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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I may as well post the info on
the "new site" as well. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I will add to the update below
that I was out at the site yesterday and while there Michael and I walk the
planned Equestrian area. There is enough space for eight 7x14
stalls under the cover of the barn and at least six more stalls in the small
uncovered corral attached to the barn if we need to expand. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I also dropped off a small smoker
that will remain in the tavern area for use at any time. Michael helped me
with nailing together the first of the Tavern table. The spring green has
sprouted out on the trees and the grass is starting to turn as well. I
think we may be surprised by the shade and the beauty of the site once in full
growth.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">V NV</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Greetings from the Cheerleader of
the “New Site” Site Improvement Committee :</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">At the Officers Meeting held in
February it was decided that a Site Improvement Committee be formed to
facilitate the smooth coordination of site work at 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>The committee will consist of : Michael
- the landowner, Gundy - the site liaison, the current Seneschal,<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>the current B&B who will represent
one vote and me - Vlod NotVlad.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I
think that I was selected as a cheerleader to rally support for work days and to
give word fame where it is due. </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 begun to make
some firm plans on what needs to be done.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Our goal is to have the site ready to host Raven’s Fort’s spring event
one year from now.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A timeline
will have to be set up so that the most important things will be taken care of
first.<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">The clearing of fallen trees and
tangled underbrush is at the top of the list.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There can be no event without camping
areas.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A very good start was made
to that end at our very first ever work weekend on site last month.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Chainsaws diced up many of the downed
logs so they could be burned in or stacked for later campfires.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A bit more of this needs to be
done.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If you have time to spend on
site please give a hand with this by stacking cut logs between trees.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This will allow the tractor in to
brush-hog and then run through again with the rake attachment to level the
camping area.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I will remind
everyone that the weather is starting to turn warm so keep an eye out for
snakes.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Please kill the poisonous
ones.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>All non-poisonous snakes are
our friends as they keep down the vermin population.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Second on the list will have to
be showers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Again, if there are no
showers we will have a low turnout for an event.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>At this time our plan is to install the
showers on the east side of the barn.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Each shower will have a small dressing room attached for completely
private and dry changing.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We are
also talking about “on demand” hot water heaters, but that is still in the
talking stage.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">A kitchen is also planned for up
against the back of the barn.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Having both the kitchen and showers attached to the barn will allow ready
access to both electric and water.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>What a huge improvement over The Stones site that will be.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No more Coleman lanterns and not more
all day water barrel runs.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Saints
be praised !!!</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The barn itself will be modified
to allow horses to be stabled individually in wooden stalls.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The stalls will be smaller than
the 14x14 normally used in the SCA, but designed so the horses can not reach
their heads into the next stall to steal food or bite. <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">Of course we still have repairs
to the barn roof to take care of.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>That should also be a high priority as exposed wood will break down fast.
</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I will be working on and footing
the cost of the tavern area myself.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>It is my intention to accommodate everyone with a shady, welcoming place
that can used for workshops, meetings and competitions during the day and social
gatherings at night when needed.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The areas for the tavern fire-ring and the Bocce Ball court have already
been laid out.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Refurbishing The
Dome of Saint Martin will be a major undertaking.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It will first have to be water blasted
for cleanup and then primed.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The
top of the dome will be painted gold and crowned with the ten pointed
Ansteorrian star. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The outside walls
will be crimson and adorned with Baronial and other symbols.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The inside of the dome will be painted
as the starry night sky.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>( Yes,
when you turn off the lights the stars will glow. )<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Building tavern tables that are strong
enough to dance on will be an on going project.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Beyond what has already been
covered, there is a long list of other items that Michael posted online that
will need to be taken care of one by one.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>When our spring event is past us I am sure that there will be work
weekends set up to eliminate everything on the list.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A site map is being drawn up to show the
locations of everything on site including private camping areas. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We are completely open to all suggestions
and brain storming for making the new site comfortable for us.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Please direct input to any of the
committee members or bring them up at one of our Baronial meetings. <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 was very impressed with what
has already been accomplished at the new site after only one weekend.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Many thanks to the Raven’s Guild college
group and to everyone else that braved the rainy weather to lend a hand.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Double thanks to Gundy for the yummy
spicy venison sausage and for not shooting during SCA work days.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Long live the Ravens.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Peace,</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Vlod
NotVlad</P></DIV></BODY></HTML>