The Kingdom of the Emerald Hills

This year, as Regent, I put forth several challenges to the populous of Mourningwood Glen.

The first being for everyone to check their ORK and make certain that everything is accurate and up to date. http://www.amtgardrecords.com/chapter.php?chapterID=33 and look for your character's name.

The second is to have a current Amtwiki page complete with your picture and heraldry. There are several photographers out at the park so get together with them to get a picture of you up there and Sir Gavvin will be holding a heraldry class this reign to help with your "Coat of Arms" By the way your picture and heraldry can also go up on your ORK. As an example:
http://amtwiki.org/amtwiki/index.php/Gavvin_Quinn

And thirdly, everyone (except for a precious few), should be able to earn two awards this reign. One that is either a Lion, Rose, or Smith and the second either a Dragon, Owl, or Garber. I am specifically looking for a first or second order and I will be looking for these during regular park days in addition to competitions. Remember *I* am looking to give awards to those who do at least 90% of the work and children will be judged as adults in determining if they qualify for an award.

Definitions

Rose: Awarded for service to the club not necessarily related to an elected office. A first level Order of the Rose indicates a very minor service to the club such as picking up trash, while a tenth level Order of the Rose could be comparable to providing consistent, long-term service to the club.

Smith: Awarded for organizing and running battlegames, quests, workshops, demonstrations, and the like while not in office, or for running such events above and beyond the requirements of one's office. A first level Order of the Smith might be awarded for running a good battlegame at park level. A tenth level Order of the Smith might be awarded for running a series of fun, immersive, and well-scripted battlegames or quests providing direction for an entire reign.

Lion: Awarded for going above and beyond the call of duty in the execution of an office, or for leadership outside of office while performing a service to Amtgard. A first level Order of the Lion might be awarded for organizing Fighter practices on off-Amtgard days. A tenth Order of the Lion might be awarded for running a series of demonstrations that increase attendance and ingratiates the club with the local community.

Owl: Awarded for demonstrating ability in the construction sciences of Amtgard. Weapon construction, armor construction, furniture, shoes, belts, etc. A first level Order of the Owl could be awarded for constructing your first legal and functional sword. A tenth level Order of the Owl might be creating a full suit of decorated and articulated armor, or introducing critical new technologies and construction advancements that affect the group as a whole.

Dragon: Awarded for demonstrating ability in the arts of Amtgard. Performance, painting, sculpting, photography, cooking, banners, artistically focused garb, writing, acting, roleplaying, etc. A first level Order of the Dragon might be awarded for doing a good reading of a non-original poetry piece. A tenth level Order of the Dragon might be awarded for writing and directing an excellent play for entertainment at a large event.

Garber: Awarded for the creation of garb: Tunics, tabards, pants, cloaks, gloves, sashes, pouches, handbags, etc. A first level Order of the Garber might be awarded for creating a simple, well-constructed pouch. A tenth level Order of the Garber might be awarded for making themed, elaborate and intricate court garb for a group of people.

To help you with this challenge I plan on inviting instructors to teach their specialty on regular park days so there will be no excuse as to why each of you cannot meet these challenges.


In proud service to Mourningwood Glen,
Regent Stormdancer, Btss.

_________________
"Well-behaved women seldom make history." --Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

An Owl class on August 9th.

For those looking for a Owl, this coming weekend August 9th, Baron Squire Kenta Redhawk will be teaching how to make his version of a simple round Amtgard legal sword. If you wish to do this, you need to bring the following supplies.

Blue Camping Pad foam (One pad can do about 20+ swords so feel free to go in with others on this)

Fun Noodle

Clear Packing tape

A core - preferably graphite (carbon fiber) Golf Club or Golf Shaft - cheap at Thrift stores; or .505 kitespar; or several fiberglass (orange or white) road stakes that hold reflectors for driveways (Home Improvement stores)

Athletic tape – the medical tape used to wrap ankles (Wal-mart or sporting goods stores) OR Sports Equipment wrap like what is used to wrap tennis rackets or hockey sticks.

Little Girl's Opaque Tights or Opaque Trouser Socks from the Dollar Store or Wal-mart.

(The following are optional but please bring it if you have them for we will probably not have enough for everyone)

Electrical Tape or Duct Tape for the pommels

Hacksaws(with a sharp blade) or an industrial c-clamp type of pipe cutter to cut the cores

Scissors and/or knife to cut foam.

Feel free to ask questions here, if you have any, about the upcoming class.


In proud service to Mourningwood Glen,
Regent Stormdancer, Btss.

_________________
"Well-behaved women seldom make history." --Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Many thanks to Baron Squire Kenta for teaching his class on sword making. Six active participants (meaning people who brought materials and actually made the swords there) took advantage of the offering with a number of people "auditing" the class. He will be free throughout the reign to answer specific questions on his style of sword making so if, while making them on your own, you get stuck feel free to ask him for advice the next time that you see him.


For those looking for a garber credit..

Lady Aramis Clu will attend the park this coming Saturday, August 16th to share her knowledge of garbing at a Garbing Workshop.

Please bring any projects that you are working on or wish to start and any questions that you may have about garbing.

Questions that can/will be answered:

How to finish seems? (this alone can mean the difference between a garber and not) And why it is important for durability?

Why ironing is during construction is essential and not just "busy work"?

What makes a well put together sewing project? (What makes something "garber" worthy?)

Stay stitching and why is it important?

Interfacing and why is it necessary? What about lining?

How to read a pattern and what do all of those funny markings mean?

In competition, what makes for "Court Garb," "Fighting Garb," "Accessories," etc.?

Many other other questions...



Things to bring...

