Announcements

General Announcements made about the goings on in the Barony of Bhakail.

March 2024 issue of the Salamander

While a few days later than anticipated, here is the latest issue of the Bhakail newsletter, The Salamander. Included in this issue are the two letters of intent submitted from candidates for Bhakail coronet, as well as lots of information on the upcoming Waking of the Salamander III!

Please contact me at chronicler@bhakail.eastkingdom.org if you would like to contribute an article, artwork, or other content for an upcoming issue.

Yours in service,

Ellyn Grene (Bhakail Chronicler)

April 2024 Business Meeting Notes

Events

Waking of the Salamander

Planning is going well. Anticipating pre-registrations of around 40. The weather is looking good!If you have firewood you could bring or carts that could be used, please reach out to Eirik.

Commons Bid

Bids are welcomed!

Yule Bid

Bids are welcomed!

Old Business

Letters of intent for Baron/Baroness

Two letters have been submitted by the deadline of this meeting: one from the Honorable Lord Mikael melrakki, one from Captain Ian Douglas and Lady Triona MacCasky. Be on the lookout for announcements of opportunities to meet the candidates and details/dates for the polling process.

New Business

Seneschal

Mael Eoin is stepping down as Senschesl in June, letters of intent are welcomed and encouraged.

Budget request for archery practices

Request has been made for up to $400 for purchase of loaner arrows and other supplies for Bhakail archery practices. The Barony voted, and supports this request to the Exchequer.

Additional Officer Reports

Coronet’s Report – Baron Muin maqq Minain

Greetings the Peoples of the Barony, Our neighbors and Our Allies;

It is a wonder to see the flowering of the world around us, and know that the warmth of the Sun is just around the corner!

Please take some time to greet the natural world and spend some time acclimating to warmer weather. Going out in garb at outdoor events when you’re still in ‘Winter Mode” can be… distressing.

Regardless of all else, We are hoping to see as many of you all at upcoming events both within AND without the bounds of Bhakail!

Remember:
Hydration.
Do not overexert.
Do not overextend!
Remember the Olio!
Help others when you see they need it.
In the course of the year to come, be calm, and patient.
With yourself AND others.

Looking forward to seeing all the happy faces at WotS3!

Be well;

Muin,

Baron of Bhakail

Seneschal’s Report – Máistir Mael Eoin mac Echuidh

Following last month’s Baronial polling, we are closing the call for Letters of Intent for Baron(ess) and/or Baron(ess) of Bhakail. Thank you to all who have considered throwing in for the role and especially those who have done so. Cross your fingers that Kingdom and Society do their parts in a timely manner and we can plan for Investiture this coming December!

We will be formally announcing the vacancy for Seneschal this month to allow for letters to be submitted, but if you’ve been thinking about it, I’ve been mentioning it for a bit…so far, there’s one letter in for the role and we’ve been working on what goes into the role, what changes might be good to bring up, etc. I’m looking forward to seeing what is to come with new energy and perspectives involved!

Looking forward to Waking of the Salamander and everything else coming up through the Summer! If you have any interest in helping with various events, especially with Yule hopefully being the Investiture of our next Baronial Coronet(s), keep an eye out for announcements or reach out and we’ll get you in touch with appropriate folk 🙂

Chamberlain – Baroness Ysmay de Lynn

Margarette, Mikael and I went through the youth items and got rid of 5 tubs of material that was old, not appropriate (like glitter and non-medieval themed objects, or would take too much work to make usable at this time. We organized the remaining items into boxes that will be easy to grab for events, including a box of kid games. We were able to clear out two sections of the closets.

Bailiwick of Ivyeinrust – Emery de Champagne

The Bailiwick of Ivyeinrust had our business meeting on April 8. We discussed our progress on Known World.

Due to previous concern, unfortunately we must announce that no persons may harbor jackalopes or dragons. Griffins will be permitted, however, only as a registered service-creature.

Minute notes recorded by Ellyn Grene

April 2024 Officer Reports

Following are the monthly officer reports that have been submitted prior to the Bhakail monthly business meeting of April 9, 2024..

