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Sir Starhelm

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nerak

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Jun 27, 2008, 6:12:38 AM6/27/08
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Sir Starhelm of Meridies aka Mike Boelter, died suddently on June 25,
2008. Cause of Death was a heart attack with no prior warning. His
wife of 28 years, Mistress Nerak, requests that he be remember by the
telling and re-telling of "No Shit, There He Was" stories, and wishes
to have any such tall tales sent to her.
Formal Wake to be held on Horde Hill at Pennsic, but fee free to
drink to his memory where ever you encounter his echo.

Flavius

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Jun 27, 2008, 11:33:37 AM6/27/08
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Sir Starhelm was my very first point of contact with the SCA, eons ago it
seems.

Surely the Heros in Vahalla will welcome him to his place of honor amongst
their number.

Tonight I will fill my drinking horn in his honor.

Requiescat In Pace Sir Starhelm

(If you have ever seen the size of my drinking horn, then you know not to
expect me tomorrow).

Lrd. Corwin ap Arawyn, etc. (SCA)
a/k/a Titus Flavius Corvus (Con. Ancient Soc.)
m/k/a John Robarts


"nerak" <ne...@aol.com> wrote in message
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Chris Zakes

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Jun 27, 2008, 10:55:45 PM6/27/08
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On Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:12:38 -0700 (PDT), an orbital mind-control
laser caused nerak <ne...@aol.com> to write:

>Sir Starhelm of Meridies aka Mike Boelter, died suddently on June 25,
>2008. Cause of Death was a heart attack with no prior warning. His
>wife of 28 years, Mistress Nerak, requests that he be remember by the
>telling and re-telling of "No Shit, There He Was" stories, and wishes
>to have any such tall tales sent to her.

My favorite Starhelm story is from when Meridies was a fairly new
kingdom. Sir Francois was king, and was trying to have a fairly
important discussion with a couple of Great Officers, but a rather
clueless newbie kept trying to interrupt them. Francois finally
stopped to see what it was the kid wanted. His question was "Sir
Francois, how do you keep your tights up?"

Exasperated, Francois said "thumbtacks" and went back to the meeting.

The poor newbie walked off, and the first person he met was Starhelm.
"Sir Starhelm," he asked, "why did Sir Francois tell me he uses
thumbtacks to keep his tights up?"

"Becauses he uses *inch long* thumbtacks" said Starhelm.

-Tivar Moondragon
Ansteorra

Pulling together is the aim of despotism and tyranny. Free men pull in all kinds of
directions. It's the only way to make progress.

-Havelock Vetinari in "The Truth" by Terry Pratchett

.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Chris Zakes

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Jun 27, 2008, 10:57:42 PM6/27/08
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On Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:12:38 -0700 (PDT), an orbital mind-control
laser caused nerak <ne...@aol.com> to write:

>Sir Starhelm of Meridies aka Mike Boelter, died suddently on June 25,
>2008. Cause of Death was a heart attack with no prior warning. His
>wife of 28 years, Mistress Nerak, requests that he be remember by the
>telling and re-telling of "No Shit, There He Was" stories, and wishes
>to have any such tall tales sent to her.

My favorite Starhelm story is from when Meridies was a fairly new

mpvork...@hotmail.com

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Jun 29, 2008, 11:06:38 AM6/29/08
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On Jun 27, 5:12 am, nerak <ne...@aol.com> wrote:
> SirStarhelmof Meridies aka Mike Boelter, died suddently on June 25,

I haven't seen Milord Starhelm in years; I left the Society over
twenty years ago because of a disagreement, and never went back.

But I was there when Starhelm was knighted, at Francois' coronation in
the old state capitol building in Baton Rouge, in '79. My first
Coronation. As I recall, Bear and Froggy had to get him just a wee bit
drunk to talk him into accepting; Mike's persona was that of the
commander of the elven legions sworn to the service of Arthur
Pendragon upon his return. Accepting knighthood and fealty to an
earthly liege was against his character, so after getting him relaxed,
Bear and Scott said they'd tweak the wording of the knight's oath in
order to allow Mike to swear without violating the spirit of his
character.

