[Ravensfort] Quoth the Raven Newsletter update

[byzytym]

Copied below is the Quoth the Raven newsletter Autocrat update.




>From the Autocrat of Defender of the Fort 

 

I could not be more pleased with the progress that the Barony is making towards having everything in place before Defender.  There seems to be a passion to get things done with swiftness and style.  Individuals are embracing tedious tasks and being greedy about seeing it through all by themselves.  It's the kind of obsessive behavior I can really get behind.  Groups are gathering and working as a team, always joking, always laughing, and always willing to stop to help someone else.  Good people enjoying good times while making the Autocrat's life easier.  A thousand blessings on you all.  May the hair on your toes grow even longer.

 

There are a few items that the Autocrat can happily remove from his "have to worry about list".  These things include : 400 Site Tokens which Jean-Michel will do all himself,  200 Feast Tokens which Chrystal will do all herself and Scrolls which Clare of the Misty Vale and Devin will do all themselves.  I will raise a glass to you at the event.

 

We still need an original fancy invitation callig'ed up so it can be copied and then painted.  I have never sent invitations for an event before so any advice as to wording, who to send to and how close to the event to send would be a great help.  Also, a volunteer to do the calliggin' would be wonderful.

 

I am asking that the individuals that are our local competition liaisons compile a complete list of supplies that you will need for your respective gigs.  This would include tables, water, list cards, targets, tents, plus any and everything you will need.  I would like to have your list by the end of July so we will have time to get all of our ducks in a row.

 

There are still two competitions that we do not have local liaisons for yet.  

1)      Bardic - this is a harder competition to run than you might think.  It is very time consuming as it takes hours to listen to all of the stories, songs, etc. that a large gathering submits.  Also, it will be your duty to work with last year's champion, Lord Alden Drake, to fulfill his wishes and to find qualified judges.

2)      Equestrian - duties would include working with last years champion, Lady Lorraine Fraser, to fulfill her wishes and to make sure that any and all of her needs are met throughout the competition.

If you are interested in helping out in either of these positions, please contact me ASAP.

 

We've had our first work weekend at The Stones.  I would like to thank everyone that came out.  The progress that we made in one day is outstanding. 

*Runa and Giovanna sprayed the poison ivy and oak throughout the Equestrian corral, the showers, the kitchen, the list post and several key spots around the main activity area.  There will be a concerted effort to reapply the broadleaf herbicide at each workday.  By Defender we should have the situation under control.  

*Baron Brian, Giovanna, Pace and  Runa cleared brush far back from the entry road.  It looks like the state is about to pave an interstate highway through there.  We still must receive final approval to start work on it, but we all agree that if we are allowed to remove two medium size trees and three small trees we could bring any trailer or truck through with ease.  The trees that need to be removed are sweet gums and other "trash" trees.  ( If you can really call any tree trash. )  The area is so wooded that it would be hard to tell where they were once they are gone.  Hopefully we can move forward on this at the next workday so we will have time to remove the debris before the event.  

 *Jalili, Latham, Giovanna, Pace and that Marius person cleared a nice wide path between the Equestrian corral and the kitchen.  When you stand at the kitchen you can clearly see the corral and versa-viesa.  Over the next few workdays we would like to clear ALL of the undergrowth between the path and the road.  This will leave lots of new shady camping open for our friends on horseback.  

 *Saint David, Latham and Marius cleared the thorny mass that had grown up under the great lone pine tree just below the Stones.  A pass with a brushhog and a weedwacker and the make-over will be complete. A quick smudge makes it suitable for a shady snooze. 

 *Our brothers from Graywood were out clearing the rotten tables and other trash from their newly adopted camp site in preparation for their House Warming Party at Defender.  

 

Much was done, but there is still much to do. 

*There are two very big, very dead trees that are a danger and should come down.

*There is only one trilithon with a cap stone in place.  The Stones need to be straightened and the other seven cap stones reset.

*The cut limbs and saplings from our workday need to be carried to the bonfire.

*I have not given up on putting down gravel for the road.  Brian thinks that we need a little where we want to cut down the trees.  It would also be nice to get some between the troll booth and the kitchen as well.  We owe the land owner for past events that we have not paid for yet.

*I have not seen them, but I was told that the archery targets and stands have rotted and should be rebuilt before Defender.  This should be a high priority since we will probably have the Royal Huntsmen held at Defender and so will have many more than normal shooting in our Baronial Bowman competition.  

 

There are a handful of other site things that need to be taken care of as the event gets closer, but the list above will be what we will concentrate on in the near future.  If anyone sees anything that needs attention, please let me know.  It is a pleasure to see long neglected projects take shape.  Alaric Sweinbroathar, last year's Defender Autocrat, was an inspiration to us all.

 

Saint David Saint David has scheduled another workday for Saturday July 12th.  Please attend if possible.  The more hands the easier the task.  For this work day we will have a cooking crew that will prepare an evening meal for when the work is done.  Please byob.  DSD has offered his land (immediately adjacent to The Stones site) for the evening meal and for over night camping.  It is a good place to gather.  Please don't drink and drive.

 

Again, many thanks for all of your efforts.  Who knew that such hard work could be so much fun.  I guess it is not so much what you are doing, but who you are doing it with. 

 

                                                                                          In peaceful service to the Barony,

                                                                                                         Vlod NotVlad
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