New-2-Pennsic-msg - 6/23/04
Information for those new to Pennsic. "Things no one told me about Pennsic until I was there..."
NOTE: See also the files: Eatng-Pennsic-art, P-history-msg, Pennsic-Prep-art, Pennsic-water-msg, P-Food-Safety-art, camp-showers-msg, cmp-courteses-art, camp-kitchens-msg, insect-prtctn-msg, firepits-msg.
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NOTICE -
This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.
This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org
I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter.
The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I make no claims as to the accuracy of the information given by the individual authors.
Please respect the time and efforts of those who have written these messages. The copyright status of these messages is unclear at this time. If information is published from these messages, please give credit to the originator(s).
Thank you,
Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous
Stefan at florilegium.org
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Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2004 11:42:00 -0400
From: "Kirsten Houseknecht" <kirsten at fabricdragon.com>
Subject: [Sca-cooks] things they dont explain about Pennsic
To: <bhakail-list at yahoogroups.com>
Cc: SCA-Garb at yahoogroups.com, bright hills
<brighthills at yahoogroups.com>, sca-cooks at ansteorra.org
Things no one told me about Pennsic until I was there.....
1. blocks of land are assigned to each group/household/clump of folks
who want to camp together based on pre-registration ONLY.
You can, in theory, show up at the day of Pennsic, pay at the door, and go
find camp space.... BUT you will be in "singles camping" otherwise known as
"wherever there is room".
The big groups get square footage based only on the pre-registrations.....
which means every person they take in that DIDN't pre reg to camp with them,
is that much less space everyone has for elbow room.
if a group takes you in after pre-reg, then be very nice to them, bring your
smallest tent, and remember that you are taking footage from everyone
else.
A group did this for me my first year at Pennsic.... I had no idea what I
was doing <sigh>
2. WHY might you want to camp with a group?
well they have the first pick of land, many of them have been getting the
same spot for YEARS, and you are likely to have a better campsite. other
than that? groups bring things like "dining hall tents" and SHOWERS and
other little things that the entire group shares. This is why you may be
asked to pay a "group fee" on top of your Pennsic fee. it helps pay for
your hot showers, your extra tents, and in some groups. dinner (yes, some
groups prepare a group dinner for everyone in the camp.)
3. Classes at Pennsic are often pre-reg.
this means you sign up the day before or so at the sign up tent. high
demand classes can fill up within *minutes* of sign up opening. sign up
opens usually at some really inconvenient hour of the morning. find out
when sign up opens as soon as possible, and be prepared to get there RIGHT
at opening if you want a high demand class.
4. take a battery or wind up alarm clock.
see number three above for why. also.. lines for the main showers and the
laundry are usually shortest at frightening hours of the AM.
5. laundry
there are something like two washers and dryers for *everyone* at Pennsic.
Sane people drive into town and use the Laundromat there. people without
cars, and people who don't know any better, wait hours and hours for laundry
in camp...... laundry is best done at about 430 in the am.
this is why you want enough underwear and chemises that you do not have to
do laundry very often. outerwear can be ignored unless you spill really
icky stuff on it. (in period outer clothing was RARELY washed.... it was
the chemises and undergarb that got washed often)
Those portable camping laundry things? the ones that look like mini cement
mixers or salad spinners? they are your FRIENDS.
pack laundry supplies, or buy them early on at the camp store. they run out
by mid pre-war.
see also "mud" number 9
6. Drainage
this is a myth. there is no drainage at Pennsic.
showers at the campsites must have long drainage ditches dug, and smart
people also dig drainage ditches around their tents. shower drainage often
fills up after the third shower.. it can take all day to be absorbed into
the ground.
if it rains at Pennsic (if?) then the ground becomes saturated FAST! do not
put any extra water into it (showers, laundry, whatever) unless you HAVE to.
7. weather
yes, have some.
Pennsic weather ranges from 118 degrees in the shade to below freezing. I
have seen it do this in one week.
THIS YEARS WEATHER:
Assume it will pour rain, soaking all your clothes, and then turn cold. as
soon as you have gotten your warm socks dried out, it will turn hot. It
will stay hot, dry, and sunny until it is time to pack, at which point it
will rain.
your tent will try to blow away, unless you stake it down for monsoons and
tornadoes, at which point it will be dead calm, humid and muggy.
