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Dear Malagentia, Ravensbridge and Giggleswick –

I wanted to briefly remind people about the East Kingdom’s masking policy for all events, practices, etc. and make sure everyone is on the same page.

If you are at an outdoor event, under EK policy, you need to be masked, unless you are actively engaged in fencing or heavy list fighting.

If you are at an indoor event, under EK policy, you need to be masked at all times, even while actively engaged in fencing or heavy list fighting.

According to EK policy the mask must be worn properly over the nose and mouth and be recognizable as an “effective mask.” What’s an “Effective Mask?”

“Effective masks” are defined by the CDC at the link below. I’ve heard questions about gaiters. Gaiters are listed as effective by the CDC at this doc – if they are doubled up/folded over, so there are two layers of fabric. If they don’t stay doubled up, you’ve got to use a different mask.

Masks may be lowered briefly when eating or drinking, under EK policy. (I’d recommend practicing social distancing while the masks are briefly lowered).

 I’ve checked this through with our EK Seneschal, as well, and we are well aligned. If you have any questions, feel free to DM me or email me at .

Thank you for keeping our community safe – Wyck, Seneschal, Malagentia

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html

https://seneschal.eastkingdom.org/news.php?fbclid=IwAR2WNLc1HZuEkFOm9uIbXU25VuzlP-38ermqb3cjMX7IHedA5-CGw69fEuM#maskupdate

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021, our weekly Tuesday Night Fencer/Fighter practice will move back indoors, to the USM Sullivan Gym (66 Falmouth St., Portland). Few things:

1. The price for day use has gone from $5 to $7. If this is burdensome, please email .
2. We need to be out of the gym by 8:45 p.m., sharp each night. HOWEVER, they are letting us start at 5:30 p.m.
3. Under current EK rules, we need to be masked at all times indoors – even while fencing/fighting.
4. Everyone must sign in to our practice book for contact tracing purposes.
5. The first time you go to the gym, leave extra time for filling out paperwork.
6. Folks can swing by any time before that first practice, M-F, 7a.m.-6p.m., to fill out the paperwork. Make sure to let them know this is for Blade Society.
7. Please remember – this is a wonderful thing that we again have indoor practice space. We have been at USM for a loooong time. Be respectful, be grateful, be cool. No shoes that leave marks, clean up after yourselves, follow the primary rule.
8. Questions? Mat Wyck –

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We are confirmed for 2 slots at PortCon, 5-7 p.m. Saturday, June 26 and 9-11 a.m. Sunday, June 27 at the tent at the DoubleTree Hotel in S. Portland, 363 Maine Mall Road. We can have up to 20 people assisting at the demo – we are looking for heavy listers, fencers, A&Sers and marshals. We will have some passes to the show, as well.

Pre-reg is REQUIRED. Sign-up sheet is here at the link below; PLEASE, AFTER YOUR LAST NAME, INDICATE YOUR AREA, I.E. – fencing, fighting, A&S, etc.

Masks will be required at all times of everyone. There is no real good changing area – so come in garb or with garb you can throw over your street clothes. We will have a small pop-up changing tent (roughly 3×3 feet in area, 5′ tall). Bring water, too.

Please note: Although the SCA complies with all applicable laws to try to ensure the health and safety of our event participants, we cannot eliminate the risk of exposure to infectious diseases during in-person events. By participating in the in-person events of the SCA, you acknowledge and accept the potential risks. You agree to take any additional steps to protect your own health and safety and those under your control as you believe to be necessary.

Pre-Register here: https://volunteersignup.org/E8LJA

Malagentian leadership is asking all province members interested in a local crown feeder tournament to fill out the following one-question survey:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdX6X-q9SpWmxBpHOfqw6nQrRKl-MhY2IOS12ft6fsS8CHXcw/viewform

Thank you!

People of Malagentia –

I’m pleased to share that the province is now looking for bids for Harvest Moon, with several important caveats.

While we are hopeful that by September overall risk will be sufficiently mitigated to safely hold an event with strong safety protocols, it should be understood that cancellation may be prompted by any number of COVID safety-related factors.

To be clear: Anyone making a bid will need to understand that there is a definite potential that an event may need to be cancelled, at any point right up to the event date, and factor that into any planning.

In addition, as the SCA BOD and EK may adjust their event guidance over the next 4+ months, Harvest Moon’s planners must be prepared to adapt accordingly.

To de-conflict with potential regional events, this bid should aim at mid- to late September for timing.

Any bid will need to follow all of the COVID-19 safety protocols, as outlined by the East Kingdom, updated if EK guidance is updated. Click here for the information released April 1.

Any bid should not contain any communal eating plan. There is no camping allowed, and events must be outdoors, per the SCA.

Given the lengthy ‘pause’ all of the SCA has undergone, acceptance and award of bids will be weighted toward members who have experience in running events, particularly Harvest Moon.

FYI – There is potential for a request for bids for further events, such as Autumn Inspirations, pending further discussion amongst officers.

Bids may be submitted here: https://malagentia.eastkingdom.org/main/submit-a-bid-for-an-event/ or by emailing . You can email me questions at the same address, or poke me on FB.

As a note: The officers discussed this prior to the April province meeting, and we discussed at the province meeting, as well. The BOD announcement regarding resumption of events under guidelines came out the same day as the province meeting. I wanted to give everyone a chance to digest these society-level moves before rolling out this announcement.  

YiS – Wyck

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A notice from Mat Wyck, Seneschal of Malagentia:

The elected Officers of the Province of Malagentia have met and, following discussions, have decided unanimously to not hold the Great Northeastern War in 2021, due to the continuing pandemic and the abundant risks it poses.

Several overarching factors drove this early decision, which was based in terms of safety and responsibility:

There are early and small signs of hope with regard to vaccination efforts; however, actual future progress is extremely difficult to predict and varies from state to state. These efforts play heavily into determining when a large event is safe to hold.

There is a high degree of uncertainty as to what will be allowed by the SCA for events, and when. Currently, events are on hold until May 31, 2021.

There is a similar high degree of uncertainty as to what will be permissible for outdoor gatherings under Maine laws, and when. 

The amount of work that goes into an event like GNE is immense, and asking people to undertake said work when it is extremely far from certain that we’d be able to execute would not be the right thing to do.

We did not come to this decision lightly, and it is a great disappointment to all of us – a sentiment we know is shared throughout the Province and well beyond. However, we must act with the safety of all as our primary concern. We also wanted to act early enough to give the populace, merchants and our friends from visiting areas enough notice for their summer planning.

We all look forward with hope to a time when we can again meet in fellowship. Until then, please stay safe and smart, and watch out for one another.

Questions or comments? .

Yours in Service,

Mat Wyck

Good Morning Malagentia! Your Chronicler here with the exciting announcement that Mat Wyck has been officially elected our Seneschal. Please take a moment to welcome him to his new official role. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote.

YIS,
Shyvan