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Kristine Mac Donald, Shop Owner ~ Sherwood Calligraphy
verso Feathervane

Along with my partner (that would be business partner only), Katie Beery, I have been involved at the MRF for nearly 20 years! I work in the Hall of Scribes and I'm happy to admit that I am a Master Artist and oft awarded participant for visual image, demonstration excellence and festival spirit. I strongly believe in the lost art of chivalry and you may send roses to me at any time! Thank you in advance.

krisquill@mn.rrcom

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Rook MacPherson, Cabriolet

danishtripod@yahoo.com
http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/sthelena/768/

I graduated in 2004 from St Cloud State University with a BS in Advertising and Marketing. I love working at the Renaissance Festival, especially because I share an office with Jill Grewe during the week! I, too, can be seen most often in the Feast of Fantasy booth or in Bad Manor. I have had a blast this year working at the Festival, and hope that I have many more in the future.
[submitted 12/9/2004]

mmahle@renaissancefest.com

I started doing Renaissance Festivals at the Texas Renaissance Festival (TRF) with the SCA in 1988, moved to a food booth in 1993, and Entertainment in 1994. From 1995 to 2001, I was entertainment at TRF and either Cavalier Dayes of Texas or Scarborough Faire. In that time, I have been a History Instructor, Improv Instructor, Asst. Dance Captain, Fight Choreographer, Group Leader, Steering Committee, and founder/director of the I Arroganti and I Triumphanti commedia dell'arte troupes.
2002-2003 Giangalleazo Raguzzini (Arleccino w/ I Arroganti-Al Dente!)
2004 Count Niccolo Borgia
[submitted 8/6/2004]

iarroganti@gmail.com

Janet Malkiewicz, Stage Act ~ DeCantus

I first attended the Renaissance Festival in the mid 90's as a patron and was enthralled by it. In 2001, I started serving beer with the Shakopee Jaycees and absolutely love it! I enjoy seeing all my friends and making new ones!
[submitted 9/6/2005]

samsweetie@aol.com

Jennifer Manna, MN Herpetological Society & Peasant Attended fair for many years before joining Como Cottage this season, 2002. What luck! All Day at festival spent with the neatest group of people while playing with reptiles! I'm a Vilifcation junkie and can sometimes be found shouting in unison with others after Thomas goes “1..2..3.”

manna@skypoint.com

(Some people say I am Crazy, Who Knew?) Activities for this year: Forgetting songs, Forgetting and teaching Tai Chi. Wandering aroung connecting with people and friends old and new. Sorry, no crushes on people this time around. I will be wearing a Chinese Hat demonstrating and teaching Tai Chi on the first weekend at 2:30 for the Mideast Mirage theme. Yes I have permission from my teacher. No harping anymore. I will help others with costumes, costume accessory and design for a small fee.

I am returning to the MN Renaissance Festival after a 17 year absence. I started in 1980 as a hawker, moved to a madrigal group, got the first performer harp at the MN Renaissance Festival from Dick Anderson, Woodsong Instruments. (The second harp he ever made.) I wandered around playing that and had crushes on many people for a while. I then worked in the Wool Gathering Shop for my Cousin Mary Ellen Manning.

1989, Got married and quit the fair in 1990. 2005, got divorced, moved back. Resume fair activities and fun, 2007. While I was married I recorded 3 CDs downloads available online.