Archery Marshal – Lady Ellyn Grene

Weekly practices have resumed on Sunday’s, 1:30-3:30pm at Mikael’s. Also happy to report that there have been two brand new archers at practices in the last month.

Thrown Weapons Marshal – The Honorable Lord Mikael melrakki

Practices have started up again. Sundays, 11am – 1pm at my place.

Minister of the List – The Honorable Lord Mikael melrakki

Nothing to report.

Chronicler – Lady Ellyn Grene

I’m still working on the March newsletter; came down with a cold that put me out of commission for a few days and still trying to get caught up.

Minister of Arts & Sciences – Honorable Lady Scolastica Capellaria

Bhakalis are hard at work on many fun and interesting projects. Last month we had a trip to the Museum and a Greek diner which was a great success.

Our next trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be on April 12th. Museum entry is “Pay what you wish” on Friday evenings from 5-8:45 and offers $10 parking (please remember to validate your parking at the museum desk). Plan to meet in the cloister between 5:45 and 6pm. Late arrivals are welcome, feel free to email/message me to find the group. We will plan to get some food/beverage after the museum.

Stewards of the Waking of the Salamander are searching for teachers for classes appropriate for teaching out of doors. Please contact the stewards for information.

Additionally, our bardic and gaming championships will be held at Waking of the Salamander this year. Start practicing your 9-mans morris techniques now!

There are A&S opportunities at the following local events:

April 19-21, Waking of the Salamander III (Media, PA). Bardic and Gaming competitions with a day of classes focused on outdoor activities.
May 11, East Kingdom College of Performers Challenge Assembly Day, (Langhorne, PA). Day of bardic challenges and classes.
May 18, B.O.E. Ultimate Tournament (Mulica Hill, NJ), A&S Display, theme to be announced.
May 18, At the Sign of the Dancing Fox (Kingston, NY), Dancing, games, and an A&S challenge to create a banner commemorating spring and foxes, as well as cooking and a competition to clothe the fox!
May 24-27, Quest for Wit & Wisdom (Pittstown, NJ). Artisans’ Row, Competition and presentation of Shakespear’s Pyramus and Thisbe.
May 31-2, Academy of St. Clare of Assisi Embroidery Schola (Millmont PA, (Aethelmarc)), Embroidery schola!
June 22, Novice Day (Rusted Woodlands (NJ), day of competitions geared toward novices and newcomers.
June 29-30, Known World Heraldic and Scribal Symposium (Philadelphia PA).

Several Known World events are occurring within a relatively close distance this year!

Known World Heraldic and Scribal Symposium, June 29-30 in Philadelphia. Currently calling for classes: https://www.kwhss2024.org/2024/02/19/a-call-for-classes/

Known World Cooks and Bards, August 29-2 in Deposit, New York (currently looking for event staff! https://kwcooksbards24.aethelmearc.org/)

Known World Dance and Music Symposium, July 4-7th in Danville Indiana (a 11 ish hour drive away). https://www.kwds.org/

If you are interested in teaching or hosting arts and science classes locally, please let me know! I would like to schedule additional classes for the barony and friends.

The Kingdom MOAs office now has a calendar for arts and science events across the kingdom! https://moas.eastkingdom.org/event-calendar/

If you have any A&S interests that you would like to explore, need help researching something, or are looking for resources feel free to email me at MOAS@bhakail.eastkingdom.org. I also would love to see what you are working on! Please send me pictures of your projects!

Chatelaine – Lady Chana Freidl the Maker

Our few newcomers have started coming to events and seem to be having a great time! As always, it’s nice to see new faces sharing our hobby.

Pennsic: Our first deadline for camp has come and gone, so I have opened up space in our camp to our waiting list. It is now first come, first served for space. If you want to camp with Bhakail this year, I suggest you pre-reg as soon as possible. Please let me know if you have any questions.

