[Steppes] The Steppes Letter - September 2017

[Chronicler of the Steppes via Steppes]

To the great people of the Barony of the Steppes and the Cantons of Glaslyn
and Kyngescreke, greetings,

Here is the September issue of our newsletter in PDF and text only format.

The text format does not contain the calendar, but I'm still looking a
format that will make it easy to ready. I'm hoping to get it running in
full by next month.

As always I'm looking for content interesting for the barony, so if you
have an idea that you would like to publish, send me a message!

Please remember that the deadline for new content for the newsletter is A&S
meeting, Thursday SEPTEMBER 14, and for our regular content the deadline is
A&S meeting, SEPTEMBER 21.

If you find any mistakes or issues, contact me directly or the
corresponding officer.

You can find the files attached to this email, dowonload from these links
or on our facebook group.

Enjoy!

PDF: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0By5kMWxDbM5LZ0VoYW13ZUNyUnM

TXT: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0By5kMWxDbM5LTDZ1VlpoU3VheEE

Lady Safiya
Chronicler of the Steppes
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Word from our Excellencies

Greetings!
The month of August was so busy. It was a whirlwind that still has our heads spinning.

We started the month with a fun birthday/anniversary party for of Canton of Kyngescreke.  It was incredible hanging out and meeting new people.

Steppes Artisan was a  jam-packed event.  Thank you Baroness Katya for being a great autocrat.  We had many talented artisans compete  to be named our A and S champion.  We are honored to have Madelena de Orozco named as Steppes Artisan 31. She is a very talented artisan that has already jumped in with both feet.

Steppes Artisan also hosted the Princess's tea. Our own Lord William Swindell and HL Aurelia Yverneau put on an incredible Tea!  Look for the pictures of the amazing treats!

Glaslyn Artisan introduced our new Pilgrimage program for newcomers.  Speaking of newcomers- it is great to have so many wonderful new additions!

We closed the month out with a great Populace goes to Dinner at Zorba's Greek Cafe.  Boy- do we have a fun Barony!

Hope we see everyone in September as the camping season begins.

As always we are here to serve you and make your dreams a reality,

Peter and Sarah


Words from our Senechal

Greetings Mighty Oakwood,
August has seen us through a whirlwind of activity on the homefront and abroad. We had two back to back events in the Baronial borders and a War in distant lands. There are many thanks for Steppes Artisan and Glaslyn Artisan. I would like to welcome back all of our valiant fighters and support staff who braved the trek all the way to Pennsic War to answer Their Majesties’ call.

Congratulations to HL Madalena de Orozco as the Newest Artisan of the Steppes! We were proud to have Master Hraldr Bassi as our Artisan and sad to see him move on. We had a grand time at Steppes artisan. The quality of work was beyond compare. I now know the trouble Laurels face at Kingdom A&S. Her Highness gave thanks and praise to Ld. William Swindell for hosting her Tea and Ldy. Kazuko Kitamura for the tasty chocolate chessboard.

It was a brave crew to try out a new site in the Canton of Glaslyn. I want to thank Ldy. Ysabel de Picard for choosing it for us. I also want to thank Ldy. Machteld of Glaslyn for autocrating such a wonderful event. It was a pleasure to see so many talented artisans vie for a chance to represent our prestigious Canton. Thank you also goes out to the teachers who enriched our lives by sharing their skills and talents with us.

This year we will be participating in a new event, Braggart’s war. Come and show Elfsea and Bonwicke who has the best Barony in the Central Region, if not the Kingdom! This should be a great showing and a wonderful opportunity for our populace to really shine. Please come out and support the Baron and Baroness in this endeavour.

It is with regret that I must announce that the office for Archery Marshall is open for applications. Applications will be accepted until the October Business meeting. Please send copies of the application to myself, and Kingdom Missal Marshal. The Baron and Baroness would also like courtesy copies as well. Ld. Duskin has served this barony well for 3 years and it is now time for him to move on to other adventures.

As always stay safe and stay hydrated.

We are a Mighty Oakwood,
We are Family,
We are a Barony,
WE ARE STEPPES!
YIS, HL Aurelia Yverneau
Seneschal, Barony of the Steppes


Words from our officers.