Moved to Boston , did sub work at the King Richards Faire for Gregor Harvey, and solo work at the Salem Renaissance Faire. Busked in Harvard Square, and Downtown Boston . A full resume will be available when I get around to it on the CD baby site. Became Usui Reiki Master. Studied Tai Chi at Twin Cities Tai Chi. Auditioned on a lark. Got in. Here I am, back again.
[submitted 8/10/2007]

Kate.Chant@hotmail.com
http://cdbaby.com/found?allsearch=mannyng

Chris Marchand, Royal Guard
Sir Alexander Tesseyman

I joined the Festival in 1988, and enjoyed a great five seasons working in the games area at both Dueling Buckets and Fencing. After the '92 season, I left the festival to pursue other interests. I rejoined MRF in 2001 as a games worker, returning to where it all started for me... Dueling Buckets. When I wasn't dumping water on people, I could usually have been found enjoying the company of the Mayor's Entourage. In 2002 I made the jump and became a full-time entertainer by joining the Mayor's Entourage. Through out the 2002 season I assembled a small City Militia, participated in the Human Combat Chess match, and had the honor of being Knighted by the Lord High Sheriff. In the off season between 2003/2004 the Militia fell apart due to outside conflicts (we all still remain friends) leaving me the option to move into a group that I'd always wanted to join, the Royal Guard.
[submitted 8/17/2004]

zero@dragonzero.net
http://www.dragonzero.net

I started festival in '87 as a volunteer at Dueling Buckets. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and eventually managed the booth. In '93 I got myself hooked up with Gemini Glass, running around toying with a street character and helping with Chess Match, as well as, running the booth. I believe that cramming so much in at one time burnt me out, so I took a hiatus from working the festival until the '02 season. I worked a half season at Wood, Willow and Whatknots. In '03, I worked for Camelot Feather Fans, but after being in a small shop for 10 or so hours a day, I decided to make a move and here I am. The '04 season will be my rookie year as a street performer and I hope I can live up to all my hopes and dreams. I live with my Italian Greyhound (dog), Vito, in our cozy little apartment in Richfield and can be found working at one of the large HMO's here in MN. My character is Needles. She is a seamstress, but not a very good one. She tries very hard to make clothing the proper size, but can't seem to get it right. She is easily distracted by 'pretty fabric' and may try to snag a swatch or two as she goes by. She will be roaming the festival grounds in search for that elusive golden thread and the correctly made gown.
[submitted 7/19/2004]

razorback@dragonzero.net

Greg Marchand, Royal Guard
Sir Gregory Tesseyman, Captain of His Majesty's Royal Guard, Knight of the Garter

I've been with MRF since 1987, when I started working the Dueling Buckets as a volunteer. I was hooked and haven't missed working a festival since. I moved into the realm of Entertainment in about 1993, when I began taking classes with En Garde! Unlimited, and joined the Royal Guard. Since that time, I have participated in a number of the Human Combat Chess Matches and street fights, as well as becoming the Captain of the Guard.

greg-marchand@mn.rr.com

Scott Marsalis, Royal Scottish Country Dance Society& March Molly Hares Ruairidh Fraser I have been performing Country and Highland dances at MRF with the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society since 1999. In 2004 I joined the Molly Hares, playing flute and whistles. [submitted 7/7/2004]

marsa001@tc.umn.edu

I started in 1979 as Sir Pellinore, a character loosely based on the king of the same name from the musical CAMELOT. He spent much of the time hunting for the Questing Beast, but soon became addicted to being the fine art of punning. In 1993, I joined the Mayor's Entourage as Dr. Nostradamus Hepatitis, MD, DDS, STP. CPA. IOU, and sometimes Y, (catchy name, huh?) the Mayor's personal physician. Of course, the Mayor never realized that the good doctor was actually more a doctor of the scholarly, rather than medical, kind. In either case, he also was a constant punster. I also occasionally served as a soloist for the Peasant Parade, leading them in the song, "General Taylor," as well as performing the occasional solo verse for the Closing Show's "The Mermaid." Also received the Unicorn Award.
[submitted 10/3/2006]