Questions for an individual taught at a professional college for fashion/sewing.
Thread
Hand needles of various sizes
Sharp sewing scissors that are only used for sewing and NOTHING ELSE!
Patterns
Fabric
(optional)
A non-electric sewing machine if you have one
An electric sewing machine if it is not raining AND if the pavilions or soundstage is not being used... If you have one.

I will try to have a project for those who are complete newbies to sewing/garbing..hopefully a "simple pouch" or some such... no promises though.

Reminder that there will be no Arts and Sciences classes the following two Saturdays, Aug 23 and Aug 30. For Weaponmaster and I will be out of town on the 30th.

In service to Mourningwood Glen,
Regent Stormdancer, Btss


My apologies for getting this out so late. I was under the weather.

_________________
"Well-behaved women seldom make history." --Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Would like to ditto that statement. Kenta has helped build a lot of weapons for many at the park (and beyond our park) and it was good to see the ways he goes about making his Amtgard swords (which are usually fairly lite and sturdy weapons). So glad I could take part and learn some newer techniques on sword building.

Sir Clu Da'Bard
@}>--'--,-----------
Sheriff of Mourningwood Glen

::starts to look at numbers and miles and various other factors and signs softly:: Darn it!! Can i get notes from the garbing class?? LoL Lord knows i need it..I'd love to be able to show up and get a hands on... but its not in the cards this time.. maybe at mid reign?

_________________
~*~<3~*~Siobhan Elnarra~*~<3~*~
*Sio*
Co-Founder of Storm Grove

Many thanks to Lady Aramis for allowing Sheriff Clu to bring out wonderful examples of garbers quality garb and to Sheriff Clu for doing that job and bringing out a vintage sewing machine to attempt to show some things upon it. Also, to Lord Asmodius and family for bringing out a generator just in case we did not have power for the sewing machines and serger. Please get well soon, Lady Aramis. Remember, if you have ANY questions regarding sewing, bring the piece and/or the pattern out to the park and there are several experienced garbers who can either be able to help you directly or who will be able to find the answer.

Reminder... there will be no A&S class/workshop this weekend, due to Weaponmaster, nor next weekend, due to the Regent being out of town.

Upcoming classes will be, Heraldry and making reusable and safe arrows.


In humble service.
Stormdancer, Btss
Regent of Mourningwood Glen

_________________
"Well-behaved women seldom make history." --Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

The next A&S Class will be this coming Saturday before our "special" battlegame.

The topic will be Heraldry with SCA trained herald, Sir Gavvin Quinn, Many times Emerald Principal Herald (aka Kingdom GM of of Heralds)

The science (yes, it is a science) of heraldry is not as easy as it seems. It is not just a nice picture put on a plain or fancy colored shield as Sir Gavvin will attest. There are a lot of rules to follow. For example, there are some tinctures (colors) that you should not have on your arms because they represent a permanent "stain" on your honor and name. There is, also, a whole specific "language" involved in heraldry.

If you do not have personal heraldry, want to learn more about the science of heraldry, or have an idea as to what you want your heraldry to be, please, bring your ideas to this class and Sir Gavvin will try to guide you down the correct path.

There will be handouts for this class as well as resources offered.

This should help you with the 2nd part of the MWG Regent's Challenge

Stormdancer, Btss.
Regent of Mourningwood Glen

_________________
"Well-behaved women seldom make history." --Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

I wish to thank Sir Gavvin for his informative class on heraldry and his assistance doesn't stop there. If any of you have questions or want to work on your personal heraldry, he has said that he is more than happy to get together with you to work on it. The impromptu game of "Stump the Herald" was fun!

For those seeking Dragons in any kind of performance or those who may consider serving in a Kingdom or Park level office in the future....

Our next and final class is this Saturday, Sir Qintahr Woodhelven will be giving an "Intro to Improv" workshop.

Sir Qintahr is a Master Dragon and a Serpent knight. He has been studying improv as an art form since 2006. He was a member of ComedySportz Dallas and is a founding member of Locked Out Comedy.

http://www.lockedoutcomedy.com/

What is Improv comedy?
Unlike "Standup Comedy," in which one performer tells pre-planned jokes to the audience, improvisational comedy involves a whole group of performers making up scenes and playing games on the spot, based on audience suggestions.

What you can expect from work shop.
• A chance to enjoy and expand your sense of humor.
• Mental flexibility
• Lots of laughs
• A chance to develop creative thinking skills
• Playmates-similarly bright, creative, playful people
• Confidence in your ability to handle whatever input comes your way

Who should attend?
Anyone who faces an audience. Anyone can benefit from Improvisational Learning Concepts. Whether you're looking to improve sales, motivate a crowd, or take your negotiation skills to the next level a short-form improv class can help. We all have enormous amounts of comic and creative talent. An Improv Comedy class teaches you how to free up that talent and how to focus it into effective onstage presentation of your ideas.

If anyone thinks they might be interested in pursuing Improv beyond the class, you might consider bringing a pen and notepad to take notes, but that's it. Otherwise, just bring yourself and an enthusiasm to try something new.

Stormdancer, Btss.
Regent of Mourningwood Glen

_________________
"Well-behaved women seldom make history." --Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

I wish to thank Sir Qintahr and the participants for the Improv 101 class. We learned lots of skills that help, not just in the performance arts, but focus skills and verbal skills that can help fighters and casters alike on the battle field.

I, also, wish to make a plea. I know that a number of you said that you would not be able to make it to help defend our park due to other mundane obligations of the holidays and other things, and illness in the form of flus, colds, and injuries have hit our Shire very hard this winter. I ask that all who can make it this weekend, please do your best. This particular weekend, as Sheriff Clu stated last weekend, is particularly important to our Shire. If it is at all possible, please make it to the park.


Thank you,
Stormdancer,
Regent of Mourningwood Glen

_________________
"Well-behaved women seldom make history." --Laurel Thatcher Ulrich