Pennsic Pity Party in Central Park
Sunday, August 9th, 1997
by Vicomte Cai de Lyon

It proved a nice, sunny day in Central Park. We were all sad that we
couldn't make it to Pennsic but we were determined to have a good time
in spite of it.  Fifteen or so gentlefolk showed up near Castle
Belvedere with picnic lunches, musical instruments, dance tapes, and
gossip from the War. Some were old timers (Baron Aelfgar the
Sententious regaled us with stories of Ostgardrian days gone by), some
were newcomers (a lady from outkingdom showed up with some friends who
live in NYC), and all were there to have fun.

Dona Anabel Guzman de Ravaya graciously offered to autocrat our
get-together and she showed up early to save our normal bardic spot.
We were surrounded by the non-SCA world, but they seemed amused by us,
as were the passers-by.  We spread blankets and other ground-coverings
all around and began to talk in earnest from the moment we arrived.
Much good food was provided and shared by all, including a wonderful
profusion of hummus (one of my favorite things to eat) from many
sources.  Lady Camille (recently moved from Caid to a neighboring
barony east of us who shall remain nameless) taught us an English
Country Dance that most of us hadn't seen.  But mostly we talked and
told stories, some from friends and family at the War and some from
Wars gone by.

It's an an old phrase, but it applies here: A good time was had by all.
We started around 2pm and ended around 6pm.  We then went our separate
ways, tired, full of good food and stories, ready to return to our
abodes.  But we were all glad that even if we couldn't make it to
Pennsic, we had a wonderful afternoon together.

from the September 1997 Seahorse