 | President's Message for September 2001 |
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September 2001 Dear ABANA Chapter Members and Officers, The blacksmithing community has been busy on the chapter level since I wrote my last letter. CanIron III, sponsored by the Western Canadians and the Saskatchewan Crafts Council, held at the Western Development Museum, North Battleford, Saskatchewan was a wonderful conference in the tradition of the previous CanIrons. Canada has come a long way in spirit and organization with just three conferences and are looking to further extend their organizations' reach and educational opportunities. More on that in the next issue of The Anvil's Ring. John and Nancy Little from Canada, Mike and Robin Boone from the US, Bob and Mary Patrick from the US, and Shona Johnson and Peter Hill from Scotland were just some of the demonstrators. Many other demonstrators showed their best stuff and innovations, and all attendees had a great time and learned much. Dorothy Stiegler and Will Hightower were also there, showing ABANA support of the conference and the smithing community to the north. CanIron IV will be hosted by the Ontario Artist Blacksmith Association in July 2003 at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. Based on the past three, this one will only be better, and there have been many others and even more to come. Check out the ABANA web site, chapter newsletters and other calendars for more events during this productive and busy fall season. I got a chance to attend a fund raiser for Peter's Valley Craft Education Center, the Wrought Iron Conference in Dover, DE, and other meetings of the NJ and PA chapters. All great events. There never has been more activities than now. The Boy Scouts have re-instituted blacksmithing in their merit badge program. The new metalwork merit badge includes blacksmith, founder, silversmith and sheet metal mechanic/tinsmith as options to pursue after completing introductory requirements to learn about metallurgy. The requirements and more information will be listed on the ABANA web site soon. To become a merit badge counselor, contact your local Boy Scout Council (listed in the phone book) or go to www.scouting.org, then local chapters, and then use the local chapter locator to find the chapter nearest you. They can give you information on becoming merit badge counselor, or drop me a line and I will help. More information will be in the latest Hammer's Blow and also in the upcoming Fall The Anvil's Ring. The ABANA library is getting a new home. The National Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis, TN is raising funds through a capital campaign for their new library. To be housed in the "White Building" on site this library will be the best metal arts library in the world when finished. As part of their mission, the River Bluff Forge Council is holding an auction in conjunction with Repair Days on 20 October at the Museum to support the Museum's campaign. Money raised will be matched by an anonymous charitable organization. For more information contact the Museum at (901) 774-6389 (www.metalmuseum.org) or RBFC president Richard Carr at (901) 872-4009. And if possible join many fellow smiths at Repair Days. The event is lots of fun, fellowship, food, and work for a worthwhile cause. As I write this, the news of the World Trade Center, Pentagon and hijacking terrorist attacks today casts a painful and somber pall over all that Americans, indeed all decent persons in the world, think and do. Please remember all those involved and affected in your thoughts and prayers over the coming days and months. God Bless America. Safe and productive forging
Doug Learn, President |