Category Archives: Pennsic

Pennsic War: Important Updates for Attendees

03 Sunday Jul 2022

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Hello fellow Pennsic attendees!!

29 days until we return HOME! I hope all your Pennsic projects are underway and nearing completion. Here is your July reminder for Pennsic 49 and again, this missive will be longer than what I usually put out.

*IMPORTANT UPDATES* Message from the Deputy Mayor of Event Safety regarding the Covid Policy for Pennsic 49.

“Pennsic 49 Covid policy: Covid policies of the SCA and Kingdom of Æthelmearc apply to Pennsic and will therefore require some changes from what you’ve seen in the past. Some of these may or may not impact you and some of these are critical for everyone attending to know.

EVERYONE ATTENDING MUST SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION OR A NEGATIVE TEST FROM A MEDICAL FACILITY WITHIN 72 HOURS OF TROLLING IN.

Kingdom of Æthelmearc Covid policy

https://tinyurl.com/AEShortSummary

It’s critical to understand the details here as we really don’t want to turn anyone away at troll because someone didn’t understand what they needed to get in the gate. This applies to anyone 5 years or older, so it includes your kids as well. This only applies to anyone trolling into the event for the first time. Once you’ve received your medallion you can leave and enter the site as normal.

A physical copy of your vaccination card or a photo of it are both acceptable. You will need a form of ID as usual.

If you bring documentation of a negative test remember that it has to be from a medical facility and it has to be within 72 hours of when you arrive at the troll desk so please plan your timing accordingly as sometimes lines can be as long on the weekends. Home test results are not acceptable.

There are no exceptions so if you don’t have what you need you will not be allowed into the event.

Æthelmearc requires masking indoors, but due to the large openings of our facilities places like the Great Hall, and tent spaces are considered outdoor spaces. The upper level of the cooper shower house next to the Cooper Store will be closed and locked for Pennsic 49. The upper bathrooms will still be accessible from the deck.

Camps, individual classes, and merchant spaces may set their own rules for requiring masks in their space, so we recommend all attendees have a mask available and respect the rules for their space. The First Aid pavilion will be treated like a medical facility and masks will be required if you are admitted in to see doctors or EMTs.

The event will not be providing water containers. Attendees are requested to bring their own water containers and we will have filtered water available at various locations around the site. That includes the battlefield and public service areas.

As with things like sunscreen and bug spray, attendees should plan to provide their own masks and hand sanitizer.”

Specific questions on implementation of the Covid Policy at Pennsic can be directed to the email below:

Baron Maneul dela Rosa y Botella de Mirguela

Deputy Mayor of Event Safety

Email here

REQUEST FOR SERVICES

If you require any services (i.e., Charging or you are requesting a Handicap Port-a-John) please visit the Pennsic War web site at the link below:

Visit the website here

Reminder: If you have need of a Handicap Port-a-John, please fill out the form for yourself only. Do not submit a form that says “we have a bunch of people in camp who need one” as this will not be a valid submission and will not be counted. We do not have the same amount of Handicap Port-a-Johns as regular ones and we need to place them where they will help the most. Requests will be accepted until July 25th.

The Great Hall and N-Block Charging Stations are full for all time slots. This means we have NO availability at those locations. We currently have availability at the Disability Camp, B-Block for all time slots and limited for the Runestone Hill Charging Station. If you need access to power, please submit your request as soon as possible. These are first come first served so request early. If possible, you may want to consider investing in the newer Solar Panel options that are available now that are not expensive as our population is growing and the supply struggles to keep up. Requests will be accepted until July 25th. After that point, you can come to Disability Point to request charging once you are on site.

Also, only Service Animals and Service Animals-in-Training will be allowed on site. I cannot stress this enough. If you bring an emotional support or comfort support animal, it will be turned away. Please spread the word about this.

Emotional Support/Comfort Support animals do NOT qualify as a service animal and a doctor’s note / downloaded certificate from a website does not make your dog a service animal.

Please make alternate arrangements for those animals who do not meet ADA and the PHRA rules. If you bring an animal that does not meet the ADA or PHRA definition of a Service Animal or Service Animal-in-Training, it will NOT be allowed on site. You will be provided with a list of kennels in the area in which to take your animal.

Please be sure to bring a certificate of current rabies vaccination with you. If you do not bring one, your service animal will be refused entry to the event.

Please do not bring your pet or ESA / CSA as this will just cause more distress to you as you will be required to remove said animal off site immediately.

We are also offering Signing services for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community as well. If you need this service, you can go to the web site and click on the link below. We need Signing Service Volunteers. If you can assist, please let me know.

