ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 3-19-08

 

Those present:  Darlene Freemon, William Freeman, Lee Freeman, Debbie Martin, Leah Brewer, Mary Nicely, Sue Bevis, Don Green, Mandi Green, Luke Frye, Andrew Tatum, Deborah Johnson, Billy Warren

 

  1. Billy Warren read a thank-you note from Donna Miles for the book that the Roundtable placed in the public library in memory of Donna and Greg’s daughter-in-law, Tiffany Miles.

     
  2. Billy Warren welcomed Deborah Johnson and Andrew Tatum as the newest members of the Roundtable.

     
  3. Billy Warren announced the placement in the public library of these two memorial books:
    1. Making Terrain and Buildings for Historical War Games by Timothy Hall and Jonathan Sutherland in memory of Patricia (Bell) Parrish, late wife of Bill Parrish
    2. Gothic Gargoyles by Bill Yenne in memory of Allene Green, late mother of Don Green

       
  4. Darlene Freeman:
    1. Reminded everyone of the email that she sent recently regarding the group trip to China in the spring of 2009 and invited the entire Roundtable to go with her;
    2. Stated that she will share her earlier research with Lee Freeman regarding children’s games during the Medieval/Renaissance era; and
    3. Announced a huge number of major awards that her Creative Writing students at Florence High School have won during the current school year.

       
  5. It was agreed that the group planning to attend the Ardmore Renaissance Faire in April will use the 10’ x 10’ green pop-up tent and decorate it with some of our banners.  Brochures advertising our Faire will be distributed at the tent.  William Freeman will ask Ann Iaria to check with the Ardmore Faire group to see if we can sell items such as posters and tee shirts.  Ann Iaria will serve as the overall coordinator for our group.

     
  6. William Freeman reported that Ann Iaria has secured complimentary rooms at the Marriott for Jim Matterer and his crew during the weekend of the Renaissance Feast.

     
  7. William Freeman reminded everyone that he sent an email to Roundtable members regarding the possibility of a trip to a Renaissance Ball in Birmingham on Saturday, March 29.  These people indicated an interest in going:  William Freeman, Lee Freeman, Leah Brewer, Luke Frye, Andrew Tatum, Randall ugrovics, Keith Hawthorne, Sheana Weber.  Leah Brewer agreed to secure a rental van.  Billy Warren will contact Jim Holland for funds to pay the van rental, gasoline and snacks.  (Food will be provided by the group in Birmingham.)  William Freeman will serve as the overall coordinator for the trip.

     
  8. Billy Warren:
    1. Circulated a copy of the December, 2007, issues of Renaissance magazine; and
    2. Circulated some light-weight wooden coins of the realm which a company Dragonfire, wants us to purchase to use at the Faire in place of actual currency.

       
  9. In a drawing, Debbie Martin won a copy of the Bestiary Coloring Book which the Renaissance Faire Roundtable created, with the help of children in Florence City Schools, many years ago.  Andrew Tatum won a copy of the book, The House of Medici.

     
  10. Lee Freeman stated that he will soon be communicating in detail with Jim Matterer regarding the 2008 Feast menu.

     
  11. Billy Warren announced – drum roll, please! – that Menagerie will be artists-in-residence at Florence Middle School/Freshman Center the week of October 20-24 and will stay for the Faire on October 25-26.  Billy will send an email to see if Jon and Lisa Butts (aka Menagerie) will also agree to come to town on Saturday, October 18, so they can participate in the Feast.  Billy will determine, in conjunction with the school principals at Florence Middle School/Freshman Center, a specific contact person regarding Menagerie’s visit so that that person can communicate with Darlene Freemon.

     
  12. Billy Warren distributed copies of the revised vendor application packet.  He reviewed it with Roundtable members and received excellent suggestions to make it more user-friendly.  Billy will make revisions according to these suggestions and get the revised packet ready for a mailout in mid-April.

     
  13. Billy Warren distributed copies of the guidelines for the 2008 Alabama Renaissance Faire Poster Contest and asked Roundtable members to assist in circulating the guidelines.  He reminded everyone that they had already received the guidelines by email and asked that other email addresses of people who might be interested in the contest (a prize of $500 to the winner!) be given to him so he can send guidelines to them.

     
  14. Billy Warren apologized profusely for having to change the date of today’s meeting.  Several months ago, he accepted a speaking engagement for Thursday, March 20, without realizing that it would conflict with the Roundtable’s regular meeting day.