Newbie with lots of questions!

[LadyBrynne]

hey all!!!!

my friend and i are seriously interested in joining this excellent sisterhood :D ...but we have a few questions!
1)we are from central illinois and we were wondering where, if there are, any local chapters that are close to us?
2)if there are any faires close within an hours drive or so, that have wenching activity because the only faire that we know of is the jubilee college olde english faire, we haven't been yet but we know people who have gone and there isn't any wenching going on that we've heard of?
3)what all does wenching entail? :D

i think that we've got all of our questions up for now but we'll post anymore that we might have because we want to be active :D members of this sisterhood!

[KissMeKate]

Hello almost Wenches!

Well, depending on where in central IL you are, you can pick to be part of Local 34, which has a hostel and activities at the Bristol Renaissance Faire, or Local 77, which is near the KY border. As the procedure is set right now, you would be assigned to Local 34, simply because you are from Illinois.

There are plenty of threads about wenching and some of our activities, plus read through the articles and other pages available on the main IWG website (outside the forums), and the Local 34 posts. When you join, your Little Brown Book will detail many of the "standard" wench activities including Wench Walks, Rose Tag, and in general, how to make men melt. :D

Although there may not be organized and sanctioned Hostel or Wench activities at every Faire, you can always stroll around and be wenchly. But as always, we do ask that if you do get and wear a Guild pin, and (depending on where you are) keep your activities and behavior appropriate. This can mean PG in some areas and up to NC-17 in others (although this is usually in areas marked for adults only). Remember most Faires are family oriented and we don't want to be blamed for "traumatizing" children. Also remember that teasing and subtlety can be much sexier than anything blatant.

There will likely be a Bristol invasion to Jubilee this year. Besides that, I have found Faires in Urbana (Labor Day weekend), Southern Illinois Ren Faire in Murphysboro (tba - October), Stronghold in Oregon, IL (Oct. 1-2), and Four Kingdoms in Rock Island (also October). And Bristol is just across the border in WI and runs July-Labor Day.

You can also send me a PM if you would like more information about Local 34.

Whew!
Welcome to the madness!

[daBaroness]

St. Louis faire is coming up in just a few weeks - and it's not a bad drive from central Illinois.

[Ysobelle]

Actually, we've been talking about a Wench FAQ for a while now, and trying to gather a list of questions. So lemme ask everyone in general-- what questions did you have when you joined the Guild? What do you wish you'd known earlier? What do you still not know? What do you think everyone else should know?

[KissMeKate]

Nice catch Baroness, don't know how I forgot that one. There will be plenty of local and Bristol wenches there on every weekend too. Look for us in booths, on stages, and wandering about! The Honey shop (which is fab!) has a local wench and is about the closest thing to a Hostel right now (at least that I know of).

[Myfanawy]

As a new wench here myself, first of all let me say thank you to all the fellow wenches who have made my arrival here a pleasant one. I look very much forward to learning more of the wenching ways, and hopefully meeting some of you in person ASAP. (Too bad the AZ faire's over for the season....)

The Little Brown Book has been most helpful in explaining lots of terms and such I wasn't sure of. However, I couldn't find "fiending" in the book (and later had it explained to me here. Maybe something to include in the next edition...?) Little things like that. I think an FAQ section is a marvelous idea for new wenches. I'm sure I'm going to have many questions arising as I become more involved. One thing I had to dig around a bit here for was what my local chapter was (before my membership card arrived.) Another thing I'm really interested in are wench walks--they sound devilishly fun, and I'm eager to go on my first official one--a section on that might be helpful for incoming wenches.

Well, that's really all I can think of at the moment, but like I said, the FAQ section sounds great. You've got my vote.

Regards--Myfanawy (a humble, but tempting tart!)

[Ysobelle]

Keep 'em coming-- I'm collecting them all.


(Once I get the whole set, I can trade with my friends!)

[Ariel]

I think any FAQ should have more details on the elections and the roles of the madames and vice madames, as well as information as to who currently holds those positions.

[Emrld]

I also think a list of faires and their city/ state-
If available their website
(This is a thought not trying to make more work for someone - I don't do websites so if I what I suggest is work - then do it in a way that isn't work)
A US map where you click on a state or even an area to find out what the local fair would be.
Then we can see what is avaiable when we travel or even make travel plans
If a website is not available then which local it would fall under so that a wench could ask questions about the fair

[Emma nic Gunn]

I think a list of faires is essential! (Trust someone trying to figure it out!)
Also, maybe a list of ranks, a more detailed list of chapters (Local #9 wasn't on the website)? I was also wondering, if I can wear regular clothes to faires (until large funds miraculously come my way!).