Earwigs and Other Pests

With Ragnarok only six months away what has been weighing most heavily on my mind?

Earwigs.

And if you were there last year, you would have noted that they are increasingly prevalent.

The good news is that Pennsic peoples have been dealing with earwigs and ants for years, and this is what they recommend.

1. Peppermint oil to repel ants. Spreading this in a line around the tents and food areas will keep ants away. It is recommended to get high quality peppermint oil. Also has the added benefit of repelling spiders.

2. Cedar chips and planks to repel earwigs. Cooper's does not like mulch spread around, so we would have to be careful to clean the chips up afterwards but if they are placed on the ground tarp around the tent they are supposed to be effective in preventing earwig invasion. Put the cedar planks inside suitcases and clothing chests to prevent stowaways

3. Garlic. One person suggested keeping an unpeeled bulb of garlic in your tent as it has natural insect repellent properties and then using it for dinner the night before you leave. We've used garlic spray to great effect in the past and I am hoping to get some for next year. This stuff is great for driving away things like gnats and mosquitoes.

Best of luck with all the creepy crawlies in you life that you never wanted there. IF anyone has more suggestions, I would love to hear them.

Announcements

Just a reminder, this Saturday Dec 27 there is NO PRACTICE due to the holidays. Practice will resume on Jan 4 (although I heard it was supposed to snow storm on that day, so please stay tuned for updates). Instead, we will be having a project day at Jack and my house. Show up anytime after 3 pm and leave when you get bored. If you are planning on coming out, a heads up would be nice.

Christmas in Akron

Location: Jack and Kaelyn's House in Warren, MI. If you don't know how to get here, please call someone who does. Or facebook message me. We would love to have EVERYONE show up.

Food: Potluck. Please bring a hearty dish to share. Desserts are also ALWAYS welcome. Currently on the list are cheesy potatoes, pulled pork, and Deb's new recipe. 

Time: Festivities begin at 4 pm and end when everyone leaves. 

What: Bring a white elephant gift. Ideally, this is something you have laying around that you no longer want or that you pick up at the dollar store. Munchkins are welcome and should also bring a gift so they can participate. 

If anyone would like to bring group games, please do so.

Akron's Holiday Schedule

Ladies and Gentlemen, due to the crazy busy Holiday Schedule that our members have, the Council of Lords has decided to suspend practices until after the New Year. However, we still want to stay connected with everyone, so Jack and I are opening our home for social time. We humbly request that those planning on showing up let us know ahead of time.

Dec 14 - At Jack and Kaelyn's, 3pm
Dec 21 - Holiday Party. This will be a potluck as in previous years. Location TBD, festivities usually start in the evening. 
Dec 28 - At Jack and Kaelyn's, 3 pm
Jan 4 - Practices resume, barring a blizzard.

Project 144 Will Be Making a Comeback

Hey everyone, at the request of my fellow Akronians, I am going to try to re-energize Project 144 this month! I know I'm getting this going again a little later than I intended. And Christmas is coming up, bound and determined to derail all of our mad crafty plans.

 So the goal this month, as we get this rolling again, is to WORK on something. Not necessarily finish something (although I am certainly going to attempt a finish), but to get busy on one of those projects rattling its way around my imagination.

For Project 144 this month, I will be working on my Confessor's Dress and hopefully educating myself on electronics, with the goal of eventually enlisting Astrid to help me build a robot.

Kaelyn's Confessor's Dress

Jack has decided to spend this month putting together a newer better faster flail and devoting some serious time to writing the Chronicles of Akron.

So, who is in?