Participant Information Emails

Glatt Jol!

This is the first monthly update for PPF 2020, to be held on November 7, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. If you are receiving this email and have no idea what I'm talking about, please drop me a line and I'll remove you from future emails (with my apologies).

Current Updates:

- The West Kingdom EPay is working on invoicing. If you have not received an invoice yet, DON'T PANIC! If you haven't received one by December 21, 2019, drop me a line and we'll figure it out. Don't forget, make sure you have paypal@westkingdom.org whitelisted if you have a particularly aggressive spam filter.

- Our monthly event team check-ins continue on Facebook Messenger. If you're interested in participating, the next one will be held December 17, 2020 at 6:00 PM AKST. The Facebook Event can be found here: https://facebook.com/events/906712169723506/?ti=cl

- Friday classes and evening gathering are being planned for November 6, 2020. Travelling to Alaska is a LOT and we want you to get as much out of your visit as possible! Baroness Cemper is collecting class suggestions for Friday, so if you have something you'd like to learn, drop her a line.

- Now that we have a count of folks interested in meal kits, we can come up with a better estimate of meal kit costs. We will have that information posted by the end of January so folks can make informed decisions about if they actually want one or not. Thank you for your patience!

- If you're going to be at Oerthan Coronet and Investiture this January, there's a fundraiser lunch you're invited to take part in. You can get a ticket here: https://forms.gle/NpCKNx2NPmnimkJK6.

Other Useful Information:

- Pre-event classes are happening around the West and abroad. Right now we're scheduled to teach at Gulf Wars (March 14-22, 2020, Lumberton, MS) and the West Kingdom Arts Fair (May 8-10, 2020, at Tres Pinos, CA). If you're teaching a class on the theme, let me know and I'll share it around!

- Travel to Anchorage is via Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (IATA code: ANC). Most flights are on Alaska and Delta, but we also get service through United. The best advice I can offer is to make your plans early.

- If something comes up and you cannot attend, please let us know. We are not offering refunds, but you are welcome to transfer your ticket and (if you're looking for someone to transfer it to) we have had a couple of folks who missed out express interest in acquiring tickets that go unused.

- Want to see how the research is going? Want to contribute what you know? We have a "binder" we're using to collate what we've learned, you can find that here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/172nAJSIV1TxGu6vSF5Wg9hzJSmxkJ1hIVT8zgz2l6bA/edit?usp=drivesdk

- We will continue providing updates on the event website at https://sites.google.com/westkingdom.org/ppf-2020, check it out!

Is there information you're looking for and not finding? Can we help you with your travel plans or similar? Please let us know, we want this to be a great experience for everyone!

See you all in November (if not sooner!)

Kinild le librari/Claire Knudsen-Latta

Event Steward

Happy New Year!

This is your January 2020 update for PPF 2020, to be held on November 7, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. If you are receiving this email and have no idea what I'm talking about, please drop me a line and I'll remove you from future emails (with my apologies).

Current Updates:

- The big item this month is "character" roles. In order to give our skalds time to compose odes in your honor (and you time to practice your best boasts and roasts), we are trying to cast our hall owners, honored guests, and their gathered attendants as early as possible. You can find information about the various roles and the expectations associated with them here:

https://sites.google.com/westkingdom.org/ppf-2020/attendee-information/roles-in-the-hall?authuser=0.

What we are looking for is a group of people who can perform their roles in such a way as to elevate the experience of the entire hall and encourage others to participate. You should be comfortable being convivial and extroverted, ready to make boasts or praise/insult your opposite number. If you are interested in one of the roles, please drop me a line at clairemargery@gmail.com letting me know which role(s) you're interested in and, if more than one, what your order of preference is. Once we've got a list of interested folks, we'll do our best to build a group that will keep the whole hall entertained.

- Group transportation is a thing we're trying to make happen. A few calls around town came up with an estimate of between $500 - $800 for the weekend (8am Friday - 3pm Sunday) for a fifteen passenger van. If this is something you'd be interested in chipping in on, please let me know. We'll continue pursuing it if we have enough interest. Alternatively, Anchorage does have Uber/Lyft and taxis.

