Announcement: Upcoming Demo

Demo Sponsored by The Barony of Darkwater - Geek Fest 2018 

August 25th, 2018 8:00 am to 2:30 pm -- Astor Library, 54905 Alco Rd, Astor, FL 32102

Come craft and fight to support tiny Astor Library! In years past we were able to help pull it off the chopping block, win it a coveted spot in the queue for a new building, increase community interest in and patronage of the library. Come and see how much we can do this year.

Gates open at 8 am for set up, the actual event does not open until 9 am and closes at 2:30 pm. The library is looking for artisans, fighters, pavilions, craft demos and general ambiance.

Astor Library has requested a demo for their Geek Fest fundraiser on August 25th gates open from 9 am to 2:30 pm.

Astor Library, like many libraries, is in desperate need of funds. They are more than a library, they have become a community center where people come to do everything from applying for jobs and take computer classes to the traditional checking out books and movies.

This is the third year of this event and we would like to continue the great relationship with the coordinators we have built. Thanks to our past involvement and the support of the geek community patrons of Astor Library have been exposed to more exciting history, literature and STEM opportunities. We all helped the Geeky Librarian in her quest to make lifelong learning fun.

The Astor Library is turning to the geek community for help once again. Is there anyone who likes books more than geeks? No, I don't think there is. How can you help you ask?

You can help by coming out to Astor Library (54905 Alco Rd, Astor, FL 32102) Saturday, August 25th and bringing equipment like tables, chairs, crafts to demonstrate, static displays, armor, and weapons for fighting and even pavilions. We still can't do fire or archery, but everything else is on the yes please list.

I am compiling a list of what is already coming, who is presenting and fighting. If you are planning to support us as we support Astor Library please holler here and let me know what fabulous things you are bringing and planning to do so I can add you to the list.

Another way you can help is taking a moment to invite any of your friends to this event you think would like a chance to share the excitement of the SCA with the patrons of the Astor Geek Fest. The more the merrier and many hands make light work. So poke your buddy.

Lastly, the Friends of The Library are hosting a raffle and would be thrilled with the donation of some handmade items. I know a leather pouch and embroidered handkerchiefs are already on the list of items being donated.

If you have any questions please feel free to post or contact me.

Thanks for reading to the end,

Autocrat: Michelle Moon - (321) 396-2529 (Google Voice) - inkdippedmoon@gmail.com

Darkwater Calendar

Book Review - The Account

Many years ago I had a book review column in the Darkwater Revelry.  The idea behind it was I would review recent-ish books that I thought would be of interest to Scadians.  I reviewed histories, historical fiction novels, a couple sci-fi/fantasy novels that I felt were clearly influenced by historical events or individuals, and even a literary novel where the character was in a medieval reenactment group much like the SCA.  Ilene asked that I resurrect my column for the blog and I thought I'd give it a try.  The format will be similar to what I did in the past subject-wise meaning my taste in generas is all over the map but I don't promise that what I'm reviewing will be especially current.  I hope that you find my reviews relevant to Scadian life, in and out of garb, and that you are inspired to check out these works or similar works for yourself.

The Account:  Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca's Relacion
Martin A. Favata & Jose B. Fernandez (trs.)
(Arte Publica Press 1993)


The Relacion was written in 1542, with a second publication in 1555, by Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca who with three companions was the first Spaniard to travel overland across North America.  This journey, which took from 1528-1536, predates De Soto's coming to Florida or Coronado's exploration of what is now the southwest US.   The account was done as a report to the Spanish Crown of Cabeza de Vaca's experiences on the journey and the lands and peoples he encountered.

The new Spanish governor of Florida left Cuba in 1527 with five ships to explore the territory.  Cabeza de Vaca served as treasurer and provost marshal for the expedition.  They landed in a large bay in Florida, possibly present day Sarasota or more likely Tampa Bay.  The governor made the ill-fated decision to abandon contact with the ships and strike out overland.  The expedition traveled up the west coast of Florida with the governor, against the advice of Cabeza de Vaca, antagonizing the Native Americans along the way.  They would eventually arrive at the Timucuan village of Apalachee, near present day Tallahassee.  Due to conflicts with the natives and lack of supplies, the Spaniards build four rafts, commanded by the governor, Cabeza de Vaca, and two other officers, and attempt to travel by water to New Spain (Mexico!).  Somewhere in the vicinity of the Mississippi delta, a storm scatters the rafts, the governor abandons his men, and Cabeza de Vaca ends up washed ashore in what is thought to be present day Texas.

This begins the main part of Cabeza de Vaca's odyssey.  He will make and lose contact with the other castaways.  He will spend a great deal of time as a virtual slave to one group of natives on the "Isle of Misfortune" (Galveston Island?) before breaking free of them and, along with two other Spaniards and a Moorish slave, travel across Texas before finally arriving in Mexico.

This chronicle remains important because it not only recounts the hardships endured on this incredible journey but it serves as one of the first eyewitness accounts of the Native American peoples and customs of the times.  Cabeza de Vaca witnesses hunting and gathering practises, marriage customs, and warfare and raiding between tribes.  Despite his time on the "Isle of Misfortune," he is extremely sympathetic to the natives.  Most seem to have treated him as best they could, sharing what little they had to subsist upon with him and his companions.  Unlike many of his compatriots, he speaks out against the ill treatment of the natives, both with the incidents of hostility in Florida and the exploitation of the natives he finds in New Spain.  Cabeza de Vaca's account is also extremely humble, especially when compared to the accounts of other explorers of the time.

If this account has any weakness, it is how much Cabeza de Vaca does not tell about his trip from Florida to Mexico.  After all, he chronicles an eight year journey in barely 130 pages.  One longs to hear more details about the many native tribes he encounters as well as more about the land he traveled. 

Besides being one of the first descriptions of Native Americans, this history also has what may be the first European description of a hurricane and one of the earliest accounts of lay Christian missionary work in the Americans.  This translation also contains many notes of modern scholarship that seek to match up The Account with specific tribes and locations.  There is also a bibliography that is sure to be helpful with a Spanish or even Native American persona in the early to mid 1500s. 

Maker Monday

Welcome to July's Maker Monday!  We didn't have any individual submissions this month, so instead we have pictures from the scribal and sewing workday held this last Sunday.

Enjoy!

Announcement: Darkwater Archery

Darkwater Archery Practice 

Archery practice will be held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.

Starting on July 15th, the practice will be located at the Avian Reconditioning Center (ARC) located at :
● 323 West Lester Road, Apopka, FL
● Time 10 am – 2 pm.

This is an active raptor rehabilitation and rescue center and as such there are live raptors on the site. This requires that the SCA and all persons participating in the practice adhere to some very important rules regarding the property. The owners have kindly let us shoot here but there will be no second chances if anyone breaks these rules.

1. DO NOT approach the “mews” – these are the buildings that house the raptors. This is for the birds safety and your own. The birds are prey animals and will attack movement and anyone that tries to “peek” through the wood. This can result in the loss of an eye or greater injury and the end of archery practice at this location.

Class: Beginning Embroidery

Following is the handout from the Beginning Embroidery class taught by Lady Christine Chabrier on June 14, 2018.

Class: From Pictures to Projects

Greetings!  Catching up on some of the classes that have been held over the last month, here is the From Pictures to Projects class taught by Mistress Ilene Johnnestoune on June 21st.