Østgarðr Commons Minutes, Feb. 16, 2001

notes by Stephen Bloch

Upcoming Ostgardr events:

• Rogues' Revel tomorrow (Feb. 17); reservations still available.
• Celtic Silliness Mar. 17: Li'l Mitch is autocrat, Big Mitch is cooking. $12.
• Riding of the Marches June 1-3.
• Barleycorn Sept. 7-9.
• Agincourt Nov. 10.

Upcoming demos:

• C.W.Post Renaissance Faire Demo April 22.
• Huntington Renaissance Faire Demo May 26-27.
• Borders Bookstore Demo (Lions End/An Dubh) some time in July.

Upcoming non-Ostgardr events that some of us are going to:

• East Kingdom University Mar. 3 in Iron Bog (Palmyra, NJ).
• Hrim-Schola Mar. 10 in Frosted Hills (Millbrook, NY).
• Mudthaw Mar. 10 in Settmour Swamp (Mannville, NJ).
• Northern Lights Mar. 24 in Panther Vale (Warren, Vermont).
• Southern Region Arts Exhibition Mar. 31-April 1 in An Dubh (Stony Brook, NY).
• Coronation April 21 in Windsor, CT.
• Crown Tourney April 28 in Eisental (Cherryville, PA).
• Southern Regional War Practice, May 18-20 in Owls Reste (York, PA).
• All's Faire in Love and War, May 25-28 in Hartshorndale (Peach Bottom, PA).
• Known World Dance Symposium, June 8-12 in Carolinga (Boston, MA).
• King & Queen's Archery Championship, June 15-17.
• King & Queen's Rattan Championship, June 23.
• Midsummer at Amaral, July 5-8.

Cooking classes: We held a cooking class on redacting mawmenny; it's not ready for prime time yet. Upcoming classes Mar. 4, April 8, May 6, June 10, all at the Cnapichs' home.

Ostgardr Picnic: June 24, in costume, at Kissena Park, coinciding with fighter practice, but some distance away. Bring food to share, tables, outdoor games, etc.

Lions End: Brekke has two deputy seneschals: Kara (in training to take over when Brekke steps down) and Steffan (drop-dead deputy).

Broken Bridge: There are at least 5 new sets of armor, inhabited by 5 new fighters. Reuben is becoming Chatelain. Pacita is stepping down as A&S minister and seeking a replacement.

Arts & Sciences: Ana, Diablu, and Zorikh performed at the King & Queen's Bardic Challenge. Rufina & John have been holding a Recorder Schola, roughly once a month, concentrating on basic recorder skills; Ana, Jeff, Brekke, and Jessica V. have been learning a lot.

Vicereine: Feast or famine. Three years ago there were very few opportunities for Ostgardr artisans to display their work; now between RP A&S displays and self-appointed "regional arts" events, there are enough to verge on burnout.

Exchequer: We're breaking even from one year to the next. All of our events in the past year made (a little) money, which largely went to fund the Seahorse (which intentionally operates at a loss). Brief discussion of event-budget rules and non-print publication.

Seneschal: Gotham TV asked to film a segment at Celtic Silliness. Denise encouraged them to choose another event, but they have time constraints. Denise put lots of strict conditions on letting them in the door, to avoid another "knights in sneakers" story.
The Seneschal Needs a Deputy! She's stepping down in November, and there are currently no volunteers to take over.

Next Commons: Mar. 16 at the Kapajs' home in the Bronx.

Upcoming Commons meetings:

• April 20 at Carol Smith's home in Farmingdale (Long Island);
• May 18 at Ben & Criss's home in Brooklyn.