Text Box: The Thorn Text Box: Hail and well met all gentles reading this newsletter. I am Pani Magdalena Gdanska. I have been Seneschal of this great shire since November 2006. The other officers of Blak Rose are: Herald - Lord Eleazar ha Levi; A&S Mistress - Lady Gwenfrewy Llangynog (aka Lady Winifred); Exchequer - Alistair of Blak Rose; Chronicler - Lucretia of Blak Rose; Castellan/Web Minister - Lord Aidan the Hostile; Shire Librarian/Deputy Castellan - Orrin the Scop; and Deputy Seneschals: Johann Lederer and Lord Aidan. If any of you have any questions, please contact any of the officers through the shire webpage at blakrose.eastkingdom.org. Since coming into office, the officers and additional shire members have held two events: The Purim Event (March 2007) and St. Martin’s Day (October 2007). Several of us are currently researching several sites for future events. Do you have an idea for a possible event? Anyone can put together a proposal for an event. It does not have to come from the seneschal or any of the officers. It will have to be reviewed by the officers and the shire, and will have to fall under the guidelines of the shire By-Laws as well as kingdom laws and policies. Bring your proposal or idea to a business meeting and let’s talk about it! Speaking of shire By-Laws, the Shire of Blak Rose now has current by-laws. A financial policy has also been created, and is now awaiting approval by the Kingdom Exchequer. Vivat to Orrin the Scop, who spearheaded both of these projects! Our A&S Mistress, Lady Winifred, is holding monthly Arts and Science evenings. She is aiming for the third Thursday of each month, depending on the availability of rooms. She is open to suggestions for A&S meeting topics. Text Box: Inside this issue: Text Box: Shire of Blak Rose Text Box: February/Winter 2008 Text Box: Volume 2, Issue 1 Text Box: Our business meetings are currently held the first Sunday of each month at the East Shore Library with the meeting beginning promptly at 12:15pm. After the business meeting is a time to work on A&S projects, discuss ideas, and sometimes hold a potluck meal. We always reserve the room until the library closes at 5pm. There is a small kitchenette with a stove and microwave. Also, the area has many fast food restaurants and supermarkets. Beginning in May, I hope to move the business meetings to the Fishing Creek Valley Community Building. This is located north of Fort Hunter on Fishing Creek Valley Road. The building has indoor and outdoor facilities. We can use this one location year round. Directions will be posted at a later date, so please stay tuned. I encourage everyone to come out and visit us. Check out what’s new and different in Blak Rose! Contact any officer with ideas, questions, and suggestions. Yours in Service, Magdalena

Greetings Unto the Shire of Blak Rose!

A word from the Seneschal.

Chronicler’s Notes

2

Officer Spotlight

2

Carlisle Demo…...

2

Shire Calendar

3

Directions to Business Meeting

3

Shire News of Note

4

Carlisle Demo Photo Gallery

4

Events of Interest

5

Museums of Interest

5

Dear Castellan

6,7

Magdalena’s Book Review

7

Medieval Hanukah Celebration

8-9

Saturnalia

10

Norse Yuletide Traditions

10

Christmas in Poland

11

Shire Communications

12

Officer Directory

12

What is the Shire of Blak Rose?

12
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