ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 4-27-06

 

Those present:  Bonnie McIntyre, Taz Scott, Perri Scott-Hawthorne, Darlene Freemon, Carol Burhans, Billy Warren, Her Highness Queen Freya, Kim Lovelace, William Freeman, Debbie Wilson, Jan Roblin, Lee Freeman, Cathy Myers, Larry Kimbrough, Susie Rickard, Mandi Green

 

The Roundtable welcomed Cathy Myers, a staff member at the Times-Daily, who is now covering visual and performing art events in the Shoals.  All agreed that it is very gracious of Cathy to want to know firsthand about the planning process for the Renaissance Faire and its related events.

 

The Roundtable welcomed Debbie Wilson, director of the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Bureau, and thanked her for her encouragement of the Feast and Faire.  Debbie stated that a new employee on her staff, Lindsey Holt, will attend Roundtable meetings regularly.

 

Billy Warren expressed sympathy in behalf of the Roundtable to Donna and Greg Miles in the passing of Greg’s mother, Agnes Miles.  Billy stated that the Roundtable placed a copy of The Chronicles of Narnia:  The Official Illustrated Movie Companion in the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library in her memory.  Billy shared a thank-you note from Greg for the memorial.

 

Darlene Freemon announced that the Roundtable has received requests from these public libraries for members to perform on the dates indicated:

  1. Monday, June 12 – North Shelby County
  2. Wednesday, June 28 – Pell City
  3. Tuesday, July 18 – Pelham
  4. Wednesday, July 19 – Alabaster

 

Darlene further stated that she has told the officials at these libraries that Roundtable members will require their expenses (mileage, meals, etc.) to be paid.

 

It was agreed that Darlene will e-mail the library officials, telling them that a contingent of Roundtable members will fulfill their requests.  (The make-up of the contingent may not be the same at each place; it will depend on who can go on a given trip.)  Darlene will share further details at the Roundtable meeting on May 18.

 

Debbie Wilson encouraged Billy Warren to write a letter on Renaissance Faire letterhead to the Florence-Lauderdale Tourism Board requesting an amount of money to help pay expenses of Roundtable members to visit public libraries in the state.  (Billy will do this, of course.)  These trips by Roundtable members advertise our area, so the Tourism Board will assist.

 

Billy Warren distributed copies of a letter which he wrote to Mr. Wayne Mitchell, Editor of the Times-Daily, on April 3, 2006, regarding the possibility of transforming Veterans Park into a working Medieval/Renaissance village.  He circulated a copy of the same letter as it was published in an article format in the Times-Daily on April 16, 2006.  He explained that he decided to move forward with the letter since two other proposals regarding Veterans Park had already appeared in the newspaper.

 

Billy Warren announced that guidelines for this year’s poster contest have been e-mailed to individuals and groups throughout the state.  The deadline for entering is May 12.

 

Billy Warren stated that the website has been updated to reflect the 2006 dates for the Feast, the Faire and related events.

 

In the monthly drawing, Larry Kimbrough won a handmade personal sundial.  Jan Roblin won a copy of a book entitled Conversations with J. K. Rowling (author of the Harry Potter books).

 

Taz Scott and Perri Scott-Hawthorne reported that they and others had an interesting, productive trip recently to a Renaissance Faire in Tyler, Texas.  They were able to participate with Walter Butler’s Dragoons in lots of live metal demonstrations.

 

William Freemon reported that the Renaissance Faire last weekend in Ardmore went well.  Menagerie was there!  Lisa and Jon Butts (aka Menagerie) expressed great interest in performing at our Feast again this year.

 

Darlene Freemon shared specific details about the proposed trip to Italy in April, 2007.  Some Roundtable members, along with others, are already making plans to take the trip which will be led by Darlene.

 

Debbie Wilson presented a handsome poster printed and distributed by the Alabama Bureau of Travel and Leisure.  It proclaims 2007 as the Year of the Arts.  Billy Warren said that, as the Faire’s 20th anniversary gives us a reason to celebrate in 2006, the Year of the Arts gives us a focal point in 2007.

 

Billy Warren displayed lengths of various fabrics and trims which he obtained in behalf of the Faire from Florence Drapery and Fabric Shop which is going out of business after 40+ years in the Four Lane Shopping Center.

 

Billy Warren shared a note and an e-mail from two local people who wrote encouraging messages regarding the Roundtable’s proposal to transform Veterans Park.

 

Mandi Green shared the names of two people that were at the Faire in Ardmore who want to assist with our Faire.  Billy Warren will add them to our Roundtable list.