evolution of a community

[rengypsy]

this weekend's gathering was phenominal.  it was filled with spirit and soul.  the music both nights was over the top.  VaNa MaZi played friday night--nothing less than spectacular.  and then saturday, after a grand pot luck at ye olde trip to jerusalem, we found our way to the seven sisters for a spiritual night of drumming and fire spinning.  our drummers were the best.  some of us ended up listening to music and poetry on the deck of the new pub with candles lighting our way.  

the day saturday had volunteers spreading mulch and planting trees and flowers.  it was beautiful.  there were members of clans who had volunteered to bring out a bull dozer and clear land for new clan camping.  there were others strewn throughout the faire grounds prepping their campsites.  it was a real testamony to the spirit of sherwood.

george and i want to thank you.  we do truly love this community we are all building.

and yet with the evolution of community come hurdles and obstacles we must overcome together.  it's a natural progression.

this weekend, there were several disturbing events that occurred that i want all to be aware of...as we are together in this venture.

we had a lot of first timers at our gathering.  they do not have the historic perspective of the building of sherwood around core values and principles.  they see the "party", but are unaware of the soul.  and we are very much about the soul of sherwood.
one young man was heard saying, "yeah, i come to all of these gatherings and never lift a finger to help or do any work on volunteer days."  and he laughed like that was some accomplishment he should be proud of.

another report was of some guys standing on the round table constructed by the Dragons of the Round urinating on the table late saturday night.

still another newcomer was sitting with us on the floor of the three stags as our troubadors and minstrils entertained and zane quoted tom bombadil to us from memory.  he began to heckle zane.  i quickly intervened and suggested that if he did not realize this experience was what we had gathered there for that night, he should consider whether this was the place for him.  others around also chastised his arrogance and rudeness.  he became quiet and eventually apologized.

we had folks' phones stolen for the first time.  brian, as he had done on every previous occassion, left his cell phone charging at the pub.  others left thirs laying around...and someone stole them.  i remember last year while i sat at the seven sisters early on a sunday after a drumming session around the fire that previous night there was this guy who wandered up saying he was looking for ground scores.  i asked him what that was...and he told me it was picking up items people had lost or dropped.  i informed him there are not ground scores in sherwood--that we are a community and we watch out for tour neighbors things.  what a self-centered arrogant concept.

we each need to be protectors, stewards, of the sacredness we are creating within sherwood.  we need to stand up when fools around us descecrate our spiritual community.  we like to party--no doubt; but, we believe in a reverence of the soul, of the values of civility.  we believe that everyone should bring their best to the fire circle.  

this is our community.  this is our sacred ground. this is our experiement with what good and decent people can build from a well of hope and desire and aspirations.  it is not a rave.  it is not a hell-bent party place.  it is our sanctuary.  our hope of a way of life that will endure long after we are gone...and a community which we will entrust into the hands of generations to come.

so, dear brothers and sisters, when you see someone among us not bringing their best...encourage them to do so.  when you see someone among us disrespecting what we are about, speak up.  we will mentor and teach, but if they are uninterested, then we will move them on.  

sherwood is yours.  hold and embrace and protect this beautiful place.

much love,

rengypsy

[KiltedPrivateer]

i quickly intervened and suggested that if he did not realize this experience was what we had gathered there for that night, he should consider whether this was the place for him.

The perfect way to handle such nuisances.  I applaud you and hope others will learn from this.

Though some of us are quick to anger, many times it is best to get the individual to reflect upon themselves and hopefully see with their own eyes that their actions are not appreciated.

The hurtful reality is that there will always be free loaders.  They will work the hardest at avoiding work and living off of those of us who put forth the effort to make the world around us a better place.  Vultures.  Although, vultures (the actual bird) have their place in the world, I'm not too sure about the human ones (o:

[Queen Bonnie]

 So sad to hear of the disturbing events. Sherwood is such a special place. I have a very hard time with anyone treating it with disrespect! I enjoyed the gathering although I was only there Sat PM. I was recovering from a bug.  Huzzah to all the good friends and fellowship experienced at the gatherings!

[*Teach*]

i quickly intervened and suggested that if he did not realize this experience was what we had gathered there for that night, he should consider whether this was the place for him.

The perfect way to handle such nuisances.  I applaud you and hope others will learn from this.

Though some of us are quick to anger, many times it is best to get the individual to reflect upon themselves and hopefully see with their own eyes that their actions are not appreciated.

The hurtful reality is that there will always be free loaders.  They will work the hardest at avoiding work and living off of those of us who put forth the effort to make the world around us a better place.  Vultures.  Although, vultures (the actual bird) have their place in the world, I'm not too sure about the human ones (o:

Ditto all of that.
I don't pretend that I can be there every time. I don't get out there near as much as I want to at all. I certainly would not go out to party on a work weekend when I didn't plan to work to start with.
I truly love Sherwood and all it has grown to be. I never want to see it ruined like the fire circle at TRF had been.

*Rum parties when rum is supposed to party*

[PollyPoPo]

My little shovel is not much use against the mountains of mulch so I leave that to the younger and the stronger.  I settled for planting a few bulbs for next spring and hope it rains some between now and first week of Faire.

For only the second time I was able to stay for the gathering.  It was a most joyous time.  To the drummers, didgeridoo and guitar players, fire spinners, and dancers, many thanks for the music and memories.

[Merlin the Elder]

My distance from the faire make it exceedingly difficult to come to be part of the work parties, but nonetheless, I hold Sherwood in great respect and admiration.  Even only being able to attend one weekend a year, we've come to feel as though we are part of the community, thanks, in large part, to the welcoming we have received from you, George, and Mike.

