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<DIV><FONT size=2>Copied below is the Quoth the Raven newsletter Autocrat
update.</FONT></DIV>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">From the Autocrat of Defender of
the Fort <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I could not be more pleased with
the progress that the Barony is making towards having everything in place before
Defender.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There seems to be a
passion to get things done with swiftness and style.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Individuals are embracing tedious tasks
and being greedy about seeing it through all by themselves.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It’s the kind of obsessive behavior I
can really get behind.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Groups are
gathering and working as a team, always joking, always laughing, and always
willing to stop to help someone else.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Good people enjoying good times while making the Autocrat’s life
easier.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A thousand blessings on you
all.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>May the hair on your toes grow
even longer.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">There are a few items that the
Autocrat can happily remove from his “have to worry about list”.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>These things include : 400 Site Tokens
which Jean-Michel will do all himself,<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>200 Feast Tokens which Chrystal will do all herself and Scrolls which
Clare of the Misty Vale and Devin will do all themselves.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I will raise a glass to you at the
event.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">We still need an original fancy
invitation callig’ed up so it can be copied and then painted.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>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. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Also, a volunteer to do the calliggin’
would be wonderful.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">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.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>This would include tables, water, list cards, targets, tents, plus any
and everything you will need.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>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.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">There are still two competitions
that we do not have local liaisons for yet.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">1)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN>Bardic – this is a harder competition to run than you might
think.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is very time consuming as
it takes hours to listen to all of the stories, songs, etc. that a large
gathering submits.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>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.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">2)<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN>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.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">If you are interested in helping
out in either of these positions, please contact me ASAP.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">We’ve had our first work weekend
at The Stones.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I would like to
thank everyone that came out. The progress that we made in one day is
outstanding. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">*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.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">*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.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> *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.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> *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.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> *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. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Much was done, but there is still
much to do. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">*There are two very big, very
dead trees that are a danger and should come down.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">*There is only one trilithon with
a cap stone in place. The Stones need to be straightened and the other
seven cap stones reset.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">*The cut limbs and saplings from
our workday need to be carried to the bonfire.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">*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.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">*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. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">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.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Saint David Saint David has
scheduled another workday for Saturday July 12<SUP>th</SUP>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Please attend if possible.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The more hands the easier the task.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For this work day we will have a cooking
crew that will prepare an evening meal for when the work is done.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Please byob.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>DSD has offered his land (immediately
adjacent to The Stones site) for the evening meal and for over night camping.
<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is a good place to gather.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Please don’t drink and drive.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">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.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In
peaceful service to the Barony,<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Vlod NotVlad</P></DIV></BODY></HTML>