I does not seem that long. Rather, it seems like just a little while ago that Mike Knott called me and asked if I would run for president. My how time flies, And, I surely add, when you're having fun.
I have never felt burned out during the ten years of being president of The Guild of Metalsmiths. With all the help and support of so many active members who would feel overworked! The list of persons to whom I give thanks is long indeed. At the very head is my lovely wife Mary. Without her support and encouragement my tenure would have been much shorter. A big thanks goes to the vice presidents. First Gene Peirsa and then for many years Pete Stanaitis and his good counsel. The first treasurer that I served with was Denny Nilsson, then for many years Mike, Old Moneybags, Frattalone. What a source of comfort he has been to know that the finances were well looked after.
Just think of all the past and present board members who have given so much of their time and money to plan and conduct the affairs of The Guild of Metalsmiths. Just think of all the people who have served on one of the committees - Program Committee, Education Committee and the newly formed Internet Committee. What a blessing all of these folks have been to our Guild of Metalsmiths. All the things we do can be directly attributed to one of these committees and the persons serving on the committees. I must not forget the general membership. Little do you know how much I have appreciated your words and letters of support. My stomach likes the pot-luck dinners.
With so many fine people willingly giving of their skills and time it's no wonder that we have such a wonder'ful organization. I give thanks to all of you. Now it is time for a change. New Ideas, new approaches, new visions for the future.
Again I remind you of the words written on the T-shirts of the Williamsburg blacksmiths at the 1996 ABANA Conference, "By hammer and hand do all arts stand." I'll see you at the next meeting, and the next, and the next, and....
I don't know about you, but at the fall conference this year I had just about the best time ever. The Washington County Fair Grounds is the best choice for a site. We had lots of room in the livestock building and, of course, we were out of the wind. What a good idea to have camping facilities. A whole bunch of people set up camp for the weekend.
Everyone that I talked to thought that the meals were just fine and they really liked the idea of having meals on site. A few people did ask that next year we sell individual meal tickets. But that is such a bookkeeping hassle. Perhaps someone will volunteer for the job next year.
Two demonstrators were working at the same time through out the weekend. Joe De La Ronde demonstrated south western U.S. style of iron work and Gene Tokheim demonstrated making traditional Norwegian knives. All I heard were tavorable reports about both of them.
As usual the hands on forging stations were a big hit. These stations produced some extra smoke and noise, but then that goes with the territory. It sure was a novel idea for John Moriarity to set up his soft serve ice cream machine and give out free ice cream on Saturday.
As usual the anvil toss contest turned out to be a big giggle. The fence hook making contest sparked a lot of intense and creative pounding on iron. Probably one of the most important parts of the whole thing is the social aspect of just being together.