Submitted by Ysabeau Tiercelin.

For a couple of years, we’ve been hosting monthly A&S gatherings at our home in Hamburg; they’ve become known as Hael Storms, because, well, Rhydderich Hael. But with so many groups within an hour’s radius, our goal this year is to make these truly regional A&S gathers. We are hosting the next one on Sunday the 1^st, from noonish until whenever (although those of you here after 9 p.m. are watching Downton Abbey with us). Highlights this month include a cheese gnocchi class to demo the dish that was a hit at our recent Masked Ball, and dying wool in a bath over a fire to make period fishing lures.

What exactly is a Hael Storm?
Quite simply, it’s an informal A&S gathering, open to any interested participant.

Our Cook’s Guild hosts the cooking portion – sometimes we just try new recipes, sometimes we have theme days where everyone brings ingredients for recipes from a specific time or culture, sometimes we do a medieval version of Chopped (mystery baskets – tongue or sardines anyone?). This month will be a bring-your-own-recipe version, so bring a recipe and the ingredients to make your dish. We have a pot luck at around 6 pm to enjoy the literal fruits of our labors. Cooking not your thing?  Bring drinks or something to share. We just ask that no-one come empty-handed.

The Textile Guild helps people with sewing issues, including guiding newcomers through their first garb. We embroider, knit, draft patterns, do garb research and anything else sewing related. Sewing machines and ironing boards provided! Lots of costuming books!

We have a functional scriptorium with tables, class space (we have done a raised gilding class, among others), light boards, many books with scribal inspiration, and a copy machine.

We’ve had musicians (we have a harpsichord in good tune for anyone interested) playing, a sushi demonstration, and fencing outside in good weather.

In short, if it’s A&S, you can do it at a Hael Storm. You can also just come and enjoy the fellowship!

Regional Reach

The Kingdom is having great success with the regional martial musters, with rattan fighters and rapier fighters coming out in droves to fight and learn.

As our Region 4 A&S Minister, I’d like to encourage the same thing on the A&S side in Western New York. Carpool with a people from your group and join us for a relaxing day. These A&S days also serve as perfect newcomer gatherings, so they can meet people before jumping into garbed events.

Hosting Your Own Regional?
What do you need to host your own regional A&S gather? Not much – just someone willing to act as host in their home, an announcement in whatever media will reach the most people in your area, and participants ready to have a fun day of learning, chatting and being with friends. Go for it!

For address and directions for the Hael Storm, email Tiercelin at tiercelin@endlesshills.net.