ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 10-25-07

 

Those present:  Her Majesty Queen Ostara, Don Green, Thomas Ray, Ralph Bowersox, Jim Lake, Billy Warren, David Mitchell, William Freeman, Donna Miles, Rick McAdams, Susan Key, Lee Freeman, John Holcomb, Jan Roblin, Sue Bevis, Shane Wilson, Marlo Wilson, Bonnie McIntyre, Perri Scott-Hawthorne, Leah Brewer, Amber Moore, Ann Iaria, John Iaria, Carol Burhans, Aubrey Gaskins, Larry Kimbrough, Mary Nicely

 

  1. The Roundtable welcomed Shane Wilson and his daughter, Marlo.  Shane is creating a documentary on the Feast and Faire; he is a professional videographer based in Arkansas.
  2. Billy Warren reminded everyone that the Roundtable will meet on Thursday, November 1, 12 noon, to evaluate this year’s Feast and Faire.
  3. Those who participated Monday-Wednesday of this week in the Medieval/Renaissance era demonstrations at the Muscle Shoals Cub Scout meeting, McBride Elementary School and Florence High School reported that all three appearances were really successful.  In all three instances, the students had been prepared well by their teachers/leaders and, as a result, had great questions.
  4. Aubrey Gaskins reminded everyone of the Roundtable’s feast tonight at Stephano’s at 7:00 p.m.
  5. There was a round of applause for Her Majesty Queen Ostara for the elegant, regal manner in which she presided over the Feast this year.
  6. Sue Bevis reported that the new portrait of the late Stormy, Joe de Gruchy’s horse, is almost ready.  She will pick it up at the shop where it’s being done so we can present it to Joe at the Faire on Sunday afternoon.
  7. Don Green displayed yet another tapestry which he purchased on e-Bay for $17 in behalf of the Roundtable.  With that purchase, he has added four tapestries to our collection this year.  Don received applause for his efforts.  He received another round of applause for the time and energy he recently expended to clean the Royal Pavilion.
  8. Special events will take place at the Faire according to this schedule:
    1. Opening Ceremony – 12:30 p.m., Saturday
    2. Wedding of Torok the Troll and his bride – 1:00 p.m., Saturday
    3. Knighting of Larry Bowser – between 12 noon and 1:30 p.m., Saturday
    4. Bestowing the title Treasurer of the Exchequer on Jim Holland – 2:30 p.m., Sunday
  9. It was agreed that Roundtable members will be stationed in the park from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, October 26.  They will:
    1. Spread 15-20 bales of hay on the wet, bare spots in the park;
    2. Erect the Royal  Pavilion and the Information tent;
    3. Assist vendors in locating their assigned spaces; and
    4. Generally prepare the park for the opening of the Faire on Saturday morning.
  10. Billy Warren circulated a copy of an article, accompanied by photographs, on our Feast which appeared in the Times-Daily on October 21.
  11. Mary Nicely circulated a copy of a full-page advertisement (sponsored by the City Council) and an article – both about our Faire – which appeared in the October 24 issue of the Courier-Journal.
  12. Amber Moore stated that the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Bureau is updating its website to include brief videos about local sites and events.  To that end, Carter Watkins will attend our Faire to shoot footage.
  13. Billy Warren reported that Josh Ault became the director this week of the Shoals Bureau of WAFF Channel 48.  He will attend our Faire to shoot video footage to air on that station.
  14. Jim Lake agreed to rent the sound system from Sutherland Sight and Sound that we will need for the Faire.
  15. Billy Warren reminded everyone that he has emailed the following to all Roundtable members within the past few days:
    1. The list of winners in the Renaissance Art Contest;
    2. The list of winners in the Renaissance Sonnet-writing Contest;
    3. The entertainment schedule for the two days of the Faire;
    4. The link to the Food Network schedule which shows when Jim Matterer’s program, “The Secret Life of Gingerbread,” will be aired; and
    5. The minutes of the 10-18-07 meeting of the Roundtable.
  16. Susan Key circulated a chart for Roundtable members to sign up for a period of time to work in the Information Tent during the two days of the Faire.
  17. In a drawing, Perri Scott-Hawthorne and Don Green won billed caps with the “Alabama Year of the Arts” logo embroidered on the front.
  18. Larry Kimbrough reported that his handsome horse, which attended our Faire in 2006, was injured in a vehicle accident and, therefore, will not be able to attend this year.