Galatia Films is pleased to announce two new RTB winners this month. The first Fight Club Finder package was awarded to the Schola Saint George New Jersey Chapter. A hearty congratulations goes out to all members of this fight club! Schola Saint George received wasters from New Stirling Arms, a subscription to WMA Illustrated magazine, training DVDs from Hank Reinhardt and Boarstooth Fight School, and books by Christian Tobler, plus signed one sheets and RTB T-shirts for their members. These new training weapons were very well received by the club and the books will certainly become a wonderful part of their school's library.

RTB also wishes to announce our DragonCon winner Scott Weingart of Florida who took home a premier handcrafted Albion Swords worth one thousand dollars. DragonCon is a four day event in the heart of Atlanta over Labor Day weekend each year. According to their website, DragonCon is the largest popular culture convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film in the US. Reclaiming the Blade writer/director, Daniel McNicoll, participated in two panels hosted by TheOneRing.net, premiered the trailer and answered questions. During the final Hobbit panel the sword was given with the help of TheOneRing.net founders Bill Thomas and Larry Curtis. With his prize in hand, Scott stated, "Winning the sword was the highlight of my DragonCon experience and that was no easy feat!" If you weren't able to attend DragonCon for this exclusive giveaway or you were there but didn't win, fear not, there are nine more Albion Swords to be given away. Be sure and join the RTB Mailing List for a chance to win! Click here for video from the 2008 DragonCon event.

More on Schola Saint George, New Jersey Chapter-

The New Jersey study group of the Schola Saint George was formed in early 2004 by Frank Petrino and Joanne Bacchus in Central, New Jersey. Frank was a long time student of the martial arts of various styles from Jeet Kune Do to Northern Shaolin Wushu, and Joanne had a desire to learn. In an effort to "try something different", they began looking into the western martial arts. They quickly found the Schola Saint George, and began working with its Principale Brian Price, who has greatly aided and supported their efforts from the very beginning. Since then, the group has grown, but its core members at present include Frank, Joanne, Nick Bacchus and Jack Ferrie.

The main area of study of the group is the longsword and dagger of Fiore dei Liberi, though Frank is constantly working to translate and distill techniques from other parts of Fiore's treatises. In 2008, Frank was officially designated as an Instructor of the Schola Saint George, and named the East Coast Regional Technical Director.  He works closely with the other main East Coast study group in Boston, MA and its leader, Charles Deily, and also works with other aspiring students and study groups in the region. The main goal of the New Jersey study group has always been to bring a bit of realism to the techniques on the pages, but also to keep things fun at the same time. To them, at the very least, they have achieved this, and continue to strive for it, and wish the very best for all other groups who help bring the rich tradition of western martial arts back to life.

Reclaiming the Blade attended Dragon*Con this month with a stunning hand-forged Albion Blade in hand. This highly anticipated Albion sword giveaway took place during Saturday's Hobbit panel hosted by TheOneRing.net. The film's director, Daniel McNicoll, was on hand for both panels to discuss the film. Larry Curtis of TheOneRing.net led both of the Hobbit panels. The world premier the film’s trailer was shown at each panel to a very large and eager audience.

Dragon*Con 2008 was certainly a huge success for all.  Attendance at the Hobbit Spy panels were full capacity with fans learning a lot about the upcoming Hobbit films directed by Guillermo del Toro and produced by Peter Jackson. Reclaiming the Blade, narrated by John-Rhys Davies and staring Viggo Mortensen, was a fan favorite at the event. Stay tuned for more details including a forth coming production diary on Reclaiming the Blade at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, Georgia.