ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 10-18-07

 

Those present:  Perri Scott-Hawthorne, Thomas Ray, Lindsey Holt, Aubrey Gaskins, Bonnie mcintyre, Sue Bevis, Don Green, Billy Warren, Jim Lake, Her Majesty Queen Ostara, Princess Rain, Princess Willow, Sonny Phillips, Darlene Freemon, Rick McAdams, Mary Nicely, Ann Iaria, Jan Roblin, Chris Solid, Jim Matterer, Darrell McCormack, Andy Betterton, William Freeman, Lee Freeman, Carol Burhans, A. J. Mashburn, Donna Miles, Leah Brewer, Randall Ugrovics, Gage Ugrovics, Ralph Bowersox, John Iaria

 

  1. Billy Warren praised the article about the upcoming Feast written by Cathy Wood which appeared in the October 12 issue of the Times-Daily.  He distributed copies of an email that he sent Cathy regarding this year’s Faire and reminded everyone that Cathy welcomes their suggestions for an article that will appear in the October 26 issue.  Emails must reach her by Tuesday, October 23.

     
  2. Everyone who worked at the costume-making workshop on Saturday, October 13, agreed that it was a great success.  Billy Warren thanked everyone who attended; he gave special thanks to Darlene Freemon’s students for their invaluable assistance.

     
  3. Lee Freeman, William Freeman and Leah Brewer reported that the Renaissance Faire exhibit is now in place at the Pocket Museum.  Billy Warren extended thanks to them for installing the display and encouraged everyone to visit it.

     
  4. Billy Warren stated that Larry Bowser, General Manager of the Marriott Hotel, has graciously accepted our invitation (issued by Ann Iaria) that Queen Ostara bestow knighthood on him on the first day of the Faire (Saturday, October 28).  Lee Freeman has developed a script for the knighting ceremony.  Sue Bevis will create a plaque to give Mr. Bowser.

     
  5. William Freeman reminded everyone that he sent an email this week to all Roundtable members to share the details (date, time, place) for the demonstration at the Cub Scout Troop meeting in Muscle Shoals on Monday evening, October 22.  Leah Brewer, William Freeman, Lee Freeman and Don Green agreed to go.

     
  6. The people listed below agreed to participate in the demonstration at the indicated school:
    1. McBride Elementary, Tuesday, October 23:  Leah Brewer, Perri Scott-Hawthorne, William Freeman, Lee Freeman and Don Green
    2. Florence High, Wednesday, October 24:  Perri Scott-Hawthorne, William Freeman, Lee Freeman, John Iaria, Don Green, Leah Brewer

       

Jan Roblin stated that her son, Shane Wilson, will videotape the demonstration at Florence High School.

 

  1. Aubrey Gaskins reported that a few tickets remain for the Roundtable’s feast at Stephano’s on Thursday evening, October 25.

     
  2. There was a round of applause for Debbie Wilson and her staff at the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Bureau for their wonderful help with publicity for the Feast and Faire.  An example is the Bureau’s purchase of frames for the exhibit at the Marriott Conference Center of Alabama Renaissance Faire posters.  Billy Warren complimented the exhibit and urged everyone to visit it.

     
  3. Billy Warren thanked everyone who has brought collections of buttons and other items for children to glue onto the castle at the Faire.  He also thanked Darlene Freemon’s students for separating the items so children can access them more easily.  He encouraged everyone to bring more items if possible.

     
  4. The Feast is a total sell-out for the third year in a row.  Jan Roblin suggested that, in 2008, we create a “Peanut Gallery” for people to come to the Feast just to sit in the bleachers and enjoy the entertainment.  Billy Warren stated that he will add this suggestion to the agenda of the Renaissance Faire Board’s quarterly meeting in November.

     
  5. Billy Warren complimented Don Green’s careful purchase of the tapestries on eBay to add to our collection.  Billy noted that Don purchased a large tapestry recently for just $30.

     
  6. Sue Bevis volunteered to re-create the portrait of Stormy, the official Renaissance Faire steed, so we can present it to Joe de Gruchy.

     
  7. Don Green announced that he and Thomas Ray have already grouped the items that we will use at the Feast and Faire so they can take them immediately to the Coliseum and to the studio at Kennedy-Douglass Art Center.

     
  8. In a drawing, these people won a billed cap with the “Alabama Year of the Arts” logo embroidered on it:
    1. Jan Roblin,
    2. Princess Rain, and
    3. Jim Matterer.

       
  9. Jim Matterer stated that he has already done a trial run in West Virginia of the menu that he is preparing for our Feast.  It is incredibly good – as always!

     
  10. Donna Miles reviewed the entertainment line-up for the Feast.  The slate for the evening has come together extremely well, so we will have another great Feast.  Thanks, Donna!

     
  11. Jan Roblin announced that Torok the Troll will seek the Queen’s permission at the Feast for him to marry his bride-to-be at the Faire.  Donna Miles, our Wedding Coordinator, is working with Torok on the wedding arrangements.

     
  12. Many Roundtable members volunteered to work some portion of Friday and Saturday, October 19-20 (the Coliseum is open 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday), to prepare the hall for the Feast.

     
  13. Billy Warren reported to Jim Matterer and his crew that George Blackstock and his wife will help them with the kitchen at Weeden Elementary School as they prepare food for the Feast.

     
  14. Billy Warren distributed staff badges.  He thanked Rick McAdams for attaching the fasteners to the coins of the realm, and he thanked Marcia Austin for creating and laminating the streamers with the word “Staff” typed on them.