Monday, December 28, 2009
Business Meeting/Lupercalia Work Day
http://www.rivenwoodtower.org/
Monday, December 21, 2009
Lovely Party
Monday, December 14, 2009
Yule Party December 19th
You are all invited to the Rivenwood Tower Yule Party, Saturday December 19th
from 4pm-9pm at the Garden City Community Center. It is a potluck party. Bring
your favorite dishes - period or no - to share and impress.
The Garden City Community Center is the old Garden City High school on Main St. North and we have the kitchen,cafeteria, and gymnasium for the evening of December 19th. We will be playing games and engaging in all sorts of merriment, planned or otherwise.
Come in garb or not as you are so inclined or circumstances dictate.
- Good King Wenceslas looked out,
on the feast of Stephen,
when the snow lay round about,
deep and thick and even...
Garden City, Mn
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
December Business Meeting
GPS coords:44 07 30 N 94 03 09 W
http://www.rivenwoodtower.org/
Come and meet with us in the heated, rustic cabin to plan Lupercalia and talk general nonsense!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Herbal Remedy #2, Mint
Mint (Mentha spp.) in all its varieties is useful medicinally. The mint used most commonly is peppermint (mentha piperita) because of its strength. The constituent valued in mint is menthol. Mint has great value in the easing of fevers, colds, and flu. What does it do?
Anti-catarrhal - helps remove excess mucus
Diaphoretic - promotes sweating: useful in fevers
Mint also is a mild anesthetic(will "numb" affected areas) and is useful internally against nausea and externally in soothing minor scrapes and burns. It is also anti-microbial (kills germs).
Remedy: 1 heaping teaspoon to 1 cup boiling water. Let steep for 10 minutes. Drink as often as needed. Use infusion (the tea) as a wash for itching skin or minor cuts, scrapes, or burns. The essential oil may be used as a concentrated ointment for the same injuries. It also has a "cooling" affect on the skin. Some find it unpleasant.
Where to find: Grow the herb (very, very easy to grow!) or find the dried herb as an Herbal Tea in your favorite supermarket.
Friday, November 20, 2009
All Day Armory
Bring something to grill for lunch!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Lupercalia Needs An Event Steward
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Herbal Remedy #1, Fennel Seed
Friday, November 6, 2009
Oubliette Sewing Day
Saturday, November 7th, Oubliette will be holding a Sewing Day for the creating of basic garb and teaching sewing techniques to those participating. The activity will be held from 1pm - 5pm at the Red Rock Center for the Arts, 222 East Blue Earth Avenue, Fairmont, MN 56031. http://www.martincountypreservation.org/redrock/index.html
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Printing Day Pictures
We began by drawing out designs, transferring them to our blocks, carving them carefully with block carving tools, inking the finished blocks, and finally printing!
- Teresa Ebert carving a fleur de lis.
Gary Jensen examining the block press -
- (Above) botanical and bestiary prints carved by Anna and Laura Schuster.
- (Below) The only real wood block print made during the day, carved byBart Saxton . A very large print of the Rivenwood Tower
device .
New Calendar
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Printing Day
We will be doing some block printing Saturday, October 17th, at 1:00pm in Prahl's shop. http://www.rivenwoodtower.org/
Thank you to the Prahl's for the generous and consistent use of their home for shire activities!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Fin
History Fest is done! It was a good weekend albeit there occurred some unpredicted eventualities. The clay oven met with an accident and needs to be rebuilt. Jacob Weiss was my willing clay pit vassal until the temperatures plummeted and ice and snow dampened any zeal in that area. The crowds were also a little less enthusiastic because of the temperatures than in years past but cheerful nonetheless. Linda Prahl's great cauldrons of steaming soup every day kept everyone going. Ulfr, my favorite viking, joined us expecting a special pizza made in the oven and was cruelly disappointed by his biggest fan! (I will make one in the new oven!) Melanie Wing had a fantastic heraldic display, new this year. Gary Jensen demonstrated chain mail making inside a tent out of the weather. Bart Saxton hammered out coins this year and spread yet more "Bart Coins" throughout southern Minnesota.
