ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 1-15-09

Those present:  William Freeman, Darlene Freemon, Perri Scott-Hawthorne, Donna Miles, Casey Guinn, Carol Burhans, Mandi Green, Her Majesty Queen Rebecca of Linam, Jim Lake, Lee Freeman, Patrick Adams, Devin Bowling, Maria Camp, Aubrey Gaskins, Mary Nicely, Sue Bevis, Billy Warren

1. The Roundtable welcomed these people who attended their first meeting today:  Casey Guinn, Maria Camp and Devin Bowling.
   
   

2. Her Majesty Queen Rebecca:

   1. Reported that she is developing her German Renaissance theme for this year’s Feast and Faire and will present the details at the April meeting of the Board of Directors;

   2. Stated that she, Maria Camp and Devin Bowling would like to get Renaissance magazine to publish a feature story on Renaissance Faires in America that do not charge admission; and

   3. Asked that we try to secure a craftsman who makes ocarinas to sell at this year’s Faire.
      
      

3. Billy Warren:

   1. Circulated the Roundtable master list and asked everyone to make any corrections to U. S. mail addresses, telephone numberd or e-mail addresses;

   2. Distributed paper copies of an e-mail announcing a new on-line Renaissance Faire radio station that can be accessed at this address:  www.rhapsody.com/channels?rcid=sta.23291378;

   3. Asked everyone to stop by the conference room next to Marcia Austin’s office to see the framed Renaissance Faire posters mounted on the walls;

   4. Stated that he is already receiving requests by e-mail for:

                                                              i.      Guidelines for the 2009 poster contest,

                                                                                      ii.      Information regarding the costume-making contest, and

                                  iii.      Booth space rental;

5. Reported that Noelle Smith is communicating with Alex (the acrobat/unicyclist) to see if we might add him to our group of entertainers;

6. Suggested, and all agreed, that the Roundtable members consider participating in the 2009 W. C. Handy Music Festival’s opening day parade (more about this at future Roundtable meetings);

7. (drum roll, please!) announced that the Renaissance Faire treasury, per Jim Holland, opens the new year with a bank balance of approximately $8,100;

8. Asked for applause for Don Green who reported at a recent Board meeting that we now own 24 tapestries – and Don secured these for us over time through eBay for approximately $850;

9. Circulated a full page of photographs from the Winter, 2008, issue of Shoals magazine featuring various people in full costume at the 2008 Feast;

10. Congratulated Roundtable/Board  member Andy Betterton for being the first monarch of the Renaissance Faire to be elected for membership on the Florence City Council; and

11. Thanked Donna Miles for agreeing to make a sea captain’s coat for Cletus Higginbotham who oversees the boats which children guide around the fountain at the Faire.
    

3. In a drawing, Jim Lake and Maria Camp won ceramic gargoyles.
   

4. Billy Warren stated that the Lord Mayor of London is scheduled to come to Florence in February.  He will appear at a City Council meeting to deliver the official invitation for the Florence High School band to march in the New Year’s Day parade in London on January 1, 2010.  Darlene Freemon stated that John Bradley, the high school band director, likes the idea of Roundtable members appearing at that City Council meeting in full costume.  Billy will keep everyone informed via e-mail as the plans are developed.
   

5. Mary Nicely suggested that the staff at the Children’s Museum might like to create a children’s activity at this year’s Faire as a fundraiser for the Museum.
   

6. Darlene Freemon:

   1. Suggested that we consider highlighting the art of printing at this year’s Faire (including vegetable printing for children to do) in honor of Gutenberg since we will have a German Renaissance theme; and

   2. Suggested that we revive the children’s Renaissance certificate at this year’s Faire (Darlene will share her framed copy with Billy Warren so it can be reproduced).
      

7. Billy Warren stated that we usually send booth rental applications only to craftspeople who request them.  However, if Roundtable members find craftspeople who offer an item that we don’t ordinarily have for sale (e.g., ocarinas, handmade Medieval/Renaissance shoes and boots), Billy will take the initiative to mail applications to them.
   

8. Mary Nicely suggested that we contact the chairman of the art department at UNA to get students to supervise block printing for children at this year’s Faire.
   

9. A request for a root beer vendor at this year’s Faire resounded throughout the Roundtable group at today’s meeting.  It was further suggested that a root beer Oktoberfest component at the Faire would be appropriate since we will have a German Renaissance theme.
   

10. William Freeman stated that we must try once again to have Geoffrey Chaucer’s pilgrims at this year’s Faire.  Hear!  Hear!
    

11. Lee Freeman noted that we created a Medieval Bestiary coloring book and sold it at the Faire several years ago.  He stated that he is willing to create another coloring book for this year’s Faire.
    

12. Donna Miles announced that a blood drive will be held on North Seminary Street in front of the Wilson Park Medical Clinic on Monday, January 26, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.  It is in honor of Tiffany Miles, her daughter-in-law who lost her life in a helicopter crash while on a rescue mission.
    

13. Mary Nicely circulated a flyer announcing a presentation by Dr. Alan Brown at the W. C. Handy Home/Museum on Thursday, January 22, at 12:00 noon.  It will highlight the African-American folklorist and folk singer, Ruby Pickens Tartt.  Admission is free.