Visit the website here

Please note, site rules state that only electric scooters/wheelchairs (power or manual) are allowed on site. Electric Carts will not be allowed. You may NOT tow anything behind your scooter/wheelchair at any time.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at this email and we will be happy to assist you.

YIS,

Baroness Isabeau Du Valle

Disability Services Coordinator

Pennsic War 49

 

Pennsic Hospitality Seeks Volunteers

27 Monday Jun 2022

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Greetings unto the Populace of Æthelmearc!

My name is Genevieve O’Connor, and I have been asked to take charge of coordinating Hospitality at the Æthelmearc Royal Encampment for Pennsic XLVIIII.

For those not in the know, Hospitality is in charge of the Populace Pavilion at the Æ Royal Encampment where we provide anyone who would like a place to sit, cool/dry off, hydrate, and socialize. We make sure people get answers to their questions, are directed to wherever they need to go in the Royal Encampment, have messages taken, and we accept gifts to the Crown.

In light of how popular they were at precious Wars, we will be offering recharging stations for small electronics. These are open to anyone who is in the Populace Pavilion, in a meeting or other business in the encampment, guarding the gate, or working Hospitality. You are, of course, responsible for your own devices.

I am looking for volunteers to fill shifts throughout the War. We like to have two people manning the desk during open hours. We always make sure to schedule at least one experienced person in a shift, so if you are new to hospitality feel free to sign up and we’ll get you up to speed in no time.

The first day of Hospitality is on Sunday, July 31 from 2 to 6 pm, during which time we will finish setup. Peace week shifts are from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday, August 1 through Friday, August 5.

War week shifts are from 9 am to 7 pm, Saturday, August 6 through Thursday, July 11. We have two shifts in the morning of August 12 to pack up prior to tearing down the Encampment.

Shifts are two hours long. Hospitality will be closed during Kingdom Court, and adjustments will be made for other activities taking place in the Royal Encampment or as demand requires it.

If possible, please sign up in advance! We have a total of 108 shifts to fill throughout Pennsic to provide the level of hospitality and service we have become known for.

I can be reached at this email address. If you can’t commit yet to a time, the Hospitality schedule book will be at the Hospitality desk to sign up in once you get to Pennsic. Of course, early choice means the best times are available.

Thank you so very much!

Lady Genevieve O’Connor, Hospitality Coordinator

Æcademy and War College to host SASS silent auction

12 Sunday Jun 2022

Posted by in Arts & Sciences, donations, Heavy List, Pennsic, Service

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This coming weekend, the Spring Æthelmearc Æcademy and War College will host many classes on diverse topics. But be prepared, as well as a Silent Auction to benefit SASS! Shaykha Jân al-Tha’lab from the Shire of Abhainn Ciach Ghlais, better known as Fox, is working hard to raise enough funds to be able to supply provisions for our Pennsic fighters. For now, she’s mostly made use of donations jars but to reach her end goal she plans a one-time silent auction at the Æcademy and War College. Traditionally, SASS is funded through a donation jar at the well-attended Adult Swim, but with event disruptions due to the Plague, this option was not available for our fighters this year.What is SASS? The Sylvan Army Support Staff provides food, water, basic first aid and armor/weapon repair stuffs to support and aid our Kingdom’s fighters and fencers while they’re on the field at Pennsic, WP, and several other events. We are a group of volunteers funded primarily through monetary donations from our populace, which is used to procure the Gatorade, pickles, olives, watermelons, oranges, pretzels, etc to literally feed an army, and a terrifying amount of duct tape.

Please check out the SASS Silent Auction and bid generously! Or, if your house is as full as mine, you are also more than welcome to add directly to the donation jar, of course.

The Spring Æcademy and War College will be held in the Shire of Coppertree at Camp Kingsley, 5330 Tuffy Road, Ava, New York on June 18, 2022 and is a Royal Event. Please contact Master Fridrikr & Mistress Orianna, Chancellors of the Æcademy and Sir Beatrix Krieger, Dean of the War College, for more information on Æcademy.

Have books (sca tops), fighter gear or A&S specific goods spare to benefit Sass and our Pennsic fighters? I will be happy to take your donation (preferably before lunch) and add it to the silent auction menu. Baron Snorri skyti Bjarnarson is the event autocrat and can help track me down, or leave your donation at Troll when entering or at/under the Donations table.

Thank you so much!

Yours in service,
Elska

 

COVID Policies for Pennsic

06 Monday Jun 2022

Posted by in Announcements, Pennsic

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Video of this announcement available here.

Æthelmearc COVID Policies can be found here. 

SCA COVIDSafe Policy can be found here.

CDC COVID Transmission Map here.

