ADLOCVTIO
NEWSLETTER OF THE TWENTIETH LEGION

Vol. XIII, no. iii, March 2003

SPRING CAMPAIGN SEASON
       Yes, the schedule is about to start hopping!  Marching Through Time is on April 12-13, 11 AM to 5 PM both days.  There will also be the usual Friday program for groups of school kids, from about 10 AM to 2 PM--this is just for 2 or 3 of us who can get there easily, not something we need a big turnout for.  We chat with each group for 5 or 10 minutes and get them to help set up the tent.
       An added attraction this year is that Steve Peffley, the javelin-chucking Celtic fellow who was at Roman Days, will be bringing his new Dacian falx and a shield to test it on.  The falx blade was made by Mark Morrow, and it sounds positively lethal.  Steve is trying to make the shield more accurate than most for the sake of science, but does not expect it to survive!   We'll do the test along with or instead of our usual marching drill demo.
       Marietta Mansion is at ---.  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), public parking being available at the recreation center just beyond Bell Station Rd.  Follow the signs and then catch the shuttle vans back to the site.  You can also park (at your own risk) along Rt. 193.  Marietta's website is http://home.earthlink.net/~minadx/marietta

       May 3-4 is the spring Universal Soldier show at Fort Washington.  Open 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, 10 to 3 on Sunday.  Small and laid back, but always good weather and plenty of space to play.  If you have been there before, they should have sent you a registration form already--return it directly to the fort, not to me.  If you have not been there, or fail to return your form (shame!), a park ranger will have you register when you get to the event.
       Fort Washington National Park is located at 13551 Fort Washington Rd., Fort Washington, MD 20744.  301-763-4600.  From I-95/495 the Capital Beltway, take Rt. 210 Indian Head Highway South; go about 4 miles and turn right at the light onto Fort Washington Road, which ends about 3.5 miles later at the park entrance.  Admission for the public $5 per car.

       Both of these are the usual routine.  DO try to get to the site about an hour before it opens to the public, please!  AND of course you should contact Quintus with your event plans as soon as you have a pretty good idea of what they are.  See the Schedule page of the website, http://www.larp.com/legioxx/schedule.html,  for all the event information, directions, etc.  Thanks very much!

WE HAD FUN!
       Lupercalia was a blast!  Those who missed it should seriously consider crying.  Many thanks to Richard and Allison Campbell for hosting it.  Many apologies to Allison for the damage…  Speaking of which, one of the evening's highlights was Richard dumping a large bowl of salsa dip on his legs, carpet, and wall, earning him the cognomen Salsalitus.  We hope he isn't still sleeping on the couch!  The dancers were also terrific, greeting us in Latin, and proving to be better drilled and coordinated than any group of legionaries that I've ever seen.  Too much fun!  Richard has posted some photos: http://www.geocities.com/richsc53/Lupercalia2003/Lupercalia2003.html

       We also had fun at the University of Pennsylvania Museum show.  We were set up right in front of the Museum main entrance, across from Legio XXIV and the Gladiators.  The latter did their fights in the sunken fountain, which was drained for the occasion.  The caupona was set up inside, in the cafeteria.  Lacking a lawn and having only four or five men, we dispensed with drill and pilum-tossing, but the crowds were plenty thick all day so we did lots of talking!  We also had at least a little time to peruse the newly-reopened Greek and Roman galleries--LOTS of wonderful things to see in there, though the military artifacts were all Greek or Etruscan era.  The weather was gorgeous, too.   The public and the museum staff were very appreciative, and it was an honor to be associated with this event.

MARKETPLACE
       Thomas Razen of Montreal, Canada, is looking to buy a second-hand helmet that is suitable for auxiliary use.  He also has an Albion Armorers horsehair crest that he'd be willing to trade for it.

       Rebecca East has asked me to mention her new novel, A.D. 62: Pompeii.  It is available from http://www.iUniverse.com in paperback, hardcover, and Adobe e-book formats, and there is a companion web page at http://www.rebecca-east.com.  The site has illustrations to accompany this story about life in a first century Roman household, maps, floorplans, and much more.

MORE DISTANT EVENTS
       Britain AD 43 event, Lafe, Arkansas, March 21,22,23.  An earth and timber fort is being reconstructed on this site!  A $10 fee per adult is requested to pay for portapotties, straw, etc.  For further information, contact Mark Saddler at 870---.

       From Jane Sibley: MithraCon V will be held on the weekend of 11-13 April 2003; for info please go to www.mithracon.org

       Legio I Italica in Atlanta, Georgia, has a living history event on Saturday, April 12 (with set-up on Friday).  This will include a Good Friday show and Crucifixion, and they need at least a half-dozen legionaries.  Contact Fred Schaller at--

       Fred is also working with the town of Rome, Georgia on a major festival to be held May 3, 2003.  His unit and any other Romans would be the centerpiece.  He needs feedback from potential participants as soon as possible.

       March 29, an SCA event in Fredericksburg, VA, "Defending the Gate/Varus‚ Lost Golden Eagle".  Limited parking.  Mechants, childrens' activities, dancing, food, feast, fighting (and various fees), etc.  Contact Laurie Clarkston, 540---, before 10:30 PM.

CALENDAR
   April 5 -- Monthly Workshop.  Time to do some drill,eh?
   April 12-13 -- Marching Through Time, Marietta Mansion, Glenn Dale, MD.  Our "season opener" (hoping we aren't exhausted from all the pre-season activity), a multi-period event with groups ranging from Romans (that's us!) through World War II.
   May 3-4 -- Universal Soldier encampment, Fort Washington, MD
   June 7-8 -- ROMAN DAYS, Marietta Mansion

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Directions to the monthly workshops/musters at Roger Moskey's house: 

       From I-495 Capital Beltway, take Exit 12 B Route 267 Toll Road West towards Dulles Airport.  After paying toll (50 cents), take the first exit--Exit 16 Route 7 Leesburg Pike West for about 11 miles.  Go past Cascades Parkway, and at the next light take a right onto PALISADES Parkway, then an immediate left onto "Triple 7" (Route 777).  Pass Calvary Temple on right, take the next right onto Regina Drive; follow it to the end and take a right onto Markwood Drive.   At stop sign take a left onto Terrie Drive (culdesac).  #304 is just to the right of the middle.  (Actually, I've been taking VA Rt. 193 Georgetown Pike from the Beltway, through Great Falls and up to Rt. 7.  Cuts off some of the Beltway, the toll, and much of awful Rt. 7.)
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Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum. (Vegetius)

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/.   Valete!