ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 10-16-08

Those present:  His Majesty King Gregory, Donna Miles, Sue Bevis, Carol Burhans, Ann Iaria, Don Green, Mandi Green, Perri Scott-Hawthorne, Chef Jim Matterer, Darrell McCormack, Calvin Liles, Sharon Bradley, John Holcomb, Rick McAdams, Kathy McAdams, Aubrey Gaskins, Jennifer Crossley, Patrick Adams, Lee Freeman, William Freeman, Mary Nicely, Randall Ugrovics, Karen Ugrovics, Gage Ugrovics, Debbie Martin, Noelle Smith, Beth Greenwood, Darlene Freemon, Billy Warren

1. Everyone who assisted with the costume-making workshop on Saturday, October 11, agreed that it was a rousing success.  Applause was definitely in order for:  Donna Miles who coordinated the event; Don Green and Bonnie McIntyre who sewed all of the costumes with hardly a break during the five-hour workshop; Darlene Freemon and her students who worked behind the scenes to do all kinds of Faire-related projects; and everyone else who measured, folded, fed the group with delicious ham and bacon biscuits.  It was an excellent day!
   
   
2. William Freeman:
   1. Reported that all who plan to perform on the “Pickwick Belle” on Tuesday evening, October 21, should be at the Florence Harbor in McFarland Park at 6:30 p.m. (the boat embarks at 7:00 p.m.); and
   2. Reminded everyone that the seventh graders from Muscle Shoals Middle School will be at the Coliseum on Friday, October 17 (one group at 9:30 a.m.; the other at 12 noon or 12:30 p.m.)
      
      
3. Don Green, Mandi Green and Carol Burhans reported an excellent evening with the Cub Scout troop at First Methodist Church in Muscle Shoals on Monday evening, October 13.  The young boys were mesmerized and FULL of questions!
   
   
4. Aubrey Gaskins stated that he has tickets remaining for the Roundtable’s feast on Thursday, October 23, at 7:00 p.m.  Billy Warren encouraged everyone to attend.
   
   
5. Beth Greenwood reported that Vinamrata Gupta has organized at least 18 Indian young people from UNA to be servers at the Feast on Saturday evening, October 18.  Darlene Freemon stated that five or six high schoolers will also serve.  She agreed to conduct the training session for the servers at 6:00 p.m. on the evening of the Feast.
   
   
6. Lee Freeman reminded everyone that the third and final film in the series will be Excalibur.  It will be shown at the public library on Sunday, October 19, at 2:00 p.m.
   
   
7. Billy Warren announced that the 2008 Newberry Award for Children’s Literature has been given to Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz.  He stated that he plans to read it after the Faire is over, and he encouraged other Roundtable members to read it as well.
   
   
8. Darlene Freemon reminded everyone of the annual Renaissance Day at Florence High School on Wednesday, October 22.  She asked that people come in costume and stay as long as they like.  The day begins at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 3:00 p.m.  It will be great fun!
   
   
9. Billy Warren thanked Ann Iaria for scheduling today as “Invasion Day” at the Marriott Hotel.  She and others came to today’s meeting in costume and went to the Marriott as a group.
   
   
10. Chef Jim Matterer distributed and reviewed copies of the menu for the Feast.  It was extremely well received by everyone present.
    
    
11. Donna Miles reviewed the entertainment schedule for the Feast.  All agreed that it will be a great evening!  Billy Warren stated that Alex, the young performer who is a friend of Noelle Smith and her family, will be at the Feast as he was last year.  Because the entertainment schedule was already filled, Alex will entertain as people arrive in the hall.  (Scheduling him at that time is a stroke of genius on the part of Donna Miles because his performance will set the tone for an exciting evening.)
    
    
12. Sue Bevis:
    1. Made photographs of the winning entries in the elementary-school art contest so they (the photographs) may be exhibited at the Faire;
    2. Circulated a copy of the very attractive narrow card/bookmark which lists the items (and their ingredients) to be served at the Feast and which will be placed by each plate on the tables; and
    3. Distributed copies of a wonderful card (about half the size of the menu card) which lists the order of the Feast entertainment and which will be placed by each plate on the tables.
       
       
13. Don Green stated that he has rented a u-haul truck and will do the following on Friday, October 17, beginning early morning:
    1. Load items at his house that are needed at the Feast;
    2. Go to the warehouse at the old Fairgrounds to pick up items needed at the Feast; and
    3. Got to Richards Education Center to pick up additional items.
       
       

He will take the entire truckload to the Coliseum so that work may begin at 9:00 a.m.

14. So many people present at today’s meeting volunteered to work at the Coliseum on Friday, October 17, and/or on Saturday, October 18, that it was overwhelming!  What a wonderful group!
    
    
15. These people volunteered their vehicles to help bring food from the Weeden School kitchen to the Coliseum at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17:  Randall Ugrovics, Noelle Smith, Ann Iaria and Jim Matterer.