[Elfsea] Highland Games

Wed May 28 12:39:33 PDT 2008

Somebody needs to tell the Highlands Game people to adjust their brochures
ASAP

-----Original Message-----
From: elfsea-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org
[mailto:elfsea-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org] On Behalf Of Ceatta o Gulcleth
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 9:06 PM
To: 'Barony of Elfsea'
Subject: Re: [Elfsea] Highland Games

To the Populace of Elfsea ---

If, as Don Alaric states, Elfsea has decided to forgo any attendance at the
Texas Scottish Highland Games, I would like to way in and say my two pence
worth.

For many years, people (both who know better and who have no possible clue)
have argued that we should no longer do this demo and for one reason: we do
not get members for our effort. Maybe we don't.  But that is not why we do
demos; if it were, then we need to stop doing the one at the Arlington
Public Library, as well.  In fact, we need to stop doing demos altogether,
because they are a drain and a waste of manpower on our Barony, with no
return.  We need to concentrate on making ourselves feel better, gearing up
for Arts and Science competitions, wars, trying to take the Crown (for the
heavies among us) or Queen's champion (for our light fighters). That's all
we need to concentrate on!

Why do demos? 

For me, it is the opportunity to give to the mundanes who come through some
of what I've gotten from having been a member of the SCA since the early
70's -- the thrill, the joy, the fellowship and the friendliness of most of
the people who make up the Society. If not for the SCA, I would never have
met (and later married) the Honorable Lady Robin. If not for the SCA, I
would not have friends as far as 2 miles away or as close as Northshield and
An Tir. 

To me, demos are not about getting new members then and there, or even here,
but about sowing the seed, so when they are ready, they will remember us and
try to find us, in person, on the Internet, or however. Immediate payoff is
not what it is all about, but a sharing of who and what we are.

I do know that we are in the program guide and are listed on the flyers for
the Texas Scottish Highland Games. I believe that if we fail to show this
year then there will never be another appearance at the games.  Even if they
decide to let us come back (and there is a very good chance that they will
refuse), it will be oh so easy next to say, "Oh, we didn't do it last year
and it hasn't hurt us. There's no reason to try again." We will become
apathetic, if we already haven't.

As Lady Ascelyn stated in her comments below (actually sent too late to have
been of any use to anyone), personal and mundane issues (a heart attach,
work, loss of my father) have kept me from taking on the role of Highland
Games Coordinator this year, but I do know that there are several in our
barony who, in years past, have asked to help and work with me. Have those,
like our current seneschal, decided that it is not worth while to
participate? I must think so, especially since I have sent several e-mails
to those in administrative high levels in the Barony about where to send the
Passes (roughly from the time I told our Baron privately that there would
need to be someone to take over because I couldn't this year) and have yet
to see anything on the list (except for HL Robin's and Don Alaric's emails)
about this.

It may be too late, but if the Barony pulls together, something might be
salvaged from this apathetic morass we are sinking into.

In Service to Our Great Barony, Baron and Baroness, 
Lord Ceatta 
Elfsea Demo Coordinator Emeritus 
Former Highland Games Coordinator
aliquantulus ferment nunquam vulnero quisquam 
(a little ferment never hurt anyone) 
Ceatta at flash.net 

 -----Original Message-----
From: elfsea-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org
[mailto:elfsea-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org] On Behalf Of Wilkerson, Glen D
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 10:37 AM
To: Barony of Elfsea
Subject: Re: [Elfsea] Highland Games

I think we have declined the Highland Games demo this year in lieu of a demo
for the Burleson Public Library, but I will let the appropriate officers in
charge tender the final answer.

Alaric

  _____  

From: elfsea-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org
[mailto:elfsea-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org] On Behalf Of Spence Mabry
Sent: Tuesday, May 27, 2008 9:52 AM
To: 'Barony of Elfsea'
Subject: Re: [Elfsea] Highland Games

Dear Lady,

I've seen nothing re Highland Games except this single email. Is the Barony
still going to participate? Ceatta indicated that no one has yet asked for
the free tickets. No one has contacted me about static and/or active
displays. 

Most of the time the only contact I have with the outside world is via the
internet. This has been the case for the past year. So it's important to me.
(Keeps me from talking to myself. ;)

Anywho, are we still 'ON' for Highland Games? 

YIS,

HL Robin de Shealladh

rmitchell at flash.net

817 590 2408 (new phone #)

PS I now live in NRH.

-----Original Message-----
From: elfsea-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org
[mailto:elfsea-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org] On Behalf Of Ascelyn of
Glentewrde
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2008 10:09 AM
To: Barony of Elfsea; Dragonsfire Tor
Subject: [Elfsea] Highland Games

To the populace of Elfsea,

I need to get a firm count of how many of you will be able to work at our
Highland Games Demo this year. We will need individuals to help with the
set-up on Friday, to work the event Saturday and Sunday, which includes
fighters (both heavy and rapier), artisans to provide samples and work in
the A & S area, and water bearers. Then we will need people to help with the
tear-down, packing up and unloading back at the shed afterward. Please make
sure that you CAN and WILL make the demo before volunteering. Please reply
privately to myself and TEs Daire and Druinne if you would like to volunteer
to help with this demo.

Also, we need an individual to coordinate Highland Games this year as well.
Due to personal reasons,  Lord Ceatta, our normal coordinator for this demo
will be unable to fill this position this year. Ceatta has said he still can
be the liaison with the Highland Games staff, but we presently do not have
anyone to step up and take charge of the demo itself. 

This will require the following:

1)  Getting a firm list of volunteers in order to provide the Highland Games
staff with a count of how many tickets we will need and distributing those
prior to the actual event. Make sure that your volunteers are aware that
they must pay for parking. Last year this was $5.00 per day.

2)  Arranging for volunteers to help with the loading of the shed on Friday,
June 6th, around noon and verifying that you have all the required items for
the demo. At this time, Big Blue is unusable and the Wine & Cheese will not
be available. The small blue and gold baronial pavilion is available, but
the blue and white is not waterproof so would not be a good pavilion for use
at this demo. You will need to make arrangements for a pavilion or two for
the A & S displays and the Baronial presence. 

3)  You will need to make arrangements for a truck and trailer.

4)   You will need to coordinate the loading at the shed and setting up the
demo in the designated area at the event site. This includes setting up the
pavilions, list field area and tables for the A & S displays.

5)  You will need someone to coordinate the water bearing and have a
pavilion/area set-up for them as well.

6)  You will need to make a schedule of volunteers to reflect who is working
at what times and make sure that you have enough people to cover all the
areas at all times.

7)  You will need to make sure that you have a marshal and enough fighters
to have demonstrations in the morning and afternoon each day.

8)  You will need to make sure that you have A & S displays, by contacting
artisans and coordinating different types of items.

All these things are necessary in order to make this demo a success, so
please make sure you can fulfill these requirements prior to accepting this
position.

Please reply privately to myself and the TEs Daire and Druinne if you would
like to volunteer to coordinate Highland Games.

Yours In Service, 

Ascelyn

Seneschal

Per bend Sinister Gules and Or, a Unicorn Argent and a Rose Proper 

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