For the gathering, Ken reserved several Kokee State Park cabins for our use. Some of us (myself included) arrived on Thursday and picked the choicest bunks; others didn't arrive until Saturday, so that evening was chosen as the "official" meeting. Selections from favorite books were read, including a passage from The Lord of the Rings describing the atmosphere of Rivendell,- which was particularly appropriate. Sammath Naurians (whom I pictured as an abstract group as something resembling a herd of prehistoric page-chomping lizards in grass skirts, until gently instructed by one of the linguists in the correct pronounciation of the Elvish name for the "Cracks of Doom") , are a particularly social group, who have developed something of a tight extended family structure. The group (or groups, I should say) also includes several published writers, including Melisa Michaels (who writes science fiction) , Wendy Arbeit (who has created both films and texts on Polynesian basketry and other craft techniques), and Carolly Erickson (who has written historical biographies, books on medieval criticism, and related topics), all of whom were with us on Kauai.
I've known Steve Brown, one of the long-time members of Sammath Naur, since I lived in Hawaii twenty years ago, and I'd met a few other group members on earlier visits back to the Islands, but this was my first opportunity to meet with the group as a "group". I found them all quite delightful, friendly and interested in everything. Debby Jones (another of the "founders") and I had talked about designing and making a banner for the group for an embarrassingly long time, and with this opportunity affording us a deadline, we did finally complete this project. Debby drew up a design and I did the construction, a ribbon applique treatment of flowing lava on black velvet. (Hey! so we were inspired by Elvis paintings! So sue us!) I presented the banner at the Saturday party, and it has a place of honor in our group photo, below. I hope someday a Sammath Naur representative will bring it to a Mythcon opening procession.
Return to Activity Calendar, contact David Lenander with suggestions for changes or comments.