8. clothes choices
see number 5; laundry, and number 7: weather
take lots of linen undergarments (coolest fabric out there, trust me) and
lots of wool overgarments (warmest stuff out there, except for silk maybe)
I suggest very light weight (summer weight) wool that can be layered.
take at least one bog dress, or fabric that can be pinned around you for
emergencies.
pack a hat. veils and hats are PERIOD and they can save your life from the
worst heat stroke and sunburn. take several "veils" that can be soaked with
water.
pack several pairs of socks in water proof bags! you can survive a lot of
weather if you have dry socks! also pack at least one towel in a plastic
bag.
if you are allergic to wool (or whatever) you can still wear a wool outer
tunic, or surcoat. just line and cuff the sleeves and collar with a neutral
fabric (silk? silk is good) and wear it OVER something tightly woven. you
never need to touch the wool.
if you are worried about the kosher rule against mixing wool and linen, take
a cotton or silk layer you can wear between any wool and linen, and pack
them in separate trunks.
all your clothing should be pre-washed! (you did pre wash your fabric before
you made any clothing, right?)
9. Mud
Pennsic is famous for its mud.
Pennsic mud is red. it is an Iron Oxide compound (rust). it STAINS,
permanently, if not washed out properly.
do NOT, ever, apply chlorine bleach to a Pennsic mud stain. it will react
chemically with the rust and you get a brownish grey stain that will never
come out. (same thing with blood stains, by the by) you want either
Hydrogen Peroxide, or some other rust /blood stain remover.
your best bet is to brush off the dry dirt, then rinse in cool clear water
until it is almost all out, then rinse/wash in detergent and cool or warm
water until no more comes out. keep this up until you get it all out
do not use hot water or put it in the dryer.. heat sets the color.
If you take clothing to a dry cleaner make sure you tell them the muddy
stuff is a rust stain, too.
10. food storage and eating
ice, lots of ice. replace/add ice frequently. buy the best cooler you can
get. even if you do not plan on cooking store at least drinks in there....
wash your hands. not just the alcohol goo.. soap and water.
use a light amount of bleach on the rinse water of your dishes. dry
dishes thoroughly
bring gateraid or similar drinks, and CUT THEM by half with water.
freeze all meats solid before leaving home. use them as they thaw out
in the cooler.
if the heat makes you lose your appetite, at least eat something salty and
drink water. you MUST eat some salt in hot weather. this does not have to
be a lot, but some!
land grab and pre reg <sigh>
I never understood this until I WENT to Pennsic. (I have helped people to
prep for Pennsic a lot longer than I have been going..)
Kirsten Houseknecht
Fabric Dragon
kirsten at fabricdragon.com
www.fabricdragon.com
Philadelphia, PA USA
Date: Thu, 03 Jun 2004 11:59:36 -0400
From: Elaine Koogler <ekoogler1 at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] things they dont explain about Pennsic
To: Kirsten Houseknecht <kirsten at fabricdragon.com>, Cooks within the
SCA <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>
After about 24 years of camping at Pennsic, I can also recommend that
you plan on leaving a dry change of clothing (one modern, one period if
possible...but definitely one modern) in your vehicle. DO NOT assume
that because it's packed in plastic in your encampment that it will stay
dry...Murphy's Law is in full force here. It will develop a hole, manage
to come "unzipped" or something...
Also be sure to take first aid stuff...peroxide, Neosporin, bandaids, an
ace bandage or two...and one or more of those wonderful instant ice
packs. Also don't forget bug repellant (personal and for the camp) and
heavy-duty sun screen...and burn ointment.
Be sure you have your membership card or some other proof of membership,
along with a picture ID...and have it out and with you when you approach
the Troll...and, if you've pre-registered, your pre-reg information.
We always work on a packing list long before Pennsic, then check off
each thing as we pack it. That helps keep us from forgetting stuff.
Kiri
Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2004 12:02:09 -0400
From: Jadwiga Zajaczkowa / Jenne Heise <jenne at fiedlerfamily.net>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] thigs they dont explain about Pennsic
To: Kirsten Houseknecht <kirsten at fabricdragon.com>, Cooks within the
SCA <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>
> well they have the frst pick of land, many of them have been getting the
> same spot for YEARS, and you are likely to have a better campsite. other
> than that? groups bring things like "dining hall tents" and SHOWERS and
> other little things that the entire grop shares. This is why you may be
> asked to pay a "group fee" on top of your Pennsic fee. it helps pay for
> your hot showers, your extra tents, and in some groups. dinner (yes, some
> groups prepare a group dinner for everyone in the camp.)