We were happy to have such wonderful guest fighters! Antoline and son (many apologies for forgetting your name - but the handsome young man with the long dark hair and lovely voice) assisted in the fighting and impressed the bundled spectators. Thank you for coming! You are lovely guests!
Well, it snowed, the animals escaped only three times, the oven broke, and I forgot to bring back the big hot water kettle every day! No one was injured, no tempers flared - that I observed - and we actually were able to get a shire group picture! Not at all a bad History Fest!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
History Fest Set Up
Jack McGowan's Farm is open all day and evening to reenactors setting up. The SCA site is down near the river in the same location as the past two years. (Look for a clay and stone oven.) Tent set up will need some helping hands. To contact Mike Prahl if you wish to help put up the Shire tent and three of the Prahl's tents or to find directions to Jack McGowan's go to: http://www.rivenwoodtower.org/
There is a planned layout so contact the seneschal before setting up any tent or semi-permanent edifice.
Help will be greatly appreciated!
Anna Schuster
Monday, October 5, 2009
A Word On Feast Gear or Thrift Store Archaeology
History Fest
We will be doing the following demo's:
Armored Combat
Chain Mail Making
Coin Making
Rope Making
Baking in Clay Oven
Pit Kilns
Wheat Grinding
Heraldry
Flint and Steel Fire Lighting
Barnyard Animals
and
Open Fire Cooking - Which will feed all Rivenwood and Oubliette participants and Guests. Bring your feast gear!!!
Please come any or all days. Thursday and Friday 8:3o am - 2:30 pm. Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
For Directions to Jack McGowan's Farm or to contact the seneschal go to: http://www.rivenwoodtower.org/
No Armory This Week
Winter Business Meeting Location
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Business Meeting Change!
Friday, October 2, 2009
October Business Meeting
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Armory Night Change
Friday, September 25, 2009
Saturday 26th, and Sunday 27th of September
Sunday, September 27th is Sewing Day. Sew basic Garb. 1:00pm
Both held at Mike and Linda Prahl's, Garden City. http://www.rivenwoodtower.org/
Sunday Sewing
Sunday, October 27th will be held a Sewing Day. Beginning at 1:oopm at the Prahl's in Garden City. http://www.rivenwoodtower.org/ Bring four or more yards of prewashed fabric for each adult garment and a scissors.
Linda Prahl will assist people in making their own medieval T-tunic - a ubiquitous garment that is appropriate for Dark ages up through early medieval periods - and a pair of trousers. If you are thinking of something more complicated, such as Elizabethan styles, you may be disappointed in this session. This sewing day, however, will teach you the basics of sewing; making a pattern to fit you, cutting and piecing, using a sewing machine, and ultimately result in period garb you can wear to any event. Contact the seneschal with any questions.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
History Fest
It is held at Jack McGowan's farm outside of Mankato Mn. http://www.rivenwoodtower.org/
- baking in a clay oven
It is three days of historical demonstrations for local area school children and general populace. The Shire of Rivenwood Tower has participated in this great local event for over a decade and will do so again this year. We have a long list of demonstrations by shire members planned. Our group will be demonstrating baking in a clay oven, grinding wheat in a quern, armoured combat, chain maille making, coin striking, cooking over an open fire, rope making, and new this year, hands on heraldry, and medieval barnyard animals.
We have quite a few members now new to the shire that have never participated in History Fest. We are excited to have them with us. History Fest is a fun but extremely busy event. We could use more hands. Please do not feel intimidated or inadequate to participating! You will have a blast helping out!
History Fest begins Thursday, October 8th, 8:30am - 2:20pm. Friday, October 9th, 8:30am - 2:30pm. And Saturday, October 10th, 10:00am - 5:00pm. You may camp on site or day trip.