March 2024 Business Meeting Notes

Events

Waking of the Salamander

Waking of the Salamander is next month, April 19-21, and is all set to go. Stay tuned on the EK event webpage for any updates.

Commons Bid

Bids are being accepted.

Yule Bid

Yule will be a baronial investiture this year, and early bids are encouraged. Martyn de Halliwll is working on a bid, and if anyone is interested in helping with this bid please contact him at 181171@members.eastkingdom.org.

Old Business

Acquisition of Shade Tents and Tables for Events

Chana has priced out canvas, it would be approximately $200 for the material to make covers for the EZup frames that the barony owns. A vote was held in support of the purchase, which will be submitted to the finance committee for final approval.

Residency Variance for Baronial Election

A polling was held this month to see if there is support from the populace of Bhakail for Rowen Cloteworthy’s residency variance. This variance would be required from the Board of Directors in order for him to run for Bhakail Baron, with Sabine de Kerbriant as Baroness in the upcoming election.

The polling was closed during the meeting and the results were announced, with the Barony not in support of the variance.

So far there are two separate letters of intent for the Coronet that have been submitted, and the final deadline for letters to be submitted is by the April business meeting (April 9, 2024).

New Business

No new business.

Additional Officer Reports

Coronet’s Report – Baron Muin maqq Minain

Greetings the Peoples of the Barony, Our neighbors and Our Allies… and THAT guy;

Writing this to you all as I hobble about on one of my canes.

As time has bowled recklessly forward, We are gleefully awaiting the next great event We may attend!

I hope those wonderful people who have stepped up to run these events, and to work these events, know how precious their efforts are to the Barony of Bhakail, its people, and its currently hobbled Baron.

We cannot wait for the joys that are WotS III, and Commons!

Many contests lie ahead, and we cannot wait to see Our people come out to compete!

We also have many Local and Regional events, meetings, and practices to look forward to as the Year once again rolls ever onward, such as the Weekly Social, Various Fighting practices, and Scribal Classes & Gatherings, wherein many integral and exciting things happen!

I will reiterate how proud I was of all of the effort Bhakail put into the Largess Gifts that were given to Iron Bog at their Investiture, the Crown at Yule, and to Buckland Cross at its investiture! (Such a list!)

We would like to note the various other Largess Projects that are on Our Horizons this quickly dwindling year, anyone interested in participating, please (again…) see Lady Scolastica, or Myself!

Regardless of all else, We are hoping to see as many of you all at upcoming events both within AND without the bounds of Bhakail!

Remember:

Hydration.
Do not overexert.
Do not overextend!
Just Say No to Mortal Wombat Systems.
Help others when you see they need it.
In the course of the year to come, be calm, and patient.
With yourself AND others.

Looking forward to seeing all the happy faces at Tavern!

Be well,

And Peace be upon You in these Sweaty, Unreasonable Times;

Muin,

Baron of Bhakail

Knight Marshal – Aaron the Swift

As the weather is beginning to heat up, we are returning to the 48 Dickenson street site. Attendance is usually better at this location and we can fight as long as we’d like. As the weather could still turn sour, we are deciding location on an ad-hoc location. Please check or ask on the “Philadelphia SCA Fighter Practice Info” Facebook page for the most up to date information!

Chatelaine – Lady Chana Freidl the Maker

Nothing to report from the office of the Chatelaine.

Minute notes recorded by Ellyn Grene

March 2024 Officer Reports

Following are the monthly officer reports that have been submitted prior to the Bhakail monthly business meeting of March 12, 2024.

Social Media Deputy – Dillena o’r Gwyrddol

We’ve had a truly incredible month in the realm of social media! 5 new members have been welcomed into our Facebook group. We’ve had 54 posts, 174 comments, and 711 reactions. Over the course of the month, 550 of our facebook members have been active.

Our new Instagram account @baronybhakail now has 75 followers. Feel free to interact with our content and tag us in your own posts as well!

Very special thanks to Lucius Aternius Calidus, who created the series of posts we shared for Black History Month! His amazing work on this series was recognized by SCA DEI and was eventually shared on the Society’s main Facebook page. Great work Calidus!

