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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Greetings from the Autocrat
of<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A Day at The Stones of Raven’s
Fort :</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">A few words about work days and
what needs to be done at both The Stones site and the new Gundy Site near
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
/><st1:City><st1:place>Conroe</st1:place></st1:City>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">There is much to be done at The
Stones for our up coming event, but it may be more important to make a good
impression on the land owners at the new site.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Of course we have our own agenda for
building and use, but in order to keep the owners receptive to that, we need to
help out with repairs to the barn where we will stable our SCA horses as well as
with a few other odd jobs.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The
supplies will be paid for by the land owner and ready to go when we get to the
site.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The owner ( Mike ) will
supervise what is to be done.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I
have volunteered to bring my ladder and lend a hand on the barn roof
project.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is a fairly small area
so it should be a quick job if there is a little more help.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">There is still a major amount of
brush clearing to do at the Conroe Site as well.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That will be easier than it sounds as
the land owners are letting us use their tractor.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>What we need to concentrate on before
using the tractor again is cutting up the trees that are down so they will be
ease to push out of the way.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Mostly
limbs and a few big logs, but they do not have to be cut into small pieces, just
enough to push around.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This needs
to be done now while it is still cold before the snakes come out.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A chain saw or two will take care of it
in a few hours.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Once the dead wood
is out of the way we can run the brush-hog over the area without having to do a
lot of back breaking chopping.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I would ask that when you come to
the <st1:City><st1:place>Conroe</st1:place></st1:City> site on February
14<SUP>th</SUP> you come ready to work.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Please bring personal tools if you have them.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Chain saws, hammers, shovels and
anything else might come in handy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>It is only one day and I would like to accomplish as much as we can to
show that we are serious about developing the site.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> The owners are really nice people. They
understand the limitations that we play under and are very egger for us to use
the site. </SPAN>This place comfortable and could be a great asset for
us.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">We also have a CAMPING work
weekend planned for February 6<SUP>th</SUP>, 7<SUP>th</SUP> and 8<SUP>th</SUP>
at The Stones site near
<st1:City><st1:place>Huntsville</st1:place></st1:City>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That is when we have a little time to
play as well as work.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Bring your
drums.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I’m guessing that there may
be food in the mix for Saturday evening.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The list of things that must be taken care of before the spring event may
not be as large as you might think. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The showers do not have walls
right now.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is at the top of
our list.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We must have them ready
for the event and I am sure that Saint David would like to see them off his
land.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There has been research into
alternate material for the walls, but that should come to an end before the work
weekend.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Perhaps we should use
plywood again.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If we move forward
on the art cloth covering at a later date it could still be put over the
plywood.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That would probably be
better anyway.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">We have already purchased the
hinges to change the “mouse trap” swing on the kitchen and storeroom doors.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That is second on the list to do before
the event.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Another must do.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Most of the storm dead wood fall
can be cleared after the event, but we do need to make sure that the Equestrian
area is perfectly functional.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We
need to finish the work we started on repairing the stalls as well.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I am sure that once we are back
on site there will be other things that present themselves, but for right now,
that is about it.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Our preparations
for the postponed Defender took care of many of our long time problems
already.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I am hoping that this will
be the kind of event that we can all enjoy even when there is a bit of work to
do.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I realize that some of you are
beginning to think that all we ever do is get ready for events, but never
actually have one.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There are
members in the Barony that have been playing for well over a year and still not
attended a home event.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That will
change this spring.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I have a good
feeling about this one.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Raven’s
Fort gives some of the best events in the Kingdom.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I am really looking forward to our time
to shine once again.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">In service to the Barony,</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Vlod
NotVlad</P></DIV></BODY></HTML>