If you would like to participate please contact the seneschal at:mailto:seneschal@rivenwoodtower.org or post your intent to the yahoo list.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Jackware or Make Your Own Leather Mug
Friday, September 18, 2009
October Business Meeting
Local Boy Makes Barbarian Chieftain
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
9 A.D. September 18th, 19th, 20th
Roman Soldiers will march on New Ulm, Minnesota , this fall, 2009. Members of Legion XIIII - Milwaukee area - and the Legion X - Chicago area - will set up camp near the famous Hermann Monument . They are coming to recreate an important historical event. In the year 9 AD, Roman Legionnaires from the XVII, XVIII and XIX Legions fought a battle east of the Rhine River in northern Germany. The original battlefield in Germany , recently discovered by Tony Clunn, is helping tell the story. This was, in fact, such a decisive battle that it helped create the foundations for modern Europe .
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Shire Shed Repair
Saturday, Sept. 12th at 2:00pm at Gary Jensen's house in Minnesota Lake, Mn. Gary lives in Minnesota Lake on hwy 22 south of Mapelton. Gary's at 116 Lake Avenue. Going south on hwy 22, turn right at Lake Ave and go about 2 1/2 blocks. It is the white house on the left.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tallow Lamps or Rejoice in Fatness!
Now, before anyone gets rather too excited about the afore referenced quote, I rather think we all can appreciate the sentiment! Our medieval counterparts did! Fat: A modernly eschewed once luxury and necessity. A contradiction?
- Two replica pottery tallow lamps based on archaeological finds from southern England. They were fired in an Anglo-Saxon pit kiln. The fuel in the lamps is bacon grease...Mmmm, scented candles!
A fat animal was prize! Fat was first of all food. There was no Crisco, no Wesson. Other than olive oil, vegetable oil was not common. Lard, tallow, suet, poultry fat or schmaltz, were what people cooked in and with. Fat was added to meat and used to store meat in. Properly rendered fat has no moisture and lets in no air. (I had a 2 gallon crock of rendered beef tallow stay fresh for a year at room temperature. My grandma has a hideous story about a crock of lard and some rats...ask me about it sometime...)
Secondly, fat was a fuel. Here, finally, comes the point of my story. Fat was light! Beeswax candles were expensive and saved often for the church. (Wax candles were recorded gifts to churches.) Fat was the more common source of light for everyone, low and high. Rush lights, cattails soaked in tallow, tallow lamps with wicks of twisted linen cloth, all fueled with animal fat.
Friday, September 4, 2009
New Archery Schedule
There is a new archery schedule. It will still be held at the Ingall's, 52834 Minnewaukon Ct North Mankato, MN 56003-4004 http://www.rivenwoodtower.org/
Archery practice will still be held on Saturday afternoons but twice monthly. September 12, 2:00 pm and September 26, 2:00 pm.
The second practice of the month will be for special shoots!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Business Meeting/Post Mortem
Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Monday, August 24, 2009
New Fighter Practice Time
Over the years, we consistently have had Fighter Practice Sunday afternoons. As with all things, things change and I believe this is the time to rethink our choice of days that we have practice. I've asked the current crop of fighters for input as to alternate days and time and have only a limited response. So I'm going to propose a time and day and let everyone comment.I'd like to propose Monday evenings starting at 7 PM until 8:30 PM. This should allow our new fighters that are not able to attend weekend practices to participate. Hopefully college students shouldn't have many assignment due Tuesday that were assigned earlier in the day. This would allow us 'older', working people with families to have our weekends to get stuff done. From my foggy memory, few night classes are Monday night and tests are rarely scheduled for Tuesday.
I'm open to opinions and comments to alternate nights and times, but you have to communicate them with me. I'll be setting the schedule at the next business meeting next week, so I'll need to know before then.Please E-mail me through the list or off the list, Or you can call/talk with me one on one, or in a group. mailto:marshal@rivenwoodtower.org
Thanks everyone,
Your Groups Knight Marshal, Wilhelm
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Schutzenfest
Loads of archery and equestrian activities!
Saturday and Sunday breakfast courtesy of Nordskogen Equestrians. Saturday lunch courtesy of Nordskogen Archers.
Tent camping or cabins, showers, flush toilets, and portas. Be prepared for woodticks and mosquitoes. Outdoor terrain, most buildings handicap accessible, HC toilets available.