As always, I appreciate you all for helping make our online space a success!

Rapier Marshal – Don Melchior Kriebel

Practice continued to be held at the Reformation Lutheran Church in Media, PA. Attendance is still in the 15-20 range.

For Lent (through the month of March) practice is held a 1/2 hour later than usual: 8PM-10PM.

Archery Marshal & Thrown Weapons Marshal – Lady Ellyn Grene and The Honorable Lord Mikael melrakki

Practices will start back up soon! A survey was shared to the Bhakail email list and Facebook groups to identify the best day of the week for practices for the year and a practice prep day. Based on the survey responses, practices will continue to be on Sundays, and as long as weather cooperates, there will be a practice site prep day on Sunday, March 17. Further details will be announced.

Minister of the List – The Honorable Lord Mikael melrakki

Lists continue to be listed.

Chronicler – Lady Ellyn Grene

If you have any content for inclusion in the March issue, please try to get it to me by no later than March 22.

Minister of Arts & Sciences – Honorable Lady Scolastica Capellaria

Bhakalis are hard at work on many fun and interesting projects. We are planning on a trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art on the evening of March 15th to celebrate the Ides of March. Museum entry is “Pay what you wish” on Friday evenings from 5-8:45 and offers $10 parking. We will plan to get some food/beverage after the museum.

Stewards of the Waking of the Salamander are searching for teachers for classes appropriate for teaching out of doors. Please contact the stewards for information.

Additionally, our bardic and gaming championships will be held at Waking of the Salamander this year. Start practicing your 9-mans morris techniques now!

There are A&S opportunities at the following local events:

March 16, Noval Schola (Collegeville, PA). A Day of learning and classes.
March 23, Mudthaw (Washington, NJ). Baronial A&S competition.
April 19-21, Waking of the Salamander III (Media, PA). Bardic and Gaming competitions with a day of classes focused on outdoor activities.
May 18, B.O.E. Ultimate Tournament (Mulica Hill, NJ), A&S Display, theme to be announced.
May 24-27, Quest for Wit & Wisdom (Pittstown, NJ). Artisans’ Row, Comeptition and presentation of Shakespear’s Pyramus and Thisbe.
May 31-2, Academy of St. Clare of Assisi Embroidery Schola (Millmont PA, (Aethelmarc)), Embroidery schola!
June 29-30, Known World Heraldic and Scribal Symposium (Philadelphia PA).

Several Known World events are occurring within a relatively close distance this year!

Known World Heraldic and Scribal Symposium, June 29-30 in Philadelphia. Currently calling for classes: https://www.kwhss2024.org/2024/02/19/a-call-for-classes/

Known World Cooks and Bards, August 29-2 in Deposit, New York (currently looking for event staff! https://kwcooksbards24.aethelmearc.org/)

If you are interested in teaching or hosting arts and science classes locally, please let me know! I would like to schedule additional classes for the barony and friends.

The Kingdom MOAs office now has a calendar for arts and science events across the kingdom! https://moas.eastkingdom.org/event-calendar/

February 2024 Business Meeting Notes

Events

Tavern

Tavern happened and the event stewarts did a great job!

Waking of the Salamander

Planning is moving forward, with dates of April 19-21. Bardic and gaming champions are now part of this event since they were not able to be held at Tavern.

Commons Bid

Bids are welcomed for Commons

Yule Bid

Yule will be a baronial investiture this year, so planning needs to begin as soon as possible. The likely date is December 14, 2024.

Old Business

None

New Business

Society and Kingdom Business

Exchequer reports are due to the Kingdom. An extension is possible if requested.
Membership rates are increasing to $55/year for an associate membership, which is the minimum membership required to be an officer.
The member discount for event fees (often referred to as the non member event fee) is increasing to $10 from $5. There is a scholarship (the Signorotti Membership Assistance Fund) available to aid in membership fees if required.
The president of the SCA is stepping down. Nominations are open.

