Greetings to the good folk of Nordskogen, Blachemere, and Nordleigh!
The harvest is gathered in, winds are rising, and temperatures are dropping. Those of you who, along with His Excellency, ventured out to Fall Crown have already experienced some snow on the way to an exciting tournament giving us our first ruler from Nordleigh. For Their Royal Highnesses Ciaran and Elis, skol! Congratulations also to THL Dane of Needham for winning the unbelt tourney.
We have set dates for this year’s Toys for Tots tourneys, and be prepared: they’re a bit early this year! The youth boffer tourney will be held at regular practice on Tuesday, November 19th. The rattan and rapier tournaments will take place at GPS during our Wednesday slot on November 20. Archery will most likely take place on Sunday, December 1, with an EARLY start time (pending approval by our site, Bwana). At these events, participants and attendees are encouraged (but not required) to bring items to donate to Toys for Tots. This year we will also be supporting a local organization, Holiday Socks of Love, which provides stockings filled with small gifts for Minnesota kids in foster care. We will select from donated small toys to fill stockings, so please consider including one or two small gifts (such as card games, markers or crayons, Play-Doh, gift cards, socks, ear buds, Mad Libs, kids’ books) that will fit in a stocking.
Plans for Twelfth Night are well underway, and we’re pleased to say that Lady Lia of Blackmore will be providing lunch at the event. The event stewards are still looking for someone to organize cleanup on Saturday evening. This position is important, but it doesn’t take a lot of experience–just a willingness to find volunteers and direct them in putting away tables and cleaning. We’re asking everyone to give an hour of two of time to help host this party: please talk to the stewards about running or volunteering for cleanup to help us maintain our reputation as a great rental client for the site!
Looking ahead, Blachemere is assembling a bid for Spring Crown and is looking for a feast steward. We have many experienced cooks in the area, so please consider volunteering or mentoring someone interested in running a feast. Contact Duke Tom Tinntinnabulum (Thomas Holliday) if you’re interested. Rumors of a regional fight practice in Nordleigh this spring have also come to our ears… stay tuned!
Outside of our lands, you will find Her Excellency at the Stellar University of Northshield in Inner Sea. We are also excited to attend the Feast of Boar’s Head next month as our cousins Armond and Sofonisba of Caer Anterth Mawr celebrate the end of their term as baron and baroness and welcome Abelard and Ysolt to the baronial seats.
Please get your award recommendations in for Toys for Tots and Twelfth Night. The turning of the year is a busy time, and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible despite the oncoming chill!
As flakes fall,
Caoilfhionn and Gabriel, Baroness and Baron of Nordskogen