Greetings!
As you know from other articles in this Gatekeeper, Oertha has a changed face:
Earngyld is no longer a member of the family, as it were, and we have a Princess in her own right, won by right of arms. We wish Their Oerthan Highnesses Viresse, Astrin and Their daughter Lady Hawke a peaceful and fun-filled Reign.
Although not specifically discussed, I expect They shall visit Their Northernmost barony some time during the Reign.
Many of you were at coronet. And many of you spent many hours volunteering your time working in the kitchen, serving feast, helping people load and unload, and much more.
I add my thanks to those of the autocrat Margarita, the head cook Annora, head server Targan, and others that you helped, for that service. You have little idea how much smoother an event runs when a cadre of willing, cheerful, competent and unexpected workers appear, and you were that force this event. Well done!
We now look to the future: dance and fighter practices continue, and plans for the Collegium should be our priority. It promises to be a fun time for all who attend. On a personal level, names and devices can be worked on. As a herald, I encourage all to start working on this projects. And, of course, we expect our bid for Midsummer Coronet in July to be approved.
There's lots for everyone to do and learn.
I remain Your Servant,
Morgana, Baroness Winter's Gate

Spring Collegium in Winter's Gate is still organizing instructors. The Date is Saturday, March 29. We have the Copper Lane house on Campus, which provides several small rooms and two largish rooms for different classes. We also have the Hess Commons for classes and activities on Saturday, and room for dancing in the evening. Random (Dustin Grimes) is keeping track of teachers, contact him for information. [Info removed]. The Calendar from now until March 29, and from then until May 24 is mostly open for anyone who wishes to hold an event. An Autocrat is needed for Captaincy.
We have set the date for the Public "Historical Costume Ball/Contra Dance" to be held May 3, along with the University Contra-Dance Club. We have reserved the Wood Center Ballroom for the dance, as a thank you to the contra dancers for reserving Copper Lane House on our behalf for another day (each campus club is entitled to reserve it once each term). The next Ivory Thimble Tea is at Kareina's on February 21. The Next Baronial Meetings will be 2/6, 2/27 and 3/27--Collegium organization!

The Barony of Earngyld has officially seceded from the Principality of Oertha as of 12th Night (Jan. 4, 1997 A.S. XXXI) They are now part of the "Marches of the West", answering directly to the King. The Rotation for Principality Coronets will change, and our membership base is cut somewhat. We are currently at 81 without Earngyld, and are required to have 100 to maintain Principality status. We must meet this goal by April (Beltane). Upgrades from Family or Associate memberships are encouraged.
(Due to delays in paperwork, it is suggested that early March be a goal in submitting new memberships.)
Renewals must be attended to promptly as well.
The Kingdom Seneschal Duncan suggested the idea of asking if the Barony of the Far West (the Pacific Rim) and other Shires and Strongholds would like to be included among the numbers of Oertha. They have been asked and are considering. This is sensible in that many of the populace of the Far West are military, and would have a relatively easy time getting hops to Eskalya or Winter's Gate vs. flights to Central Kingdom. The then would be part of greater population as they would likely never reach principality status on their own due to transient population. They have 55 member at this time. We could also work together like sister cities, each Barony including a sister branch in Newsletters and activities. We must also consider the pros and cons of this idea. The rotation would likely have to include Japan, and anyone fighting for the coronets would have to attend coronet in Japan, or step down there, two or three coronets, depending on the rotation. This would be expensive and limit who may attend coronet lists. We would gain new points of view, as many of the populace are from all over the SCA world. Decisions are not expected to be made for up to a year or more.
Along with the adding of members to the populace, the addition of new lands is also encouraged. In fact, there are several members in Bethel, AK, and at least one in Kotzebue, AK, who if they add numbers, could gain Shire or Canton status.
Winter's Gate's numbers are at 23! While we're gaining by a couple of memberships known to be sent recently, we are losing Lady Bianca and Lady Caitlin to Eskalya.
While not lost to us, they will however, be missed.
Mistress Morgana had a surprise communiqué during Christmas. An early member of Winter's Gate, who was Captain of the Militia before he joined his Uncle, somehow tracked her down and wrote. Few details are known, but Altena of Annum Ridge sent greetings to the Baroness and anyone who might still remember him -- he remembers Winter's Gate fondly and now resides in Seahorse (wherever that is).
(This editor couldn't find any SCA branch called "Seahorse" -K) Bianca and Caitlin's St Valentine's Celebration Event on 2/15 that was only lightly dvertised has been canceled due to the autocrat's moving to Eskalya.

Fighter practices are again under way on Saturday afternoons at the University Park Elementary School Gym. Several people are getting armor together. Please come out and show your support of our local fighters! Bring a project and visit!
Due to many participants and few sets of armor, I'd like to suggest that borrowers of armor get a few items to keep personally. They should come outfitted with hard leather boots, sweat pants and long sleeved shirt or similar, but also need to have their own cloth head-cover and athletic supporter & cup (That isn't an audience and a draft , though these aren't wholly bad ideas). Donations of Duct tape, string or buckles would not be out of order. -Khevron 490-xxxx anytime.