Acquisition of Shade Tents and Tables for Events

Discussion of the purchase of one or two pop-up shade tents for baronial events. Considerations are cost, storage, and transportation. Mikael says there should be space for storage in his basement with the other baronial supplies. Chana may be able to make roofs for some frames no longer used by the Bhakail Pennsic encampment. Chana and Ysmay will be exploring the options. Need for tables at events was also discussed.

Residency Variance for Baronial Election

Sabine de Kerbriant and Rowen Cloteworthy are considering the submission of a letter of intent to run for Bhakail Baron and Baroness in the upcoming election. Due to Rowen’s mailing address, this would require a residency variance from the Board of Directors. The BOD meets quarterly, and thus this variance would need to be requested as soon as possible. To give the BOD time to respond, the option to move the date by which letters of intent are required to the April business meeting rather than March was discussed. Rowen proposed to hold an operational vote of the barony to see if there is sufficient support for them to appear on the ballot, assuming a variance is approved. The plan for an operational vote at the March business meeting was approved.

Confirming Baronial Residency for Polling

Several recent SCA pollings have had issues with incorrect polling data for the populace. Methods were discussed to informally survey individuals who are SCA members and believe they are residents of Bhakail so polling data can be as correct as possible.

Additional Officer Reports

Coronet’s Report – Baron Muin maqq Minain

Greetings the Peoples of the Barony, Our neighbors and Our Allies;

Writing this to you all from the comforting confines of my sickbed, hoping you are all doing well.

As time has rolled inexorably forward, we have had wonderful reports from many sources of the great joy and fun had by those lucky enough to have attended Our Tavern event! I hope those wonderful people who stepped up to run the event, and to work the event, know how precious their efforts are to the Barony of Bhakail, and its ailing Baron.

We may now, of course, focus Our Efforts to the preparations for both WotS III, and Commons!

Many contests lie ahead, and we cannot wait to see Our people come out to compete!

We would like to note the various other Largess Projects that are on Our Horizons this quickly dwindling year, anyone interested in participating, please (again…) see Lady Scolastica, or Myself!

Now…As was announced at Yule during Court, Our term as Baron ends this coming year, At Yule, and so the Race begins!

Who will step up to succeed Me?

Interested parties should submit a Letter of Intent to the Senescal ASAP! Final deadline for Letters of Intent is the March Barony Meeting!

THE CLOCK IT TICKING!!!

If you are interested, but want to know what being Bhakail’s Coronet(s) is about and like, message me, or ask me the next time you see me!

Regardless of all else, We are hoping to see as many of you all at upcoming events both within AND without the bounds of Bhakail!

Remember:
Hydration.
Do not overexert.
Say No to robot-love-pigeons.
Help others when you see they need it.
In the course of the year to come, be calm, and patient.
With yourself AND others.

Looking forward to seeing all the happy faces at Tavern!

Be well,
And Peace be upon You in these Sweaty, Unreasonable Times;
Muin,
Baron of Bhakail

Thrown Weapons Marshal – The Honorable Lord Mikael melrakki

Practices still on hold.

Minister of the List – The Honorable Lord Mikael melrakki

Nothing to report.

Minute notes recorded by Ellyn Grene

February 2024 Officer Reports

Following are the monthly officer reports that have been submitted prior to the Bhakail monthly business meeting of Feb. 13, 2024.

Seneschal’s Report – Máistir Mael Eoin mac Echuidh

We’re now one month away from needing letters of intent for anyone considering being Baron(ess) and/or Baron(ess) of Bhakail.

His Excellency’s term is up in December, so we’re looking to get the process started and – hopefully – completed before time runs short on planning an Investiture. Normally, 9 months would be enough room as polling and everything associated with it can take 2+ months, minimum, but then throw Pennsic in there and we all collectively lose a month or more, plus the Royals will turn over in April, adding a delay in the process… In addition, there are still severe issues with the membership data at the Society level, so…expect more delays than on PA highways in road work season 😉

If you would like to know more about the role, pros and cons, things to consider, etc., please consider reaching out to current and former local Baronesses and Barons.

