ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 6-18-09

Those present:  William Freeman, Lee Freeman, Aubrey Gaskins, Calvin Liles, Carol Burhans, Maria Camp, Donna Miles, Bonnie McIntyre, Mandi Green, Mary Nicely, Ann Iaria, Abby Cox, Sue Bevis, Billy Warren

1. The Roundtable welcomed Abby Cox, daughter of Mandi Green, to her first meeting with the Roundtable.
   
   
2. Mandi Green reported that, among other accomplishments, Don:
   1. Has assembled one scale model of the Gutenberg Press and is working on another;
   2. Continues to work on the larger Press;
   3. Has purchased a second copy of the reprinted Gutenberg Bible; and
   4. Has secured sheets of illuminated letters.
      
      
3. Lee Freeman stated that he will begin soon to write a blog for the Alabama Renaissance Faire on the Renaissance magazine’s website.
   
   
4. William Freeman:
   1. Reported that he is negotiating with a brother-sister act known as “The Barbarians” to add to the 2009 Faire’s list of entertainers; and
   2. Stated that he plans to schedule a casting call in September to get local actors involved as entertainers at the 2009 Faire in such possible roles as the Canterbury Pilgrims, Galileo, characters from the Monty Python films, etc. (a great idea, everyone agreed).
      
      
5. Billy Warren stated that he received an email this morning that the 2009 posters are ready at the printer’s.  He said that the posters will be available for Roundtable members at the July meeting.
   
   
6. Carol Burhans stated that the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity might be interested in creating a maze for children at this year’s Faire if the people at the Children’s Museum choose not to do it.  (Excellent idea!)
   
   
7. Mary Nicely presented a collection of photographs from the 1988 Renaissance Faire for us to add to our scrapbooks.
   
   
8. Calvin Liles circulated a reproduced copy of the opening verses from the first chapter of the Book of Revelation from the Gutenberg Bible.  It’s written in Latin and features an illuminated letter.  Calvin purchased this treasure at the Gutenberg Museum in Germany more than 30 years ago.
   
   
9. Bonnie McIntyre suggested that we have printed cards available at the Information Booth at the Faire.  The cards should contain information that will encourage people (who are interested) to join the Roundtable.  (Billy Warren will prepare these.)
   
   
10. Mary Nicely suggested that we have a haystack at the Faire this year for children to hunt for coins of the realm and other treasures.  (We’ll do it!)
    
    
11. Ann Iaria suggested that we have golden flutes (inexpensive plastic flutes) hidden throughout the park this year and encourage children to find them.  Perhaps Lisa Butts – Menagerie – could teach the children who find the flutes to play simple tunes on them.
    
    
12. It was suggested that we re-create the hilarious signpost that we had at the Faire for several years.  It was a simple, rather tall post covered in small signs pointing to London, Rome, etc. (a Medieval version of the signpost in the M.A.S.H television series).
    
    
13. Billy Warren reported that he has asked the director of Florence School of Dance to choreograph a Maypole dance for her group’s performances at this year’s Faire.
    
    
14. Ann Iaria reminded the group of former King Gregory of Bowling’s suggestion last year that the ruling monarch each year be given a signet ring.  Donna Miles suggested that the giglio be engraved on the ring to show its connection to the Alabama Renaissance Faire.  Billy Warren added that it would be excellent if we could secure such a ring for each monarch who has served over the years.
    
    
15. Donna Miles reported these tentative plans, among others, for entertainment at this year’s Feast:
    1. Alex – the acrobat and unicyclist,
    2. A wonderful musical written by Her Majesty Queen Rebecca,
    3. Rainbow Dancers,
    4. Sword/spoon fight,
    5. Bollywood Dancers, and
    6. Strings performance by orchestral students directed by Daniel Jamieson.
       
       

There was hearty applause for Donna for this great line-up!

16. Sue Bevis circulated two examples of notecards (which she created) that feature artwork by a student in the 2008 Renaissance Faire Art Contest.  She suggested that we create packages of six cards, comprised of two each of the three first place winners (kindergarten, grades 1-3, grades 4-6), and sell them at this year’s Feast and Faire.  Billy Warren will create a release form for parents to sign so we will be able to use the artwork on the notecards.
    
    

Donna Miles suggested that we might also create postcards featuring the logo of the Alabama Renaissance Faire.  We could even create personalized postage stamps as part of the packets of postcards.

17. In a drawing, Maria Camp won a suede-covered notepad and Sue Bevis won a copy of a book entitled Chaucer’s Major Tales.
    
    
18. Billy Warren announced that we have been asked to submit a 750-1,000-word history/description of the Alabama Renaissance Feast and Faire to the prestigious Encyclopedia of Alabama, which is published by the Alabama Humanities Foundation.  The document is to be submitted by July 31, 2009.  This invitation is a huge compliment to our Feast and Faire!
    
    
19. Calvin Liles stated that if his brother’s work schedule will permit, he plans to be a rat catcher at this year’s Faire.  Hooray!
    
    
20. Maria Camp reported that Her Majesty Queen Rebecca is currently enjoying a trip to Germany.  She should return on or about July 2.