Winter Revelry Updates! Regionals!

Unto our Realms Community,

Now that the stage lights have dimmed, and our Winter Revelry has been heard loud and long, allowing for the light in our heats to keep away the darkness, I wanted to say a few words.  

And it is with great pride and humility, I have to say a lot more than a few words.

This event is a testimonial to our Realms family.  The number of people who have stepped up in the planning and execution of this event, the outpouring of energy and dedication to making this event what it became, has been humbling. I have never had such a great staff and had an event run so smoothly in preparation and execution.  There were many challenges, and as the challenges came, we pivoted to meet them head on.  As gaps or difficulties occurred, so many rose to the challenges and helped us to sail over them with some ease.  I spent three full days hearing the laughter and cheer of so many.

This is what these Holidays are meant to be.

I want to thank everyone who came out, braved the cold, and celebrated this occasion with us.  This was done for all of you, and with you and your energy and light was so needed by this old soul.  We have shown the merit of our community and the individuals within it.

I want to thank my fellow Event Holders, James and Hillary, for helping to take what started as a one day event concept and helped to plan and manage our 3 day extravaganza.

I want to thank Megan Matulewicz as Feast Manager for Saturday food (which spilled quite a bit to Friday and Sunday).  It is her mastery of the kitchen that kept us focused, under budget, and with a top notch array of constant food despite some last minute very difficult kitchen issues.  Her ability to coordinate her chaos, and for taming it in myself, I will always be in awe and appreciation of. I want to thank everyone who contributed to the Pot luck and food for Friday, for helping to kick off the event, and to David Rubenstein as Kitchen Manager for Sunday and his amazing hot sandwiches which kept us going.

There were so many people who stepped up and helped out the kitchen, from karting food, dish cleaning, to running between the Tavern and the house (we had to use the house stove to help provide the meals you all enjoyed)... thank you all.  We could not have done this without you and it is your dedication and support that allows our events to happen.

Thank you for Liz and Matt Butler for running our Registration, carding for drinks, COVID contact list, and for coming up with (and executing) the great regionals we had.   It is not glamourous work, but it is at the core of what makes and event.

Thank you to Sarah Fournier and all the crew who ran the bar.   The preparation, the menu... it was all so well done.  You had the bar running for 2 days full.  There was only 1 shattered glass I know about:  that's fantastic!!!  What I heard was laughter and merriment, and your crew were there to make it all epic.

Thank you to all the bar patrons.  You manner and control added to elevate our event, thank you for your responsible drinking.

Thank you to Crystal Welch for Managing the Cornix Plot and Pageantry.   She was (and is) the powerhouse behind the character, the judging, the flow of events for Saturday, The managing of the Cornix Giveaway.   She (seemingly) tirelessly pushes through to make these roles and functions happen, and I am humbled every time at how she is able to add the minor touches to provide such positive energy to anything she touches.  It is always an honor and privilege to work with her.  Her Theater Managing professional skill and personality always adds to an event, and this event is no exception.

Thank you to Kelly Bonci for organizing and managing the Yule Gift Swap and the Charity Auction.   You efforts have over the years brought some of the most memorable parts of our Realms winter parties, and your continued work of greatness is what makes events special.  Thank you for all or this and your support of the other aspects of our event.

Special thank you to Becky Baron and Emily Murphy.  The decorations, the Cornix gifts, the last minute helps and check ins, the preparation and coordination... you are both the backbone of events.  I cannot thank either of you enough for what you contribute.

Thank you to Tucker Noyes and Pat Bobell for the Adventurer's Guild coming in and setting up the questing for Saturday.  Your efforts add so much to events.  You help to keep people engaged and ad such color and depth to how events run and feel.  Thank you to everyone who NPCd.   It was cold, the Mod Building was even colder.  And you were there to help warm up the blood and challenge! Well met to all.

Thank you to Jennifer Gallagher for providing Cub Club.  Children and having solid activities for our younger adventurers can be very difficult.  Your drive and coordination of Cub Club adds so much to our community.  Thank you so much for coming and for providing your help.

Thank you to Dennis Coffey and the Pater Yule Crew for this continued staple of the Realms community.  It was a bit different this year, but all of the children who came seemed in wonder and happy at Pater Yule's prescence.  Thank you for your time, your dedication to his annual visit.

Thank you to the James and all the dealers at the Clontarf Casino who ran 3 Stacked Deck Poker tournaments, and had both Blackjack and Let-It-Ride going at different times.   The Casino is another aspect of our game that helps us in many seen and unseen ways.  Your focus and time to this type of commerce and tournament is vital to the Realms and our general enjoyment.

I want to thank Cat Brooks, the new Site owner for Ye Olde Commons. Your flexibility and ability to respond to questions and problems really made the event less stressful and was very appreciated.

I want to thank anyone who is not specifically mentioned.   We had close to 35 staff and countless people stepping up last minute, and it was this support that allowed us to create such an epic event.  thank you to all of you.