Greetings all!  Reading this list has given me new hope about the SCA.  I'm relatively 
'new' to the SCA.  I'd been a stay-at-home member for a couple of years before I attended 
my first event--Castellan in 2000.  There's been a few things that angered me, but only one
sticks in memory. Since it was a thoughtlessly rude episode perpetrated by a group of young 
adults who wanted to be 'seen' and admired and who, I hope, know better now, I won't relate 
it.  The things I remember fondly?  Well, they're mostly small curtesies rendered by many 
people, a helping hand, or when Mistress Stacia noticed I was having a problem with
my hand getting change out for a  purchase, (she gave me a different pouch to use--I have 
it still) or the first time I had my hand kissed in an introduction, (yeah, I felt 
flustered and somewhat silly. I grew to kinda like it...no, it won't work with every 
gentleman, but I still remember it!)  Or the time little Tallie showed me her pouchful of 
'treasures' people
had given her for little things she had done for them.  Not one item was of any great 
value, a few pretty stones, a charm or two but wonderful in her eyes!
No, Chivalry isn't quite dead yet, If we have come to equate it with modern-day manners and 
curtesy and respect for others,is that so bad?  The place to start with is ourselves!
A smile and offer of help, of ACCEPTING help when it's offered, maybe even if you really 
don't need it...just once in a while.  Kindness and a smile to those who's JOB is to help.
Did you thank that Waterbearer who offered you goodies, even if you didnt take any? Do you
carry little trinkets to give one of the children who served you and who are learning this 
'art of Chivalry'?   Not everyone reads this list..So let's take it to our populace 
meetings, our newcomers classes our get-to-gethers and see if we can restore what we think 
we've lost!  Yours, In Search of Our Dream....Aoife