Real Name: Tracey Zimmerman
SCA Name & Title: Baroness Rois o faye, called Rosheen
Years in the SCA: 19
How did you find out about the SCA? A friend of mine invited me on a “medieval camping trip” aka Pennsic. I’ve been hooked ever since!
Where did you start, what was your first event?
I started in the summer of 2004. My first event was Pennsic 33. While I was only able to stay 2 or 3 days, it was the most magical, fun, exciting days that I ever had. I look forward to Pennsic every year and try to keep that spark of fun and excitement that I had at my first Pennsic alive year after year.
What is your persona? Late period Irish, even though sometimes I don’t dress as such.
Why did you pick this persona?
Mainly because I have a good bit Irish in my ancestry. Secondly, because I’ve always been fascinated with Ireland- the fairy tales, the culture and the countryside hold a special place in my heart.
Do you have any group or household affiliations?
I have been a member of the Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog since I started in the SCA. I am currently their Baroness.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA?
I grew up on a farm, helping my Dad and Uncles raise pigs, cows, chickens and quail. Currently, I work for UPMC as a Food Service Supervisor. I’ve worked there for just shy of 15 years. I went to college for Dietetics, but never completed my internship to become registered. I’ve been married for 11 years to my fantastic husband and we have a 2-year-old son.
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in?
I started heavy fighting as soon as I could get my rig together. I was super gung-ho about it in the beginning, but I’ve been moving away from it, because, to be frank, I’m badass on my own. I don’t need bruises to prove it. I’ve dabbled in archery and I fight with our siege crew when I am able. Right now, I’m super into combat archery and thrown weapons. Combat archery is, hands down, the most fun I’ve ever had in armor. It brought some of that spark back to me that I referred to earlier. Regarding my non-martial side of the SCA, I’m an ok illuminator and calligrapher. I like making scrolls, but my true passion is word smithing when it comes to anything scroll-related. I have done pewter casting, which is super fun, and some silk banner making. One of my favorite things to do in the SCA is feastocrating. Because of my background in food service, running the food side of an event comes naturally to me. I love figuring out cool recipes to make that are modern, but still have a little medieval flair and vise versa. I delight in costing out my recipes and staying below budget. Nothing makes me happier than knowing I have as little leftover as possible and everyone is stuffed and happy with my food.
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc):
After a year or two of being active with my Barony, I took the position of local chatelaine. I held that position for a few years, before moving up to regional chatelaine. Somewhere in there, I became our Barony’s deputy exchequer too. It felt natural and “meant to be” when I was asked to be the Kingdom’s Deputy Chatelaine, and eventually take over as Æthemearc’s Kingdom Chatelaine; a position I currently hold. I’m happy to be a thrown weapons marshal-at-large as well. I am delighted to be the current Baroness for the Barony of St. Swithin’s Bog. I will admit that it has been hard holding these offices and raising a family, but the love I have for my SCA brothers and sisters makes it not only bearable, but something that I would happily do a million times over.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have?
I wanted to be a Knight. Honestly, I was naïve in thinking that heavy fighting was the only thing the SCA had to offer for me. It didn’t take long for me to see this whole new world opening up for me and realizing just how large and multifaceted this organization is. I have a hard time dedicating myself to just one thing. I want to do all the things, and I’m ok with being good, but maybe not great, at many things.
What are your goals now?
To finish out my time as a Landed Baroness and Kingdom Chatelaine on a good note. I want to leave my Barony, and Æthelmearc, secure and growing. I want newcomers to our Kingdom to know that they’ve found a place to call home, make new friends and lay roots. My goal is to extol from the roof tops how amazing, welcoming and diverse Æthelmearc is and that once you’re a part of us, we will stand with you for as long as you want or need us to.
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA?
I’ve thought about this question and my answer for a good 10 minutes. It would have to be public speaking. I have this mantra that I think of in my head before and during every Court. I keep telling myself “they’re my friends, they’re my friends”. No one is looking for me to mess up. No one wants me to stutter over my words or forget what I was going to say. But it’s still intimidating because I don’t want to mess up for those in attendance.
If you could accomplish only one thing in the SCA in the next year, what would it be?
To figure out how to bring a 2-year-old to an event while still maintaining the comportment of a Baroness while being able to talk to my local and regional chatelaines about how things are going with them, while still having time to be silly with my friends, and not be too exhausted by the end of the day so I can stay up for the evening revel.
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?
If you feel you’ve been wronged, or haven’t gotten your questions answered or feel ignored, please tough it out. You will find your people. You will find your niche. You will find a home here with people who will do anything for you. The SCA is an amazing group, full of more good people than bad. The good will shine through and light a way for you if give it time.
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be?
I would love to be a bard. To be able to carry a tune, or play an instrument, or tell a story by heart would be a fantastic talent to possess.
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970, 1980, etc.), what “era” would you pick and why?
I would pick the mid-90s because that’s when our Barony went from a shire to a Barony. It would have been so cool to be there from the beginning and to know my mentors and friends when they were younger.
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why?
I get heart palpitations and sweaty palms just thinking about it, but I would love to one day be recognized as a Pelican. I have a way to go, and I feel I’m nowhere near ready, but someday I hope to grace the ranks of that Noble Order.
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be?
More events geared toward SCA parents and their children. I plan to help facilitate this dream when my terms as Baroness and Kingdom Chatelaine are over, and I have time to devote to this. I have many, many ideas on how to make events more kid-friendly, and family-oriented.
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