Exchequer (Lady Cristiana d'Avranches)
Greetings, Steppes!

July and August were fairly calm months for the Barony in terms of financial changes.  We have gotten all outstanding checks cleared for the month of July, and the accounts 
stand at just over $20,000 on July 31, 2017.  There will be minor changes from Steppes Artisan once those are reported for August.

Steppes Artisan 2017 has finished up, and from the event report we had a total of 91 attendees, for a small profit of about $82.  Thank you to all those who attended, as well as Astridr who was our gate coordinator and her crew of volunteers.

Please remember to turn in any receipts you may have regarding expenses for your office.  Other reimbursements must be brought to the Financial Committee for review.

In Service,
Cristiana d'Avranches

Rapier Marshal (Lord William Swindell)

Greetings to The Steppes,

With only a small amount of extra effort, we have made it through the summer with only one Tuesday night practice displaced to the heat of the outdoors. I am heartened that, with the exception of a few major holidays, we have found a year-round home for fighter practice and inclement weather should seldom be an issue.

So, who should be coming to rapier practice? I suppose it is the rare individual who, when holding a sword for the first time, feels and moves like it is a part of his or her arm. For most of us that comfort is earned through properly instructed practice. 

I challenge any adult to try fencing for a few times before deciding that it’s not for them. On several recent occasions, I have heard good people declare their inability to fight rapier because they have never done so before. The first time Master Miguel held a rapier, he had never done so either, nor had Master Brendan, nor had any other Master of Defense or White Scarf.

Perhaps you fear that you are not physically robust enough for this art. I would say that if you participate in yoga or are, perhaps, a dancer, you have every bit as much potential to master the subtleties of fencing as would a power lifter or a lumberjack. Gracefulness can be an asset.

Most important in learning to be a good fencer is to build from the proper foundation. Be patient and watch yourself improve. Whether you’ve never held a rapier or you’re an advanced fighter, this practice is for you. Our instructors are second to none, combining drills with sparring to insure a fun and productive practice.

Loaner gear is available for new people. (Guys will need to provide their own athletic protector.)
Find out more by joining the Steppes Rapier Practice FB group or by contacting me. (214) 773-5415
Find us at T.C. Marsh Middle School located at 3838 Crown Shore Dr., Dallas, TX 75244 almost every Tuesday evening at 7:00. Park in the lot on Cox Lane and come in to the cafeteria.

In service,
Lord William Swindell
Steppes Rapier Marshal

Herald (Lord Dragos)
Greetings Steppes,

I know there are some, perhaps many of you, that have names or devices you wish to submit. Each submission will require a check for $8 to the Barony, and in turn the Barony will write a check for $7 to the Kingdom. If you do not see me at an event to submit your paperwork and check, you can contact me by email at herald at steppes.ansteorra.org and I will give you instructions for sending everything to me by mail. Or if you prefer, you can also meet me at the monthly business meeting on the 3rd Thursday of each month. If you need help with a name or device please send me an email and I will do my best to help you, or put you in touch with someone that has the knowledge to do so.

In service

Lord Dragos

Chivalry Marshal (Lord Diedrick von Schatten)
Hello! 

Heavy fighter practice is undergoing an overhaul! For now the Wednesday practice has moved day and location. We will now be practicing in the girl's gym at Thomas C. Marsh Prep Academy on Tuesdays from 6:30pm to about 9pm. Address: 3838 Crown Shore Dr. Dallas, TX 75244. We will be sharing the location with the rapier fighter practice, so there should always be someone on site each week, even if you have to accept the challenge of One Star! One Army! and pick up a rapier to get a practice in!
 
Sunday practices at Carrollton have been suspended for the time being, until we can garner interest there or elsewhere. There are talks about joining practices with archery in Mesquite, at least sometimes if not consistently. Let the B&B, Creighton Bak, or myself know if you have any thoughts about the direction our weekend practice should head

Chronicler (Lady Safiya Spizega)
Greetings Steppes! 
Again, a new issue of the newsletter is ready for your reading. Thanks to all who have submitted articles and pieces for publishing, it is always nice to see all the knowledge and memories from the barony. Keep them coming!.

