siren's song summer 2012

Sumer Siren Song

Sumer Siren Song

Summer Siren Song

Table of Contents

Cover at by Mike Pozar

Page 2 – Table of contents

Page 3 – Baronial Missive

Page 5 – Arianna of Illiton

Page 6 – Bardic Arts

Page 7 – Illiton Officers

Page 10 – Guild Officers

Page 11 – Mike Pozar’s Leather Corner

Page 14 - Gleanings from my travels written by Maria Teresa

Upcoming events:

Fields of Cloth and Gold - September 14th

– 16th

2012, Friday 5pm to Sunday

11 am at Camp Wakonda: 620 Boy Scout Road, Chillicothe, Il.

For more information see the Illiton website: www.Illiton.org

For Siren Song submissions please contact the Chronicler Muriel Zimmermannin

or contact at [email protected].

http://www.illiton.org/

Sumer Siren Song

Unto the good Populace of Illiton, Athelington, and Lochmorrow,

From Their Excellencies, Wilhelm and Alzbeta,

Summer is upon us, and our warriors prepare for conflict on the fields of Pennsic. Whether on

the tournament field or the battlefield, whether an armored combatant, fencer or youth

combatant, it is the hope and expectation of Her Excellency and I that you will comport

yourselves with the chivalry, fairness and grace that Illiton’s warriors have come to be known. It

is oft easy to forget, in the heat of a moment, that we are continually under observation. Perhaps

a Knight is considering you as a student, or a lady (or lord) of the court is considering you as a

champion. Our actions reflect on the sort of people we are, and as we know Illiton’s Populace to

be of the highest caliber, as Baron and Baroness we expect the actions of Illiton’s warriors to

reflect that excellence.

The embodiments of that excellence, our Baronial Champions, have recently been tested on the

very lawns of the Baronial Manse. Nearly threescore of our Populace gathered to vie for the titles

of Baronial Champion, and there were many challenges, all well-contested. We congratulate

Nessa, our Archery Champion; Baron Gareth Thorne, our Thrown Weapons Champion; Master

John Inchingham, our Rapier Champion; and Sir Ix, our Armored Combat Champion. We thank

our retiring Champions for their service and the examples they have set during their term, and we

ask you all to observe and report to us on the comportment of Illiton’s newest Champions.

Though the conditions in drear Mundania may not have noticeably improved, we hope that we

may see our Populace in attendance of events at home and abroad. On the calendar are Fields of

Cloth and Gold (for which pre-registration will soon be open), All Hallows Revel, and perhaps

more events presented by our Barony. Beyond our borders looms Pennsic and many other events

both near and far. TRM Savaric and Julianna sitting the Dragon Throne engenders the possibility

that Illiton may host Royalty at one of our upcoming events, or our Populace may travel to

Midlands events and attend Royal Courts. We encourage our Populace to adhere to the adage

“work at home, play abroad” that we may show the Crown the shining jewel that is our Barony,

but we continually note with pride that this Barony’s service to the Crown and the Society is not

limited to our borders.

We continue to urge people to assist our Officers and guild heads with their burdens, and to

consider assuming Offices or guild leadership themselves as terms conclude. Assist our Cantons

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of Lochmorrow and Athelington as they strive to grow and prosper, for their health and success

is ours. Illiton can only grow and thrive if members of the Populace step forward to learn and

shoulder the responsibilities necessary to the continuation of this group. At present, we have too

few people wearing too many hats, and its past time that the perennial workhorses of this Barony

be allowed to set aside their yokes for a while. Rotation of responsibility is a key element to the

health of any group.

We continue to ask that if you notice someone whose efforts or attitudes improve the SCA as a

whole and Illiton in specific, making this a more enjoyable place to play, we wish to hear of it so

that we can communicate to Their Majesties the wonderful works of our people. We would also

encourage you to put in recommendations yourselves through the online recommendation site at

www.midrealm.org. The number of recommendations received is often as important as the

quality of the recommendations, so if you feel someone is deserving of recognition, let us know

who and why, and submit a recommendation of your own that we can echo.

Our people in Illiton, Athelington and Lochmorrow should be commended for their tireless

efforts and selfless service to this Dream we all embrace.

Yours in Service,

Baron Wilhelm and Baronowa Alzbeta

ῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷῷ

This is the Sumer 2012, issue of the Siren’s Song, a publication of Illiton of the Society for

Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA, Inc.). Siren’s Song is available from Laura Nickels,1228

South 6th

, Street, Pekin, IL, 61554. It is not a corporate publication of SCA, Inc., and does not

delineate SCA, Inc. policies. Copyright © 2012 Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. For

information on reprinting photographs, articles, or artwork from this publication, please contact

the Chronicler, who will assist you in contacting the original creator of the piece. Please respect

the legal rights of our contributors.

