MARCHING THROUGH TIME
       Our usual season opener will be on April 16-17, 2005.  We are expecting a couple new faces in the ranks this time!  There will be the usual Friday set-up with visiting school groups on the 15th if anyone is available, c. 10 AM to 2 PM. (Quintus will be there.)  Other than that, it should be pretty much the same as always.  Public hours on Saturday and Sunday are 11 AM to 5 PM, but please try to be at the site by about 10 so that we can be ready to roll when the audience shows up--we are usually the first unit on the display field shortly after opening.  Cars will not be allowed on the encampment field between 9:30 AM Saturday and 5 PM Sunday, so if you need to offload gear, get there plenty early.  Parking is off-site, as usual, with shuttle vans--I don't know if the parking area will be the field across the street or a parking lot farther away, but it should be well marked, and most likely guarded.  I usually park along the road ("at your own risk").
       Saturday night is a barbecue and hot dog supper, for $5 per head.  I'm not sure if the Legion's bank account has the denarii to pay for this, but let me know if you are interested in partaking.  Sunday morning before public hours will no doubt be the notorious "Battle Through Time", so feel free to bring ray guns or whatever for that.
       Marietta is just off Rt. 193 Glenn Dale Rd., just north of Rt. 450 Annapolis Rd.  From the Capital Beltway I-95/495 take Exit 20 onto Rt. 450 East, go 4 miles, turn Left on Rt. 193, then Left onto Bell Station Rd.  The phone number is 301---, or see http://www.pgparks.com
       I've probably forgotten something, so just yell if you have any questions.  And let me know if you're going or not in any case, please!  Hope to see everyone there!
 

SPECIAL GUEST
       On Saturday May 7, normally our workshop day, the Legion is hoping to be visited by Major Tony Clunn, discoverer of the Kalkriese battle site in Germany and author of the book on the subject: The Quest for the Lost Roman Legions: Discovering the Varus Battlefield.  Details are still being worked out, so stay tuned.
 

COLOR ME RED...
       Thanks to recruit Tony Dahm who pointed out that I was telling everyone to use "Salem Red" paint (from the Old-Fashioned Milk Paint Company) for their scuta, while the website said "Barn Red".  Oops.  Salem Red is the way to go.  Obviously I misremembered something at some point, but I have fixed that page.   If you've already bought or used Barn Red, don't fret, it's fine.  And of course there are other brands of milk and casein paint that will not match Salem Red exactly, and that's fine, too.  (Tony is experimenting with the Real Milk Paint Company, for example.)
       While we're on the subject, I recently bought paint from a company called Artist & Craftsman Supply ( http://artistcraftsman.com/ ).  They carry both the Old-Fashioned Milk Paint (though only the smaller bags) and the Shiva brand casein paints in tubes.  Good prices though the shipping is a tad high, and great service.
       Of course, just as I am writing this, an evil rumor surfaces that the Dura Europas scutum was actually painted not with casein, but with wax encaustic.  Uh, oh...  We're looking into it, but obviously if anyone comes up with any hard data, please share!
 

LAFE, ARKANSAS EVENT--ANCIENT REENACTING
       "Imagine the thrill of ancient Britons charging through the forest smashing desperately against the steel of the Roman line.  Disciplined Roman soldiers thrust and parry the barbarians' frenzied attacks. The battle is short but deadly proving not only the discipline of the Romans but also the fearsome resolve of the Britons.  Join either the victorious Roman Army at their marching fort or the soon to be conquered Celtic Barbarians in their village at BRITAIN A.D. 43 on March 18-20, 2005, for a weekend of Ancient Reenacting.  The site opens at 12 NOON on March 18th, and is located in LAFE, ARKANSAS on 94 acres of private land. There are several ponds, woods, fields, and places for Celts and courageous Romans to interact in meaningful and constructive ways.  We look forward to seeing you around the campfire.  Tactical force on force will be held on Saturday with a feast to be held Saturday night in the Roman fort.  The first tactical will be a search and destroy for the Romans and ambush for the Celts/Picts. The second scenario will be a Chieftain/Centurions' pick.  This event will be the fourth hosted on this site and be prepared for primitive conditions.  We request each adult participant to donate $10.00 for the evening meals, straw bedding, and firewood provided."