I you are camping with a group, find out ahead of time if they have a
camp fee, how much it is, what it goes for, and whether you can opt out.
Talk with the person 'running' the camp and make sure you are comfortable
with them. (Yes, I had a bad experienc one year-- but most years are
good.)
> 3. Classes at Pennsic are often pre-reg.
> this means you sign up the day before or so at the sign up tent.
This year there is no pre-sign-up. So if there is a limited class (it will
say so in the schedule) be pepared to show up early and mill about
outside the tent or camp where the class is being held, in hopes of
getting into the class.
The biggest rule is WATER. The water from the taps is drinkable, but
tastes unpleasant by the second week, and includes minrals that upset
some people's stomachs. Running water in many camping areas is somewhat
intermittent. If you don't want to buy water, there is a spigot with
filtered water outside the Chirugeon's tent -- it still tastes funny,
but less so; bring jugs to carry water.
If you are buying water, remember, everyone camping with you should be
getting through a GALLON of water a day. To figure out how much water you
need, multiply the number of people with you times the number of days
you will be there...
-- -- Jadwiga Zajaczkowa, Knowledge Pika jenne at fiedlerfamily.net
Date: Thu, 03 Jun 2004 10:02:43 -0600
From: "Kathleen A. Roberts" <karobert at unm.edu>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] things they dont explain about Pennsic
To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>, Kirsten
Housenecht <kirsten at fabricdragon.com>
--On Thursday, June 03, 2004 11:59 AM -0400 Elaine Koogler
<ekoogler1 at comcast.net> wrote:
> Also be sur to take first aid stuff...peroxide, Neosporin, bandaids,
> an ace bandage or two...>
may i suggest replacing the ace bandage with "vet wrap"? lighter, fits
back into your shoe if on a foot, sticks to itself, and comes in kingdom
colors. and way cheaper. check your vet supply, pet supply or
merchantile.
cailte
clumsy enuf to have it in kingdom AND baronial colors
Date: Thu, 03 Jun 2004 16:46:26 +0000
From: "Olwe the Odd" <olwentheodd at hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] things they dont explain about Pennsic
To: sca-cooks at ansteorra.org, cooks-guild at silent-tower.org,
archer3 at webtv.net
> may i suggest replacing the ace bandage with "vet wrap"? lighter, fits
> back into your hoe if on a foot, sticks to itself, and comes in kingdom
> colors. and way cheaper. check your vet supply, pet supply or
> merchantile.
>
> cailte
> clumsy enuf to have it in kingdom AND baronial colors
How cool is this stuff!! I looked at a link http://store.yahoo.com/animalworldnetwork/vetwrapvetwr.html
And it's even on sale!
Date: Thu, 03 Jun 2004 14:03:02 -0400
From: Tara Sersen Boroson <tara at kolaviv.com>
Subject: [Sca-cooks] Re: things they dont explain about Pennsic
To: sca-cooks at ansteorra.org
Other tips I've learned about Pennsic:
Don't assume you can prereg for a camp without talking to the folks in
that camp. Among other reasons, although technically they allot space
based on number of people, some blocks are so full and occupied by camps
that have years worth of squatters rights that there just isn't any more
room to be had. Thus, even if a camp gets 20% more campers one year,
they won't get 20% more space. This doesn't neccisarily mean that a
camp can't find room for you - but it may be a tight squeeze and you
won't get your full theoretical allotment. Even if the camp gets it's
full allotment, it will probably require that you "donate" part of your
space for public space - campfire, dining tent. While you are alloted
250 square feet, you may be asked to keep your personal space down to
maybe 200 feet. Definately talk to folks about the culture of the
camp. Will you be required to sign up for gate duty? Is there a meal
plan, and if so will you be required to sign up to cook or clean a
certain number of times? If it's a small camp, perhaps people take
turns going into town to do laundry and shop. Make sure you know what
responsibilities you'll have in your camp, as well as what the
advantages are.
Unless you've been going to Pennsic for years and really have it down to
a science, you'll end up going into town; so, don't worry about carting
every morsel of food you think you'll need all the way from home, and if
you're not comfortable going to town in garb, bring enough street
clothes.