- Baroness Elena is working on a hotel group rate, so we'll keep you apprised of how that's going. If you have questions, please contact her at elena@westkingdom.org.

- Our next monthly event team check-in is scheduled for January 14, 2020. If you're interested, check out the "events" section of the facebook page. Check-ins are held on facebook messenger and tend to run under an hour.

- Friday classes and evening gathering are being planned for November 6, 2020. Travelling to Alaska is a LOT and we want you to get as much out of your visit as possible! Baroness Cemper is collecting class suggestions for Friday, so if you have something you'd like to learn, drop her a line at cemper@westkingdom.org.

- If you're going to be at Oerthan Coronet and Investiture this January, there's a fundraiser lunch you're invited to take part in. You can get a ticket here: https://forms.gle/NpCKNx2NPmnimkJK6.

- We are continuing to work on meal kit costs and will have that information for you by the end of the month. Tips for item acquisition are always welcome!

- T-SHIRTS!! Now that we're in a new tax year, we're ready to take on the t-shirt project. Look for those coming by mid February!

- Auction! There will be an auction, so tell your friends! It is being coordinated by Deborah and Eilis, if you have contributions, please contact them on the facebook group or email Duchess Eilis at eilis@westkingdom.org.

Other Useful Information:

- Pre-event classes are happening around the West and abroad. Right now we're scheduled to teach at Gulf Wars (March 14-22, 2020, Lumberton, MS) and the West Kingdom Arts Fair (May 8-10, 2020, at Tres Pinos, CA). If you're teaching a class on the theme, let me know and I'll share it around!

- Travel to Anchorage is via Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (IATA code: ANC). Most flights are on Alaska and Delta, but we also get service through United. The best advice I can offer is to make your plans early.

- If something comes up and you cannot attend, please let us know. We are not offering refunds, but you are welcome to transfer your ticket and (if you're looking for someone to transfer it to) we have had a couple of folks who missed out express interest in acquiring tickets that go unused.

- Want to see how the research is going? Want to contribute what you know? We have a "binder" we're using to collate what we've learned, you can find that here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/172nAJSIV1TxGu6vSF5Wg9hzJSmxkJ1hIVT8zgz2l6bA/edit?usp=drivesdk

- We will continue providing updates on the event website at https://sites.google.com/westkingdom.org/ppf-2020, check it out! These updates include copies of this (and future) emails, so if you can't find info, check there!

Is there information you're looking for and not finding? Can we help you with your travel plans or similar? Please let us know, we want this to be a great experience for everyone!

See you all in November (if not sooner!)

Kinehild le librari/Claire Knudsen-Latta

Event Steward

---

Good Afternoon,

My apologies for failing to include this in the original email. If you're interested in a character role, please let me know no later than January 22, 2020 (two weeks from now).

Thanks,

Kinehild/Claire

It's February and the sun is slowly returning here in the Northland!

This is your February 2020 update for PPF 2020, to be held on November 7, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. If you are receiving this email and have no idea what I'm talking about, please drop me a line and I'll remove you from future emails (with my apologies).

Current Updates:

- T-Shirts! Viscount Culann made us some cool art so we slapped it on some t-shirts! https://teespring.com/stores/ppf-2020-t-shirt-swag go and check them out! If you have feedback on the designs or price, I'd love to hear it.

- Meal kits! As mentioned on the FB page, we have a final price for meal kits, $50. The kits will include a commercially turned wooden bowl, a simple wooden plate carved by Gisla, a pottery mug by Anna Neri, and a commercially produced horn spoon. Please note, you are responsible for providing your own knife. Knowing what will be included in the kit and its price, if you are planning to purchase a kit, please let me know no later than March 31, 2020 (you can respond to this email, send me a seperate email to clairemargery@gmail.com, or drop me a FB messenger). Kits can be paid for onsite with cash or check.

- Our photographer has had to back out because of family plans. I am very committed to the idea of no phones at feast (the hall will be dark and the screens will be very obvious), but I also understand that folks will want photos of the event (I know I will!). I would love your feedback on how to proceed. Options include (but are not limited to), someone who is already attending taking photos, finding a new photographer within the SCA, finding a new photographer outside the SCA, etc.