To have someone come only to desecrate that which you have worked to hard to build is unfathomable.  Might I suggest the use of the stocks for such miscreants? (said only partly in jest)

[maeven]

So sad to hear about things like this going on. It's bad apples like that who kinda ruin the experience for everyone. Sherwood is a place quite unlike TRF. While I love TRF and the times I have there, I also know that Sherwood is a different experience all its own. We would love to go out there to help and enjoy others' company, but with an infant, it's a little hard... lol. But even so, the good times come later. Heck, the good times can even be had while working, but still, there is work that has to be done. Hopefully things like that are isolated incidents and don't develop into an ongoing problem.

And if that does happen, I'm sure a tomato toss structure can be fashioned quickly and all who act like crazies can have tomatoes thrown at them... LOL

[rengypsy]

i want to clarify something.  we do not expect everyone to volunteer.  no way.  we appreciate those who do, but know a thousand conflicts people have...anything from age, to kids, to ailments, to work conflicts, to distance. 

all we ask is that when you come to sherwood, you bring your best.

my comment about the young man claiming he always came and never helped was more about his attitude--that somehow he wore that fact as a medal of honor to boast about to others.  and that is by no means bringing one's best to the fire circle.

we want yall all to come whenever you can for as long as you can.

attending the evening potluck and campfire drumming is in no way contigent upon you volunteering during the day. 

please, please never let your inability to volunteer stop you from enjoying in our community.

[Merlin the Elder]

...
please, please never let your inability to volunteer stop you from enjoying in our community.

We feel the community when we're able to make the trip through your gates during faire season. We greatly appreciate your hospitality...

[maeven]

i want to clarify something.  we do not expect everyone to volunteer.  no way.  we appreciate those who do, but know a thousand conflicts people have...anything from age, to kids, to ailments, to work conflicts, to distance. 

all we ask is that when you come to sherwood, you bring your best.

my comment about the young man claiming he always came and never helped was more about his attitude--that somehow he wore that fact as a medal of honor to boast about to others.  and that is by no means bringing one's best to the fire circle.

we want yall all to come whenever you can for as long as you can.

attending the evening potluck and campfire drumming is in no way contigent upon you volunteering during the day. 

please, please never let your inability to volunteer stop you from enjoying in our community.

Oh, no no no! That was never my intention to imply that. Unfortunately, having a cold tends to fog up one's head and what makes sense up in the noggin tends to look funny in print! lol... Like Merlin said, every time we come through your gates, we feel very welcome and we definitely feel the sense of community. Your hospitality is always wonderful and we thank you for it.

[scarletnyx]

I tried to think of something to say to this, and after about an hour of thinking I just could not think of anything else to say... Besides the typical " We need to watch ourselves/spread the spirit " better. I think sometimes people get used to the "large" faires, and what they entail in their camps, and don't stop to think that smaller faires may be different.


I know Sherwood can grow, while at the same time still having the quality that it has now.

[rengypsy]

we have the best faire community in the states. we are new, but we are comprised of old souls.  we are aligned with each other.  we enjoy the company of each other.  we believe in the intrinsic good of mankind...and also respect diversity of ideas.  neither george nor i are concerned about the bumps in the road along the long haul to building with each of you the ideal faire community.  we have seen other faires over decades of years become less and less about the spirit and heart of what faire is about...and have committed to never veering away from our original objectives of family, community, authenticity, and fun.  we will always see each of you as integral creators and community members of sherwood.  huzzah!!!!

[Merlin the Elder]

We'll always be there with you, at least in spirit.

[scarletnyx]

we have the best faire community in the states. we are new, but we are comprised of old souls.  we are aligned with each other.  we enjoy the company of each other.  we believe in the intrinsic good of mankind...and also respect diversity of ideas.  neither george nor i are concerned about the bumps in the road along the long haul to building with each of you the ideal faire community.  we have seen other faires over decades of years become less and less about the spirit and heart of what faire is about...and have committed to never veering away from our original objectives of family, community, authenticity, and fun.  we will always see each of you as integral creators and community members of sherwood.  huzzah!!!!

I see this every single time I walk into the gates of Sherwood. My husband and I feel that home atmosphere everywhere, and are so grateful for people such as you that keep the dream alive. I'm sure it hasn't been the easiest thing, but just know you have our full support!

[rengypsy]

believe me when i say this...as it is from the heart...and something we believe:  george and i are mere caretakers of a flame that we are gave life to.  we feel the community and are privileged to be a part of what is becoming SHERWOOD.  it is here we choose to be and will hopefully live and raise our children among yours.

[Lord Virgo]

HUZZAH!!!! to that Rengysy

[Raissa Charron]

we have the best faire community in the states. we are new, but we are comprised of old souls.  we are aligned with each other.  we enjoy the company of each other.  we believe in the intrinsic good of mankind...and also respect diversity of ideas.  neither george nor i are concerned about the bumps in the road along the long haul to building with each of you the ideal faire community.  we have seen other faires over decades of years become less and less about the spirit and heart of what faire is about...and have committed to never veering away from our original objectives of family, community, authenticity, and fun.  we will always see each of you as integral creators and community members of sherwood.  huzzah!!!!

That we are, old souls are we.  Entwined over the eons, never to be separated.

I am so looking forward to being able to be among family again...  I am counting the days, the hours...  I, too, have been among those who have tried, valiantly so, to get up there for gatherings to be with my family of beloved friends. I had scheduled a weekend on the 11th of this month and promptly got sick. Good intentions though they be, oft get tumbled down the rabbit hole of reality.  I take my state boards for my nursing license this Saturday. After I pass & run out of there literally SHRIEKING with delight you, my family of friends, are my reward. The gypsies Charron, the fortunes of Valen, will be in attendance. And Raissa their queen will be with them.