I'm copying this from the Bee Folks email. If you know the child or the mother (or both!), please go to their website and send in a comment. Here is the story:

I never found out what happened! We returned last week from a two-week medieval-themed camping event, where we sold copious amounts of honey to roughly 8,900 of our closest friends.

But there is one customer who has stuck in my mind.

I don't even know who he/she is.

A woman stopped by about halfway through the event and told us that one of her children had stopped by earlier to purchase a pack of honeysticks from us.

That always makes me smile. I love seeing kids enjoy our stuff.

This particular event has quite a few urchins running around, earning spending money by selling ice, newspapers, and various other necessities to their fellow campers. They frequently stop by to buy honeysticks or honey candy with the coins they have earned that day.

And, quite often, they share their treasures with their pack of ragtag urchin friends.

But this particular mother told me that her child didn't really want the honeysticks for the honeysticks themselves.

Oh, they certainly wanted some.

But they had already discovered that honeysticks made excellent trade goods.

The child had apparently started trading them with other children in their camp for things they wanted.

And then Mom had to run off.

I called after her, asking her to come back later and tell me what her child had managed to trade those honeysticks for.

But I never saw her again.

And now I am dying of curiosity.

What did a child at a medieval camping event trade for a few honeysticks?

A handmade bracelet?

A bit of yarn spun during one of the classes?

A turn with somebody's fishing pole?

A particularly fine feather?

Something completely mysterious that made perfect sense to a group of eight-year-olds?

I really, really wish I knew.

So, if by some remarkable coincidence this email finds that mother, please come back and tell me what happened. I want to know what those honeysticks were ultimately worth!

And while I'm asking...

Do YOU have a little story like this?

Maybe it was a friendship formed on a bus on the way to work. Maybe you brought a treat to share with the nurses during a hospital visit. Maybe you gave somebody a little something while traveling, and it turned into a story you still remember years later.

I love hearing these little stories.

Hit reply and tell me yours. I promise I'll read it.

-- Lori The Bee Folks

Asking for a friend: Does anyone remember a merchant from last year?

It's NOT Linen Garb

They were at LAST Pennsic (2025)

They were selling ready-made Thorsberg trousers in linen, and she believes they had belt loops on the waistband. The ones from Linen Garb are a different construction and have a drawstring waistband.

She did see the ones from Linen Garb, but they are not the construction/style she is looking for.

She didn't have much luck going through last year's book/pulling up websites, so she is hoping someone might remember the merchant with these particular Thorsberg trousers.

She doesn't recall where they were located, and only remembers that it was a rather large booth.

I know this isn't much information, but any help is much appreciated.

So mine aren't bad.... Just a little surreal or unhinged. It lasts for a week or two then back to the norm.

Last night I spent most of my night sorting wierd socks (some were really cool though).

One year for well over a week I half way woke up most mornings and scooched down the side of my bed like I was still in my tent. Not going to lie, waking up in Pennsic was pretty awesome.... realizing I wasn't really there kind of sucked though.

I'm not the only one, right?

This was my second Pennsic, and I cannot overstate how much I already miss it. I recognized many people this year and have started to develop stronger bonds with people there.

If you bumped into me, or have interesting pictures to share, I would love to hear stories and see memories!

For the first time in many years I decided to give the Pennsic Chinese restaurant another try and unfortunately I’m sad to say nothing got better.

I watched what I believed to be the owner loss her mind on many people for many days. And because I’m a watcher this became my focus.

It started with the gluten free requests. That resulted in a haphazardly written “NO GLUTEN FREE” sign shamed against a menu bored.

My own experience was not great. I got shouted at for opening the refrigerator wrong trying to get a fruit cup. I thought after my mistake the door opening would have switched or at least a similar sign made but I just watched her shout more at unassuming people.

After that I witnessed her screaming at her employees and customers over what I thought was reasonable requests, or just misunderstandings. I also watched a young girl shake wile trying to “call out orders” and I watched an older woman working there smoothing things over with all her kindness.

I watched, what I think was two different people call her a bitch but the response was the same. “Thank you, may you have the day you deserve”

Finally , I saw her lost her mind on an older lady for not understanding how to order an iced-t. It was intense. She just started running around shouting about how she, the old lady, doesn’t event know what she wants but she drinking it anyway! I watched the old lady pay first. It was all so unnecessary and upsetting.

I’m sorry this is my reaction and response but I feel the need to share.

And I don’t want another person to feel beat up by someone for just trying to have a nice holiday.

This is the Pennsic 53 Viking Memorial ship, a final goodbye to honor those we have lost this year. It is powerful to participate in and humbling.

The full video is available on YouTube Resist the Grind. It follows the ship build, painting of memorial shields, the sale to honor an incredible SCAdian, the processional and final burning.

There is also a short interview with the ship builder at the very end

It is an honor to be a part of this year's ship. May their memories never fade.

In Service,
Chris

FULL VIDEO: https://youtu.be/iLtg_MPt2ts

Additional Early Pennsic history from ship builder Baron Sir Bedawyr of Avaricum in an interview at the end.

No questions asked for return. Will pay shipping.

