[Bordermarch] On Melees Fun- the working end.

[tessa]

On Melees Fun- the working end.
>From start to finish, it was a good event, so far as I could see.
A lot of positive feedback has come to our email and phone, into today, the 
4th day after. We all understand that, since H.Rita, a lot of people put 
aside many attentions to needs on their homefront to make the Melees 
possible.  That's the kind of longstanding prevailing spirit that makes this 
group a family.

As recouperation time allows, here in the midst of Thanksgiving's busy week, 
we'll likely see posts from the Steward and his Assistants in charge of 
segments of the event after a while.

Did anyone from Bordermarch notice major problems that need to be addressed 
to make future events better?

Clear weather was the best, so the new Commons set up for gathering was not 
*needed* in any kind of rains, although it was highly appreciated and 
enjoyed by those who chose to gather under it.

To whomever brought the heater to Gate, that was much appreciated in the 
cold midnight hours!

Merchants were friendly, positive, making some nice deals.
Setting the Village closer to the front gate seemed to have worked out fine 
except for the distance from court.  Did we know of some electricity or 
water-need issues where anyone did not get services they needed?

Working around fema living at Jones Country was smooth enough.  Who knows. 
Those fellows may get back to their various homes and join SCAs there.  They 
had certainly clean up the rubble from even one weekend before, especially 
around the arbor.  They were gracious to park most of their huge truck 
equipment in the south 40 during the event

The eateries were varied and had plenty of food, into late hours.
So much so, that at least the Sunday Break-down Crew Breakfast had left- 
over eggs and sausages and sweet breads to share with anyone else, including 
coffee and drinks given from a household cooler and also some meat pies 
given from neighbor Greywood's booth.

Transitions for the courts and for the several weddings at the castle went 
satisfactorily for those attending.  Some people were still at the Village 
though.  If there is a way to bring together the best of those two worlds, 
more people (merchants, shoppers) could witness the courts and castle 
events.

Dark as the night sky is, more torch light would benefit the night court 
location when away from the Village lights and fires.

Day classes, as far as I  witnessed, had a good response and were beneficial 
to attendees.
The lunch basket auction for discretionary funds seemed to have been very 
appreciated by those who bought, wanting to donate to a cause.  It's been a 
long time since we've had lunch auctions here. When Her Excellency Caitrin 
saw one at Glenn Ahbann's Crown Tny, she came home with the idea.

The RRs still need some plumbing work and RR attention, but we knew going in 
that Mike has some revamps to finish.    There is a need to have larger 
waste baskets in the RRs besides just the tiny ones in the stalls.  It was 
good to have the port-o-lets rented.  Picnic tables that we rent with site 
are needing more and more attention from the landlord.  Maybe some of us 
could help with labor when he gets wood.  ?   Actually, with the garbage can 
barrells having been removed by the landlord, it worked better for our 
clean-up crew.  We did not have to empty <yewuuuuuggggggggggggggggh> even 1 
barrell this time.

Set ups and tear downs had more elbows working fewer hours than in the 
recent past. It makes more fun for everyone at an event if all us locals 
pitch in a bit of labor to help each other and to help our guests.  It takes 
all of us to make it efficeint and brief. No one person can <do> the labors 
alone.

Have a good Thanksgiving, each and all.
Counting some blessings, I find these on the top of the list:
I am mostly thankful for a merciful Lord, a loving family, for milestones in 
the family which have taught us much and brought us to the place in life 
where we are now,  particularly for beloved family and friends in the 
Barony, Kingdom and Knowne Worlde, and for shelter and recouperation plans 
for many of the populace after recent inconveniences.
Godspeed,
Grace and Peace to all,
Tessa