ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 3-17-05

 

Those present:  Jim Lake, Billy Warren, Lee Freeman, William Freeman, Carol Burhans, Rick McAdams, Ann Iaria, Thomas Ray, Mary Nicely, Susie Rickard, Donna Miles, Darlene Freemon, Kim Lovelace, Ralph Bowersox, Her Highness Queen Salana Letsinger, Aubrey Gaskins, Jan Roblin, Andy Betterton

 

  1. Darlene Freemon shared pictures of the recent trip that she and Rick took to the Ice Hotel in Quebec.  She vowed that they had a shivering good time.  The pictures are just amazing!

     
  2. Billy Warren circulated the Master List of Roundtable members and stated that an updated list, if such is needed, will be e-mailed immediately.

     
  3. Ann Iaria reported that the fee for a booth space at Big Spring Jam in Huntsville in October is $2,500 for three days.  Obviously, we cannot afford that amount; therefore, we will encourage members of the Roundtable to go the Jam in costume to advertise our Feast and Faire as Ann Iaria and Carol Burhans did in 2004.

     
  4. Donna Miles stated that she has been asked to direct a wedding at the Ohio Renaissance Faire.  She asked that a proclamation be developed from our Faire to the Ohio Faire.  It would be an appropriate act and would be good advertisement for our Faire.  Brother Denis ((aka Lee Freeman) volunteered to draft the proclamation.

     
  5. Billy Warren reminded everyone that he has e-mailed Roundtable members a copy of the Renaissance Faire poster contest guidelines.  He also distributed hard copies of the guidelines at today’s meeting.

     
  6. Lee Freeman announced that a free course entitled “Beginning Genealogy” will be offered at the public library in eight sessions that start on Tuesday, March 22.

     
  7. Billy Warren:
    1. Distributed copies of a note from Rick McAdams thanking the Roundtable for the book placed in the public library in memory of his late mother;
    2. Read from an article in a recent issue of Newsweek magazine which makes reference to the Alabama Renaissance Faire and stated that we appreciate such national publicity for the Faire;
    3. Circulated information from the Smoke Island Company, requesting permission to make creative photographs of people in attendance at the Faire (for a fee, of course);
    4. Announced (drum roll!) that the City of Florence has agreed to rescind the requirement for non-profit festivals to purchase $1M in liability insurance, to refund the nearly $1,800 that we paid for insurance in 2004, and to leave in place on the $25 fee for each food vendor; and
    5. Circulated a copy of the rules for the Handy Music Festival poster contest (deadline for submission:  April 8).

       
  8. Jan Roblin stated that she is writing and illustrating a children’s book, with at least part of it set during the historical Renaissance.  She plans to use, as part of her illustration, some of the images that she has painted in the past related to the Alabama Renaissance Faire.  She presented two documents and asked everyone to sign one of them:  one gives permission to use images that might include Roundtable members (with no identifying names attached); the other refuses to give such permission.

     
  9. Mary Nicely invited everyone to visit the student-done art exhibit at Kennedy-Douglass Art Center which runs through April 13.  Titled “Artistic Renderings of Youth,” the show has 240 pieces done by students from 14 schools in Lauderdale and Colbert Counties.

     
  10. In a brainstorming session about creative ways to get publicity for the Feast and Faire, through the RSA project, these suggestions were made:
    1. Make contact with Larry Bowser, one of the persons in charge of the RSA project, to gain permission for Roundtable members to appear at conferences and conventions in costume.
    2. Ask Mr. Bowser to allow our Herald to welcome conferees as a way of letting them know about the Feast and Faire.
    3. Seek permission from Mr. Bowser to place proclamations and brochures about the Feast and the Faire in packets mailed in advance to conferees.
    4. In October, distribute Jim Matterer’s special cookies to conferees.

       
  11. In a drawing for today’s door prize, Susie Rickard won a book in the Harry Potter series.