Sumer Siren Song

Arianna of Illiton

Kali Dietz

My name is Kali Dietz and I am 27

years old. I am an Assistant Lab

Chemist and in charge of Logistics for

Emerald Performance Materials in

Henry, IL. I live in East Peoria with

my husband Percy and our two cats

Bella and Freddie. My hobbies

include scuba diving, cross stitching,

scrapbooking, and card making. I am

just now getting into sewing garb.

I have been participating in SCA

events since 2004, starting like most

people with Jubilee Olde English

Faire. Most people in the SCA know

me as Arianna of Illiton but I do not

actually have a persona or device yet.

I am currently thinking about a

Scottish persona, but I'm not sure yet.

I am fortunate enough to have

received a Order of the Lady of the

Lake and a hippocampus from Illiton.

I have also been lucky enough to

receive an Award of Arms and a

Purple Fret from the Society. I am

currently the Exchequer for the

Barony and enjoy it, but I like to

spend most of the events I attend

behind the scenes in the kitchen or

helping at Troll.

Some other things that might be

interesting about me are that I was

going to be a marine biologist

specializing in sharks before I became

a chemist and that I am an avid

Dungeons and Dragons gamer.

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Bardic arts guild

By Lord Siegfried berg

MKA Kevin Burge

The bardic arts are comprised of any

sort of performance art for the

entertainment of others. This could

include singing, playing an

instrument, theatrical performance,

storytelling, dancing to entertain

others, sleight of hand and juggling. If

you are skilled or interested in any of

these activities I would encourage you

to research period ways of performing

your particular art, and to perform at

events, either at feast or bardic circles.

As the guild head I would be happy to

guide you to sources for period

research or finding others who share a

passion for your particular talent. I

can be contacted at scasigfrd@yahoo

or by phone at 309-634-5281

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The Barony of Illiton Officers

Baron Baronowa

Wilhelm Mihallik Alzbeta Mihallik

m/k/a: Michael Mihallik m/k/a: Stacey Mihallik

300 E. Virginia Ave. 300 E. Virginia Ave.

Peoria, IL 61603 Peoria, IL 61603

PH# 309-681-1109 PH# 309-681-1109

[email protected] [email protected]

Seneschal Exchequer

Elayne Thorne Arianna of Illiton

m/k/a: Elaine Hecathorne M/k/a: Kali Dietz

1260 N Carefree Dr. 227 Avondale

East Peoria, IL 61611 East Peoria, IL 61611

309-361-0006 309-694-6292


Chatelaine Knights Marshal

Lady Esmerelda Carecena Lord Anselm Mareschal

m/k/a: Cathy Leitner m/k/a: Kenneth Mounts

8327 N Knoxville Ave #109 1309 Fenley Ave

Peoria, IL 61615 Pekin, IL 61554

309-648-8073 (309) 202-4400


mailto:[email protected]






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Pursuivant Minister of Arts & Science

Alzbeta Mihallik Micheaela de Romney

m/k/a: Stacey Mihallik m/k/a: Nancy Cox

300 E. Virginia Ave.

Peoria, IL 61603 Marquette Heights, IL 61554

PH# 309-681-1109 (309)-382-3307


Chronicler Web Minister

Muriel Zimmermannin Allison Renee of Roseholm

m/k/a: Laura Nickels m/k/a: Sarah Rosecrans

1228 South 6th St 605 Franklin Ave

Pekin, IL 6154 Bartonville, IL 61607

309-360-2233 (only after 3pm please) 309-370-2828


Minister of Youth Co-Chamberlain

Angela Kell Eoin atta Keld

m/k/a: Angela Kell m/k/a: John Kell

318 W. Clinton 318 W. Clinton

Brimfield, IL 61517 Brimfield, IL 61517

309-446-9697 309-446-9697








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Co-Chamberlain Secretary

Gunther von Stein Allison Renee of Roseholm

m/k/a: Mike (Rocky) Crowley m/k/a: Sarah Rosecrans

118 Gottlieb Ct 605 Franklin Ave

Creve Coeur, IL 61610 Bartonville, IL 61607

309-694-5677 309-370-2828


Historian Chirurgeon

Lady Fuyutsukime Hattori Gillian Eleanor of Roseholm

m/k/a: Jamie Shirley m/k/a: Jana Behm

308 Corona Dr. 605 Franklin Ave

Peoria, IL 61604 Bartonville, Il 61607

309-219-5431 309-361-8875






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The Barony of Illiton Guilds

