This is the March 2025 issue of Across the Hills, a publication of the Barony of Endless Hills of the Society of Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA, Inc.). Across the Hills is made available from Endless Hills Chronicler- Lady Matilda of the Endless Hills. Contact at chronicler@endlesshills.aethelmearc.org. It is not a corporate publication of SCA, Inc., and does not delineate SCA, Inc. policies. Opinions are those of the authors and may not reflect or imply the view of Across the Hills or any member of its staff. Content is used with permission. Copyright (c) 2025. 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.
Welcome Letter from the Baron & Baroness of Endless Hills
Greetings Fair Endless Hills.
Winter soon departs and we welcome spring. And with it, our heirs. We want to take a moment to thank everyone who put their faith and trust in us. We will be forever grateful.
We know that our beloved Endless Hills are in the safest of hands and wish them well on their journey.
At this time, we also take a moment to remember the life of one that touched so many in the Barony, Mistress Maria Piekneplotno. May her memory be a blessing to all who were close to her.
We look forward to seeing everyone at Melee Madness. As always, our doors are open to all.
\In Service,
Magge & Nicolo
Who’s Who of the Barony? Get to Know the Exchequer
What is your SCA name? And how did you find out about the SCA as an organization in general?
My name is Kateryna ty Isaf, but mostly just Kat. I started in the SCA in Misty Highlands in college but didn’t get involved until I moved to the Endless Hills.
Which part of the SCA intrigues you the most?
I love the arts and history the SCA teaches, but I stay because of the friends I have made over the years through the SCA.
When did you become the Exchequer of the Barony of Endless Hills?
I first became an exchequer 20ish years ago. I stepped down to be the kingdom exchequer for 5 years and then took the position again when Count Murdoch and Countess Rioghnach won the crown a year and a half ago.
What does the Exchequer position do, and any advice on how to become one?
The exchequer is the treasurer for the group. They are in charge of keeping the financial records, the checkbook and the budget. It is the responsibility of the job to do quarterly reports, event reports, and oversee any financial duties including troll. My advice on how to become one is to ask questions. Become a deputy to sit in on events and understand how things are run.
Advice for newcomers of the Barony?
The SCA is always in need of people willing to step up and take on new jobs. Find the thing you love and do that. Keep in mind someone needs to clean the dishes, sweep the floors and sit troll for each event. Take in how much history you want and play with what you like to do. But make sure you explore other things! You will be surprised at what you discover in the process. I learned 90% of what I know about cooking by first volunteering to cut some carrots at an event. Now I love medieval cooking.
Endless Hills Budget 2025
Each year one of the many goals of our exchequer is to provide an annual budget for our Barony of Endless Hills by February 1st of that fiscal year. Our exchequer Kateryna ty Isaf went about deciding the budget by reviewing past budgets, seeing what has made a difference financially from year to year for each office.
It was brought to the barony’s attention at the January 19th meeting, that we needed to schedule a financial committee meeting shortly before the February 1st deadline. Kat made sure to note that it was open to all barony members and set the date of discussion for January 26th at 7:30 p.m. Due to a family emergency, the meeting was rescheduled till February 16th at 7:30 p.m. with the approval from the Kingdom.
The budget was discussed with the financial committee consisting of our seneschal, exchequer, chronicler, and herald. Also, we discussed financial policies that needed to be altered or updated. All voices were heard that night on our zoom call, and everyone’s opinion was listened to too! Next you will find the annual budget of 2025 that was approved by the committee and presented to the barony in the February meeting on February 23rd. If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to direct all questions to either or Exchequer Kateryna ty Isaf or Senescal Julianna Woolworth.
Adventures in the SCA- Heavy
Our Barony of Endless hills has many different opportunities for people of all ages to participate in. The aspect of the Barony that I’d like to take a closer look at this month is our heavy fighting.
The heavy list is a term used to denote SCA-style armored combat, as opposed to fencing.
Practices for our heavy weapons fighting takes place every Monday evening at 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Julie Ardito School of Dance. This is located at 648 South Main Street, Old Forge, PA 18518.
This is definitely a good venue that is accessible to all! Multiple heavy marshals are there to help in heavy techniques. This year our knight marshal is Baron Ulfkell Dungalsson. He is in charge of making sure practices are run smoothly and newcomers are properly prepared for battle with loaner gear. Reports are also a requirement for him to complete. Fencing and A&S activities are more than welcomed to participate here on Monday nights as well! The welcoming atmosphere is highly recommended to partake in!
In the SCA, especially in the Endless Hills we take the sport of heavy fighting seriously. We are all a part of a worldwide organization that is excited to share the love of heavy for many generations to come!
New Practice Space in Town! Announcing a new practice space!
Every other Thursday, members of the Barony are welcomed to join and participate in the Medieval Club at Johnson College.
Lady Rhiannon le Meke (Banshee) is currently a technical instructor at Johnson College in Scranton, Pennsylvania. She brought to the barony’s attention that students were interested in starting a club, called the Medieval Club.
This club is the perfect opportunity to share with interested students about what the society can offer them. Currently, they are allowed to do pretty much anything, except have metal weapons.
The administration would like to see all aspects of the society taught to provide students with the full medieval experience in whatever way people choose to do.
Crafting Corners of the Barony of Endless Hills: Cooks Guild Brings New Light to Endless Hills
Greetings to the Populace of the Barony of Endless Hills from Dame Kateryna ty Isaf & Mistress Euriol of Lothian do we send a cordial invitation to the Cook’s Guild hosted at the Irisgoe Vineyards.