It worked, too.

The only other story I have about him is the Tale of the Grand
Carnicus, which may have been forgotten by many but was told to me by
Lady Yaraddin, Lady Merewin, and Lord Llewellyn, with a bit of
reluctant input from Mistress Samara.

I've been away from the Society for a long, long time, and sadly
Starhelm and I were never close. But he was a good and noble man, and
his death hurts. Bad.
Ganelon

Flavius

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Jun 29, 2008, 8:24:46 PM6/29/08
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Mike was a rare and interesting individual. My very first meeting with him
and simultaneous introduction to SCA culture went something like this:

Set the Way Back Machine for the Fall of 1973 (I think!). I had journeyed
back to my hometown of Baton Rouge to spend a few days visiting and old
friend and was staying in my friend's house. One evening my friend was at
work and I was alone waiting for his return. After a bit a knock came at the
front door. Looking out the little window in the door I see someone in a
Barrel Helm and a suit of mail carrying a broadsword and a shield. Thinking
to myself "Okaayyy. this neighborhood is getting weird" I proceed to open
the door. What happened next was all too typical of SO many SCA NSTIW
stories.

Mike, for his part, sees a "stranger" inside our mutual friends home.

As I open the door I find myself the victim of a SHIELD PRESS to the wall in
the foyer. As I look up at his raised broadsword our beloved hero says in a
loud voice "HOLD !! Varlet !! Who are you and why are you in ____'s
house!!"

My reply: " LOOK DOWN!"

Well "looking down" wasn't to easy in a barrel helm so our hero takes a half
step back.

It is at this moment, reinforced by the sound of the hammer being cocked,
that our hero realizes that I am holding a Colt .45ACP 1911A1 PISTOL pressed
firmly against his ribs.

His reply " OH !!!!"

I say " Now backup, DROP the SWORD, SIT DOWN, take off the funny hat and
tell ME who YOU are !!!!!!! "

Well once we had a chance to catch our breath and talk it out we both agreed
that maybe we could just start "over". Fine by me! Apologies offered and
accepted on both sides.

Just one other thing, He asked me if " Maybe we could just never mention
that this happened? "

He then proceeded to give me the complete SCA "sales pitch".

After all these years and all my "SCA mileage" I have never told anyone
about this.

However, there is one thing I always wanted to tell Sir Starhelm but sadly I
have never had the chance (I hope Valhalla has a Usenet feed!).

You see the one thing that Mike never knew, was that the Gun wasn't loaded.

Corwin

"nerak" <ne...@aol.com> wrote in message
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Nevik

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Jul 3, 2008, 5:43:51 PM7/3/08
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Thanks for sharing such a great story! :-)

On Sun, 29 Jun 2008 19:24:46 -0500, "Flavius" <jrob...@sprynet.com>
wrote:

joo...@earthlink.net

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Jul 5, 2008, 11:39:51 AM7/5/08
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On Jun 27, 5:12 am, nerak <ne...@aol.com> wrote:

A truly free spirit. Many looked up to and admired him for not only
his many skills and rapier wit but the joyfulness and optimism he
brought to whatever he was involved with. I have long regretted that
time and geography separated us.

Ageranon Asteris
John Golsby

this...@bellsouth.net

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Jul 16, 2008, 5:59:49 PM7/16/08
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I have so many memories of Sir Starhelm. I remember
a dance performance by the Kimaden dancers. All those pretty ladies
and, oh, whose that dancer dressed in white with their face covered
(all but the eyes)??
What fun it was to watch the dawning of recognition upon the
populace's faces!!
He was able to use an inkleloom~The green apprentice belt I wore was
woven by
Starhelm. It's said that a person doesn't die if they are
remembered. Starhelm lives in memory & my heart. My love goes out to
Nerak.
Laurie Maynard McConnell
(known at one time as Lady Brianna ni' Barrach)

On Jun 27, 5:12 am, nerak <ne...@aol.com> wrote:

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