Blacksmiths' Guild of the Potomac Inc.

BGOP SPRING FLING 2010

2009-09-15T20:19:00.005-04:00

THE BLACKSMITHS’ GUILD of the POTOMAC Inc

Announces

Spring Fling April 16 thru18, 2010
Gates open 3pm Friday April 16

We again invite you to join us in at our traditional SPRING FLING, a two and a half day blacksmithing event with demonstrations, tailgating and story telling. The Berryville, VA. Ruritan Fairgrounds gives us ample tailgating and camping space NOTE : THE FAIRGROUNDS CHARGES FOR RV’S OR CAMPERS. $15.00 per HOOK-UP $ 10.00 PARKING per night.

THIS IS NEW ,WE DON’T LIKE IT BUT IT IS THEIR RULE. .

*********

Demonstrators for SPRING FLING 2010 will be:

Tom Latané from Pepin, WI. www.spaco.org/latane/TCLatane.htm

Plus the blacksmiths from COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG

************************************************************************

The contest for 2010 Spring Fling will be anything that will fit into a box with an inside measure of 8-5/8 inches x 11 inch x 5-7/8 inches. It must be forged and signed by everyone that works on the project. It may have one or many pieces.

A great place to see and visit with old friends and make new ones while enjoying a great weekend of blacksmithing and the VIRGINIA country air.

*******

We will have the internet link to download your own registration package again this year. This option is for those that do not receive an invite by regular mail. It will be a pdf you just download and print, then mail in.

We look forward to seeing you at the Spring Fling.

Gates Open Fri at 3pm

Berryville is located 8 miles east of Winchester VA. on Va Route 7, and 45miles west of Tyson’s Corner, VA.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL MEMBERS

2009-02-24T20:33:00.002-05:00

The Arlington County Manager's proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2010,
beginning July 1, 2009, include a proposal to close the Gulf Branch Nature
center and demolish the existing Nature Center building. The proposed
budget states that the park and parking lot will remain available to
visitors, with most indoor programs being relocated to the Potomac Overlook
Nature Center. The County has already moved to the position of the only
full-time employee of the Nature Center.

At this point it is unknown what effect closure of the Nature Center would
have on the Guild forge. At a minimum, the Guild would lose its forum for
Board meetings and special events. Electric service to the forge is from a
panel in the Nature Center building, so loss of electricity to the forge is
possible. Beyond this, the Guild has enjoyed a long and cooperative
relationship with the Nature Center staff, and closure of the Center cannot
be a good thing for the Guild in the short or long term.

The County Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on March
24, 2009, at 7:00 P.M. The County Board is scheduled to adopt a 2010 budget
on April 28.

More Info can be found below. please join the groups and send your letters as appropriate. More as it comes in .
Come to the meeting on the first Fri in March.

Friends of Gulf Branch Nature Center on yahoo

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=64156458473&ref=nf

http://plantwhacker.blogspot.com/

http://thegreenmiles.blogspot.com/2009/02/look-at-proposed-cuts-to-arling tons.html

get in touch with Bill Wojcik or any board member if you can help

2008-10-06T21:18:00.003-04:00

THE BLACKSMITHS’ GUILD of The POTOMAC

Announces

Spring Fling April 17,18,19, 2009
Gates open 3pm Fri.

We again invite you to join us in a return to the traditional SPRING FLING, two and a half day event with demonstrations, tailgating and story telling. The Berryville VA. Ruritan Fairgrounds gives us ample tailgating and camping space.
NOTE :THE FAIRGROUNDS CHARGES FOR HOOK-UPS. $15.00 per night

*********

The Demonstrators for SPRING FLING 2009 will be:

HOLLY FISHER HAS CANCELLED

STEVE JOSLYN - ARTIST BLACKSMITH, SMYRNA,NY

KEN SCHWARZ - MASTER BLACKSMITH, ANDERSON FORGE
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG

RICHARD SULLIVAN-JOURNEYMAN GUNSMITH
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG

J.J. ROBERTS - MASTER ENGRAVER , MANASSAS ,VA.

**********************************************

CONTEST TO BE ANNOUNCED IN REGISTRATION PACKAGE OUT FEB 1,2009

A great place to see and visit with old friends and make new ones while enjoying a great weekend of blacksmithing and the VIRGINIA country air.

*******

We will have the internet link to download your own registration package again this year.

This is for those that do not receive an invite by regular mail. This is a non-response item you just download and print, then mail in. Look forward to seeing you at the Spring Fling.

