Early Spring Announcements

As we begin moving toward spring in Central New York (in fact, did we ever really have a winter?), we have several announcements:

• The Syracuse Post-Standard ran a feature article today about the War of 1812 quilt show in Sackets Harbor next weekend (March 17-18). See our February 19 post.
• If your inclination is to head west rather than north on the 17th, Syracuse Regional Coordinator A. Marie Sprayberry will be giving a presentation titled "A Field Guide to the Royalty, Nobility, and Gentry of Austen's England" at JASNA Rochester's March meeting, to be held as usual at the Pittsford Barnes and Noble at 1 p.m. This is an updated version of a presentation Marie gave in Syracuse several years ago; the discussion will include some questions of rank in Downton Abbey and the most recent Royal Wedding!
  
• Despite her recent move to Lexington, Kentucky, Dr. Joanna Manring has not forgotten her Syracuse-area admirers: She writes that in addition to forming a new Jane Austen Singing School for Young Ladies (JASSYL) chapter in Lexington, she hopes to hold a "JASSYL Summer Camp" in Skaneateles this summer and to conclude it with a concert. We'll pass along further details as we acquire them.
  
• With spring, of course, our thoughts turn to the annual Jane Austen Ball in Rochester, co-sponsored by the Country Dancers of Rochester and JASNA Rochester. This year's edition will be held Sunday, May 6. To download a registration form, go to the CDR website, click on the "Jane Austen Ball" link at the top, and then scroll down to "Further Details." Bear in mind that even if you don't dance, a gallery seat includes the delights of spectatorship and chaperonage, as well as an elegant tea at intermission.
• Finally, Syracuse/Rochester Co-Coordinator Lisa Brown (seen above with "Captain Eric" Borresen of the CDR at the 2010 ball) has begun a personal blog called "Mostly Maggots," to be dedicated to her adventures in English country dance and Regency costume. (A "maggot" in this context is "an archaic term for a whimsical or fanciful dance"; the best-known example is "Mr. Beveridge's Maggot," which was made famous in the 1995 BBC P&P and will be danced at the ball on May 6.)