Greetings, For those of you who don’t know me, I am Illadore de Bedegrayne and I am the Kingdom Seneschal for Æthelmearc, which is the kingdom where Pennsic occurs.

Because of that, Pennsic falls under Æthelmearc’s COVID policies, so let’s get into them.
We’re going to discuss COVIDSafe, masking, and what to do if you get sick at Pennsic.
First and foremost, we are following the SCA’s COVIDSafe policy.

You can read it in full in the (links above), but the short summary is that everyone five years old and up must either show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or proof of a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of check-in, that has been issued by a medical facility. (It cannot be a regular home test.)

Some important points:

  • This is required.
  • If you do not have either a negative test or proof of vaccination, you will be turned away, regardless of how far you have traveled, or your status in the SCA.
  • The local testing centers may be full. Your entry to Pennsic will likely be delayed hours, if not days.
  • Please come prepared and please let others who do not do social media know as well. Electronic versions of proof of vaccination or a negative test are OK.
Two other quick points:
  • There will be no menacing the COVIDSafe checkers at Troll. Please be kind to these staff members. They are trying to help you get through the line as quickly as possible. Anyone that starts yelling at them, bullying, acting disrespectfully, or being abusive to them will be told to remove themself from the property immediately for the duration of Pennsic War.
  • Please be advised that the SCA COVIDSafe policies are for attendees. The landowners, their staff, and some of the food vendors (who don’t participate in the event) are not covered under this policy or the mask policy. There will be no menacing, yelling, or bullying of them either.
Next: masks.
Æthelmearc has a two part masking policy:
  • Part 1: If you are unvaccinated, you must wear a mask at all times in public areas.This does not include when you are in your private camp – anywhere out in public, you must wear a mask over your mouth and nose. Kids: yes, this includes kids age 2 and above. Again, this is for outside your private camp, and in public areas.
  • Part 2: Any place that is inside, when COVID transmission is high or substantial on the CDC transmission map (not the community level), everyone must wear a mask.
What is inside?
  • Troll, due to its high density and volume is considered inside and masks are required at Troll.
  • The Great Hall/Big Giant Barn is considered inside if the doors are down, the laundry area, bathhouses, and trailers used by the SCA. Of note, the upper level of the Cooper showerhouse next to the Cooper Store will be closed and locked for Pennsic 49. The upper bathrooms will still be accessible from the deck. Please let families with older children and teenagers know that they will not be able to hangout and play games inside the shower house like they have in previous years.
What is outside?
  • All Pennsic tents – save Troll.
  • The Great Hall if all of the doors are open.
  • And of course, outside. 🙂

(The Cooper Store and Internet Cafe is not part of the event and does not fall under this policy.)

Side note: Private camps can set their own rules for masks in their own camps / tent areas.

What to do if you become sick at Pennsic.
  • If you get COVID or test positive for COVID while at Pennsic, you should immediately put on a mask, and return home.
  • If that is not possible (say due to plane tickets), you should isolate in your tent/camp; notify your campmates for their own health and safety, do not participate in any activities such as martial, classes, A&S, court, and the like, and you can return to activities after 5 days of no symptoms and a negative COVID test issued from a licensed medical provider; or 10 days and a negative COVID test issued from a licensed medical provider if you have symptoms. Again, this is ONLY if you cannot return home due to extenuating circumstances.

We know that some of you do not agree with these policies and there is an added burden. We just want you to understand that our main goal here is to keep the greatest number of people at the lowest risk.

To summarize: COVIDSafe policy is in effect at Pennsic, you must show proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID test from a medical facility, taken within 72 hours of arrival, unvaccinated individuals, 2 and up, need to wear a mask in public spaces, masks are required by *all* inside, and if you get sick or test positive at Pennsic, mask up and return home.

Thank you so much and I hope you have a wonderful War.

Pennsic University Covid Policy Update

08 Tuesday Feb 2022

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Image courtesy of the Medieval and Renaissance Graduate Student Association of Ohio State University.

GAZETTE NOTE 7/7/22 – IMPORTANT!!! THE ARTICLE BELOW CONTAINS INFORMATION THAT IS NO LONGER ACCURATE. PLEASE REFER TO pennsicwar.org FOR THE MOST UPDATED COVID POLICY INFORMATION.

Announcement from Captain Elias Gedney, Chancellor of the Pennsic University:

In [a previous] message announcing the opening of the Thing to new Class submissions for this coming Pennsic, we announced our plans to make our classes as safe from the contagion sweeping out lands as we can possibly do. We have been informed that we need to make some clarifications on these policies.