Gates Open Fri at 3pm

Berryville,VIRGINIA is located 8mi. east of Winchester VA. on Va Rt.7, 45miles west of Tysons Corner, VIRGINIA

meeting 8/15/08 GULF BRANCH

2008-08-14T12:42:00.000-04:00

8/14/2008, Kuck, Keith wrote:

Foundation crew reports that the foundation was poured that the delivery was 90 min late but the total pour time was about 50 min. All went well and we now have a load of gravel and a load of sand in the parking lot waiting to be moved to the site Friday night. We hope to have 800 pavers for the floor in the parking lot by Friday night also. Meeting Friday will be a moving party of Pavers, Gravel and Sand.

Cheers
Keith

AUGUST 9-10 2008

2008-08-08T13:12:00.007-04:00

*****************************************************************

THERE WILL BE A MEETING AT GULF BRANCH TO DIG FOOTERS FOR OUR ADDITION.
YOU ARE ASKED TO BRING A SHOVEL AND WHEEL BARREL IF YOU HAVE ONE .

Let Paul Hollis know if you can make it

Yea that is tomorrow SATURDAY AUG.09,2008 9:00AM

Laura Fay Blumenthal

2008-07-17T13:29:00.003-04:00

So GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU we SENT Mbaye a package some time ago and are very curious as to its arrival .

LB said...
Hi BGOP,

I am a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Fatick, Senegal. I was just introduced to Mbaye Fall, the Senegalese blacksmith who participated in your Folkslife Festival in 2007.

Mr. Fall asked me to get in touch with BGOP and serve as his translator. Is there an email address to which I could send a letter? I intend on sending one by post, as well.

Next week, I plan on visitng Mr. Fall at his workshop and will take some photos to send to you.

Best regards,

Laura Blumenthal
Peace Corps Volunteer
Small Enterprise Development
Fatick, Senegal

Thursday, 17 July, 2008

Spring Fling 2008

2007-08-29T13:00:00.000-04:00

THE BLACKSMITHS’ GUILD Of The POTOMAC

Announces

Spring Fling April 18,19,20, 2008
Gates open 3pm Fri.

*********

The Demonstrators for SPRING FLING 2008 will be:

JAMES VISTE - ARTIST BLACKSMITH , DETROIT, MI

CRAIG BARR - MAKER OF PATTERN WELDED STEEL Cotopaxi, Co

KEN SCHWARZ - MASTER BLACKSMITH, ANDERSON FORGE
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG

J.J. ROBERTS MASTER ENGRAVER , MANASSAS ,VA.

**********************************************

CONTEST TO BE ANNOUNCED IN REGISTRATION PACKAGE OUT FEB 1,2008

A great place to see and visit with old friends and make new ones while enjoying a great weekend of blacksmithing. And the VIRGINIA country air.
**

*****

Gates Open Fri at 3pm

Berryville,VIRGINIA is located 8mi. east of Winchester VA. on Va Rt.7, 45miles west of Tysons Corner, VIRGINIA

SPECIAL BGOP MEETINGS

2007-07-17T11:53:00.000-04:00

GEORGE ANDERTON IS MOVING WATCH THIS SPACE FOR TOOL MOVING DAY

ALSO

Spring Fling Prep Meeting

A meeting to discuss next year’s Spring Fling was scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 12, at Bill Wojcik’s house. Members who come should bring side dishes; Bill will provide meat.

SPRING FLING BROOM MAN

2007-03-28T11:13:00.000-04:00

DO TO A SCHEDULING PROBLEM WITH JOHN'S CLASS TRIPS ,HE WILL NOT BE MAKING SPRING FLING THIS YEAR .

2007-01-29T22:26:00.000-05:00

THE BLACKSMITHS’ GUILD of THE POTOMAC

Announces

Spring Fling April 20-22, 2007 ******** Gates open 3pm Fri .

NOTE :THE FAIRGROUNDS CHARGES FOR HOOK-UPS.

The motels are just 8 miles west.

Demonstrators scheduled (subject to change)

• Lucian Avery Hardwick Vt

• George Dixon Swannanoa NC

• JJ Roberts Manassas VA

• Clay Smith Williamsburg VA

• Two AndersonForge Smiths

A great place to see and visit with old friends and make new ones while enjoying a great weekend of blacksmithing . And the VIRGINIA country air.

This year we have an internet link to download your own

SPRING FLING PDF PACKAGE.

This is for those that do not receive an invite by regular mail. This is a non-response item you just download and print, then mail in. Look forward to seeing you at the Spring Fling.

Gates Open Fri at 3pm

On Feb 1, 2007 a letter was mailed to everyone who attended Spring Fling #13 2005, it will appear in your mail box soon.

Berryville,VIRGINIA is located 8mi. east of Winchester VA. on va rt.7 45miles west of TysonsCorner,VIRGINIA

2007-01-19T08:42:00.000-05:00

BROOM MAKING WORKSHOP

Current BGOP members and their families are invited to attend a broom making workshop with J. Alexander.

WHEN: Saturday, February 17, 2007 at 10 am.

