The Hunt of John Barleycorn

September11-12, Northpass (North Salem, NY)

As the forests turn to the golden hues of autumn, so does the mind turn to woodland pastimes - like HUNTING!!! Once again the Canton of Northpass welcomes gentles from all realms to the verdant glens of the Mountain Lakes Camp, Hawley Mountain Rd (no number), North Salem, NY, for a weekend of chase, challenge, and merriment.

Archers from the Crown Province and throughout the land may test their skills against wily prey in the annual Ostgardr Provincial archery championships or the John Barleycorn Hunter's challenge. For those who prefer the more personal approach there will be the Fourth Annual Viscount Sir Master Master Edward Zifran of Gendy's Unbelted Fighters' Challenge. Last, but certainly not least, the brewers of the East may compete to find the perfect drink to accompany the day's catch, in the John Barleycorn Memorial Brewer's Competition. Merchants and bards shall abound through the site for the enjoyment of all.

As evening falls, the hunters and frolickers may join us in the hunting lodge to feast upon the day's spoils, supplemented by the fruits of our fair land. This magnificent feast of three spitted beasts (venison, beef, and lamb) will be prepared by Patricia of the Tangled Wyldes (Patricia Auslander). Palmina of the Saint (Pauline DeSantis) will display her confectionery magic in her reprise of the Northpass sotelty table. Throughout the evening, entertainers of various sorts shall perform for your pleasure. Those with dietary considerations should contact the feastocrat at 914-528-4822, before 10 p.m. or gentlebawd@juno.com.

The cost for this weekend of merriment is $25 onboard (which entitles you to dayboard Saturday, the feast in the evening, cabin space for the night and breakfast Sunday morning). Day tripping (dayboard and site until 5 p.m.) is $10.00. In both cases, babes-in-arms (5 years old and under) are free. The site opens Saturday the 11th at 8:00 a.m. and closes Sunday at noon. (Troll closes at 4 p.m. on Saturday). Cabins are available for the night of Friday the 10th for an additional $10 (troll in from 6-10 p.m.). Any gentle found on site after noon on Sunday has volunteered for clean up.

Make reservation checks payable to "SCA, Inc. - Canton of Northpass." Please send all reservations to the troll, Friedrich of Northpass c/o Carl Haicken at 3720 Hudson View St., Mohegan Lake, NY 10547. All reservations postmarked after August 15th will be assessed a late fee of $5 per person. Include a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope if you would like a confirmation. The only reservation is a paid reservation.

Tables for merchants are available free of charge, with a paid reservation.

Please contact the autocrat, Lord Thomas of Northpass (Tom Martin) to make arrangements at 914-528-8468 or at constable@cyburban.com. General questions may also be addressed to Lord Thomas.

Directions:

Take best route to I-684.

From the North:

Take exit 9 (Hardscrabble Rd.) and go right (over the highway). Go about three miles to a Y-intersection (June Rd./Rt. 124). Turn right and go straight for about two miles. (continue at * below).

From the South:

Take exit 7 (Somers Rd./Rt. 116). Go right at the end of the ramp, left at the intersection, and right at the fork. You are to stay on Rt. 116 for 4 miles. At the intersection with June Rd. (Rt. 124) turn right. (There's a bank on the right and signs pointing the way to Mountain Lakes.) Go straight for about a half a mile.
* At the intersection of Grant Rd./Rt. 121, cross over to Hawley Rd. The entrance to Mountain Lakes will be two miles down on the left.

By public transportation:

Make arrangements to be met at the Purdy's Station on Metro North's Harlem Line.