ADLOCVTIO
NEWSLETTER OF THE TWENTIETH LEGION

Vol. XVI, no. iii, March 2006


EVENTS

       Our first official event of the season is this coming weekend, March 18-19, at Cold Wars, the Historical Miniature Gamers Society convention in Lancaster, PA.   Those who attended the miniatures con this past August will remember the comparative luxury of an indoor event!  The convention website has maps, directions, schedules, and much more, http://www.coldwars.org/ .  This is another good opportunity to drag out your earlier or later Roman impressions.  Lancaster is about a two-hour drive north of the DC area, so presumably most of us will go for only one day, but hopefully we'll have a small contingent there both days.  The coordinator needs participants' names for admission passes, so please let me know which day you would like to attend.
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       Marching Through Time is coming up!  On April 22-23 at Marietta Mansion, the Legion will once again be one of over thirty different historical groups performing for the public, from 11 AM to 5 PM both days.   Most of us know the drill pretty well by this time--speaking of which, we should expect to be doing our marching demonstration first thing after opening, so please come early.  PLEASE let the Commander know if you plan to attend, and if you are interested in staying for the barbecue on Saturday night.  Remember that cars will not be permitted into the camp area after 9:30 AM on Saturday (and not at all on Sunday until after 5 PM), so get there early if you need to unload gear.  Also, there will be set-up and groups of school kids coming through from 10 to 2 on Friday the 21st--I'll be there with the tent, and anyone else who happens to be available is welcome to come help out.  Note that April 21st is the Anniversary of the Founding of Rome!

       I'm supposed to remind participants of the rules, which of course emphasize safety and security.
--Each unit is supposed to have a Safety Officer who enforces safety rules.  (Any volunteers?)
--There must always be someone "on duty" in the camp during public hours.
--Keep physical control of any weapons or tools the public is handling, and do not let them handle sharp weapons or tools.  (We've always found it easier to simply say that visitors are not allowed to handle weapons!)
--No mock fighting or swordplay except for prearranged demos on the enclosed display field.
--No consumption of alcohol during public hours, and none at all by minors.  No illegal substances will be tolerated at all.
--No hobnails in the house!  Weapons are not to be carried into the house, or after public hours.
--Any significant injury is to be reported to the coordinators immediately.  Any troublesome persons should also be reported, and they can be removed by the Park Rangers or police.

       We don't have to worry about the firearms rules, of course.  If I missed anything, remind me to fill everyone in after the 10 AM commanders' meeting.  After our marching demo, a few of us will remain at the perimeter of the display area to help with security for the next group to perform.

       Marietta is at 5626 Bell Station Rd., Glenn Dale, MD 20769.  301---.  The Site Manager is Susan Wolfe.  From I-95/495, the Capital Beltway, take Exit 20 onto Rt. 450 East, go 4 miles, turn left on Rt. 193, then left onto Bell Station Rd. and left again into Marietta.  For Marching Through Time, only handicapped parking is permitted on site (due to lack of space).  Participant and public parking is available at Holy Trinity School on Daisy Lane, off Rt. 193 just north of the Fire House.  Follow the signs and then catch the shuttle vans back to the site.  Participants can also park along Rt. 193, at their own risk--the intersection of 193 and Bell Station Rd. has become rather dangerous!

http://www.pghistory.org/MariettaMansion.html  
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       On April 29 (the Saturday after MTT), a teacher friend of mine would like to have a few Romans at the Maryland Junior Classical League convention, at Dulaney High School in Timonium (Baltimore).  We will arrive and set up the tent at 10 AM, do a marching demo and general presentation from about 1 to 2 PM, and then just generally hobnob with the students afterwards.
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       The Legion has been invited to set up camp at the Pennsylvania Junior Classical League State Convention on May 20, 2006.  This will be held at Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA, and it is a one-day event.  Since this is roughly a 4-hour drive from the DC area, they are providing dormitory space for us for Friday and Saturday nights, if necessary.   That way we could easily be set up by 9 AM when the program starts.  This convention is attended by over 600 high school Latin students, all of whom will naturally be more interested in Classical history and more motivated than the average high school audience.  So it should be a very rewarding event.  I will be getting directions and more details soon, but I will NOT be able to attend myself.  George Metz had volunteered to be the contact and coordinator for the weekend, but has been forced to cancel--would anyone like to take over?
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       And ROMAN DAYS is on the way, June 3-4.  It is not too soon to be thinking about it!  Marietta Mansion is the place, and all the Romans in the world are invited.  I'm working on another Greek hoplite or two, as well!
 

 MITHRACON by Dick Eney

 The annual New England Conference on Mithraic Studies (Mithracon) will be held in New Haven on the 7th through 9th of Aprilis.
 Major activities will be a day at the Yale University Library (with passes to the stacks!) on the 8th and presentations by the attendees, on Mithraism or other Roman-related subjects, in the evening, followed by a visit to the Yale Art Gallery and the Mithraeum of Dara Europus on the 9th.
 The convention will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott, 30 Whalley Ave., New Haven and registration ($25 until March 15) should be sent to Dr. Jane Sibley.
 Fuller particulars can be found at http://www.mithracon.org .
 

MORE DISTANT EVENTS

A.D. 43, Lafe, Arkansas
        Join either the victorious Roman Army or the soon to be conquered Pictish/Celtic Barbarians at BRITAIN A.D. 43 On March 23, 24, 25 and 26th for a weekend of Ancient Reenacting. The site opens at 12 NOON on March 23rd and is located in LAFE, ARKANSAS on 94 acres of private land. There are several ponds, woods, fields, and many places for Celts and courageous Romans to interact in meaningful and constructive ways.
       Legio XX has not so far attended this event as a unit, but members are certainly encouraged to participate if they like.  For details, rules, and fees, please contact Mark Saddler, Msaddler AT cox-internet DOT com.
http://www.ad43.org/9-2006_event.html
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       Legio XIIII in West Virginia is hosting an event called Pax Romana, May 19-20 (20-21?) at Wine Cellar Park in Dunbar, WV. The event is free and open to the public. For more information please contact Legio XIIII at BrenMk1 AT gmail DOT com, or call 304---.  This is the same weekend as the Legio XX appearance at the PA Junior Classical League, but it would be nice if we could send a small contingent!
http://home.armourarchive.org/members/flonzy/Roman/calendar.htm
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        Keith Egan of the South Jersey AIDS Alliance is looking for Romans to march in their fundraising walk in Atlantic City.  Unfortunately, this is scheduled for the first weekend in June, the same time as Roman Days, but I said I would help spread the word in case anyone in that general area was not able to attend Roman Days but was interested in a good cause.  Sounds like they're even willing to pay!   For more information, contact Mr. Egan at  609---,  kcegan2 AT yahoo DOT com, http://www.southjerseyaidsalliance.org
 

CALENDAR
   March 18-19 --Historical Miniature Gamers Society convention in Lancaster, PA
   April 22-23--Marching Through Time, Marietta Mansion, Glenn Dale, MD
   April 9 --Maryland Junior Classical League, Dulaney HS, Timonium
   May 20 --PA Junior Classical League Convention, PSU
   June 3-4 --ROMAN DAYS, Marietta Mansion

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ADLOCVTIO is the Official Newsletter of the Twentieth Legion, supposedly published on the Ides of each month.  I am Quintus, aka Matthew Amt, the Legion's Commander and Editor of the Newsletter, http://www.larp.com/legioxx/.