Along those lines, I’m still vacating my office after this term ends. Anyone interested in the role should let me know ahead of June.

On the Corporate front, the East requested a variance for leveraging Rapier as an alternate format for Crown, but the BoD rejected it. There are a handful of other Kingdoms lining up, now, to build on the case, so as the BoD offers up reasons for rejection, each successive request expects to meet the new requirements as needed. I don’t know if TRH and their heirs will resubmit, but it likely won’t be the last time the East tries for a test case.

Additionally, Sustaining membership fees are increasing to $55/yr and the non-member surcharge is going to be $10 per event. Details were forwarded to the list this past week but if you have any questions, let me know.

Social Media Deputy – Dillena o’r Gwyrddol

We’ve had a wonderful month in the realm of social media! 4 new members have been welcomed into our Facebook group. We’ve had 72 posts, 185 comments, and 968 reactions. Over the course of the month, 521 of our facebook members have been active.

Our new Instagram account @baronybhakail now has 67 followers. Feel free to interact with our content and tag us in your own posts as well!

As always, I appreciate you all for helping make our online space a success!

Rapier Marshal – Don Melchior Kriebel

Rapier practice has been held regularly on Wednesdays at the Reformation Lutheran Church in Media from 7:30-9:30PM. Attendance has been excellent with 15-20 fencers per practice. Practice time will be moving from 8:00-10:00PM for Lent to avoid conflict with the church’s evening Mass. In addition, practice will be primarily open and closed by Eva for the next several months as I undergo further cancer treatments.

Archery Marshal – Lady Ellyn Grene

Practices are still on hiatus until the weather cooperates.

As of January 2024, the East Kingdom archery royal round rankings have returned to the pre-COVID policy that scores expire after one year. Due to this, the number of EK archers with current royal round rankings dropped significantly as of the most recent scoring update of January 25, with only three Bhakail archers appearing in the rankings as of this report. Hopefully the number will grow once we start practices back up in the spring!

The East Kingdom Consort’s and Sovereign’s Archery Champions will be held on June 8, 2024 in the Shire of Midland Vale (Goshen, NY), approximately a 2.5 hour drive from Bhakail. This is a day event with no camping. The champions tournament is always a fun shoot and a great opportunity to hang out with the other archers in the kingdom. If you are interested in attending, contact me and we can look into carpooling.

Chronicler – Lady Ellyn Grene

The latest issue of the Salamander was published on January 23, and the next issue is scheduled to be released before the end of March. Thank you again to everyone who contributed to the last issue! If you have any content for inclusion in the March issue, please try to get it to me by no later than March 22.

Minister of Arts & Sciences – Honorable Lady Scolastica Capellaria

While we did not have our gaming or bardic competition at Tavern, a merry time of playing games, listening to song, and dancing was had by all in attendance!

There are A&S opportunities at the following local events:

February 17, Bellringers 40th: Beauty, Bells and Brawn, Barony of Carillion (Manalapan, NJ). Period games and arts and science activities.
February 25, Black Gryphon Inn (Edison, NJ). Canton Bardic Competition, brewers competition, A&S tournament, and dancing!
March 2, East Kingdom Arts and Science Competition, (Worcester, MA).
March 16, Noval Schola (Collegeville, PA). A Day of learning and classes.
March 23, Mudthaw (Washington, NJ). Baronial A&S competition.

Several Known World events are occurring within a relatively close distance this year!

Known World Heraldic and Scribal Symposium, June 29-30 in Philadelphia

Known World Cooks and Bards, August 29-2 in Deposit, New York https://kwcooksbards24.aethelmearc.org/)

If you are interested in teaching or hosting arts and science classes locally, please let me know! I would like to schedule additional classes for the barony and friends.

The Kingdom MOAS office now has a calendar for arts and science events across the kingdom! https://moas.eastkingdom.org/event-calendar/

Chatelaine – Lady Chana Freidl the Maker

Chatelaine – nothing to report.

