Demonstration and Open Forge at Nowthen Threshing Show: August 20-22, 2021
Guild members will be demonstrating blacksmithing to the public on the Nowthen Historical Power Association grounds north of Anoka during the annual threshing show. The dates are August 20, 21, and 22. The blacksmith shop has 5 forging stations, and we’ll be working in shifts to cover 8:00-5:00 Friday, 8:00-5:00 Saturday, and 8:00-4:00 Sunday. Coal will be provided. Bring your own tools and projects to demonstrate our fascinating craft to the general public.
There will be a signup sheet at the August 11 membership meeting, or people can email the event champion, Christina Dodge. Volunteer early and you’ll be given a pass into the show and your choice of demo time(s). Drop-ins are welcome, too. Just might need to wait a bit for a forge to open up.
Bring family or friends, there are a lot of interesting things going on that weekend: tractor pulls and a tractor parade each day, steam engines firing up, sawmill running, food and beverages and demonstrations of historic village activities, industries and crafts along with the main event, threshing demonstrations.
Please contact Christina Dodge at:
christina.guildmbr@gmail.com
Membership Meeting/CornFeed/Pig Roast: August 11, 2021
Join your smithing friends and families as we gather once again to celebrate summer with a potluck meal and membership meeting Wednesday, August 11, 6:30 p.m. at Dan Pate’s farm. It includes Herb Fick’s hog barbeque, potluck dishes by YOU (the membership), and sweet corn prepared by our new “corn cook,” Larry Sorenson. And thank you to Dick and Irma Carlson for handling the sweet corn for the past umpteen years! Herb adds: “Of course the early arrivals will help shuck the corn. We hope for a lot of early arrivals.”
Herb, the champion for this meeting, says the pig is ordered, he has his pit crew ready, and he’s got Brendan Stevens for a demonstration. Myron has offered his demo forge kit, and Kim Maas (TGoM’s Volunteer Coordinator) has put out a call for volunteers to help prep the grounds and clean up the day after the meeting (see page 2).
Herb says: “I am nominally in charge. That means little. Jesse and Taya (Gavin) really do a lot of the work, as in having the supplies, tables and chairs there. There is a regular cadre that shows up to support them.”
Sidenote: Herb would appreciate email from those willing to confirm participation in the pre-meeting grounds cleanup. It takes a few volunteers to shift the cars around and do the mowing, tree trimming, and using the forge time available in the afternoon.
Last year (2020) Dan bought an event tent for the night. We all know how that worked out. In addition, our host, Dan, has always had something new to show as he offers to demonstrate most everything in his shop. This is key for Herb because Dan’s tool set and skill set is way different from the typical member of our group, and he has wondrous techniques to share.
Contact Herb with questions about the meeting, herb@phyque.com
Volunteers needed to help make this meeting a repeated success. Contact Kim with questions about volunteering: tgom.volunteer@gmail.com
Dan Pate's Shop: 35730 Hiway 56 Blvd, Dennison, MN 55108
TGoM Spring Hammer-In: June 18-20, 2021
— From Wayne Olson
In-Person Meeting Plan: June 9, 2021
As was published in the May Forum, for the June meeting (barring any major changes in the pandemic) we will be gathering at "The Landing" in Shakopee. We are following the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines as to how many people we have in attendance. Right now that has been changed to 50 people indoors with social distancing, and no specific limits to outdoor gatherings. Because of this we no longer need to keep a list of those who plan on attending.
I appreciate very much those who responded to Kim and let her know. The recommendations also talked about those who are not yet vaccinated, and any one who is concerned continue to wear a mask at gatherings. Take care of yourself, and take care of others, might be another way to think of it.
I realize this is frustrating, troublesome and possibly other things, but the committee feels this is the most responsible way to have an in-person meeting at this time.
For the meeting itself Myron will bring a forge and demonstrate either leaf key chain fobs, or calla lilies, and Bob Brown will demonstrate the blown over leaf scroll, as was used in Mark Pearce's candelabra and is used in railings fences and grills.
There will still be No Pot Luck. Bring food & drink only for yourselves or eat beforehand. Again this is due to pandemic concerns. We have lost too many people to not take this simple precaution. We will need to socially distance ourselves, and we strongly encourage the use of masks.
As I said last month I want to see everyone, but for a long time to come, not just right now.I look forward to seeing folks. Thank you for your continued patience.
View the Three Rivers Parks website (of which The Landing is a part) at the link below: https://www.threeriversparks.org/location/landing
— From Derrick Phillips
February 2021
Last meeting was the Pete Stanaitis shop tour in February 2021. Enjoy.