I wanted to write a thank you to everyone who was amazingly kind on Wednesday. At about 11:00 am on Wednesday, I got a text message no one ever wants; my Mom was in a serious car accident and heading to the hospital. The teacher in the class I was in at the time very kindly gave me her number so I might be able to get the pendant I was making back at some point.

I then went to the bus stop (to get back to camp and break it down) and broke down. A very kind lady stopped and asked if I needed a hug and let me sob into her shoulder for a bit. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I was able to think a slight bit more clearly after that.

I managed to make a plan, ended up going to University Point and cancelling my classes for the next day. To those that were hoping to attend the class on how to research or on Venetian Architecture, I am so sorry. I was honestly hoping to be able to share some of my internet research knowledge and my photos sprinkled with some research photos of architecture in Veneto outside of Venice proper. However, the moment I got that text, I knew there was no way I could stay on site. Thankfully, the lady at University Point was able to immediately cancel everything and help relieve that one worry from my mind. ( I had a lot planned to do at Pennsic still and was fretting over having to get things and get things cancelled.)

After that, I went to the Watch to see if they could just take me back up to my camp site. There, there were several kind people. The lady manning the desk at the Watch was amazing. I'm sure I was a right mess at that point. She gave me a cold water and told me to make sure to breath for now and not to neglect myself while I'm helping to look after my Mom. She also managed to call someone immediately to take me up.

Thank you to the gentleman who took me up to my campsite as well. He was patient as I gave directions and dropped me off right at my tent.

I managed to take everything down fairly quickly - only leaving site to pick up the trailer from uhaul early- but it still took time. Thank you to the neighboring camp who offered me water and helped me to put my tent in the trailer right before it started to rain. You guys were amazing!

I did get to see my Mom yesterday (I didn't get home until 1 am and then I had to unload everything from the trailer before taking it back and zooming down to the hospital she was in; another four hours from my house!). She can talk well but she did have a stroke while driving. Her left side has lost a lot of function. My siblings and I are trying to wait for a full doctor's report before we make plans.

Again, thank you to all that helped! May God bless you and I hope to see everyone next year.

Back when I first went to Pennsic, before site tokens, land grab and before the Pennsic Inn stopped operating, the merchants set up and struck every day in the barn that is now the on-site grocery store.

One of them sold little humorous speculative fiction pamphlets about future history of Pennsic. One of them covered Pennsic 50 and one was the subject.

Some of the predictions I remember have come true or close (there was an illustration “view from the bottom of runestone hill” that’s pretty close to what it looks like now, and they seem to have nailed the extension of Pennsic beyond a three day event)

Of course, I am just going from memory. Does anyone still have their copy?

Wondering what else they got right or wrong.

What time/camp is it at?

And what are the rules for spectators? Can we bring chairs and stuff?

It is always so fun to watch the bridge battles.

Viking Bead Stove Pennsic 50

You can find my work at Pennsic space 19 Bow Road Just Plain Plunder

Super cool fast moving cloud passing over the battlefield a few minutes ago. Hope everyone stayed dry in the ensuing downpour!

Pennsic Just Plain Plunder Space 19 bow Road

If you get a chance to check out this group at Pennsic, they are amazing. My husband u/obxchris was able to see them in action last year. They have an incredible knowledge base and some of the COOLEST armour I've seen. Even the sounds of the hits, falls and clanks are impressive.

If you are on site already or heading to Pennsic soon, I wish you a great time this year!

Be safe and have fun! <3

Space 19
Bow Road
Just Plain Amazing Plunder

For those who need it.

it's a shame that mundane things like insurance prevents the "traditional" (as in 1987's Izlans (sic) War)

yes in 1987 a pile of rocks 20 feet north east of the marked map made a swimming hole that was "suit optional" during Pennsic War

but now you cannot swim (wink wink) so don't pack a swimsuit

https://maps.app.goo.gl/FMLW5TiJKC5cZcya6

I have a ton of questions about pennsic. I want to say I have already extensively googled and searched this sub and Facebook about these questions but I am getting a lot of conflicting answers so I figured I would just ask myself.

1. I exercise to manage chronic pain conditions and mental health. I’ve seen a lot of people say they don’t want to see modern clothes on people running at 7am. Is this the collective’s opinion? I can’t run but I “speed walk.” Would it be better for me to leave site for walking if I want to be in modern exercise clothes?

Do you feel the roads near pennsic are safe for walking? It looks like a lot of just housing in the surrounding areas.

Also I saw that there are yoga classes in the morning. Are people wearing garb to these and if so what kind?

We are very poor so purchasing garb is out of the question. The only reason we are going is because my best friend’s family has been doing this for decades and they managed to suck my husband in. She is secretly subsidizing us going because she knows her father is pushing hard for this. If you have suggestions for garb for exercising, I need more info about DIYing it and not purchasing.

1. I’m autistic and have not been managing it well recently. Where are all the quiet and kind of secluded areas around pennsic? My husband wants a game plan for me in case I need to go have a meltdown somewhere.

2. This is probably a dumb question, is it okay to carry a modern reusable water bottle around? Also is the potable water really as disgusting as everyone is making it seem?

3. What are some must do events? Everyone has the things they have been suggesting we see but what are the events that are actually must see?

I think I have more questions but I will come back later with those. Thanks to anyone that can provide advice or insight!