ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 10-26-06

 

Those present:  Lee Freeman, William Freeman, Paul Daniel, Laura Daniel, Donna Mitchell, David Mitchell, Susan Key, Don Green, Rick Freemon, Bonnie McIntyre, Thomas Ray, Keith Hawthorne, Perri Scott-Hawthorne, Donna Miles, Mary Nicely, Her Majesty Queen Freya, John Iaria, Chris Solis, Noelle Smith, Jan Roblin, Andy Betterton, Luke Frye, Larry Kimbrough, Billy Warren, Carol Burhans

 

  1. The Roundtable welcomed Rick Freemon to the meeting and applauded him for designing the six coins in the Arthurian Legends series.  Billy Warren circulated the newest and final coin in the series which features the image of Morgan la Fey.

     
  2. The Roundtable applauded Donna Miles for arranging for a very successful evening of entertainment at this year’s Feast.

     
  3. Billy Warren circulated copies of these articles from local newspapers:
    1. A group picture and an accompanying article in the Times-Daily on 10-22-06 regarding the Feast on the previous night;
    2. An article and an accompanying photograph in the Times-Daily on 10-20-06 regarding the upcoming marionette show;
    3. A full-page photograph of this year’s poster in this week’s Courier-Journal; and
    4. A lengthy article with accompanying photographs in today’s Times-Daily previewing this year’s Faire.

 

The Roundtable offered profuse thanks to Cathy Myers at the Times-Daily for her excellent coverage of the Feast, the Faire and related activities.  Billy Warren thanked those who e-mailed information for the preview article to Cathy following our meeting on Thursday, October 19.

 

  1. Those who visited schools within the past week reported that every visit was very successful and received extremely well by students.  The schools included:  Cloverdale Junior High School, McBride Elementary School and Florence High School.

     
  2. Billy Warren reminded everyone of the Roundtable’s own feast tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Stephano’s Restaurant in Sheffield.

     
  3. Billy Warren, in reference to an e-mail and a follow-up telephone conversation he had this week with Victoria Thompson (a staff member of CBS Evening News/Katie Couric), stated that he is supposed to receive another telephone call today if our Faire has been selected as one of the three weekend festivals to be featured this weekend.  Everyone agreed that, whether or not the Faire is selected, it was a great honor to be singled out as one of the nominees.  What a fine 20th anniversary surprise!

     
  4. In a discussion about the David Simpich marionette show, “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” it was noted that all of us really must promote it heavily because ticket sales are lagging badly.  These people agreed to help get McDowell Hall organized following Saturday night’s marionette show so the Methodist Church can use it for Sunday morning worship assembly:  Lee Freeman, William Freeman, Luke Frye, Paul Daniel, Laura Daniel, Billy Warren.

     
  5. Billy Warren noted that he forwarded an e-mail to all Roundtable members from Joe deGruchy.  It is a detailed essay about preparing a horse to attend a festival such as the Renaissance Faire.  Billy encouraged everyone to read it for its sheer beauty and its sensitive description of the relationship between a true horseman and his/her equine friend.

     
  6. Billy Warren reminded everyone that the Roundtable will hold its final meeting of the year on Thursday, November 2, at 12:00 noon.  It will be our annual evaluation of both the Feast and the Faire.

     
  7. There was a general discussion of the feast that is to be held at UNA on Friday, October 27, at 5:00 p.m.  The 30 Roundtable members who plan to attend complimented the handsome printed invitation that they received via the U.S. mail.  Billy Warren noted that:
    1. The reception begins at 5:00 p.m. in the Performance Center of Guillot University Center.
    2. The feast begins at 6:00 p.m. in the three ballrooms, also in the Guillot University Center.
    3. The current Royalty and the Roundtable members who will be performing (e.g., Lee Freeman, William Freeman, Don Green, etc.) will be seated with President Cale and others at the head table.

       
  8. In a drawing, Paul Daniel won a survival knife in its own scabbard provided for the drawing by Becky Love-Bassham.

     
  9. In a discussion, the Roundtable decided to begin the set-up for the Faire at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, October 27.  Don Green stated that the 10’ x 20’ information booth will be assembled first.  By having it in place, there will be a space large enough to shield the workers in case of rain as the day progresses.

     
  10. Billy Warren stated that the visit to Harlan Elementary School on November 2 is postponed until THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 2007, because of a scheduling conflict at Harlan.

     
  11. Susan Key reported that she has completed the layout of the park for the placement of vendors at the upcoming Faire.  There is a full contingent of vendors and performers for our 20th annual Faire!