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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span>Unto the Populace of the Barony of Cynnabar, it is my
honor to submit unto you my most heartfelt gratitude for your support of this
year’s Grand Day of Tournaments at the Barony of Cynnabar.<span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"> </span></span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span>I apologize for the delay in posting this <span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small">via</span>
Baronial email but this needs to go to all in the Barony and be added to our
Baronial email archive.<span></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span>First, a little story. As many of you know, but bears repeating:
from 2013 through 2019 we had the good fortune of being able to stage Grand Day
at a site that was itself a 501©3 – Liberty School in Saline. We took every
advantage of that venue … UNTIL. In 2020, the ability to just pick and choose
affordable sites vanished. The “new normal” post-COVID is that there are fewer
sites and costs have increased substantially. BUT we were outgrowing Liberty
School even in 2019. Change was coming, one way or the other.<span></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span>This year’s Grand Day came with a challenge: it HAD to
succeed -- yes cover its cost, but – if possible, keeping costs to attendees
reasonable – make a little money for the Baronial coffers.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span><span> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span>I think it did that. Here’s how: <span></span></span></p>
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<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>Bantiarna Ceara set forth with a mission to conduct an
intentional and coordinated Publicity siege at all points across the Midrealm,
starting in July. She set up the Crash Space sign-up. She set up the overall
Volunteer sign up. And THEN she developed and implemented, to great delight, a
Halloween “Quest” and sent the young-at-heart all over the event site in search
of clues and goodies. (And she also filled in for Hospitality/Gold Key with
Lady Daye called out-of-town.) <span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>Mistress Hannah with professional alacrity engaged and
managed all contacts with our Royal Guests, of which there were SEVERAL.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>Mistress Hannah *furthermore* publicized and chaperoned
the prizes that makes this event a “must-do” on the list of Kingdom fall
events.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>The Honorable Lady Ulfrun volunteered right off to run
the Crafters Green and gaming. <span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>Lady Diamanté reprised her role as Head of Gate with a
profoundly-focused diligence inspired by her role as our Exchequer. She never
got a break, unless driving deposits to the bank is a “break.”<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>Baroness Jorun out-organized all of us and left the
Event Steward nodding her head going, “Yeah, yeah, let’s do it THAT way.” That
was not only a rigorous set up/tear down schedule but also, the thoughtfulness
of a “Solar” for respite for those of us who just need a stimuli “time out.”
And all those little baskets in the rest room entrances – Baroness Jorun dd
that. Largesse! A chivalric virtue. (Remember this when it’s HER turn in the
Vigil Tent.)<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>Rapier Marshal-in-Charge Lady Birke promulgated her
Rapier activities so far and wide that there were 66 fencers through her lists.
– I think that’s a Grand Day record!<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>Mistress Melisant dropped her needle and thread and
rushed back from New Zealand to head up the Rapier List Table. (Or something
like that.)<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>Baroness Simone once again stocked and monitored the
Combatant Hospitality Tables for both Rapier and Armored Lists. If you had a
package of pretzels and a cup of water or GatorAde, that was Simone’s effort
keeping you hydrated and “electrolyted.”<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>Baroness Isabel of the Lands of the Black Swan made
sure there was gambling.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>Sir Charles, Sir Jasen, and Sir Gregoire commanded a
cast of a thousand armored marshals to run Lists all day, administered by
Mistress Claire at the Armored List table. Baron Ermenrich managed the heraldic
presence at the Lists – including a shift with the fencers late in the day.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>Baron Tairdelbach brought in our merchants. <span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>Lord Throckmorton the unknown now well-known,
draughtsman of the maps of all Grand Day placements.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>Master Max spent a LOT of time directing traffic! <span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>Master Aaron generously revised, revised, revised,
revised, revised the Grand Day website.<span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>Mistress Giovanna, our vice-steward, fielded my “I
quit” phone call when the site “lost” our insurance certificate with two weeks
to go to the event. <span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>But, critically, ALL OF CYNNABAR, the Populace, the
Baronage, the dozens of people I saw helping out, all the volunteers that
signed up for event tasks or Retaining or just smiled and gave directions or
answered questions. <span></span></span></p>
<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Wingdings"><span>n<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span><span>And all the magic of our common pastime that whisks
away into the cool night, a day come forward of medieval times, of 300 people
of all nationalities and disciplines and crafts, a Knight and a Master of
Defense at their Vigils. It was, perhaps, a dream.<span></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span>I’m sure
I have left many people out of my personal thanks. If you saw excellence in
Service at the event … you know what to do! I’m sure Their Excellencies Bjarki
and Valka would be delighted to receive your Award Recommendations!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small">YIS, Godhit, Event Steward for Grand Day 2023</span><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:normal;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span><span></span></span></p>
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