ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 10-5-05

 

Those present:  Aubrey Gaskins, Kim Lovelace, Don Green, Darlene Freemon, Donna Miles, Billy Warren, Lee Freeman, John Iaria, Paul Daniel, Mary Nicely, Susan Key, Sue Bevis, Susie Rickard, Carol Burhans, Amanda Jackson, Andy Betterton

 

  1. Don Green:
    1. Reported that work on the 10 “walls” is progressing well;
    2. Asked those who are helping at the costume-making workshop to bring scissors, tape measures, thread (gray and/or white) and any extra yardage of fabric that they might have on hand; and
    3. Distributed staff badges which he created (an applause for Don!) using the image from the 2005 poster.

       
  2. Those who went to McBride Middle School to present a Medieval/Renaissance program reported it to be a huge success.  The principal asked that they return in 2006!  Billy Warren circulated a copy of an article from the 9-28-05 Times-Daily which was highly complimentary of the group.

     
  3. Darlene Freemon:
    1. Stated that some of her students will be present to assist at the costume-making workshop on Saturday, October 8;
    2. Stated that she had emailed Roundtable members to come in costume to Florence High School on Wednesday, October 19, for Renaissance Day and to stay as long as they wish (between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.) to interact with students (who will be in costume also);
    3. Distributed copies of Rick Freemon’s design for coin #5 (Sir Lancelot) in the series of six coins of the realm based on the Arthurian legend (perhaps the most beautiful design of the five!); and
    4. Stated that she has some students who want to be servers at the Feast alongside those from Northwest-Shoals.

       
  4. Aubrey Gaskins sold tickets to the Feast at Stephano’s (specifically for Roundtable members) on Thursday evening, October 20.  There are still a few tickets available; seating is limited to 30.

     
  5. These people agreed to help at the costume-making workshop (in addition to those in the 9-15-05 meeting minutes):
    1. Sue Bevis,
    2. Susan Key,
    3. Darlene Freemon,
    4. Kim Lovelace, and
    5. John Iaria.

       

 

  1. Lee Freeman:
    1. Complimented Dr. George Makowski on the excellent lecture that he presented at the public library on Sunday, October 2;
    2. Reminded everyone that he (Lee) will be the lecturer on Sunday, October 9, 2 p.m., on the topic “Hard Days Knight: Chivalry and Knighthood in the Middle Ages”;
    3. Distributed and reviewed copies of the menu for the Feast and reminded everyone that the menu is listed on Jim Matterer’s website:  www.godecookery.com.

       
  2. William Freeman reported that Ann Iaria, Don Green, William Freeman and others recently went in costume to visit Larry Bowser, general manager of the Marriott-Shoals, to present a VIP invitation for Larry and his wife to attend the Feast. (Great publicity!)  The same invitation is being mailed to Mayor and Mrs. Bobby Irons, Dr. and Mrs. David Bronner, and Mr. and Mrs. Simpson Russell.

     
  3. At the suggestion of Andy Betterton, Sue Bevis agreed to make a digital photograph of each winning poster over the past years so these may be entered into our website.  Some people on the Roundtable expressed an interest in downloading the images to use as screen savers on their computers.

     
  4. In a drawing, Susan Key won a copy of the book, The House of Medici: Its Rise and Fall.

     
  5. Billy Warren announced that the kitchen at Weeden Elementary School has been reserved for Jim Matterer and his helpers to prepare the Feast.

     
  6. Billy Warren:
    1. Circulated a copy of the mailout (which went to every home in Florence and Lauderdale county as an attachment to the utility bills) that advertises both the Feast and the Faire;
    2. Circulated a copy of a lengthy article advertising the Feast which appeared in the 10-5-05 Times Daily and publicly thanked newspaper staff member Teri Thomason for the excellent coverage;
    3. Reported that the porta-johns have been ordered for the Faire; and
    4. Announced that tickets for the Feast went on sale on Monday, October 3, at both Anderson’s Bookland (Court Street) and Kennedy-Douglass Art Center.

       
  7. Susie Rickard reported that students from Northwest-Shoals Community College will serve at the Feast.  She went on to say that a specific organization on the campus would like to use its service at the Feast as an annual project.  (Grand idea!)

     
  8. In a discussion about the possibility of Roundtable members participating in the Florence High School’s Homecoming parade on Friday, October 7, it was agreed that we would not participate because of the time; few Roundtable members could get away from their jobs at the time of day scheduled for the parade.

     
  9. Billy Warren stated that we have the Coliseum reserved on Friday, October 14, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and on Saturday, October 15, from 8 a.m. until midnight.

     
  10. Billy Warren distributed copies of the poster and the new brochure.

     
  11. The Roundtable sadly noted the passing of our good friend and former Roundtable member, Norm LaRoy.  We have placed the book, The Art of Fresco Painting in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, in the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library in his memory.

 http://www.una.edu/honors/