Fencing -- Jamie Shirley Fighting -- Kenneth Mounts

Phone 309-219-5431 Phone 309-202-4400


Scribal Arts -- Wilhelm Mihalik Sewing -- Nancy Cox

Phone 309-681-1109 Phone 309-382-3307


Thrown Weapons -- Gary Hecathorn Cooking -- Nancy Cox

Phone 309-361-1400 Phone 309-202-0850


Sewing Guild -- Nancy Cox Archery -- Gary & Elaine

Hecathorn

Phone 309-382-3307 Phone 309-678-9361


Armouring -- Kenneth Mounts Bardic Arts -- Kevin Burge

Phone 309-202-4400 Phone 309-713-2033


Brewing & Vinting – Mid Eastern Dance -- Sherri Kell

Sidi Hacmin ben Yosef Phone 309-446-9697

Phone 309-382-3307 (meets Tuesdays nights at 7pm)

(Same location as fighters practice)














Sumer Siren Song

Mike Pozar’s Leather Corner

Hand Stitching Leather

Thread

Use only 3 or 4 ply waxed linen thread. Polyester thread will eventually cut

into the leather. Use beeswax to lubricate the thread. This makes it easier to pull

the thread through the leather, as well as helping to seal the sewing holes. There

are threads available commercially in white, black, brown, and natural. Unwaxed

thread may be dyed any color that you wish before waxing.

Hand Stitching is the best for sewing leather. It provides a locking stitch, and

you can control how snug the thread will be.

Threading the needle: This will be your primary sewing technique. Almost every

project will use it. Spend some time learning how it is done. With practice you will

be almost as fast as a machine, Use 2 needles, one at each end of the thread. Pull

the end of the thread though the eye of the needle (1). Pierce the thread with the

point of the needle (2). Push the thread up onto the eye of the needle. Pull the

thread past the eye. Bring the needle to the end of the thread (3). Twist the strands

together to lock in place (4). Repeat for the second needle.

Saddle Stitching: Push a needle through the first sewing hole. Pull the thread

through the hole to the center of the thread. Push needle through the front side of

the leather. Push the second needle through the same hole and pull tight (2). Take

care not to pierce the first thread with the second needle. Push needle through the

third hole from the front, Push the second needle through the third hole from the

back, Pull tight. (3). Continue to end of project. To finish Back stitch 3 or 4

stitching holes. Cut Thread off even with leather (6).

The Running Stitch: I very seldom use the Whip Stitch. Every once in a while,

however, it will come in handy. Pierce the first hole with the needle front the

front. Leave about ¾” of thread sticking out the back. Pierce the second hole with

the needle from behind. Pull snug. Be careful not to pull the first thread through.

Pierce the third hole with the needle from the front. Pull tight, Pierce the fourth

hole from the back. Pull tight. Continue to the end of the project. Back stitch to

finish project. Cut threads even with leather. This is best used on projects where

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you sew completely around the project; otherwise it is very difficult to lock the

first stitch in place.

Whip Stitch: Use this stitch for small projects that don’t need the security of saddle

stitching. Pierce the first hole with the needle from the front. Stick about ½” of the

thread between the layers of leather. Bring the thread around the edges of the

project and pierce the second hole with the needle from the front. Pull tight. Bring

the thread around the edge of the project and pierce the third hole from the front.

Pull tight. Continue to the end of the project. Sew over the first and second holes.

Cut thread even with the leather.

Butt Stitch: This is used to join 2 pieces of leather evenly. I use it exclusively to

make round containers. You will need curved needles for this stitch, as well as a

curved awl. Align the pieces of leather. Pierce the first hole with the curve awl.

Push the awl through both pieced of leather, exiting directly across from the first

hole. Piece the first hole with the needle. Guide it through the awl hole and exit

through the second hole in the second piece of leather. Pull the thread through to

the center. Pierce the second hole on the first piece of leather with the curved awl.

Push it through until it exits directly across from the entrance point in the second

piece of leather. Guide the first needle through the second set of holes, exiting in

the second piece of leather. Guide the second needle through the hole in the second

piece of leather exiting in the first piece of leather, Pull tight. Continue sewing

until the end of the project. Back stitch to finish sewing, Cut threads off evenly

with the leather.

