ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 3-19-09

 

Those present:  Darlene Freemon, Greg Bowling, William Freeman, Rick McAdams, Calvin Liles, Sharon Bradley, Maria Camp, Devin Bowling, Roger Liles, Randall Ugrovics, Karen Ugrovics, Aubrey Gaskins, Don Green, Mandi Green, Carol Burhans, Billy Warren

 

  1. The Roundtable welcomed Roger Liles, brother of Calvin Liles, to membership on the Roundtable.

  2. Maria Camp reported that she is still awaiting a response from Renaissance magazine regarding her proposal to publish an article on Renaissance Faires that do not charge admission.

  3. Darlene Freemon:
    1. Suggested, and all agreed, that the archives of the Renaissance Faire be researched so we can compile a list of names of all people who have been knighted by our monarchs since 1987;
    2. Reported that she created a CD of photographs from the recent visit of the Lord Mayor of Westminster (London) and has contributed a copy of it to the Renaissance Faire archives;
    3. Circulated a copy of the children’s certificate created at the 1989 Renaissance Faire (we plan to revive this certificate at the 2009 Faire); and
    4. Stated that Mr. Bone, originator and current chairman of London’s New Year’s Day parade, declared that the reception for the Lord Mayor and her entourage at Florence High School on Wednesday, February 25, was the best, most gracious reception they had ever received in the 24 years of the parade’s existence.

  4. Billy Warren thanked everyone who attended the Lord Mayor’s reception in costume:  Devin Bowling, Maria Camp, Lee Freeman, William Freeman, Darlene Freemon, Aubrey Gaskins, Thelma Gaskins, Her Majesty Queen Rebecca of Linam.  He circulated a collection of color photographs from the occasion.  He also read a thank-you message from Florence High School’s Band Boosters for the Roundtable’s participation.

  5. Don Green made a very impressive presentation regarding the Gutenberg printing press and stated that he plans to build a scale model of it to display at the 2009 Faire.  He circulated boxes filled with metal dies and wood block printers which he has purchased via eBay.  He also circulated a small (disassembled) press which he had also purchased via eBay.  There was a round of applause for his in-depth presentation.  Don explained that it will be possible for children to make wood block prints at the Faire as they learn about the Gutenberg press.

  6. William Freeman reported that Ann Iaria has suggested that we display the very old German-language Bible which she donated to Magnolia Church.  In the ensuing discussion, Calvin Liles volunteered to craft a display case for the Bible.  Hooray for Calvin!  This display, along with Don Green’s scale model of the Gutenberg press, will emphasize the German Renaissance theme for the 2009 Feast and Faire.  That’s terrific!

  7. Billy Warren circulated a color photograph of one-year-old Nolan Thomas Behel, son of Liz (Myers) and Jason Behel, both of whom worked with the Roundtable before their move to Huntsville.  In the photograph, Nolan is sitting astride a green-painted wooden dragon (!) which his dad Jason built.

  8. Randall Ugrovics:
    1. Suggested that we begin soon collecting large cardboard crates to create the crawl-through tunnel for children to enjoy at the 2009 Faire; and
    2. Asked that we seek to reserve parking spaces in a parking lot near Wilson Park specifically for Roundtable members during the two days of the Faire.

  9. Karen Ugrovics stated that she is willing to set up Medieval/Renaissance games and activities for children to enjoy at the 2009 Faire.  Billy Warren agreed to assist her by supplying printed information about such games and activities.

  10. Lee Freeman:
    1. Reiterated his offer to create a coloring book with a Medieval/Renaissance theme as a fundraiser  for this year; and
    2. Stated that he is considering a Sunday afternoon film series at the public library in October – including “The Mysterious Stranger” which is based on a story by Mark Twain.

  11. Lee Freeman suggested that he might create a series of fact sheets for the Faire highlighting Medieval/Renaissance trivia which children would enjoy.  Carol Burhans suggested that some of the sheets could explain the origins of nursery rhymes, most of which are related to political history of the British Isles.  Don Green suggested that some of the sheets could be mounted on poles scattered throughout the park.  Darlene Freemon suggested that the entire process could become a scavenger hunt.  These are excellent ideas which the Roundtable will definitely discuss further.

  12. Randall Ugrovics suggested that we add a Maypole dance to the 2009 Faire.  Billy Warren stated that children from a local dance studio always perform at the Faire.  He will ask the director of that studio to consider a Maypole for its 2009 performance.

  13. Greg Bowling stated that he and David Fowler would like to lead a parade of costumed children at the 2009 Faire.  This idea was immediately accepted by everyone, so Billy Warren stated that he will add the parade to the schedule of official entertainment for both days of the Faire.

  14. In a drawing both Greg Bowling and Randall Ugrovics won copies of the Bestiary Coloring Book which the Roundtable published several years ago.

  15. Billy Warren distributed paper copies of e-mails which he and Rick McAdams have exchanged regarding the creation of notecards from winning entries in the children’s art contest.  Billy will talk with people in charge of Arts Alive (who have published such notecards) to see if there are legal issues involved since the artwork is owned by the children who created it.  Rick suggested that we consider notecards with images of winning posters since the Roundtable actually owns the poster design.  He noted that people who like the poster don’t always have sufficient wall space to display it, so a notecard’s size could be very appealing.  This discussion will continue at a future meeting(s).

  16. Lee Freeman announced that Greg Williams will make a presentation entitled “A Ghastly Arithmetic:  Confederate Casualties at Shiloh” at the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library on Saturday, April 11, at 2:00 p.m.