Directions to Camp Elk River:
Find your best route to the junction of Hwy 10 and Hwy 169 near Elk River. Continue north on Highway 169 to Sherburne County Road 74. Turn right on Sherburne County Road 74 and drive about 1 mile to the point where the pavement ends and a gravel road begins. This is the entrance to Camp Elk River. Continue on the gravel road, following signs to the "Red Barn", about 3/4 of a mile to the SCA gate.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Shire Shed Assessment
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Patron Saint Of Sore Feet
Monday, August 10, 2009
Fin
There were no major misfortunes during the event other than some heat related maladies among the class instructors.
Thank you to the class instructors both from the shire and from places afar!
Thank you to the archery marshalls and to the heavy weapons marshall for providing a great time for those who participated in the activities.
On a personal note, thanks to all who helped clean up Jack's big back yard though, happily, most of the mess was not event-generated. I would like to publicly give special thanks to my rescuers, Mike and Linda Prahl, and to Bart Saxton. And thank you to Jeff and Patrice who would have hauled me and my stranded gear one tiny load at a time. You are all exceptional people.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
St. Radegund's Fair
at Jack McGowan's Farm, 20001 Hawkeye Ln, Mankato, MN. http://www.rivenwoodtower.org/
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
St. Radegund's Fair Archery Schedule
9:00pm, inspection
9:30,Torchlight shoot ( this is tentative, dependant upon how many people want to shoot.)
Saturday
9:00am, inspection
9:30, Slot shoot
11:am Open range
12:noon, Lunch break
2:pm, Castle shoot
3:pm, Prize shoot. (Head shoot)
4:pm, Open range
5:pm, end
Saturday night:
9:pm, inspections
9:30, Torchlight shoot
Monday, August 3, 2009
Archery And Heavy Weapons At St. Radegund's
There will be Archery and Heavy Weapons activities at St. Radegund's Fair this year! Many diverse shoots have been created by the Shire's archery marshalls Darin Ingalls and Bill Miller. Come with your equipment. Inspections will begin 9:00 am, Saturday, August 8th.
Heavy Weapons activities will also be held. Individual training with the
possibility of authorizations, depending upon availability of marshals attending.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Forseeing The Future
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
August 1st
There will also be a St. Radegund's planning meeting at 1:00pm for the Event Stewards, Class Coordinator, and Hall Stewards also at Jack's before the business meeting. They will then be somewhat more prepared to relate status to the entire group.
- Perhaps the beekeeper finds she needs a pet bear with bees the size of chickens!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Class Descriptions For St. Radegund's Fair
Medieval and Renaissance Music
Informal Playing Session:
Join the Warwick Consort in the playing of Medieval and Renaissance instrumental music.
Basic Soft Cheese:
We will be setting a basic soft cheese from whole raw milk. Recipes will be handed out along with your fabulous, indispensable piece of basic cheese making equipment – your reusable cheesecloth! Class charge of $2.00 if you want a cheesecloth.
Firing Pottery in a Pit Kiln:
We will be firing up a pit kiln, based on Anglo-Saxon pit kilns. The kiln will be pre-dug and this first firing of pottery will be pre-heating for several hours before the actual firing.
Period Fishing Line:
We will braid period fishing line out of horse tail and how to tie it to period fish hooks.
Build a Clay Oven:
We will be building a small – big or small the principle is the same and takes vastly less time and grunt work! – a small clay oven based on a medieval woodcut of street bakers. The clay will be dug on site. Be prepared to get very muddy! We will dry the clay oven and bake in it! Note: This will be a two and a half hour class!
Tie A Fish Net:
We will tie a circular scoop net using a willow withe and strong fine cord.
Fire The Big Stone and Clay Oven:
We will - as we fire the small clay oven to dry it - simultaneously fire the large clay oven on site to pre-heat it for the afternoon of baking! This oven was originally created at the first St. Radegund’s fair. It was dismantled and reassembled onto a portable platform and given a clay
outer coating rather than the original sod one.