Pennsic – heed your camp master!

January 2024 issue of the Salamander

Here is the new issue of the Bhakail newsletter, The Salamander. This issue includes information on the upcoming Bhakail Tavern and the baronial court report from Yule.

Please contact me at chronicler@bhakail.eastkingdom.org if you would like to contribute an article, artwork, or other content for an upcoming issue.

Yours in service,

Ellyn Grene (Bhakail Chronicler)

January 2024 Business Meeting Notes

Events

Tavern

Tavern is coming up on January 27, 2024. Certificate of insurance has been received. Pre-registration is currently open and there is an attendance cap of 60. If you know of any newcomers coming who need garb, contact Chana in advance.

Waking of the Salamander Bid

A bid has been received and will be reviewed by the Council of the Exchequer.

Old Business

Open and Opening Offices

Chamberlain: Is currently open and a call was made for letters of intent last month. A letter of intent was submitted by Ysmay de Lynn. Vote was held and she was appointed to the position.
Seneschal: Position is open as of June. Mael Eoin encourages anyone interested in the position to contact him to learn more or shadow him. This is one of the two required positions for the barony per SCA law.
Coronet: Letters of intent must be submitted by the March business meeting. There have currently been no letters of intent submitted.

New Business

Deputy Herald

Lady Ragna Grímólfsdóttir, Salamander Pursuivant (Baronial Herald) seeks a Deputy Herald. If you want to learn more, please contact Ragna at herald@bhakail.eastkingdom.org

New Event Site List

Ragna has been actively researching potential event sites located in Bhakail and nearby. She is happy to do the legwork in researching sites, so if you are a potential event autocrat or know of sites that might be possibilities, please reach out to Ragna at herald@bhakail.eastkingdom.org. The goal is to have one person be the initial contact reaching out to sites so that the same information is gathered from each.

Additional Officer Reports

Knight Marshal – Aaron the Swift

Winter practices are currently being held at the Lonnie Young Recreation Center until the weather turns warmer. This site does have easily accessible bathrooms, unlike our normal site! Please see below for details for the site and altered practice time.

1100 E Chelten Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19138
Tuesdays, 6:00-9PM ET.

Minister of Arts & Sciences – Honorable Lady Scolastica Capellaria

Bhakalis will have a fantastic yule of arts and sciences and brewing! Your new Bhakail Arts and Science Champion is none other than your intrepid MOAS, Scolastica, and your Brewing Champion is Lui Wing-Ken. The competition this year was fierce and the documentation some of the best I have ever seen! Entrants of the A&S competition included embroidery, tablet weaving, medicinal salve, a jester, basket weaving and beautiful Harp Music. And the brews were all drunk before I could spy on them, and therefore must have been very tasty indeed!

I look forward to period games and bardic competitions this coming Tavern!

There are A&S opportunities at the following local events:

January 13, Twelfth Night, Barony of Buckland Cross, (Jamison PA). A selection of period games in addition to other activities. Also A&S rubric training and a meeting of the brewers guild.
January 20, An Owlsherst Country Twelfth Night, (York, PA). Games, music and dancing.
January 27, At the Sign of the Fir and Bear, Barony of Bhakail, (Philadelphia, PA). Period games and the baronial bardic competitions.
February 17, Bellringers 40th: Beauty, Bells and Brawn, Barony of Carillion (Manalapan, NJ). Period games and arts and science activities.
February 25, Black Gryphon Inn (Edison, NJ). Canton Bardic Competition, brewers competition, A&S tournament, and dancing!
March 2, East Kingdom Arts and Science Competition, (Worcester, MA).
March 16, Nova Schola (Collegeville, PA). A Day of learning and classes.
March 23, Mudthaw (Washington, NJ). Baronial A&S competition.

East Kingdom Arts and Science Competition March 2, 2024

December 1, 2023, registration opens.
February 3, 2024 Research Paper submission deadline
February 10, 2024, Competition and judging registration deadline
February 17, 2024, Documentation submission deadline
February 24, 2024, Display registration deadline
March 2, 2024, East Kingdom Arts and Sciences Competition, Shire of Quintavia, (Worcester, MA).