Our first gathering since the plague has been vanquished from our lands was held on February 20th at Irisgoe Vineyards with the theme focusing on the cuisine of the Germanic people. We were delighted with a roasted beef, chickpea with bacon, shrimp, a honey mustard kraut, field salad with pomegranate seeds, and a delightful apple kugel. We had several cooks and diners that enjoyed the meal including Lord Seamus, Sir Tigernach, Lady Revna, Lord Gregory, Helen Hillson and Frances, our gracious host. We had a grand time both cooking and looking at some translations of historic manuscripts that span the 13th-16th centuries of German cuisine.
We invite all to join us with no experience necessary, just a joy of cooking and sharing food together is needed. We intend to meet on the 3rd Thursday each month, to explore different cuisines of the pre 17th century world. This month, we will be exploring Irish cooking on March 20th, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. We will have some recipes and ingredients available for people to be inspired by, as well as welcome you bring your own inspired recipes or dishes to cook with us.
Irisgoe Vineyards boasts a large kitchen with plenty of workspace, two ovens and a large stove top. We also have a considerable library of books both of translated or transcribed recipes from historical manuscripts, and non-cooking books on historical foodways. We also welcome you to bring your own books for the cook’s guild to peruse. We look forward to you joining us in this culinary adventure.
See the newsletter PDF for the recipes
History of Endless Hills
History of Endless Hills- How Participating in the Scranton St.Patrick’s Day Parade can impact your SCA journey
Words from Lord Daven MacKeannaugh:
Crowds roaring as combatants clash. Steel flashing in the sunlight as they perform a gauntlet of fights one after another. The masses cheer and wave hoping for the attention of these fighters. What is this… ritual combat, gladiators in the colosseum? No, it’s the Scranton, Pa., St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
For many years the Barony of Endless Hills has marched and fought the full length of the parade, naming it the 3 Mile List Field. At this point it has become a tradition.
On Thursday March 6th, 2025, the annual “put the float together” was held. Saturday March 8th, 2025, was the date of the most recent parade.
\Thanks to all who participated and battled the cold to bring the warmth of the SCA to Scranton.
As Chronicler, I decided to ask members of the Barony their thoughts on this event, the impact it has had on them, and why they feel this event should be on the schedule every year.
● Lord Daven- “Not only is it great fighting and fun, but it is also a way to recruit new folks that might be interested in joining the society. It puts us in the public eye and says, “hey you, come play with swords”.”
● Lady Rhiannon le Meke (Banshee)- “When I first joined the SCA, the parade was a huge deal. We brought the horses down and everyone showed off their finery. After the parade, filled with fighters and fencers, we would all go out to Perkins afterwards and discuss things that went well, things that didn’t, and necessary changes. Overall, it is one of the best exposure opportunities we get here in the Endless Hills!”
Past Court Reports/Notable Scrolls Given
At Kingdom 12th Night
- Lady Angharad verch Morgan was inducted into the Order of the Sycamore
At Feast of the Seven Deadlies
- Master Po was awarded his Cornelian.
- Lady Willow & Lord Onegus both received their AoA’s.
- Dona Kolfinna was elevated to the Order of the White Scarf.
At AEdult Swim 2025
- Lord Daven MacKeannaugh taught an “Intro to Cut & Thrust” class
Please consider submitting an award recommendation for our Barony!
A listing of all baronial awards and their descriptions can be found here: https://endlesshills.aethelmearc.org/herald-news/
The recommendation form can be found here: https://aethelmearc.org/award-recommendation-form/
Any questions can be brought to the Heralds attention at: herald@endlesshills.aethelmearc.org
Past Meeting Minutes
Closing Chronicler Remarks
Hello lovely members of the Endless Hills. It is I, Lady Matilda!
We have made it to March. Congratulations!
We all realize that life can get super busy. Work can get stressful. Raising a family can have some highs and lows for people. Cars can break down and moments just seem to slip away.
Just take a moment to reflect and breathe before you start tackling more days for the year 2025.
A moment that I wanted to reflect on for this newsletter was that the SCA is a welcoming society. We accept people of all ages and backgrounds. Different stress levels happen. The important thing to remember is if we want the society to last for many years to come, we have to sustain that welcoming atmosphere.
Newcomers are friends not enemies!
So, I, as your Endless Hills Chronicler, challenge you. Invite someone to a local practice. Tell your local grocery store cashier that you participate in a really cool hobby that is welcoming new people. When dropping your kid off at school, talk to a mom or dad about an after-school activity they can partake in as a family.
If one member each brings a newcomer to practice, imagine how many members we can have at the end of 2025!
Upcoming Events for the Barony
Baronial Meetings & Practices
- Heavy Weapons Practice
- Every Monday evening at 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- The Julie Ardito School of Dance, 648 South Main Street, Old Forge PA 18518
- Rapier Practice
- Every Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m.
- Ovation Playhouse, 75 Stark St, Hudson PA 18705, 2nd floor
- Cooks Guild
- Every other Monday evening at 5:30 p.m.
- Locations will be announced on the baronial Facebook group for each meeting
- Medieval Club
- Every other Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m.
- Johnson College Gym, 3427 N Main Ave, Scranton PA 18508
- Barony Meeting
- Sunday March 16th ■ On Google Meet, at 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday April 13th ■ On Google Meet, at 7:30 p.m.
If you have anything you would like to share with the rest of the Barony, please forward it to me at chronicler@endlesshills.aethelmearc.org. Any articles, poems, thoughts, feelings, projects are welcomed! Fellow members of the barony who are receiving an award, please forward to me! Your input is always appreciated and will be added. Any critiques and/or suggestions are also appreciated. Please send to the baronial chronicler email at chronicler@endlesshills.aethelmearc.org. Thanks! Notes- A.B. XXVII meaning “Anno baronia, 27” – Endless Hills turns 27 in the year 2025.