From: ammist@Athena.MIT.EDU
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 92 12:42:38 -0400
Message-Id: <9207211642.AA19542@medusa.MIT.EDU>
To: mitgaard@Athena.MIT.EDU
Subject: Some Pennsic Info (rmm now if you're not interested)


This is something I picked up on the Rialto, having to do w/
Pennsic this year.  Those of you who are going might find it
useful.

---------------  Begin included message

Article: 26647 of rec.org.sca
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!bloom-beacon!INTERNET!dont-send-mail-to-path-lines
From: Marion.Kee@a.nl.cs.cmu.EDU
Subject: Important Information About Pennsic XXI
Message-ID: <711670928.kee@A.NL.CS.CMU.EDU>
Sender: daemon@athena.mit.edu (Mr Background)
Organization: The Internet
Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1992 22:22:00 GMT

Greeting to the gentles of the Rialto from Mistress Marian Greenleaf:

As usual about this time of year, I find myself in possession of a fair
amount of information regarding the upcoming Pennsic War which I find
it appropriate to share.  This is NOT an official post of any kind.
This is simply a short compendium of some important points, garnered
from Pennsic Committee meetings, contacts with the Autocrat's Staff and
the Coopers, and the fact that I live near the site.  I can't promise
100% accuracy, but in the past my contacts have proven extremely
reliable.

First, an important reminder:  If you plan to attend, your site fee
must be PAID IN CASH.  That means bills, coin, or travelers' checks
(with I.D.)  NO PERSONAL CHECKS, NO CREDIT CARDS.  There is no separate
fee for one-day attendance.  You must pay for the entire time from when
you arrive through the end of the War (Sunday August 16), no matter if
you plan to be there the whole time or only for part of it.  If you
want to claim the $10.00 SCA members' discount (valid on adult
registration only, not for children) you must present proof of SCA
membership.  The fee schedule is posted in the Pennsic XXI Information
Booklet, which was mailed at the end of May to Kingdom Newsletter
subscribers in the 6 Kingdoms which field the most people at Pennsic,
and has been available by mail from the Autocrat ever since.

There are banking machines at various shopping plazas within 10 - 15
miles of the site.  There are pay phones on site, though there is
frequently a wait to use them.

Second, the weather this year has been weird.  Normally, for the area
of Western Pennsylvania that Coopers' Lake is located in, there is a
short violent thunderstorm/tornado season at the end of May, and
another starting around the beginning of September.  This year, the May
season never happened, but we are getting that kind of weather NOW.
It may well be over with in another two weeks, by the time of the War,
but there is no way to tell.  So, if you have an option to be more
prepared for wet weather and high winds, DO SO.  Also recall that the
nights in August can get pretty cold at the site; bring a blanket or
two.  On the whole the weather here this year has run a little cooler
than usual on AVERAGE, but in real terms it's been running to extremes,
both for temperature and humidity.  My personal advice is, don't put
off buying that new poncho, and if the choice is between a leaky
pavillion or a dry, wind-resistant modern tent, bring the modern tent.

Also, consider bringing some footgear which will protect your feet in
mud.  Mud is much more hazardous footing than dry ground, since it is
not only slippery, but can conceal sharp objects.  A pair of ordinary,
cheap canvas sneakers could end up making the difference between being
comfortably mobile and having miserable feet.  So bring your medieval
shoes for good weather, but be prepared for bad--just in case.

Third point--every Pennsic turns out to be bigger than the last, but
the increase this year looks like it will be pretty phenomenal.  We MAY
go over the 10,000 mark, though I think we're more likely to settle out
at around 9800.  Thanks to the new Land Allocation system, we are aware
of this likelihood IN ADVANCE, and the Autocrat, the Coopers, the Land
Use Autocrat and the Department of Public Works have all been working
hard to make sure that new land gets cleared (it has), that more water
lines have been put in, that new camping areas are made accessible, and
that expanded parking areas are available.  Because of the addition of
more land for camping, there has NOT been a need to reduce the
square-footage allotment per head, and the land allocation processs
should work as advertised.  But the expected increase in
population--which is in the 20% range--will put more strain on existing
fixed resouces, notably showers and toilets.  Yes, more Porta-Thrones
have been ordered, but we use so many of them that the orders must be
made very far in advance--we corner the market for that week, well
outside of the immediate area of Western Pennsylvania.  More parking
shuttles have been ordered for this year, but recall that they are not
scheduled to run all night long.  The Coopers will be making an all-out
effort to keep the hayrides running effectively, providing basic
transportation around the camp for most people's waking hours.

In practical terms, then, here are a few sugggestions which could
lessen the population-increase impact for everyone.  First, DIG, USE
and (before leaving) RE-FILL a drainage pit in your encampment for waste 
water.  This is an important way of preventing disease, and it means you can
wash hands, brush teeth, etc. regularly IN YOUR CAMP and thus cut down
on the use of the bathouses for these purposes.  Using biodegrable soap
is desireable, but any soap is better than no soap for purposes of
hygeine.

Second, if you have the option of bringing a private-sized solar shower,
DO SO.  Make sure you also provide adequate drainage underneath it (I
dig a shallow pit and use an ordinary small warehouse pallet over top
of it as a shower floor.)  If space is a problem, showering in a
bathing suit can eliminate the need for curtains.  

Third, use the hand-cleaning facilities provided in many of the
Porta-Johns.  They are safe and EFFECTIVE.  Directions for use are
printed right on the dispenser, and no water/towel is needed.

Fourth, PLAN AHEAD for TRANSPORTATION needs.  The "Town Car" system
which will be in use this year for medium-to-large size encampments is
explained in detail in the Pennsic XXI Information Booklet.  If people
use this system as planned, IT WILL WORK, and help to reduce the
potential for Pennsic Gridlock.  If you have a choice between
retrieving your car from the lot for some chore, and taking the shuttle
or the hayride, use the public transportation.  Read the rules on
TOWING, and be prepared to pay up (in cash) if you break them.

Fifth, remember that being a pedestrian is going to be more hazardous
this year, simply because of the increase in attendance and
accompanying vehicular traffic.  Take precautions to avoid injury,
whether you're walking or driving--remember that you can be more
effectively indignant if you're NOT INJURED; there's no need to prove
your point by actually facing down the "dragon."

I'm sorry I can't make a blanket offer to chase down individual queries
for people, but that would require more time than I have.  If you have
a question, the answer to it is very likely to be hiding SOMEWHERE in
the Pennsic XXI Information Booklet; check there first!  If someone has
a question that they feel is of high general interest which cannot be
answered by reference to existing sources, they can send it to me and I
will CONSIDER trying to find the answer, but I cannot promise anything.

I wish you all a very pleasant, fun-filled Pennsic and look forward to
seeing some more of you there!

In service to the Known World,

--Marian Greenleaf