For any questions, please check out moas.eastkingdom.org. For those going to Birka, there will be additional rubric classes, consultations and a display to prepare all for the kingdom wide competition.

Virtual A&S Opportunities abound:

Virtual Known World Heralds and Scribes Symposium is happening online from January 26-28, 2024.

Atlantia University’s next online session is February 3-4, 2024

Several Known World events are occurring within a relatively close distance this year!

Known World Heraldic and Scribal Symposium, June 29-30 in Philadelphia

Known World Cooks and Bards, August 29-2 in Deposit, New York (currently looking for event staff! https://kwcooksbards24.aethelmearc.org/)

If you are interested in teaching or hosting arts and science classes locally, please let me know! I would like to schedule additional classes for the barony and friends.

The Kingdom MOAs office now has a calendar for arts and science events across the kingdom! https://moas.eastkingdom.org/event-calendar/

Minute notes recorded by Ellyn Grene

January 2024 Officer Reports

Following are the monthly officer reports that have been submitted prior to the Bhakail monthly business meeting of January 9, 2024.

Seneschal’s Report – Máistir Mael Eoin mac Echuidh

By now, Pennsic registration has opened and we’re looking at another year of events near and far. Waking of the Salamander is being prepared and Tavern is lurking at the end of January for those not heading up to Birka. We’ve got a new calendar to help visualize our upcoming events and when their bids are expected as well as any upcoming officer terms up for renewal (those offices that can renew; Seneschal and Exchequer have hard limits set by Kingdom, for instance).

Speaking of which, it’s again time to mention that I am not seeking a second term myself and the Barony will be in need of a Seneschal come June. If you’re interested in the role, let me know and we can spend some time sharing the role in the run up to June; I’ll be happy to support afterwards, too, I just need to lighten my service load as more projects (self-imposed and otherwise) are looming 🙂

We’re also coming up on needing a polling for our next Baron(ess) and Baron(ess)! Letters of intent are due by the March meeting so that we can start the process. Given issues with membership data at the Society level, the process might be bumpy, so hopefully we can kick things off in March to ensure enough time at all levels to have a successful polling.

Here’s to a good year for us all and we’ll see you around, here and there!

Social Media Deputy – Dillena o’r Gwyrddol

We’ve had a wonderful month in the realm of social media 6 new members have been welcomed into our Facebook group. We’ve had 46 posts, 152 comments, and 829 reactions. Over the course of the month, 516 of our facebook members have been active.

Additionally, we have a new Instagram account. We currently have 53 followers on our account @baronybhakail and we look forward to growing further over time. Please feel free to follow us and interact with our content so we can reach new people on this platform!

As always, I appreciate you all for helping make our online space a success!

Rapier Marshal – Don Melchior Kriebel

We have secured a new practice site! As of January we will be holding practices once again on every Wednesday from 7:30 to 9:30 at the Reformation Lutheran Church in Media, PA. Spoiler alert: As of this writing we have had our premier practice at the site and it was a smashing success with 20 fencers in attendance. Here’s hope all goes well going forward!

Archery Marshal – Lady Ellyn Grene

Nothing to report.

Thrown Weapons Marshal – The Honorable Lord Mikael melrakki

Practices on hold until spring.

Minister of the List – The Honorable Lord Mikael melrakki

Nothing to report.

Chronicler – Lady Ellyn Grene

The publication date for the next issue of The Salamander is fast approaching; please send me any content you want to contribute by no later than January 15.

Chatelaine – Lady Chana Freidl the Maker

Chatelaine – nothing to report. Hoping to see if any new contacts from PAX come to Tavern, but I haven’t heard from anyone.

Pennsic – Pre-registration will begin soon, so please heed your camp masters! If you have camped with Bhakail in the past two years and wish to again, please get in touch with me before pre-registering. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please also let me know.