Wolf577@aol.com
www.myspace.com/hazenm

My first year was 1989 selling wine and since then I have worked in many craft booths and Cabriolet 95-97. For the past few years I have been at Darkmoon Designs. Looking forward to a great 2008!
[submitted 10/28/2007]

suptabaddha@yahoo.com
www.mnrollergirls.com/teams/rockits/trixie_whipsum.php

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I was bitten by the fest bug and started at fest is 1997 when a friend of mine brought me out to work with her at her shop for a weekend. Somehow or another I'm still working for her boss, ha ha. Most people probably see me at drum jam. I am one of the belly dancers up by the drums. I'm more apt to respond to my nick name "Jingle Butt" than I am to my character name. In real life I'm an aspiring professional middle eastern dancer and am a certified personal trainer.

gypsyvampyr@hotmail.com
jinglebutt@hotmail.com

I started working in ("Sherman, set the 'Way Back Machine'") 1988 at the Dunk Tank with Dana Erickson and a local church youth group. It was a great year, and the tank was heated during those colder days (you just did not want to get out of that warm water). The following year I found myself on a sabbatical that lasted 11 years due to military service. I tried to visit as often as possible when my vacation schedule coincided with the Renaissance season (which was not all that often). In March of 2000, I was recruited to work for the Shakopee Jaycees. I was so excited to return to the Renaissance Festival that I had so loved and missed. I worked as security for the Jaycee beer/wine booths. It was a lot of fun, but involved quite a bit of sprinting across grounds to find and follow Sobriety Challenged playtrons who had been cut off by a booth. If they got too out of hand, we would call in Safety Services to have them escorted to the parking lot. I saw some very amusing things last year. Some days I wouldn't even have time for lunch or dinner until after closing cannon. Other days, I would get a chance to relax with my friends behind the Sheriff's booth and had a smoke and something to eat before starting my next sprint across grounds. Don't ask me why, but no matter where I was, I always ended up traversing the grounds to find some moron who had too many, some brilliant under-ager trying to buy with a fake ID, or those wonderful parents that want to buy for their under-age kids (sorry parents, MRF is not your own house). This year, I will be a pub-master of the Deputy Wine booth (the wine booth next to the stocks). I am looking forward to seeing you all out there. Despite all the troubles that everyone is going through this year, I sincerely hope that this will be another great year!

martindean@qwest.net

I moved to Minnesota in July of 2003 and by August of that year I was out at the Renaissance. This past season (2004) I could have been found "working" at the juggling booth, and this upcoming year I am excited to see what the Renaissance has in store for me.
[submitted 3/10/2005]

BabyGirl8550@hotmail.com

Jac Martins, Bass Player for Reve du Faun; Manager, Rhiannon Oils and Incense; Campground Director, MnRF
Jack

I started at MRF in 1979 as a town crier, and have been "on the road" as they say since 1992. I have done everything there is to do at a renaissance festival except for food and costumes. And occaisionally I have been known to run a campground. I have won the Unicorn Award.
[submitted 10/2/2008]

jackevinmartins@yahoo.com
http://www.rhiannonherbsandoils.com
myspace.com/jkmartins

Kenneth Martinson, Mayor's Entourage
Bartlby Wulfher, Master Architect

I started attending Fest as a patron about 9 years ago. I fell in love with everything about it. Well, except for maybe a certain stage act that I won't mention since everyone knows what I'm talking about. I joined the Fest Family in 2000 and look forward to enjoying many more years out there. My character, Bartlby, is the Scribe/Accountant to the Lord Mayor. I get to walk around all day with him, taking notes and keeping track of his financial books. Both sets. Whoops! Drat, I used my outside voice again. Ignore that last statement. On a different note, I want to thank everyone out there for making me feel very welcome and for making me part of the magic. I am proud to call you all my friends and family.

darkangel@usfamily.net

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Jaime Mastel, Chess Match, Auxiliary Court, Ladies Literary League
Lady Cicilia Langley Dolce Vinatierre, Countess of Milano

I began working festival in '93 at the U of M Fencing Booth. In '99, I worked both the fencing booth and I job shared selling garlands to pretty little maidens. In '00, I worked as a servant/fight marshall to the Cardinal's Guard and The Musketeers. From '01 to '03, I played Amalthea of the Wyrd Sisters.