       For further information, contact Mark Saddler at 870--- or msaddler AT cox-internet DOT com  Lost on the road? Can't find the site? Phone 870---

       (Editor's Note: This is not an official Legio XX event, but everyone is certainly encouraged to attend!  Photos from previous years by Paul Montello, http://groups.msn.com/LEGIOXI/shoebox.msnw )
 

MITHRACON VIII--The Eighth New England Conference on Mithraism
       This is an informal research convention focusing on early mythology and religion, especially Mithraism and other cults of the Roman Empire.  It is held in New Haven, CT, the home of Yale University.  We meet on Friday, go to the Istanbul Turkish restaurant, chat about things Mithraic, and then spend most of Saturday in Yale's Sterling Memorial Library doing whatever research your heart desires.  After dinner (the usual pilgrimage to the New Deal Steak Place in Hamden), there will be informal presentations (a Carousel slide projector and an overhead projector will be available), as well as some darn good discussions.  Sunday: visit the Dura Europos mithraeum (Yale Art Gallery) if it is open.  The hotel is within easy walking distance of the library and gallery.  We can also plan used book shopping expeditions for Sunday; there are some good dealers in the area.

Dates: Friday, April 8 - Sunday, April 10, 2005.
 
Hotel: the Marriott Courtyard (which was the Holiday Inn last year) at Yale
call (203) 777-6221.  Mention MithraCon VIII for the con rates.  Rooms: $99 + tax (12% includes city/state/etc. taxes ) (2 dbl beds or 1 king); rollaway $12 extra per night. Checkin: 3 pm; checkout: 11 am.  Good parking at hotel.  Parking fee is $10/night.
       Please reserve your room early, as the hotel fills up fast and we have a very small  block reserved  (4 rooms).  Rooms *must* be reserved by March 2 to get con rates; the price goes way up after that. More rooms can be added if we fill the block early and if the hotel still has space.
       Dealers: We will have (free) tables set up in our function room.  Since you'll probably want to hit the library during the day instead of sitting there in the hotel hoping for a customer, folks can see what you've got during the evening sessions. We will also have a Library Table; bring books/info to share. One-day stacks privileges at Sterling are $10, and there are Xerox machines throughout the library. Inexpensive food is available near the hotel.
       Con registration: $25 to March 15, $87 to March 31, and $40 thereafter.  Send reservations (and make checks out) to: Jane T. Sibley.  If you have questions, Email me at  jrsibley AT snet DOT net or call 860---.
 

SLIGHTLY MORE DISTANT EVENT
       From Mark Downes, UK:  "I would like to extend an invitation to you and/or any of your group to attend our massive event in Chester (Deva) over the weekend of 25th and 26th June.  I'm afraid we aren't able to offer any remuneration for the event but we can put you up, offer you hospitality and a memorable experience.  I realise that this isn't a case of popping into the next state for the weekend but we'd love to have you over."
       Obviously, this is not an official Legio XX event, either, but if you are at all interested, contact Mark at
mark AT downeside DOT freeserve DOT co DOT uk
 

CANADIAN MUSEUM EXHIBIT, by Marc Sarault
Salvete Omnes,
       This year the Canadian Museum of Civilization organizes a huge exhibit on Pompeii around when the Volcano erupted.  I have been asked to provide Roman reenactors both military and civilian for the weekend of 6 and 7 of August.  I do know that for many of you, including myself, that is right after the weekend at Fort Malden in Amhurstburg Ontario.  However, it has been worked out that all participants will be compensated.  First, three meals a day will be arrange and not just hot dogs, including minor participants.  Secondly arrangements are being made to accommodate most if not all with a room to sleep in, children participating as reenactors included.  Thirdly, a financial compensation will be provided for all adult participants.  Bring everything you can, as we need as much stuff to show at this two day event.
       The Museum will supply bails of hay for pilum shooting range and encampment.  The Museum wants demos on pila throwing and two manoeuver demos daily.  One at 11:00 AM and one at 2:00 PM both Saturday and Sunday.
For those who do not really know Ottawa well, the Museum is one of the biggest in Eastern Canada.  It attracts about 10 million visitors per year and this special event is no exception.  Usually they attract thousands of interested people for that weekend alone.
       I call upon all of you to contact me as you may have questions, comments or want to book your place as an individual or as a cohort or even as a legion.  The sooner we know the sooner we can make proper arrangements for all.

Marc Sarault (Marcus Darius Firmitus)
613---
marcus_darius_firmitus AT yahoo DOT ca
 

SURF'S UP
 Virtual Sculpture Gallery--Roman sculpture restored to original colors http://mandarb.net/virtual_gallery/index.shtml
 

CALENDAR
   April 2 --Monthly Workshop, at Roger Moskey's as usual
   April 16-17--Marching Through Time, Marietta Mansion, Glenn Dale, MD
   May 7 --Monthly Workshop
   June 3-5 --Roman Days, Marietta Mansion.  Includes visits by school groups on Friday, and possibly a mini-symposium on Thursday.
    September 10-11 --Fall Encampment, 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/.