Greetings to the Shire,

Ethereal tag had been played in the days leading up to the last A&S gathering on 05/12/2025. So I wish to extend both apologies and thanks to the noble lady Lillian Hutchinson for braving the highways between Settmour Swamp and this Shire last Monday 05/12 to come speak on the Evolution and Making of the French Hood, bringing materials for attendees to begin making one for themselves. There were only two attendees that evening, the intrepid teacher presented an interesting PowerPoint about the evolution of the French hood (in which court politics played no small part), and then we two cut the frames and the fabric for what will eventually become said hoods.

Now that we have two days every month to use the lovely space at the Lakewood Unitarian Universalist Church hall, I will remind everyone that the fourth Thursday is that second day, and it is coming up on 05/22/2025. Because our beloved Queen will need favors to present to worthy gentles these spring and summer months leading up to the Pennsic War, I will be bringing two yards of black cloth, some pattern tracing paper, and two pairs of fabric scissors to at least get started on making some favors. Since I got these supplies for a relative song with the impending passing of JoAnn’s (an event to be much mourned anon), these favor makings will be gratis; you may take your beginning projects home and finish those at your leisure. When you are done, you may find where to send those favors at this link.

The address for the gathering is:

Lakeland Universalist Unitarian Fellowship
231 Parish Drive
Wayne, NY 07470

The suggested donation of $5.00 is greatly appreciated so that we may do right by our hosts. The time is from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

Arts & Sciences Doings Beyond Our Borders

Our Shire sits smack in the middle between two major events held every year in the East every weekend of Decoration Day/Memorial Day: War of the Roses in the Barony of Concordia of the Snows and The Quest for Wit and Wisdom in the Barony of Settmour Swamp. The War of the Roses will have its very own university, with a variety of interesting classes. The theme for this year’s Quest is Celtic Illuminations. There will be an Artisan’s Row, where gentles may display their diverse projects, and the barony will also be holding its Arts & Sciences and Brewing competitions.

At both events there will be bardic circles, gatherings dear to the heart of yours truly, but because of mundane family commitments, I will with great regret not be able to attend. I hope you may have a lovely weekend, however, and next month I will begin to touch on the subject of Novice Day at some length.

At the service of your honors,

M. Ana de Guzmán, OL
Shire of Rusted Woodlands Arts & Sciences Minister