Over the weekend, Reggie (Bertonelli) and I had the great pleasure of joining several friends for a photo shoot at a nearby castle. The castle was built during the  1930's by the WPA, and sits atop the highest point for many miles, giving it a grand view of the surrounding lands. Photographers from the Wichita photograpy club were on hand to do what they do. I couldn't give and accurate count, but I believe at least a half dozen photogs where on hand...as were many unsuspecting mundanes who just showed up at the park. I'm looking foreward to seeing the shots when they are posted, and until then am throwing up the few that I took during the day.

Our community lost one of it's most beloved  this past weekend, when Jim Gasser was taken from us, taken far too soon. Few, if any of us, will ever have the pleasure of meeting and knowing a kinder soul than Jim. He will be missed by very many of us.

This past Saturday saw the feast of Carnivale at the country club where I work. The members who attended had a grand time, as I believe, did the performers who lent their skills for the evening. The evening began with an hour of wine and appetizers, and then moved on to a five course feaste. During the courses the Doge and his guests were treated to belly dancers, madrigals, harp music, and sword play provided by the Doge's guards. I do wish to thank my friends who made this possible; the royal court of Blingenstein (from Wichita), the Doge, court of Savoy, and royal guards (all from KC), Amira's dancers (Wichita), my friends Sir Randolph and Lord Robert of Artois, Lady Diane and Frau Helga (who dressed our servers), and of course my kinsmen, Vittorio Vital and the dangerous Bertonelli.

  This past week my brother (who has never been to a ren faire) has been in visiting from Dublin, and since he runs a photography school, we decided to take advantage of his skills, dress him up in garb, and head to a nearby "castle" built in the 30's by the WPA. The day was bitterly cold and windy (it IS January, it IS Kansas!), so we decided to forego the intended outdoor shots, but did get some great feast shots inside, where the warmth of the fireplace at least took the frost off of the stone walls.

  As our midwinter feaste this year is set in Venice, we have decided to make it in the spirit of Carnival! Masked performers as well as patrons. Since anonymity does breed confidence, and brings out the self usually hidden from the eyes of the world, this should make for a VERY interesting evening! We have finally set the menu in it's finished form. Appetizer - Carpacio of tenderloin. First course - Angel hair pasta with shrimp, artichokes and asperagus. Third course - chicken brochettes marinated in fresh rosemary and garlic, served with a white bean cassollet. Fourth Course - Morroccan Chicken spiced with cinnamon and apricots, and served with cous cous. And for desert - individual riccotta tarts flavored with almond and golden raisins soaked in brandy, served with a side of kadota figs in a port wine sauce.

  As last year, the last week of the dinner, any open seats will be made available to the public.