ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 5-17-07

Those present:  Leah Brewer, Mary Nicely, Donna Miles, Billy Warren, William Freeman, Lee Freeman, Jim Lake, Randal Ugrovics, Karen Ugrovics, Noelle Smith, Rick McAdams, Susan Key, Jan Roblin, Sue Bevis, Larry Kimbrough, Darlene Freemon, Christy Garner

1. The group enthusiastically welcomed the two newest members of the Roundtable, Leah Brewer and Christy Garner.
   
    
2. Billy Warren reported that Sue Bevis has agreed to make digital photos of the posters from each year of the Alabama Renaissance Faire so they can be posted on the Faire’s website.
   
    
3. As he had announced in the e-mail which he sent to all Roundtable members on Wednesday, May 16, Billy Warren stated that Roundtable members will have free admission to the Tennessee Renaissance Festival which takes place each Saturday and Sunday in May, plus Memorial Day (Monday, May 28).  They need only to report to the “will call” window and ask for the Alabama Renaissance Faire envelope.
   
    
4. Randall Ugrovics suggested that we make Robin Hood-style hats and Maid Marian-style headpieces to sell at the Faire as a fundraiser.
   
    
5. Lee Freeman stated that he plans to have a proposed menu for the Feast at the June Roundtable meeting.  He has already been conferring with Chef Jim Matterer about a possible Saracen meal to reflect Queen Ostara’s Italian theme, with touches of the Middle East.
   
    
6. Susan Key suggested that everyone meet at Richards Center on Saturday, June 9, 9:00 a.m., to decorate our information tent.  She asked that people bring sewing machines, also, if possible.  These people volunteered to come on that day:  Susan Key, Mary Nicely, Donna Miles, Lee Freeman, William Freeman, Sue Bevis, Jan Roblin, Larry Kimbrough.  Others are encouraged to help also.
   
    
7. William Freeman reported that he posted the guidelines for our poster contest on our Myspace page and on the Forum – a site for Renaissance Festival devotees to communicate.
   
    
8. Rick McAdams displayed various types of jewelry that he has made using the coins of the realm:  from a necklace of a single coin on a fabric cord to an elaborate necklace of many coins which Royalty or Nobility might wear.  These items will eventually be narrowed down to a few that are deemed most marketable at our information booth.  There was a hearty round of applause for Rick and his ingenuity!
   
    
9. Donna Miles suggested that staff badges this year be made of a coin of the realm with a clip-on affixed so all staff members may clip one to their costume.  An excellent idea – very Period!
   
    
10. Billy Warren announced that some poster entries have arrived already, though the deadline isn’t until May 31.  We will vote on them at the June meeting of the Roundtable.
    
     
11. Billy Warren profusely complimented the Roundtable members who appeared in costume at the Multicultural Celebration at Harlan Elementary School on Thursday, May 10.  They truly did an extraordinary series of performances.  These are the members who performed:  Don Green, Lee Freeman, William Freeman, Darlene Freemon, Bonnie McIntyre and Donna Miles.  Several of Darlene Freemon’s students at Florence High School were also part of the performing group.  Billy circulated a photo from the 5-11-07 issue of the Times-Daily that featured Darlene Freemon and others who performed.
    
     
12. Billy Warren reported these decisions by the Board of Directors at its April meeting:
    1. We will affix 100 coins of the realm from previous years onto Alabama Renaissance Faire business cards and give them to the Marriott Hotel for officials there to distribute to selected guests.
    2. The website of the Alabama Renaissance Faire will be linked to Carol Burhan’s IMVU page.
    3. Don Green will be allocated $300 to purchase additional tapestries on eBay for our use at the Feast and Faire.
    4. Beginning with the 2007 coin of the realm, we will feature, for four years, a separate European country that was directly involved in the historical Renaissance.  Rick Freemon, our coin designer, will determine the countries and the order in which they will be featured.  (Italy is, of course, an obvious choice.)  The fifth year, which corresponds with our 25^th anniversary, will be silver instead of gold and, perhaps, will be larger than previous ones.
       
        
13. In a drawing, Jan Roblin won a collector’s item:  a 33 1/3 RPM album of John Barrymore reading Macbeth, which also features an interview with Mr. Barrymore.  Christy Garner won a copy of Geoffrey Chancer’s Canterbury Tales.
    
     
14. Billy Warren reported that he mailed thank-you notes to Kim Ledlow, Events Coordinator at the Marriott Hotel, and Charles Inman, Sales Manager, for the complimentary rooms for Jim Matterer and crew when they are in town to prepare the Feast this fall.
    
     
15. Billy Warren reminded everyone that we have agreed to add these to this year’s Faire:
    1. Tunnels for children created from appliance crates lying on their sides (Jan Roblin volunteered to create the designs to be painted on the exterior of the crates);
    2. Large cardboard castle for children to decorate with buttons, sequins, tokens, etc.  (Billy asked everyone to begin now scavenging buttons, sequins, etc. because it will take hundreds of them to cover the exterior); and
    3. Parade of Canterbury Pilgrims – with an actual pilgrimage as part of the parade.
       
        
16. These ideas came forth relative to the parade of Canterbury Pilgrims:
    1. Create a symbol of some type that will suggest Canterbury Cathedral.
    2. Tie the Pilgrimage to the martyrdom of St. Thomas a Becket.
    3. Collect shells at the Tennessee River and/or at the beach for the Pilgrims to glue onto the castle.
    4. Create a display of some sort to explain the Canterbury Pilgrims so people will understand what is happening.
       
        

These and other exciting ideas for the Pilgrimage will be discussed at the June Roundtable meeting.

 

17. Billy Warren announced that applications have now been mailed to crafts vendors.  More will be mailed as requests from additional vendors arrive.
    
     
18. Billy Warren announced that he has sent invitations to Florence High School’s sponsors of the Spanish, French, Latin and History Clubs, inviting them to create booths or somehow participate directly in the 2007 Faire.  Thus far, Anna Perez, Spanish Club sponsor, has indicated an interest in her AP students’ participation.