Pennsic water turns brown when it gets warm. It's, well, rust. The
water has a high iron content, and when heated it oxidizes. Don't freak
out if your solar shower bag or your dish washing water turns
reddish-brown. It also has an odor from the sulfur content that becomes
more pronounced when it gets hot. Neither the iron nor the sulfur will
hurt you unless you have a really sensitive tummy, but you may find them
distasteful especially if you've never had well water.
If you're in a busy camping area, keep an ear peeled for when the
port-a-potty trucks clean the toilets, and go use them while they're
still fresh and innocent. They clean them a couple times a day,
fortunately. If you have to use them late at night, especially in a
high traffic area, take a flashlight - especially if you're wearing long
skirts.
The solar showers are best around late afternoon - plenty of time for
the sun to do it's work. The "real" showers are, as stated in the
previous e-mail, best in the wee hours of the mornin'.
Remember that it's illegal to carry alcohol across state lines. If
you're bringing homebrew or cordials, be wary. If you're bringing a
couple cases of Beast because the boys down at Bob's Beer Shak give you
a special deal on the outdated stuff, well, is it really worth the
risk? (From a true story... a guy I knew in college bought the outdated
cases of Beast because they were $6. Regular price was only $8. All I
could do was shake my head and sigh, and enjoy my real beer...)
-Magdalena
--
Tara Sersen Boroson
Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2004 14:09:12 -0400
From: "Jeff Gedney" <gedney1 at iconn.net>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] other things they dont explain about Pennsic
To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>
> I have never been to Pennsic. I have always
> dreamed of going, but now I am beginning to
> change my dream, after reading your list.
Other things that they don't explain about Pennsic.
Magic happens in odd places and at odd times.
The lowering sunset and low hanging ever present dust turns the very air
golden in the late afternoon.
The smell of food and wood smoke, and the sound of laughter and song
floating while a star falls in the night sky create a vivid impression
that will stay with you as long as you live.
There will be more merchants than you will ever see at any SCA event
anywhere selling everything from 7000 dollar rapiers to 16 dollar
gorgets, from 3 dollar twisted brass wire penannulars to fossil
containing amber pendants going for 12 thousand, from handmade bows
and arrows to rubberband marshmallow guns, from books to bongos and
just about everything in between.
Cooper's chocolate milk is a religion and sacrement unto itself.
Odd moments of theater happen everywhere, much of it unintentional and
all of it worth watching.
Pennsic storms are awesome in every sense of the word.
If you cant find a party to attend at Pennsic, you are not looking or
you are not at Pennsic.
Whatever the case may be, once you go you will either be hooked or you
will be turned off, there is no middle ground.
Capt Elias
Date: Thu, 03 Jun 2004 14:46:48 -0400
From: Elaine Koogler <ekoogler1 at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] other things they dont explain about Pennsic
To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>
Huette von Ahrens wrote:
> Actually, it is the thought of such merchants
> that keeps me considering going. However, if I
> ever do, I will find a close motel and daytrip
> it. The logistics of bringing my encampment
> from Los Angeles to Pennsylvania would be
> prohibitive anyway.
Good idea...we're not going this year as we're taking a year off..24
years out of 25 that we've attended...we need a break! But next year
we'll probably do the same thing as I just can't deal with the heat
overnight anymore. Also our Barony has decided to start camping up above
the battlefield, which is further away than we want to be...not to
mention the fairly steep hill to climb. However, be sure to reserve your
room 'way in advance...6 months or more...as the hotels in both Butler
and New Castle fill up fairly quickly!
Kiri
Date: Thu, 03 Jun 2004 16:12:57 +0000
From: julianacardoso at comcast.net
Subject: [Sca-cooks] Re: [Bright Hills] things they dont explain about
Pennsic
To: "Kirsten Houseknecht" <kirsten at fabricdragon.com>
Cc: bhakail-list at yahoogroups.com, SCA-Garb at yahoogroups.com, bright
hills <brighthills at yahoogroups.com>, sca-cooks at ansteorra.org
What great advise. The one thing I did that really helped with the mud
stains (add to #5) was to spray Scotch guard on the bottoms of my
chemises. I somehow managed to miss 1, and it is the only one that
ended up with a permanent stain.
Juliana
Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2004 11:26:29 -0700
From: David Friedman <ddfr at daviddfriedman.com>
Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] things they dont explain