Firstly, the Pennsic University Tent and Masking policies are not intended to, and will not, supersede the relevant policies of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc, which has the final say in this regard. Competent authority from the Kingdom of Æthelmearc have reviewed and approved the University plans for masking and keeping tents open as much as possible to to promote continuous air exchange.

It is important to note that, at all times, the Kingdom policy will supersede any University policy. The University can make a tougher policy at its discretion, but it cannot make the Kingdom policy looser or inapplicable in any way. The Æthelmearc Covid policies will always apply as a baseline. The University requests masking inside tents IN ADDITION TO the Kingdom Policy.

Secondly, the Policy regarding masking and ventilation was informally titled as “University CovidSafe Policy.” This policy has NO RELATION WHATSOEVER to the SCA “COVIDSafe” policy which governs vaccination/test status and documentation of same for admittance to events. We will be renaming this policy officially to a less confusing name in the near future.

Any changes to the University policy in this regard will be made in communication with the Æthelmearc Seneschallate and the Kingdom Deputy Kingdom Seneschal for Pandemics.

The SCA Covid Safe Policy may be found at the Official SCA website.

The Æthelmearc Covid policy (which includes the masking requirements) may be found here.

CDC guidance consulted in formulating the University policy is available here.

Help out the Portersville Food pantry

22 Sunday Aug 2021

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Announcing opportunity to help out Portersville Food pantry until September 30, 2021.

Their Royal Majesties, Maynard and Liadain, have offered to match the first $2000 dollars of donations by Aethelmearc subjects to the Portersville Food Pantry dollar for dollar! Aethelmearc–we put the LARGE in Largesse! Donate now, if you can. Donations can be sent via paypal or Venmo to the Portersville Food Pantry.

After making a donation, please fill out the following form below so that Their majesties may match any donations made. The form to fill out to match donations can be found here.

Live donation links may be found near the bottom of the 100k From the SCA webpage here.

The Portersville Food Pantry serves 75-100 families in the Pennsic War area, providing wholesome food, clean water, toiletries, and child care supplies to individuals and families in need.  They focus on doing business with local farmers and vendors so that the effect of each dollar is magnified in the community that has made us so welcome over the years!

For questions or more information, contact:

Morien MacBain
Paladin’s Pantry Food Drive Program

 

Known World Arts & Sciences Display will be Virtual

19 Monday Jul 2021

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Greetings from the Pennsic Known World A&S Display deputy! That’s right – WE’RE BACK. Thanks to the innovation of the eSCA, this year’s display will be fully virtual!

  • August 1 to 8: Website space is available to post photos/videos and documentation of all entries for public viewing.
  • August 8: Interested entrants can schedule Zoom “office hours” to discuss their work with the populace.

If you are interested in displaying this year, please register using this form.

For more information, or to view the entries, please visit our website.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email the KWAS staff.

Yours in Service,

Lady Adele Lochlane, Display Coordinator

Magistra Beatriz Aluares de la Oya, Deputy Coordinator

Lady Glenna Cholmondeley’s sprang from a past Pennsic A&S display.

Pennsic Postponed Until 2022

16 Friday Apr 2021

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From the Pennsic Mayor –

G’Day Everyone,

When taking office in the position of Mayor for Pennsic 49 I made a promise to everyone. That promise was that above all else, I would endeavor to run a fiscally responsible and safe Pennsic 49. It was my dear friend and mentor Viscount Sir Edward that said to me “The people that attend this event are Pennsic, take care of them.” I promised him I would. Then COVID 19 hit and the entire world was plunged into a crisis, the like of which we have not witnessed in our lifetimes.

Over the past few months, I have been in constant discussions with The Pennsic Seneschals Group (PSG), The President of the SCA Inc, Coopers Lake Management and my Pennsic Senior Executive Group. In addition, I have seen the comments from many of you and listened to the comments from my Deputy Mayors and their staff.

I have kept you all updated as much as possible so that you all understand my decision-making process and so that you understand the path I am walking when I make decisions. Although change is happening and things are getting better, I must deal with the now, rather than what I think it may be like in 3 months’ time and unfortunately our vendors needs for commitment and certainty are requiring us to make commitments earlier than we originally intended.

As Mayor of Pennsic 49, I was entrusted with, the welfare and safety of the entire Pennsic Family. It is therefore with great sadness that I must inform you today that, I have decided to Postpone Pennsic 49 for another 12 months to 2022. The new dates for Pennsic 49 will be 29 July 2022 – 14 August 2022. This has been an exceedingly difficult decision to make but I trust you understand the reasoning behind it.

This postponement will be heartbreaking news to many of you and especially to the community surrounding Coopers Lake.

