E-Mail News - of the Appalachian Area Chapter of Blacksmiths.
Volume 2, Issue 6. June 5, 2007
The fine print:
If you have received this e-mail with your name in the “To” list, it is because you have been identified as the contact for your local forge.
Others that wish to receive these periodic e-mails from the Chapter, should provide their name, e-mail address and Local Chapter affiliation to me and I will add their name to the "cc" list. Any that would like to be removed form the cc: list should send me a short e-mail (politely) requesting me to cease and desist, or something similar.
NOTE: The LATEST Issues of this newsletter are to be maintained on our new website for your information and use. The LINK to our site is: http://appalachiablacksmiths.com and pick “Newsletter” from the menu – pick the “E-Mail News” button with the latest date. I plan to keep the latest three issues posted.
Another Note: If you have moved, or change your address, please contact the Treasurer (Lonnie Farmer) to make the change so that we save postage by not sending the hardcopy newsletters to the wrong address. Thanks.
THIS ISSUE:
1 News
a. Choo Choo Forge Meeting date
b. Madison Conference Review
c. AACB Newsletter
d. The Complete Blacksmith Shop Raffle Results
2 Steering Committee
3 2007 AACB Meeting Dates – Calendar – Virtually Final
4 AACB Website – Up to Date and Current
5 AACB Library
6 Safety
News
I know this is a busy time of year for everyone, and the price of gas is getting up there, but I hope to see you at the June meeting in Chattanooga.
AACB meeting hosted by the Choo-Choo Forge – The Choo-Choo Forge will host a Regional meeting on June 9th this year. I do not know the start time for sure, but in the past the program has started at 9:00 am local time, if I recall correctly. There will be Iron In the Hat and a Family Program. Jamie Tyree of Bluff City TN will be the demonstrator. He is a professional blacksmith that works with a catalog restoration company. He will demonstrate items such as door hardware & colonial lighting. Local contact is Charles Henderson President, Choo Choo Forge 423-495-1288.
The Madison Conference – was a great success!! Approximately 400 blacksmiths attended and a good time was had by all. Some lab pups were born on Friday night under one of the tailgate sales trailers and by Saturday evening a foster home had been found for mother and litter (Thanks go to Cindy and Michelle for the great second effort). The Memorial Ceremony for Floyd Daniel and others who had passed recently, held in conjunction with shooting the anvil, was especially moving. Quite a Conference!!
AACB Newsletter - Are there any volunteers out there that would like to take on being the Newsletter Editor for a while? Anyone have any articles?
The Complete Blacksmith Shop Raffle – raised a good amount after expenses. The shop was won by Alan Kress and the second prize of a toolbox full of tools was won by our own Ed Caflisch.
Steering Committee
As soon as I can get my act together I will coordinate and schedule a meeting of those interested in participating in steering the AACB into the future.
We have had several volunteers from a couple of local forges commit to spending one Saturday this coming Spring (hopefully they will still be interested in a summer meeting) in a team meeting planning the future of the AACB. (I have good intentions, at least.)
I will set up a meeting in the near future with the volunteers and Officers – trying to find a date that MOST can accommodate, and then I will send invitations to all the other local forges to see who else may be willing and able to participate in the discussions, as well.
Here is your opportunity to be able to actively participate in the workings of the AACB.
2007 AACB Meeting Dates – Calendar – As It Stands
I now have dates that local forges are planning to host a regional meeting and dates for other significant events.
The Choo-Choo Forge will host a Regional meeting on June 9th this year. Their will be Iron In the Hat and a Family Program. The meeting will be in Chattanooga June 9th. Jamie Tyree of Bluff City TN will be the demonstrator. He is a professional blacksmith that works with a catalog restoration company. Will demonstrate items such as door hardware & colonial lighting. Thanks, Charles Henderson President, Choo Choo Forge 423-495-1288
The Clinch River Blacksmith joint meeting will be July 21, 2007. The July 21 meeting will be held at same location as last year. That address is House Mountain Baptist Church, 8621 Washington Pike, Corryton,TN. 37721. My contact phone number is 865-281-9868.
FGBA will host the September meeting on Sep 22, 2007. At Lebanon – see the details elsewhere in this newsletter.
The meeting at John C. Campbell Folk School will be on November 3, 2007 this coming year.
And, the December Christmas meeting is scheduled for December 1st . A family Program is being planned. Other details are being worked out – I will include them as soon as they are finalized.
Let me know of other important meeting or event dates as soon as you know them.
AACB Website – Up to Date and Current
Everyone needs to remember the AACB website. The address is www.appalachiablacksmiths.com. The website is being kept VERY up to date and all the information on upcoming meetings and forms and news are posted as soon as the information is available. Go and check it out.
AACB Library
No one has stepped forward as a volunteer to be our Librarian yet. Any volunteers?
Safety
It is that time of year where the heat will work on you, while you work. It takes a conscious awareness to keep cool and hydrated during the heat of summer. So stay aware and act prudently so you are able to work all day, every day.
I encourage you to be safe in ALL things.
Forge On,
Mitch Latsch
President,
Appalachian Area Chapter of Blacksmiths
June 5, 2007