From this month on, the Newsletter will be published on the 1st of the month,. I will need any regular articles by Business meeting and any news ones by A&S meeting.  Don’t worry, I will start sending reminders every week.

Also, as a side note, remember that the official channel for Steppes communications is  the mail list: steppes at lists.ansteorra.org.  You can subscribe at http://www.ansteorra.org/social.php. If you have any problems, send me a message to get it solved.

In Service
Lady Safiya Spizega
Chronicler of the Steppes


Hospitaler (LH Alexandra Notte Claire)
I would like to have loaner garb available at all events, but I NEED some deputies willing to help with that. I'm also looking for deputies to help me shepherd newcomers and help acclimate them at their first few  events. We've had inquiries during the business meeting at Half Price Books, at Archery Practice and at Populace in the Park in Carrollton, even while at the Perth Street shopping field trip.  

There are more people than I can talk to at any one time.  A big thank you to Lord William and Lady Safiya for their kind attention at Populace in the Park to a couple visiting from Oregon. Safiya shared her weaving and William helped her google the local group in Oregon.

In Service
HL Alexandra Notte Clare


Archery Marshal (Office Open)
Greetings Good People of The Steppes,

Please remember that the office for Archery Marshall is open for applications. Applications will be accepted until the October Business meeting. Please send copies of the application to the Senechal, and Kingdom Missal Marshal. The Baron and Baroness would also like courtesy copies as well.


Arts and Sciences (Boyarynya Kiriena Pevtsova)
Greetings from the Office of Minister of Arts and Sciences! 

Vivat to our new Artisan of the Steppes - HL Madalina de Orozco!  

We'll have our regular A&S night on the second Thursday of the month (Contact moas at steppes.ansteorra.org for further information) - this month, that falls on September 14th @ Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1333 Belt Line Rd, Garland, TX 75040 beginning at 7 pm.

And you know what? I don't have a theme yet - eMail me with thoughts! What would you like to do? Play a period game? Sew something? Make largesse for their Excellencies? 

Scribal Arts on the last Monday of the month @ 3168 Catamore Ln Dallas 75229 - Contact Mistyhosey at gmail.com for further information
Early Instrumental Music meets approximately once to twice a month (contact seafox at gypsyheir.com for further information)

There are some special projects coming up this month:
The Steppes Dance Guild - Sept 16th from 2 pm til 5 pm @ house Gruffydd 302 Sweetgum Dr Cedar Hill - potluck to follow
Wire Rings from Greek, Roman and Saxon times - Sept 15 @ Makerspace
Basic Herb Preparation (discussion) - Sept 10 beginning at 3 pm @ Makerspace
Rosary Style chains - Sept 4th beginning at 2 pm @ Makerspace
Make your own findings - Sept 8 beginning at 7 pm @ Makerspace

All the Makerspace classes are being taught by Susanna the Herbalist and can be signed up for at their site https://dallasmakerspace.org/

Boyarynya Kiriena Pevtsova
Minister of Arts and Sciences, Barony of the Steppes


Webminister (Lord Santiago el Rojo)
Hi Steppes,

I wanted to let you know that their Excellencies have asked me to fill the pages and other updates for the website. Even if doesn't look like that, there is a lot going on right now. Therefore I may miss some details so thank you again for any comment about missing or wrong information.

If you have any picture that you want to share, please send it to my e-mail address: webminister at steppes.ansteorra.org

Also, officers please send me a description of your activities to update the webpage regarding your office. Their Excellencies want the website to be oriented to new people to the SCA and to Steppes, then is yourselfe the best person to promote your office to get more people into it.

Yours in Service,
Santiago el Rojo

Youth and Boffer Marshal (LH Alexandra Notte Claire)
Youth Boffer has not had much interest lately as many of our youth have aged up or are extremely busy with other activities and summer vacations. Loaner gear still available as needed.  Always looking for new youth to get involved and new parents to authorize as marshals. There's lots of great events coming up this fall, don't miss out!