Overcast Stitch: This is great for joining two light weight piece of leather together,

such as deer skin. Use two needles for this stitch. Pierce sewing hole on the two

edges of the leathers to be joined. Pierce the first hole in the first piece of leather

with a needle from the front. Pierce the first hole in the second piece of leather

with the first needle from the front. Pull the thread through until it reaches the

center. Pull tight. Pierce the second hole in the first piece of leather from the back,

Pierce the second hole in the second piece of leather from the back. Pull tight.

Continue sewing until end of project. To finish, back stitch 2 or 3 holes. Cut thread

off even with leather.

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Lacing

For most Projects, sewing is the way to go. However, if you would like a most

interesting look to your finished project, lacing might be OK. Use either the

Running Stitch, or the Whip Stitch. If you are worried about security, sew the

project.

Whip Stitch: Start in between the layers of leather. Leave about ½” of lace at the

end. Bring the lace around the edge of the project. Pierce the first hole again. Pull

the lace through the project. Pull tight. This locks the stitch in place. Bring the lace

around the edge of the project and through the second hole. Pull tight. Continue

through the third hole. Pull Tight. Continue to end of project. To finish bring the

lace through the last hole. Bring it up between the layers of leather/ Pull tight. Cut

of the lace even with the leather.

Running Stitch: Begin between the layers of leather. Leave about ¾” of lace

inside. Pierce the end of the lace with a sharp knife. Bring the lace around the edge

of the project. Pierce the first hole in the second piece of leather. Guide the lace

through the hole in the end of the lace. Bring the lace through the first hole in the

first piece of leather. Pull Tight. Bring the lace through the second hole from the

front. Draw the lace through the hole and pull tight. Bring the lace through the

third hole from the back. Pull Tight. Continue to the end of the project. To finish

lace to the last hole, leave a large loop in the lace in the next to last hole. Push the

lace through the last hole. Bring it up between the layers of leather. Pull the loose

loop tight. Tack any slack out of the ending laces. Cut off even with the leather.

Sumer Siren Song

Gleanings from my travels

By Maria Teresa

Did you know that Germany is the cheapest place in Europe to buy beer? There are over 1,500

different brands and types of beer available in Germany, many being made at Monasteries by

monks and friars. They are frequently served with all sorts of local sausages, too. Every region

has its specialty and one can quickly overload on the 'tube steaks' and foaming brews. Germans

like beer so much that they even have an expression with it: Das is nicht mein Bier, meaning 'that

is none of my business!' The German Beer Purity Law created in 1516 ensures quality and high

standards. And, FYI, the average German consumes 245 pints of beer per year!!

Currywurst (curry sausage) is a fast-food dish of German origin consisting of hot pork sausage

cut into slices and served in a ketchup-based sauce seasoned with curry and other spices. It is an

icon of German popular culture, and it estimated 800 million servings are sold in Germany each

year. And, to top it off, there are more than 1500 different varieties of sausage nationwide (a

different one for every type of beer). I read that Richard the Lionheart, while in the Holy Land,

noticed that the men from the Austrian area didn't suffer as many ailments as other soldiers,

which he attributed to the consumption of sausages, so when they withdrew from the crusades,

Richard told his men to get as many sausages as they could from the departing soldiers.

A popular pastry, known as the stollen, is a cake-like yeast bread that has candied fruit, currents,

orange and lemon zest, spice and cardamom for flavoring. The most common one is the

Dresdener Stollen. Stollen is mentioned for the first time in 1474 in the accounts of the Christian

Hospital of St. Bartholomew in Dresden, where it is referred to as a cake for the fasting period,

consisting of only flour, oats and water, as required by Church doctrine. A golden seal is

awarded by the Dresdner Stollen Schutzverband e.V (Dresdner Stollen Protection Association)

to distinguish true authentic handmade Dresden Stollen from other types of stollen.

Sauerkraut or sour cabbage is made from the crisp center of leaves of cabbages, which are

shredded, salted and cured for several weeks in huge wooden or concrete vats. It is thought of as

a German invention but Chinese laborers building the Great Wall of China over 2,000 years ago

ate it as standard fare! Most likely Gengis Kahn brought it to Europe 1000 years later after

plundering China. The Dutch, who were great sea-fearing traders, used sauerkraut on their ships

as it does not need refrigeration and helped prevent scurvy.

siren's song summer 2012

Documents

illiton officers page

sumer siren song page

arianna of illiton page

guild officers page

baronial missive page

table of contents page

illitons populace

mike pozar page