ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 4-10-08

Those present:  David Fowler, His Majesty King Gregory of Bowling, Bonnie McIntyre, Carol Burhans, Darlene Freemon, Donna Miles, William Freeman, Lee Freeman, Jan Roblin, Leah Brewer, Debbie Martin, Ann Iaria, Billy Warren

1. Regarding the proposed trip to China in April, 2009, Darlene Freemon stated that:
   1. So far, 10 people have expressed interest in making the trip;
   2. The deadline for making a financial commitment to the trip is May 30, 2008; and
   3. Unlike some other trips, it is possible to use a credit card to pay for this one.
      
       
2. It was noted that River Heritage Park, adjacent to the Marriott Shoals, will have its official opening starting at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, and extending throughout the day.  Roundtable members expressed interest in appearing in costume on that day.  Billy Warren will send an email to everyone on the Roundtable encouraging them to wear costumes for the grand opening.
   
    
3. Jan Roblin stated that she and Leah Brewer will create a large dragon for the Faire and provide children with scales made of paper for them to color, add spangles and glue all over the dragon’s body.  Great idea!
   
    
4. Darlene Freemon shared with Lee Freeman her initial research on the history of children’s games.  Lee added this material to some that he has collected; he summarized the stories of a few of the games.  Our goal is to schedule several low-tech games for the Faire that will not require constant monitoring by an adult.
   
    
5. Leah Brewer suggested that we might create a large “cage” of, perhaps, chicken wire to contain the children’s games in a specifically-designed area.
   
    
6. William Freeman announced that Lee Freeman has been named runner-up in a national contest for short-story writing.  The short stories had to have a Medieval-Renaissance theme, so Lee submitted a portion of the history of the Alabama Renaissance Faire which he wrote under the pseudonym of Brother Denis.  There was a huge round of congratulatory applause for Lee’s achievement (which also gives valuable national exposure for our Faire).
   
    
7. His Majesty King Gregory circulated a handsome souvenir mug which the purchased at the Georgia Renaissance Festival.   When he attends the Tennessee Renaissance Festival in May, he will search out a vendor who might have similar mugs and will research the issue to determine whether a large capital outlay is required “up front” to have such mugs created for our Faire.
   
    
8. Donna Miles suggested that His Majesty, in his persona as a pirate king, consider incorporating a treasure chest idea into the Feast that would then be carried over to the Faire.  His Majesty agreed that this idea could be great fun.
   
    
9. In a drawing:
   1. Bonnie McIntyre won two fancy bookmarks, one based on Harry Potter and the other based on Lord of the Rings.
   2. His Majesty King Gregory won a CD of Don Hinely’s music (Don plays the “glass harmonica” at our Faire).
      
       
10. Carol Burhans suggested that the Roundtable plan a mid-summer picnic which everyone would attend in full costume.  This suggestion will be explored further at the May meeting of the Roundtable.
    
     
11. Ann Iaria noted that the Ardmore Renaissance Festival is Saturday and Sunday, April 19 and 20.  She will come to Richards Center on Friday, April 11, to get the following to take to Ardmore:
    1. The green pop-up tent
    2. Brochures advertising our Faire
    3. Posters
    4. Tee shirts
    5. Alabama Renaissance Faire business cards
    6. Coins of the realm
    7. The cash box
       
        
12. Ann Iaria reported that the Marriott Shoals has once again agreed to provide complimentary rooms for Jim Matterer and his crew when they are in town for the Feast.
    
     
13. (drum roll, please!)  Billy Warren announced that Menagerie will perform at the Feast!  They will spend the week between the Feast and the Faire as artists-in-residence at Florence Middle School/Freshman Center and will stay over the following weekend to perform at the Faire.
    
     
14. These Roundtable members attended a Renaissance Ball in Birmingham on Saturday, March 20:  His Majesty King Gregory, Leah Brewer, Lee Freeman, William Freeman and Randall Ugrovics.  They reported that they had a very good time and made valuable contacts for our Faire.  It is possible that the Birmingham group – known as the Magic City Theater – might stage the Canterbury Pilgrims of Geoffrey Chaucer at our Faire.  An expression of thanks was extended to the five Roundtable members who represented us so effectively at the Renaissance Ball!  Both Lee Freeman and His Majesty circulated some great photographs that they made at the Ball.
    
     
15. Billy Warren distributed copies of the revised crafts vendor’s application, with the revisions reflecting the suggestions made by Roundtable and Board members in previous meetings.  Carol Burhans suggested that the section regarding exhibition space (including the illustration) on page six be moved to page two so it will appear with the two pages that must be signed and returned by the vendor.  We will file Carol’s suggestion and incorporate it into the 2009 application.
    
     
16. Billy Warren circulated the current issue of Renaissance magazine.
    
     
17. Billy Warren sincerely apologized for having to change this month’s Roundtable meeting from the third Thursday to the second Thursday, which was necessitated by the fact that Richards Center will be closed the week of April 14-18 to accommodate the school system’s spring break.
    
     
18. Billy Warren announced the recent passing of Jim Matterer’s father.  Because Jim feels such an attachment to us and to the Feast and the Faire, he has requested that one of his cookbooks be placed in the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library in his dad’s memory.  Of course, we had planned to place a memorial book into the library, so we are happy to comply with his  request that it be one of his cookbooks.