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<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Greetings, Ansteorra!<BR><BR>We are
looking forward to having a wonderful Steppes Artisan tomorrow. The weather
looks to be fair and warm, but we will be in a beautiful, new, air-conditioned
hall with a lovely, shaded porch outside.<BR><BR>There will be great goings
on at Artisan, with many tables loaded with creations and products of
Ansteorra's most talented artisans and scientists. The gate will open at
<STRONG>9 am</STRONG> for set up. (If you show up early, we'll just put you to
work!) </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>We have many squires and pages ready to
help the competitors unload and setup. We will have dollies and a small wagon
for unloading. Coffee will be provided.<BR><BR>Ansteorra's new Queen's Champion,
Don Aeron Harper, will be giving a presentation and class on Historic Rapier
Combat Arts and Sciences which should be very enlightening. This is on for
<STRONG>10 am - 12 noon</STRONG>.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><BR><FONT face=Arial size=2>We will have tables groaning with
the pot-luck luncheon which will start at <STRONG>12 noon</STRONG>! If you
can't think of what to bring, there are grocery stores just around the corner.
Please bring your own feast gear and mugs.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><BR><FONT face=Arial size=2>In addition to being able to admire
some of the greatest arts and sciences in the Known World, we will have a
History Salon with the topic "The History of the White Scarves of Ansteorra"
hosted by Duchess Larissa. Speakers for the salon include Don Christian Dore'
and Don Tivar, among other notable White Scarves. A sideboard tea is planned for
the afternoon salon, to be provided by Baron Borek. This should be happening in
an upstairs room from <STRONG>1:30 till 3:30 pm</STRONG>.<BR><BR>If, for some
reason, you procrastinated and didn't get your e-mail/letter of intent in, we do
have a few spaces available for artisans wishing to compete, or just to
display. E-mail me quickly at </FONT><A
href="mailto:xaraxene@comcast.net"><FONT face=Arial
size=2>xaraxene@comcast.net</FONT></A><FONT face=Arial size=2> and let me
know if you need a full table or a half table for your body of work
display.<BR><BR>Their Excellencies Mahdi and Valeria, Baron and Baroness of the
Steppes, will be holding court from approximately <STRONG>4 to 5 pm</STRONG> and
hope that you can all attend and stay for their exciting and fun
court!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>After a "short" court and clean-up, there
will be a mini-revel at Donnel and Alvin's house, with cordial tasting provided
by Borek.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>All in all, a great time will be had by all.
Steppes also hosts their fighter practice a 2 pm on Sunday and Elfsea hosts
theirs at 5pm, so if you travel here, stay here and fight, too!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3>Mistress Xene
Theriane, Assistant Steward and artisan wrangler</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><BR><BR>For More information, schedule and a map, go to:
</FONT><A href="http://www.steppes.org/events/artisan.html" target=_blank><FONT
face=Arial size=2>http://www.steppes.org/events/artisan.html</FONT></A><FONT
face=Arial size=2> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><STRONG><FONT face=Arial size=2>The maps for Google and Mapquest
are not current. They do not show the new construction and
detour.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>For driving directions from Dallas, take
I 35 E South. Take the Hwy 67 South exit. Stay on Hwy 67, going over I 20 and
through Cedar Hill. Once you go under Hwy 1382 in Cedar Hill,
<STRONG>*</STRONG>stay on Hwy 67 another 5.8 miles. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Take the "Gifco Rd Dove Lane" exit. Stay
on the frontage road. DO NOT TAKE THE FIRST LEFT over 67. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Go to the 2nd left (Dove Lane) and go
under Hwy 67. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Once you are over the RR tracks, Dove
Lane goes off to the cement plant, but you will drive straight on the road which
is now named Midlothian Parkway. You will go 3.7 miles. Watch your
speed here, especially when you hit the dip in the road at the light at Hwy
1387. Keep going straight.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>You will cross Hwy 287 and keep going
south, but there is a detour and some road construction. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Follow the detour over the bridge. Just
after the detour and a stop sign, you will see a sign on your right for the
Midlothian Conference Center. Take the next right onto Mt. Zion Rd.</FONT><FONT
face=Arial size=2>(If you get to the 2nd Mt. Zion Rd, you've gone too
far.)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2> The center will be on the right,
less than .10 mile from the turn. Please park on the left of the building and
enter on that side. There will be signs.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>If you are coming from Arlington, take I
20 to Hwy 1382. After driving through some of the prettiest area in the DFW
metroplex, you will reach Hwy 67. Take a right and go south on Hwy 67. Once on
Hwy 67, follow the directions above starting at the
<STRONG>*.</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><STRONG><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>If you are coming from Irving, go south
on Loop 12. It turns into Hwy 408. Take 408 to Hwy 20 and turn east (left) until
you hit Hwy 67. Go South on Hwy 67 to Hwy 1382, then follow the directions above
starting at the <STRONG>*.</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><STRONG><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV align=left><STRONG><FONT face=Arial size=2>If you've read this far down,
THANK YOU! </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV align=left><STRONG><FONT face=Arial size=2>Xene (p.s. can you tell that a
knitter wrote the directions?)</FONT></STRONG></DIV></BODY></HTML>