Populace in Focus! - THL Maeve Ni Siurtain

Real Name: Michele Nufer

SCA Name and Title: THL Maeve Ni Siurtain

Years in the SCA: On and off, 30+

Persona: Celtic, 10th-13th century Celtic Chieftain’s daughter. Never really came up with a detailed persona story

Group or Household affiliations if any: Ravenstar Lance, inactive with Tuatha Fieren

Tell us a bit about your life outside the SCA.

Currently I am a stay at home mom of 2 children. Erin, who just turned 21, and Ian, who is 12.  I am a former Special Education Teacher, teacher assistant (I semi-retired from the education field in 2007. I help out at the barn where my horse, Guinness is boarded in Orchard Park and work per diem for Carnaby Estate sales with Tiercelin. I have a small menagerie, 11 Koi, 2 guinea pigs (Bandit and Shadow) and one neurotic dog (Winston) My husband does not participate in the SCA.

What SCA activities do you participate in?

In my early days in the society, I did a little of everything, heavy (spear) fencing(had authorization in 4 weapon forms) archery (never was very good),scouting at Pennsic, scribal (calligraphy and illumination, which I can’t do anymore) and dance. Nowadays, I participate in equestrian mostly, embroidery and teach a few classes now and then as well as help wherever needed or wanted.

Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience.

I have been Baronial Dance Mistress and MOL and more recently Baronial Chatelaine and now Region 4 Chatelaine. My experience with the SCA started way back in 1985 at Buffalo State College at the Milton festival that they were participating in. I used to travel, and made many friends in many groups when I would stay with them and also when people came up here and crashed at my home. I have been in 2 kingdoms and one principality without even moving! (East and Aethelmearc).

What are your goals in the SCA?

Goals? Maybe to be King’s Equestrian champion at least once... To find a way to participate more without undue stress at home. To finally make some court garb… And one way out goal/ wish, to be fought for in a crown tourney.

If you could accomplish only one thing in the SCA in the year 2018 what would it be?

To ride in as many equestrian events as I can.

What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA, or if new yourself what question would you ask and who would you ask it of?

Try everything, go to meetings/practices, be curious (it’s ok to ask questions/give compliments (ooh, I really like your____...) It’s so much easier to get information these days as opposed to when I joined (had to go to libraries!). As to who to ask, Anyone! The groups are pretty friendly and happy to talk about anything! When I was new, I would wander around and if I saw something that interested me, I would ask the nearest person, or the one doing it about it

If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have what would it be? 

Maybe to be excellent at one of the things I’ve tried??

Additional comments as you see fit.  

Being around as long as I have, I have seen changes in group dynamics and styles. Believe it or not, there are fashion trends!  Sideless surcoats, Tudor, Italian Ren, and quite a bit of Viking! The quality/ authenticity of garb has increased immensely over the decades. I consider myself as a “jack of many trades”, so, I know some about a lot of things!  If you see me at an event or practice, feel free to come and chat, I love meeting and talking to people (guess that’s why I like being a chatelaine<LOL)

Populace in focus - Lord Fearghus mac Eoin

Real Name: 

Nathan Littlejohn

SCA Name and Title: 

Lord Fearghus mac Eoin

Years in the SCA?

Just south of 20

Persona:

14th century Scottish wandering crusader type.

Group or Household affiliations if any:

House Gladique Scoparum

Tell us a bit about your life outside the SCA:

I work in the construction, primarily large industrial projects. I spend a fair amount of time tending my garden and working in my wood shop. I currently reside with my lovely lady, a Skye terrier whose name is Oscar, two geckos, and a rather grumpy bearded dragon. I also bonfires and beer. 

What SCA activities do you participate in: 

Primarily heavy fighting, but also woodworking, calligraphy & illumination, and armoring. Also period cooking and food preservation. Someday I may dabble more in brewing but there’s only so many hours in the day.

Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (offices, etc):

My semi nomadic lifestyle has led me across three kingdoms (the East, Aethelmearc, and Atlantia) so the only office I’ve held was Knight Marshal of Thescorre. I have autocratted, run more demos than I can count, helped in the kitchen, and generally try to make myself useful or at least amusing.

What are your goals in the SCA?

Besides making prettier garb and armor, my main goal has always been to have fun and encouraging others to do the same.

If you could accomplish only one thing in the SCA in the year 2018 what would it be?

Besides attending more events, make more scrolls.

What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA, or if new yourself what question would you ask and who would you ask it of?
Don’t worry about rank, joining households, awards, or any of that, just go to events and have fun.

If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have what would it be?

Probably embroidery, I like making pretty things.

Scroll from the past, finally delivered!

One of the fun jobs of a Baron & Baroness is handing out scrolls and awards. Sometimes these come from our hands, but sometimes the task falls on us to deliver the words of the King and Queen. Not long ago, while attending the College of Three Ravens in Thescorre, a backlog scroll came to us. A Silver Buckle  (youth service award) for a "Robert of the Rhydderich Hael". I decided to take the scroll and search for the owner. Thanks to the power of social media I was able to contact Robert and (if my math is correct) deliver his scroll 14 years after is was awarded. Thanks to everyone who helped in the quest! Robert, enjoy the scroll. Maybe we will see you around again.