Youth Rapier is practicing on Tuesday nights at the same time as adults. Practice is sometimes overwhelmed with youth and sometimes we have none.  I expect we may see more as we get into fall, especially as we can now move to steel epees for our younger fighters.  Loaner gear available!


Words from our Non-Guilds

Steppes Bowyer and Fletchers Guild

Greetings,

With war season  starting up soon I felt we should began with a combat archery preparedness workshop. Be prepared to bring your combat archery kit and lets make sure your kit is in good repair and working order.  Nothing is worse for a combat archer discovering you have an equipment problem at command of "lay on"!
Even if you are not currently a combat archer there will be a lot to learn and much to do.  So come join us for a fun evening of shared tasks and tales of glorious battles past and more yet to come as we inspect & repair our combat archery kits!
Hope you shall join us!

Regards,

HL William Black Dragon  aka  "Ironwyrm" 

Steppes Dance Guild

Dancemistress Baroness Elizabeth Carter invites all to the 1st organizational meeting of the Steppes Dance Guild and dance practice. Mistress Xene Theriane, and Master Llywelyn Gruffydd also invite dance musicians to play for the dancers.

The practice will be held at House Gruffydd, located at 302 Sweetgum Dr., Cedar Hill, TX on Saturday,  Sept. 16, 2017 from 2 - 5 pm.

Bring snacks to share and something to throw on the grill. The backyard grill will be fired up at 5 pm with a revel and pot-luck to follow.

We will be making decisions as to when the practice will held in the future, so please let your voices be heard. 

If you have any questions, contact Mistress Xene at vmarsh169 at gmail.com or call 469-879-5762.


Steppes Music and Vocal non Guild

The Steppes Music Guild has two established working groups, the Instrumental Music group that meets on the first and third Sundays of the month at 2421 San Paula, Dallas 75228, starting at 2:00PM, and the Vocal Music Group that meets at Cedar Hill Methodist at 128 North Roberts in Cedar Hill on the second and fourth Sunday of the month also at 2:00PM. Both exclude meetings on major holidays, and will change meeting locations to Populace in the Park or other activities when applicable. Since there's a minimum number of folks needed to have an effective music group, please contact the appropriate person if interested in attending. You don't have to be a highly trained singer or instrumentalist to join us, and we welcome all skill levels. 

For more information about the guild as a whole contact Herr Marcus at seafox at gypsyheir.com or Master Llywelyn at todd at twmarsh.net. For information about the specific groups, Herr Marcus is the contact for the instrumental group, while Master Llywelyn runs the vocal group. The instrumental group also tries to provide a musical presence at all Steppes events, so if you're unable to make the guild meetings but want to join in at an event contact either one of the folks referenced above to get the music sources used by the guild. And if you're interested in learning the courtly grace of music the guild has folks who can teach lessons.

Da'ud Bob Movie Review - Chimes at midnight

Having reviewed a couple of new works of what I have termed “Shakespearean Fan Fiction” for you the past two months (Still Star-Crossed and Will), I thought that this month I would turn to an older piece of what isn’t quite “Shakespearean Fan Fiction,” as it does not change either Shakespeare’s words or Shakespeare’s plot. But it was done by one of Shakespeare’s biggest (in more than one sense of the word) fans, and it changes the emphasis of Shakespeare’s existing story line a bit. The fan was Orson Welles, and the movie is his 1965 compilation from bits and pieces of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2, Henry V, and a little bit from The Merry Wives of Windsor, all organized to demonstrate not so much the history of Henry IV and Henry V, but “a love story of a boy and his two fathers,” Prince Hal (Henry V) and his changing relationships to his real father, Henry IV, and his adopted "father," Falstaff. And so it is that this month, Da’ud Bob reviews for you this bit of “Shakespearean fan fiction” originally titled “Falstaff,” but better known now as Chimes At Midnight.