- We have our cast of characters! For the home team, we have Søren and Elena, the landmaðr and húsfrú; their retainers, Helga, Cyrus, Duncan, and Violet; and the landmaðr’s honored parents, Mikel and Eilis. For the away team, we have Thorfinn and Tullia, our honored guests, and their retainers Culann, Seva, Janek, Etain, Paul, and Gwen. Additionally, we have Cemper and Bran as a visiting vǫlva and her escort, and Scott and Maggie as visiting storytellers. A huge thank you for stepping into these roles to help us out, all!

- Group transportation. A few calls around town came up with an estimate of between $500 - $800 for the weekend (8am Friday - 3pm Sunday) for a fifteen passenger van. If this is something you'd be interested in chipping in on, please let me know. We'll continue pursuing it if we have enough interest. We didn’t hear from anyone last month, so if we don’t hear from anyone this month either then this is going on maybe next time pile. Alternatively, Anchorage does have Uber/Lyft and taxis.

- Baroness Elena is working on a hotel group rate, so we'll keep you apprised of how that's going. If you have questions, please contact her at elena@westkingdom.org.

- Our next monthly event team check-in is scheduled for February 18, 2020. If you're interested, check out the "events" section of the facebook page. Check-ins are held on facebook messenger and tend to run under an hour.

- Auction! There will be an auction, so tell your friends! It is being coordinated by Deborah and Eilis, if you have contributions, please contact them on the facebook group or email Duchess Eilis at eilis@westkingdom.org.

- Friday classes and evening gathering are being planned for November 6, 2020. Travelling to Alaska is a LOT and we want you to get as much out of your visit as possible! Baroness Cemper is collecting class suggestions for Friday, so if you have something you'd like to learn, drop her a line at cemper@westkingdom.org.

Other Useful Information:

- Pre-event classes are happening around the West and abroad. Right now we're scheduled to teach at Gulf Wars (March 14-22, 2020, Lumberton, MS), St. Walpurgis (April 25, 2020, Fairbanks, AK) and the West Kingdom Arts Fair (May 8-10, 2020, at Tres Pinos, CA). If you're teaching a class on the theme, let me know and I'll share it around!

- Speaking of classes, we're collecting class handouts online at https://sites.google.com/westkingdom.org/ppf-2020/class-handouts. If you have a handout you'd like to share, send us a copy and we'll post it!

- Travel to Anchorage is via Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (IATA code: ANC). Most flights are on Alaska and Delta, but we also get service through United. The best advice I can offer is to make your plans early.

- If something comes up and you cannot attend, please let us know. We are not offering refunds, but you are welcome to transfer your ticket and (if you're looking for someone to transfer it to) we have had a couple of folks who missed out express interest in acquiring tickets that go unused.

- Want to see how the research is going? Want to contribute what you know? We have a "binder" we're using to collate what we've learned, you can find that here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/172nAJSIV1TxGu6vSF5Wg9hzJSmxkJ1hIVT8zgz2l6bA/edit?usp=drivesdk

- We will continue providing updates on the event website at https://sites.google.com/westkingdom.org/ppf-2020, check it out! These updates include copies of this (and future) emails, so if you can't find info, check there!

Is there information you're looking for and not finding? Can we help you with your travel plans or similar? Please let us know, we want this to be a great experience for everyone!

See you all in November (if not sooner!)

Kinehild le librari/Claire Knudsen-Latta

Event Steward

Hello, Mid-April!

This is your April 2020 update for PPF 2020, to be held on November 7, 2020, in Anchorage, Alaska. I sincerely apologize for not getting a March email out, I hope we can all agree that March has been cancelled and I am taking recommendations for what to rename the month going forward.

Current Updates:

- The first item up is the item I’ve been dreading. Given all the uncertainty surrounding the current, you know, pandemic situation, the event team is working hard to determine the best way forward. We are currently still hoping to be able to hold the event in November, however we are very aware that that might not happen and are working to make sure back-up plans are in place. We would like to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns at any time and I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible. Please know, we will not make a decision without your input.

