 | President's Message for June 2001 |
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June 2001 Dear ABANA Chapter Members and Officers, The first IronFest in Grapevine, Texas, June 1-3, 2001 was a great success! IronFest was sponsored in part by ABANA, with the North Texas Blacksmith's Association serving as the host chapter. This is part of ABANA's program of sponsoring off-conference year regional events to promote blacksmithing in different parts of the country. Other chapters involved with the event included: Salt Fork Craftsmen Artist Blacksmiths Association, HABA and the Texas Artist Blacksmith's Association. This regional blacksmithing event had over 175 registered attendees from all over the United States. Lead demonstrations were conducted by Frank Turley, Wendel Broussard, Mike Boone and Jeff Mohr. Other blacksmiths also demonstrated in the public area, including Bill Bastas, Doug Hendrickson, Richard Rumph, and a host of volunteers from the Houston Area Blacksmith's Association. I have seen most of these smiths demonstrate, and know several personally. This was a dynamite line-up and all of us who missed this one missed a lot. Dave Wilson, his conference committee and all the members of these chapters did a great job organizing and executing this conference. Great demonstrators, great weather and great blacksmithing fellowship. This is what blacksmithing and ABANA is all about. Congratulations to all of those who were involved and all those who attended. We look forward to IronFest II! CanIron III was just held over the weekend and I will report on that event next month. Check out the "Chapter" page on the web site for highlights as they come in. On a sad note, Jane, the widow of Emmert Studebaker passed away in March. On behalf of ABANA, I express my sympathies to the families and friends of this man and his wife. On a happier note Judd Nelson is 90 years young. Judd, a founding member of ABANA and still active in life and blacksmithing had a big birthday bash on June 23rd at his home in Georgia. The 2002 ABANA Conference planning is well under way and promises to be a great one. Bill Fiorini and his committee are working very hard to organize a great conference. "Forging Traditions" is the theme of this conference and will feature demonstrators from all over the world. Keep an eye on the ABANA web site, The Anvil's Ring, Hammer's Blow and your e-mail for more information. We are working on enhancing the ability of the editors to publish information on the 2002 Conference in your newsletters and chapter web sites, and that information will be forthcoming in the next few months. Please look back at my letter from April, requesting input from the chapters. To date we have gotten very little response. We need your feedback on what and how we are doing. Send those comments to either myself, Bob Fredell, the Central Office or any board member. Thanks! Safe and productive forging
Doug Learn, President |