Populace in focus - Lady Malleen Fenella Menzies (AKA Rivin)

A while back Her Excellency and I started a tradition of interviewing members of the populace for the blog. The goal was to slowly introduce members of the Barony, new and old, in an attempt to foster new connections. Normally, when a possible interview candidate was found Her Excellency or myself contacted them with a standard interview form, asked for some pictures, and then made a blog post. This time around is a bit different. As Chronicler it is a constant challenge to find material for the newsletter. However one member of the populace has made that job so much easier for me and that is Lady Malleen Fenella Menzies (AKA Rivin). This quiet kind woman is often seen at practice sitting at the table working on this or that. I was very familiar with her artwork and when she offered to draw things for the newsletter I quickly accepted. Recently she started on a project of creating page boarders in the form of scrolls. The finished product was amazing, but what was shocking is that when other artists started to see her work they could not believe she was sitting on such a hidden talent. So I quickly formed a plan to put her on the spot with a blog post that showcases her talents. To that end please enjoy some of the work she has done for the Barony over the past several months. I thank her for her efforts and I know we will see more from her in the future.

Baronial 12th Night 2018!

Please join us at the Hael for our annual 12th Night celebration at the Elks Lodge! Bring your friends who want to check out the SCA at a more relaxed event. We have food, friendship, fun and fighting all lined up. This will be Our last 12th night as your Baron and Baroness, we hope to have it go wonderfully and for everyone to have an outstanding time.

Event info:

When: Wednesday January 3rd, 2018, starting at 7:00 PM. There will be a quick business meeting (very quick), then it will be time to party! Clean up will start around 9 PM. Site closes at 10:00 PM.

Where: Lancaster Elks Lodge #1478, 33 Legion Parkway, Lancaster, NY, 14086. The party and meeting will be in the meeting hall behind the main Elk’s lodge bar. Practice will be in the normal gym spot. Please see the map provided for directions on how to enter.

Cost: The party and meeting are free to attend. There is the same 5 dollar (suggested) donation for people using the gym for martial activities.

What to bring: Potluck!! Bring your best dishes to share! Soups, casseroles, briskets, and don’t forget desserts. We won’t create a formal list of who is bringing what, but please post what you are bringing to Yahoo or Facebook so people have an idea what is needed. The Baron will be bringing his pot luck survival kit including plates, bowls, silverware, napkins, power strips for crock pots, and so on.

Drinks: All drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) must be purchased at the Elk’s lodge bar. The Barony will be buying an assortment of soft drinks from the bar this year to offer to all of our 12th Night Guests.

Garb: Garb is not expected or required.

Gift giving: There is a long standing tradition of exchanging gifts at Baronial 12th night. Some people will exchange personal gifts between friends and some people may bring something small to hand out to everyone. Gifts are not required or expected. Please don’t feel obligated to bring something and don’t feel bad if you only exchange gifts between friends (or not at all). The greatest gift is fellowship so please come and enjoy the night.

Court: We are not going to promise there won’t be some court, but if there is it will be brief and to the point.

Contests:

Festive outfit contest: Wear your most festive (and family friendly) clothing, costume, hat, shoes, or similar adornment and compete in our second annual “feel the spirit” festive outfit contest. A celebrity judge will be selected to determine who has the best outfit and the winner will be awarded a super cool prize. 

SCA exchange/swap: 

This year in addition to the usual Twelfth Night festivities of food and merriment, there will be an SCA exchange/swap of garb and gear taking place. If you have garb that no longer fits or gear you no longer use then bring it with you to exchange/swap with someone who may be in need of it. Monetary dealings if any will be strictly between those individuals. And area will be set aside for this activity. 

If there are questions about anything please ask otherwise see you all at the party!

Calling All Orders!

Her Excellency and I would like to poll our Orders one last time before the end of our Reign.  Please feel free to make use of e-mail, Facebook, and even texts to contact us. We are not opposed to meeting in person but please don’t let distance or scheduling stop you from participating. We want to hear from as many of you as possible! Not in an Order? Not a problem. Contact us with your aware recommendations anyway. 

Here is what we are looking for: If you are a member of an order please respond to us in person or via e-mail/facebook/etc. and provide the following:

If you have feedback please provide:

1. Your SCA name.
2. What orders you belong to.
3. The SCA names of people you feel should be included in your order (please note which order for which people and why).

If you have no feedback at this time please provide:

1. Your SCA name.
2. Simply state you are checking in and have no feedback at this time.

Not a member of an order? If you are not a member of an order but feel a person(s) you know should be, please contact us and give us your suggestions. If you don't understand what this process is about please contact us and ask questions. We are happy to explain. 

Thank you for your time. We look forward to hearing from you!

The Orders of Hael:

Orders carrying precedence:

The Venerable Order of the Ice Dragon (VOID): This Award recognizes extensive service within or on behalf of the Barony and Canton(s).

The Venerable Order of the Ice Dragon

The Noble Union of Lords and Ladies (NULL): This Award recognizes exemplars of Courtesy and Chivalry.  

The Noble Union of Lords and Ladies

The Order of the Golden Bee: This Award recognizes exemplars of Arts and Sciences.

The Order of the Golden Bee

The Order of the Dragon Combatant (ODC): This Award recognizes exemplars of martial skills. There is no badge for this award. 

Order of the Dragon's Concordium: This award recognizes new members of the Rhydderich Hael who have embraced the fabric of our society and delight in the wonders of the known world, look to help with activities of the Barony whenever they can, display kindness and chivalrous comportment, and seek to learn in the areas of Arts, Martial activities, Event planning, and other areas of Baronial function. There is no badge for this award. 

Orders not carrying precedence:

The Baronial Order for Creative Engineering Submissions: This Award recognizes exemplars of unique engineering projects benefiting the Barony and its members. There is no badge for this award. 

The Order of the Portcullis: This Award recognizes exemplars of a singular act of service to the Barony that went above and beyond all expectations. There is no badge for this award. 

The Tangled Rose: This award that recognizes decades of service to the Rhydderich Hael. There is no badge for this award. 

Companion of the Golden Scale: This award is intended for people who are not only dedicated to the SCA but also regularly support the Barony even though they call other lands home. 

Companion of the Golden Scale