- T-Shirts! Viscount Culann made us some cool art so we slapped it on some t-shirts! https://teespring.com/stores/ppf-2020-t-shirt-swag go and check them out! If you have feedback on the designs or price, I'd love to hear it.

- Meal kits! As mentioned on the FB page, we have a final price for meal kits, $50. The kits will include a commercially turned wooden bowl, a simple wooden plate carved by Gisla, a pottery mug by Anna Neri, and a commercially produced horn spoon. Please note, you are responsible for providing your own knife. Knowing what will be included in the kit and its price, if you are planning to purchase a kit, please let me know no later than April 30, 2020 (you can respond to this email, send me a separate email to clairemargery@gmail.com, or drop me a FB messenger). Kits can be paid for onsite with cash or check.

- Baroness Elena is working on a hotel group rate, so we'll keep you apprised of how that's going. If you have questions, please contact her at elena@westkingdom.org.

- Our next monthly event team check-in is scheduled for May 5, 2020. If you're interested, check out the "events" section of the Facebook page. Check-ins are held on Facebook messenger and tend to run under an hour.

- Auction! There will be an auction, so tell your friends! It is being coordinated by Deborah and Eilis, if you have contributions, please contact them on the Facebook group or email Duchess Eilis at eilis@westkingdom.org.

- Friday classes and evening gathering are being planned for November 6, 2020. Travelling to Alaska is a LOT and we want you to get as much out of your visit as possible! Baroness Cemper is collecting class suggestions for Friday, so if you have something you'd like to learn, drop her a line at cemper@westkingdom.org.

Other Useful Information:

- Pre-event classes are happening around the West and abroad. We're working on getting classes up on various online platforms. If you're teaching a class on the theme, let me know and I'll share it around!

- Speaking of classes, we're collecting class handouts online at https://sites.google.com/westkingdom.org/ppf-2020/class-handouts. If you have a handout you'd like to share, send us a copy and we'll post it!

- Travel to Anchorage is via Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (IATA code: ANC). Most flights are on Alaska and Delta, but we also get service through United. The best advice I can offer is to make your plans early.

- If something comes up and you cannot attend, please let us know. We are not offering refunds, but you are welcome to transfer your ticket and (if you're looking for someone to transfer it to) we have had a couple of folks who missed out express interest in acquiring tickets that go unused.

- Want to see how the research is going? Want to contribute what you know? We have a "binder" we're using to collate what we've learned, you can find that here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/172nAJSIV1TxGu6vSF5Wg9hzJSmxkJ1hIVT8zgz2l6bA/edit?usp=drivesdk

- We will continue providing updates on the event website at https://sites.google.com/westkingdom.org/ppf-2020, check it out! These updates include copies of this (and future) emails, so if you can't find info, check there!

Is there information you're looking for and not finding? Can we help you with your travel plans or similar? Please let us know, we want this to be a great experience for everyone!

See you all in November (hopefully!)

Kinehild le librari/Claire Knudsen-Latta

Event Steward

Greetings All,

First, I hope you're all doing well, or as well as can be, and staying healthy.

Second, as was noted in the last email, the event team is seeking your input on what is the best way forward. We are generally in favor of a one year delay, but we're not the only ones impacted. If you did not respond to the April update, this is a reminder to please provide us with any input you have on the options of delay one year, cancel, or go forward.

Acknowledging that waiting too long to decide leaves you all waiting, I am committed to getting a decision to you by May 20. Please provide your input before then.

Thank you,

Kinehild le librari, Event Steward

mka Claire Knudsen-Latta

Follow Up:

Greetings All,

As promised, I am following up on the below email. In concord with the planning group, the expressed interest of the attendees who responded was to delay. We have contacted the site to confirm the delay with them and are requesting (in order of preference) November 13, 2021, November 6, 2021, or November 20, 2021. Once the site has confirmed the new date, I will pass that along to you.

I appreciate your patience and understanding as we all deal all this. I would be grateful if you would respond to this email letting me know you received it, so that I'm not worrying about folks showing up this year.

Thanks,

Kinehild