or other interest group in the Kingdom, please encourage them to consider hosting a salon.
And finally, on that note, I am looking for a deputy Provost to begin helping me organize and promote A&S Class activities for the coming year. Please get in touch with me on Facebook or Discord if you are interested in the position.
Working on September’s issue of The Read Tower right now, will add in the officer’s reports and business from this meeting to add in the newsletter and will hopefully have it posted by Friday this week.
Always looking to interview the populace for each issue, so please fill out this form to get included! Eventually I’d like to collect these into one PDF so we have a good collection of information about our members: https://forms.gle/MNxww3KUQJo2VsEG9
Please submit photos, art, articles, shout-outs, or anything that you’ve found interesting and want to share! I’ll always be collecting stuff for the newsletters going forward. You can submit either through this form: https://forms.gle/8SyEF9D7c8rMCnZP6 or email me at chron.southdowns@meridies.org.
I’d like to thank Xander for the class on Tourette Syndrome, it was a great class that was well attended.
Sadly, something has come up for my Silk Roads teacher, so I’d like to put out a call to anyone who might be interested in teaching a DEIB class this month! I also want to let everyone know in advance that there won’t be a DEI class in November. My schedule will just be too busy that month.
Please reach out to me if you’d like to teach this month or in the future.
Thank you to everyone who helped out at Red Tower. The event was magical and everyone was very helpful.
We’re looking forward to some things coming up in the future.
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns. We’re here to help and support.
Ximon
Thanks to everyone who helped make the event special for us, from helping set up the field to working Check-in to cooking. Thank you.
If you have any award recommendations, please reach out to us so we can make sure that we recognize our populace.
SCA Business
Red Tower Post Mortem
Master Mathias
Thanks to everyone who set up things to those who worked Check-in. We were very happy to get all the slots for positions quickly. No literal fires!
The bathrooms on site had some issues, but that was out of our control.
The feast was amazing, there were lots of good things said about the pre-court feast and the to-go boxes.
Capt. Brendan
Event went well and we got to learn a few new things. We’ve got a lot of new-to-the-barony people to the barony. Wider communication could have been better to make sure that people could succeed.
Traveler’s fare probably could have needed more support if it was communicated a little bit ahead of time.
Lady Lily
Just FYI, if anyone shoots archery, wear a finger guard so that you don’t get month-long numbness.
La Magnifica Justina
Shout out to Lady Ogata for running check-in at Red Tower.
Big thing is that the only people who can use barony money are the people on the bank account. Money was removed from the Troll box to pay for the parking passes on site. Cash should only be placed in the box and managed by those working at Troll, not used to pay for things on site.
Overall, the budget was under budget, missing some receipts for traveler’s fare.
Send receipts to exchq.southdowns@meridies.
Seong Myeong Su Daesaseong
Consider putting together guides of how to run certain things at events or offices so that we can help everyone else who’s new in the barony.
There’s some interest in hosting or having roundtable discussions on how to be an event steward or officers, etc.
Lady Raven
Get teams together for setup and teardown to help resources to make sure that everyone else is on the same page.
Baron Ximon
There were some complaints about mold in dorms 1 and 2, some people had to move.
Might want to see if there’s something that we can do if we want to use the site again for those with sensitivities.
Castle Wars
Lady Hessa and THLady Ysabel
We are getting vendors coming in, about 6 or 7, more might be coming in now that we’re past MGT. Please reach out if you want to be a vendor.
Working on layout and making adjustments as needed
Classes and salons for Castle Wars: there may be something from the courtesans, fiber, woodworking, herbal. We’ve got two salon sign-ups, which are more like classes. Will need to request one of the pavilions for class space for Castle Wars.
Eirikr
Looking for a Combat Archery marshal, if we don’t have one, we can’t have combat archery.
Waiting to hear from the minister of children, talked to the Kingdom chatelaine to host a newcomers camp. Will need to make sure that we have a camp set aside for camp. Welcome Home may reimburse newcomers, but won’t be hosting a Welcome Home camp or anything like that.
Sumarlidi
South Downs camp planning is underway. Make sure that you put South Downs on your reservation to get space for South Downs camp.
We’ll have some Trimarians back in South Downs camp again.
A class – one/two hours on a specific topic with a teacher talking about or demonstrating something for that time slot. A salon is a space themed around a topic so we can have discussions, watch demonstrations, or try things out even if there’s stuff going on.
Mods from the Honorable Clover have offered to host a How to Run Troll class.
Please volunteer for Troll for Castle Wars!
Can’t confirm youth combat for Castle Wars yet.
We have 27 pre registrations currently. Even if you’re supposed to be comped for the event because you’re on staff, please send in your registration via Paypal either way for record keeping.
Take a How to Run Troll class even if you don’t want to run a troll just as general information on how paperwork is handled or for general knowledge
Event Stewards want hugs!
Discussion on Knowne World Cooks and Bards Symposium for 2026 tabled to November business meeting.
May need to discuss the budget for fixing the castle walls, see if the financial committee can vote to approve it to make sure we’re in policy. Keep in mind that budgets for officers don’t roll over to the next year.
Next week, Their Excellencies will be going to Coronation and will be bringing the baronial pavilion and some seating space, wouldn’t mind some help with set up and some people to volunteer for entourage. Everyone is also welcome to come sit under the pavilion. TRH have decided to set up Coronation as a grand court. They’ve asked each barony to set up a pavilion or activity, and since we’ve got a lot of fiber geeks in the barony, we’d like to have some people volunteer to bring things to work on while hanging out in the space, weaving, embroidery, spinning, etc. We’d love to have you.
Non-SCA Business
None reported.
The business meeting was closed @ 9:35 PM EST
The next business meeting will be held on November 1st, 2023, 7:00 PM EST via Zoom Meeting.