In 2004, I began playing the following character:

My name is Cicilia Langley Dolce Vinatierre, Countess of Milano. After I married, my husband began calling me "cicivino" and somehow everyone now calls me that. I come from a family of fine wine dealers, or vintners. My Father was Italian, my mother was English. I was born in Italia and then raised in England . I was the only child of my parents, and I must say I did love it for I received anything I wished for. And when I didn't, I just threw a rather loud hissy fit until I got my way. That same trick seems to work even still. The wine business had made my family very rich and so when my father came across a Count from Italia who had a son only 10 years my senior, he struck a deal and married me off. My husband's name is Cesare di Vanni di Fantone Vinattiere. But who knows where he is? Last I heard he was dead…and I can't say I much care. There are far too many intrigues in this village to worry about a man who has never paid much mind to me.

I love flaunting my riches and making money from selling my cases of wine to the royals and anyone else I can swindle a few coin from. I love to gamble…I mean fund raise with my ladies. I have never claimed to be sweet and innocent, however at times, I can be very naive.
[submitted 10/14/2005]

libradragon@gmail.com

I have been a wannabe festie for most of my life - When I divorced about 11 years ago now I committed myself to become more involved with the things that interest me ... I have been working with my friends at Arms and Armor at the booth for the last 5 years or so ... I portray a 15-16 Century German Landsknecht .I am generally in the Booth most of the Day but do throw my armor on and take a couple of strolls though the Fair during the day.
I have remarried and have a teenage Daughter ... Wife Rhonda - Daughter Lauren - They both come out to Faire 3-4 times a year ... This linked picture is of my daughter, Lauren, and I in 2006
[submitted 10/26/2007]

tim_mathews@allianzlife.com

I got suckered into working out at Fest in 2001. I only planned to work out there for one weekend. Well, that weekend I quickly got drafted to be a pubmaster because we were short on pubmasters. They put me in Mac's Pub. Well, after that weekend, I was hooked and was out there every weekend as either a Irish pubmistress or an Irish pub wench. I returned to Fest in 2002 as a all run, even better Irish Pubmistress. I guess that means I am a Festie!! It is a great thing to be.

Feleena_Salenta@yahoo.com

Erin Mattson, Former Festie ~ Royal Court
Lady Sylvia Beaufort

Once upon a time a hippy named Russ Mattson needed a way to make money. Candles, he thought, would be popular and easy to make. He made some candles and sold them at various art fairs. One day his caricaturist friend Nelson told him about this Renaissance Festival in Jonathan that was kind of fun. All one needed was a burlap covered card table and some sort of costume. And so my father sold his candles at the Renaissance Festival. One day, he met a woman named Noreen at a party. They eventually had a baby girl.(me) Russell knew that he needed to build a lean-to to keep his wife and daughter in the shade while he sold candles. The lean-to eventually turned into a proper booth, and in 1986 that booth was turned into a deluxe 2-story shop.

The cards were stacked against me from the start. I was bound to a life of festival. My young self reveled in being a peasant. My friends and I did all manner of disgusting things to get attention. One day I discovered Queen Elizabeth. Then Henry, Mary, Mary, Anne and Anne, Katherine, Jane, Katherine, Katherine, Jane and Edward. They quickly became my intimate acquaintances. Then I decided to make a costume out my grandmas old drapery fabric. It turned into an obsession. I am still in counseling. I eventually took the notice of the Royal Court, and I frequented Queens Tea. During my years at King Henry's court I learned valuable life skills, such as how to mix a good gimlet, how to use the privy in a hoopskirt, when to 'clooose the gaate!' how to slap Russians, and not to mention develop an appreciation for Jeremiah Weed. It has been a great time. I am so thankful to God, Jah, the Great Spirit, or whomever is listening. It's been Faaantaastic!

msmkr@email.com