Bread Making:
We will be making bread dough to create different breads to be baked in the two clay ovens, i.e. Focaccia, whole wheat trenchers, and good old Hot Crossed Buns.
We will discuss two forgotten medieval greens you can find in your back yard and garden and create two recipes using them to bake in the ovens. Have you eaten Nettles or Fat Hen?
Bake, Bake, Bake!
The class title says it all!
Die making for Coiners, metal stampers and Leatherworkers:
Learn the basics of making metal punches. The punches can then be used to make dies. The dies in turn can be used for striking coins, embossing metal for decoration or embossing leather. Or use the punches directly to chase metal or tool leather.
Beginning Beadmaking:
No experience needed. There will be a demo at 2pm showing the preparation and process for making beads. Students will then make their own bead. There will be many colors of glass to choose from. If time allows students will be able to create more than one bead. Beads will be
cleaned and available for pickup 30 minutes after the end of class. There is no cost for the class.
Basic Engraving:
The bare nubins of the begining of engraving metal.
Basic Casting:
The bare nubins of the beginning of casting metal.
Rope Splicing and Knots:
The basic splices and knot theory.
Period Dance:
Belle's dance class. Learn a few of the most common SCA period dances. Don't be a wall flower any longer!
The Life, Times, and Works of Agnolo Bronzino (1503-1572):
Agnolo Bronzino[1] was an Italian Mannerist painter of the 16th Century. He was a founding member of The 'Accademia delle Arti del Disegno[2] ("Academy of the Arts of Drawing") of Florence. The class will look at his works. and those of some of his contemporaries, with particular emphasis on sources of inspiration for costuming and craft work in the
SCA.
A Stop Along The Way:
Pub, tavern, inn, gasthaus, trattoria... Call it what you will, the local watering hole is a fundamental component of our mental image of a Medieval or Renaissance town. Whether persona-based role playing or SCA activity, the 'local' can provide a base for welcoming newcomers and creating a 'period' atmosphere at an event. This free-wheeling round table discussion will explore the concept. Albrecht will introduce the topic, but participants are encouraged and expected to contribute their own visions of the perfect inn. Bring your lunch to this open discussion.
Construct an Early Period Northern European Tunic:
This is a hands on class. Please bring fabric and matching thread. There will be limited fabric available for purchase at cost. I will provide sewing machines and other needed tools. You may bring your own sewing machine if you wish. If there's time I can review how to make simple pants.
Smoking Cheese and Meat:
This is a hands on class to demonstrate firing, construction and use of a pit smoker. Smoker with be started on Friday night, meat will placed in Friday night and cheese in Saturday Morning. Class will finish on Saturday before the potluck feast with the removal and serving of the
smoked item.
Byzantine Chain:
Intro to making chain in the Byzantine style. Three basic styles will be demonstrated. This is a hands on class.
Paper making:
This is a hands on class. Get wet and make paper.
Period Pencil Making:
Make charcoal pencils from grape vine cuttings. This class involves the use of an open fire. This is a hands on class.
Eleven Days Until St. Radegund's!
The Fair will be held at Jack McGowan's Farm just south of Mankato, Mn.
Site fee is $15.00 for adults, 16 years and under free with a maximum of $45.00 for a family. Make Checks payable to SCA-Shire of Rivenwood Tower. Merchants welcome and free. No Pre-Reg required. Camping is basically primitive. There is access to water pumps, port-a-potties, buildings with electricity for classes and in the case of very inclement weather. The site is child friendly - having been designed specifically for the education of children old or young - with a large shaded play area.
Site Opens 9am Friday, Aug 7 and closes Sunday 2pm at the Jack McGowan Farm. Township Rd 198, Mankato MN 56001. NOTE: Township Rd 198 is Hawkeye/Shamrock Lane http://www.rivenwoodtower.org/mcgowan-map.png
Monday, July 20, 2009
Pilgrim Badge Event Work Day
- St. Dunstan, the patron saint of metalworkers, bell makers, jewelers, and engravers.
