As the Known World continues to hold its breath through the coronavirus crisis, the Shire of Panther Vale is waiting for a safer time whereupon we may resume in-person events, training and meetings. We don’t have a date for that yet, but keep an eye on our newsfeed, Facebook page, calendar and the East Kingdom Event Calendar.
In the meantime, Panther Vale has created a Discord server as a central virtual space for people to connect, stay in touch, and attend online events and activities. We have text and voice chat channels that will become more active the more people join.
Our fantastic chatelaine Bess has created an easy-to-follow intro video that’ll have you online in no time. Jump in and check it out!
Welcome to Mountain Freehold’s Distanced Yule, shared with Panther Vale!
We envision a series of virtual events and distanced activities. The plan is still evolving, so read on to learn how you can help make this a magical event.
Dafydd and Marieke are co-autocrats.
Budget: None at this time – individual activity coordinators may request funds at their discretion.
Yule Activities via Zoom
Tues, Jan 19th – 7 pm (1 hr) Caroling! To kick off this holiday offering we will gather to raise our voices in songs of the season. If you have special requests send them in beforehand. We need a volunteer to pre-select the songs, and to serve as “Conductor” during the meeting.
Tues, Jan 19th – 8:15 pm (30 minutes) Performance!
Part One of “Gawain and the Green Knight” (We will use the Tolkien translation into quaint modern English, slightly abridged.) It’s Story Time! Curl up on your sofa with a hot beverage and enjoy this medieval holiday-centered tale as read by Marieke and Dafydd.
Wed, Jan 20th – 8:15 pm (30 minutes) Performance!
Part Two of “Gawain and the Green Knight”
Thurs., Jan 21st – 7 pm (1 hr) Open Bardic Circle!
Participants will be able to share a song, a story, or a joke in real time. We need a Host and Organizer for this.
Thurs., Jan 21st – 8:15 pm (45 minutes) Performance!
Part Three of “Gawain and the Green Knight”
Fri., Jan 22nd – 8:15 pm (30 minutes) Performance!
Part Four of “Gawain and the Green Knight”
Sat., Jan 23 – 6 pm (1½ hrs) Feast!
We will offer this opportunity to break bread together virtually and share news and gossip, like we enjoy so much at our in-person feasts. Garb up if you wish!
Ongoing Yule Activities During the Week
Cookie Exchange
We need a Coordinator for this project. Share your favorite cookies with others and get a plate of various cookies back! Sign up in advance and understand that this might not be a great match for those with special dietary requirements.
The coordinator will receive the cookies (promising not to eat them!) and send/mail them out to the recipients. Participants will have to mail their own cookies to the coordinator, and if possible, provide a suggested donation of $5 to help with the mailing of their cookies to the recipients.
Gift packages
Lady Katherine has an idea for Gift Packages. Sign up with her in advance to contribute trinkets and small gifts items to be gathered and then shared with those who sign up. You will need to mail your items to Katherine, which she will then distribute to participants. There will be a suggested donation of $5, along with your items, to help cover mailing costs.
Distanced Mathom Exchange
We need a Coordinator for this, too. This will be a continuation of one of our favorite Yule traditions. People who wish to participate will provide a description/photo of their mathom along with the date of their first official SCA activity. The coordinator will compile the list and make it available to the participants.
Starting with the person who has found the SCA the most recently, an item is chosen from the list. Then we continue on with the next person with the least time of involvement until everyone has a mathom. (This might be managed as an evolving email over the week with items struck from the list as choices are made.)
The challenge is how to get the mathom from the gifter to the giftee. Smallish items could be mailed between participants. Another option could be for delivery/exchange being coordinated between the two.
Other ideas are welcome – this is just a start. The more ideas we have, and the more people who volunteer to help, the better our Yule will be!