It has been arranged with Cooper’s Lake Management, that those who have preregistered for Pennsic 49 may have their registrations rolled over to 2022. If you desire a refund, please go to http://www.cooperslake.com and log into your pre-registration account.

Even if Pennsic 49 cannot run this July 2021, I remain optimistic that the situation will improve over the next months. I know that some of you have lost loved ones to this pandemic and my Pennsic Team and I send you our condolences and best wishes.

I am looking forward to the time when I can share some time with you all at Cooper’s Lake and Pennsic War.

Yours in Service,

Sir Gregory of Loch Swan

Mayor

Pennsic 49

An Announcement from the Mayor of Pennsic 49

29 Monday Mar 2021

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G’day Everyone,

This is just a quick update to keep you informed of our progress tp Pennsic 49.

Over the last month the Pennsic 49 senior executive has met with the Crowns and Seneschals of the East, Midrealm, and Æthelmearc. We have discussed specific issue regarding the planning and running of Pennsic 49 and are discussing options and figuring out ways to run it safely, albeit maybe a little differently. Those plans are still under consideration, discussion, and planning, but we are still moving forward to our well-published final decision date of May 30.

I am aware that the Known World Seneschals have met with the SCA Inc. Executive Board over a range of issues prior to the full SCA Inc. Board meeting, I think some time in April. I am not aware, nor do I need to know the specifics of that meeting, however we were asked and did supply representation at the meeting to field any Pennsic War-specific questions.

We are continuing to plan for Pennsic 49 in 2021 until either 30 May 2021 or our hand is forced to make a decision sooner.

The good news is the the COVID-19 overlay is getting better in the USA, UK, and parts of Europe week by week. I pray it keeps going that way with the vaccines roll out.

I know this is not the news many need right now, but I’m letting you all know so that you can plan accordingly and be as aware as we are. Sorry I can’t say more.

In service to you all….

Gregory

Photo by Master Augusto Giuseppe da San Donato.

A Message from the Mayor of Pennsic 49

09 Tuesday Feb 2021

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Pennsic 49 – 2021 Update:

G’Day Everyone,

As promised, I am sending this message out to keep you all informed as to how we are progressing to Pennsic 49. The reason for the update is so that you are able to walk the decision making path with me in a clear and transparent manner and know the rationale behind any decisions we, the Pennsic Management Team are making.

First of all I want you to all know that we are still planning for Pennsic 49 in 2021. I want to make it very clear that we are “planning,” not holding Pennsic 49 next week, as we are still months away from either the Pennsic 49 decision date at the end of May or the Pennsic War event itself.

Let me explain for those that have never seen behind the running of a major event like Pennsic… it does take a lot of planning and organisation. We can’t just start organising it at the end of June and get it all in place. The Pennsic War Management Staff and myself as Mayor of Pennsic start the process two years out from the Pennsic War we are running. I won’t go through all the boring administrative details, but it is a long and well managed process.

However, you need to be assured that I will adopt the same fact-based and health-informed approach to the planning for Pennsic 49 this year, as I did last year. I fully understand the concerns you all have about any large event at this time, but I still need to continue the planning required well ahead of the event itself.

The same timeline will be adopted again for this year as it was for last year and we have a decision date which at this stage is at the end of May 2021, give or take a week. We still have just under 6 months till Pennsic 49, and I am prepared to support the PSG and deliver the hard call if need be, the same as I did last year. Note the SCA Inc have currently suspended all SCA events until May 30, 2021. Those types of decisions are out of my control.

I also want you to understand that we are much further ahead this year regarding our knowledge of COVID-19 than we were at the same time last year. And yes, we are fully aware that mutant strains are evolving and that vaccines are being rolled out. However, these things need to be observed and evaluated over the next few months and consideration given as to what effect they are having on the COVID 19 health overlay, nation and worldwide. This in itself will form a large part of our decision-making package and like last year will always be based on current, up to date, CDC plus local State and County Health information.

I will not endanger people or risk Pennsic 49 becoming a “Super-spreader Event” just for the sake of having an SCA event. I am fully aware that people have concerns. At this stage I again reiterate that we are “planning” for Pennsic 49, not running Pennsic 49 right now. You all trusted me last year and those of you that know me, should know that I have no “ego” about being Mayor of Pennsic 49. I view myself as the custodian of the Pennsic War event, which encompasses the safety of attendees, organizers, staff and public community that surrounds the Pennsic War. I will not risk any these for the sake of swinging a stick, camping with friends and having a few pints around a campfire.

I hope this update helps you all understand the process we are going through. I will keep you updated with future posts when new information is available.

Everyone please keep safe.

Gregory
Mayor Pennsic



Photo Credit: Lord Darter the Chronicler