Pilgrim Badges
Thursday, July 16, 2009
We're Still Here
Class Coordinator Melanie Wing, and Event Steward Bart Saxton with his assistant the youthful Teresa, have been busy preparing for the Shire's upcoming Kingdom Arts and Science Event, St. Radegund's Fair. There is a lot to do in preparations and upcoming work days will be posted. Please, feel free to come and participate or just meet the group and socialize. We will be casting pewter pilgrim's badges on the next work day. Place and time will be posted soon. A class listing for the event will be posted at http://www.rivenwoodtower.org/
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Heraldry
Saturday, June 27, 2009
St. Rad Work Day...
Friday, June 26, 2009
Attention! Sunday Business Meeting
Thursday, June 25, 2009
St. Radegund Work Day
Saturday, June 27th from 2:00pm to 5:00pm there will be held a work day for the upcomeing event. We will be painting the banner purchased for last years event but never used. We will be working on site tokens, cast pewter pilgrim badges. The work day will be held at the Schuster hovel. 21878 505 Avenue, Lake Crystal Mn. 56055 http://tinyurl.com/kqwdcj
Directions to the Schuster Hovel:
- Take Hwy 60 to Lake Crystal.
- Turn North onto Couty Road 20.
- Drive approx. 5 mi to the first tar crossroad - co. rd. 11
- Turn left onto co rd 11
- Drive approx. 1/2 mile through an "S" curve and turn RIGHT/North onto 505 Ave. (505 Ave. will also be on your left/south. Do not turn left! Continue through the curve until you can turn right/north onto 505 Ave.)
- 505 is a gravel township. Schuster's are the 3rd driveway on the LEFT. It is way off the road.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Call For Teachers!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Archery Practice
Friday, June 19, 2009
Fighter Practice
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Solstice
Sunday, June 21'st is Solstice, a music and arts event in Land of Memories Park, in Mankato Minnesota. http://www.solsticemankato.com/ The Shire of Rivenwood Tower will be doing a demo in support of Jack McGowan's History Fest. The proceeds of the event go to support the three day History Fest held in October on Jack McGowan's Farm which the Shire attends every year. Set up is at 9:00am. Gates open at 12:30pm and it runs until 10:30 pm. Bart Saxton at bart@bsaxton.com , is the coordinator of the demo.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Fat Hen And Crofter Feta Galette
Pick several generous handfuls of Fat Hen. (A few new onions are good too...) Fat Hen is best up to six or seven inches high - bigger and you will just want the leaves. Wash the green and shake excess water off. Remove the tougher stems. Fat Hen, near the tops where the new growth emerges, has a strange grayish, granular coating on the underside of the leaves. You will feel this as you handle them. It is not dirt and you would waste an afternoon trying to "wash it off". It is harmless and is not gritty when you eat it. Now for your galette. (A galette is a rustic, free form pie or tart.)
Fat Hen and Feta Galette
Chop two cups of the Fat Hen. Set aside.
In a bowl, mix together:
2 eggs
1 cup of feta cheese and
1 cup of ricotta cheese.
1/4 cup chopped onion
salt and pepper to taste.
(I make my own fresh soft cheeses and a sharp cottage cheese is one. Store bought feta plus ricotta comes out a close approximation to what I use.)
Stir in the Fat Hen to the cheese and egg mixture.
Next, spoon the thick mixture into the center of a rough ten inch circle of pastry dough. Leave about three inches of dough around the edges, you will fold this up to make your galette.
(My savory pastry dough: 2 cups any flour; 3/4 cup side pork or bacon drippings, or home rendered lard with cracklings still in it.
Mix oil in well. Add 1/4 cup cold water and mix in. If you need to, add more water - just as much as will bind your dough together - You do not want it wet! Roll or press into shape.)
Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 -400 degrees F. for 35 to 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Fat Hen, Lamb's Quarters, that blankety-blank weed, or whatever you prefer to call it is a delicious, and nutritious green sadly forgotten. You can enjoy your peasant status while eating this anciently used plant - and after my adventures in medieval peasant eating I believe they ate really pretty well! That, and it is an unbelievably satisfying way of getting it out of your garden!