Starring Orson Welles as Falstaff, Keith Baxter as Prince Hal/Henry V, Jeanne Moreau as Doll Tearsheet, the inimitable Margaret Rutherford as Mistress Quickly, Sir John Gielgud as Henry IV, Michael Aldridge as Pistol, Tony Beckley as Ned Poins, Alan Webb as Shallow, Norman Rodway as Harry “Hotspur” Percy (he was given that nickname “as a tribute to his speed in advance and readiness to attack,” Patrick Bedford as Bardolph, Beatrice Welles (Orson’s daughter) as Falstaff’s page, and Ralph Richardson as the voiceover Narrator, this movie is an amalgam, as I noted above, of bits and pieces from four of Shakespeare’s plays (three historical and one comedy) meshed together to highlight the changing relationships of Prince Hal with his father Henry IV and his carousing companion and father figure Falstaff.

Good points: Sir John Gielgud is an excellent Henry IV. (Let’s be real; Gielgud is very good at everything he does.) Orson Welles is at his antic, and emotional, best. The heraldic banners. Prince Hal’s armorial shield and cuirass. The scenes of the Battle of Shrewsbury (which took place in 1403) are a wonderful piece of editing, and despite having been filmed with a limited number of extras and in a public park in Madrid, Spain, really give the effects and feeling of medieval warfare in the English countryside. This movie should be watched for the battle scenes alone. The costuming, all of which was designed by Welles himself, isn’t as bad as in many such period pieces, and some of it is quite good.

Bad points: Knitted and fabric “chain mail,” some with obvious seams. King Henry IV’s huge crown. The trumpeters’ choreographed turning back and forth while trumpeting from the ramparts. The Norman kite shields. The long pointed-topped shields of the knights and men at arms at Henry V’s coronation. Some of the heraldic banner designs. Lowering knights onto their horses by pulleys. (But it was funny when the men on the ropes couldn’t hold him up and accidentally dropped the grossly overweight Falstaff to the ground.) Hotspur Percy’s shield bears the arms of Mortimer. (Mortimer was his mother’s family.)

Zero breasts. One gallon of blood.  134 dead bodies. Sword fu. Lance fu. Cudgel fu. Mace fu. Axe fu. Shield fu. Flail fu. Double flail fu. Plate fu. Pike fu. Prince Harry rolls. Fighters roll. Pistol rolls down the stairs. Gratuitous snow. Gratuitous bathtub. Gratuitous bare butt. Gratuitous dogs. Gratuitous pig. Academy Award nomination to Orson Welles as Falstaff for “Give me the spare men, and spare me the great ones.” A mere 39 on the Vomit Meter. Three stars. Da’ud Bob says, “Orson Welles considered this his favorite film. Though it might be considered to be ‘fan fiction,’ it is a tour-de-force. Check it out!”


Missive From the Autocrat of Steppes Artisan
 
Steppes Artisan was a great event. I was honored and thrilled to be able to serve as steward for this event. I have a few thank you's I would like to pass along.

Let me begin by thanking the set up crew. There weren’t many of us but we finished in less than 2 hours. Those folks were Dragos, Gordon, Astrid, M. Katherine, Alain, and Aeryn. We also had the lunch crew on hand to begin prep; they are Maura, Oliver, Aurelia and Kitamura. Let’s not forget the site token crew that assembled the kits. Thanks guys!

Special thank you to HLy Alexandria Doyle for suggesting the use of her banners from her display to decorate the hall. She was able to add ambiance to the hall as well as better display her arts.

Thank you to Astrid and her crew for running gate. You all did a great job and everyone made it through gate smoothly.

I believe that the Princess enjoyed the tea held in her honor. The comradery helps to build a strong rapier community.

Thank you to those of you that stayed to help clean up. At that point in the day, I was a bit tired but I know that I saw Safiya, Santiago, Deitrich, William, and Alexandra Notte Claire. There may have been others that helped with loading the trailer; it was a whirlwind of activity.

Big, huge, giant thanks to M’s Llywelyn and Xene for coordinating the church, working with us for set up and clean up, hosting the brewing competition, and the after party revel. Without you, this event could not have happened as it did.

And last, thank you to Their Excellencies and Aurelia for allowing me the opportunity to serve our barony. I had a great time and look forward to working with you again.

Sincerely,

Baroness Ekaterina, known best as Katya