WHERE: Colvin Run Mill, Great Falls, VA

DIRECTIONS: 10017 Colvin Run Rd., Great Falls, VA 22066. Beltway Exit 47A (Leesburg Pike, Route 7) west 5 miles past Tysons Corner to right turn on Colvin Run Road. Left turn into paved parking lot 500 feet beyond gravel drive to mill.

COST & SUPPLIES: a broom handle for yourself, and extra broom handle for the instructor, and $20.00 for supplies. Additional broom corn will be on sale the day of the workshop.

SPECS: Handles must have a 1/8”to 1/4" hole 1" from the bottom. The corn will take up 3" to 5" of the bottom of your handle.

SEND CHECK for $20 payable to BGOP Broom to:

G. ANDERTON
5325 RINGOLD PLACE
SPRINGFIELD VA
22151-2421

call Bill or Keith for info
BROOM MAKING WORKSHOP

NOV 3 MEETING

2006-11-03T11:19:00.000-05:00

NOV 3 06 WELDING A PLANT HANGER WITH PHIL HEATH

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY

CHRISTMASS SHOW AT MONTGOMERY COUNTY FARM PARK

CALL BOB MORRIS FOR DETAILS .

MORE INFO AT BGOP.ORG

UPDATE ON ALBERTS SHOP MEETING

2006-09-27T21:36:00.000-04:00

WE HAD A GREAT TIME SORRY YOU DIDNT MAKE IT .

Special Meeting Sat 16 06 at ALBERT ANDERSEN'S SHOP

2006-09-14T23:09:00.000-04:00

AL'S shop is one mile north of rt17/50 and 340 near Boyce VA 8 miles south on 340 from 7 and 340 Berryville VA

Bring your ideas and safety glasses

Map of 12001 Lord Fairfax Hwy, Boyce, VA 22620

Greenway Welding, Boyce VA 22620
12001 Lord Fairfax Hwy Boyce, VA 22620 540-837-2256.

call if you are lost

SPRING FLING PLANING PARTY JUNE 11 06

2006-06-05T19:57:00.000-04:00

There will be a planing meeting at Bill Wojcik's house Sunday June 11, 06 at or about 11 am under the apple tree ,where we hope to discuss the upcoming event at Berryville, next April.
We will have a pot luck luck / bring what you got lunch . We will have the grill going to roast what needs roasting . We will have some dogs and sausage so bring some salads and chips and drinks . And most of all bring some ideas. Call me if you need some help . See you Sunday

more party photos

2006-05-02T14:31:00.000-04:00

kitchen crew serves HOT DOGS

more party photos

2006-05-02T14:00:00.000-04:00

around the stew pot

SPRING PARTY APRIL 22 06

2006-04-24T09:57:00.000-04:00

Well it came and came till we got about 3" of wet stuff .rain but, that is all gone now.
A good group of hardcore dedicated blacksmiths gathered for our Spring Fling substitute. We had plenty of eats and drinks and nice big buildings to stay out of the worst of it
The iron in the hat was of extraordinary quality this year thanks for your generosity.

Above BILL SHEAR and his wife have a chat with Wally Yater

more to follow .i cant upload the photo now for some reason

SPRING PARTY APRIL 22 06

2006-04-19T00:15:00.000-04:00

Well SPRING PARTY is almost on us . Preparations are proceeding. All is well except the weather forecast. Showers and cool please dress for the weather,as we have no heated kitchen this year.We still have hope.

We will have the big grill from the wildlife club on site and we will provide dogs and beans through the day . There are restaurants and even a McDonalds in Berryville

This year we will be all under roof. This is going to be our permanent home for Spring Fling starting next year so we want to make a good impression. Next year it is back to the 3rd weekend in April so you can set your calendar. We will have a kitchen next year.

Wear your badge prominently. . It is required at all times .See you sat am

FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE

2006-03-30T15:57:00.000-05:00

WE WILL BE OPEN FRI EVENING, WE WILL HAVE USE OF THE PARKING LOT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF
THE ENTRANCE DRIVEWAY . WE CANNOT SET UP .
NO TAILGATING .QUIET USE ONLY, TILL 7AM ON SAT .
REMEMBER THIS IS A TEST TO SEE HOW WE BEHAVE .
PLEASE BE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

INVITE FOR SPRING PARTY

2006-03-02T15:04:00.000-05:00

If you need to get an invite or ask a question ,send an email to
bgopparty06@gmail.com and someone will get back to you in a couple days .

The one question we dont have an answer to is there camping fri night ? WE DONT THINK SO ,but when we get an answer we will post it here.

good news

2006-02-04T23:21:00.001-05:00

Hello campers , Good news , we found a new home and we are taking it for a ride on April 22 2006 . The celebration starts at 9 am . We have a guest demonstrated till 1pm then we will have our traditional spring fling iron in the hat. After which we will have short demos by our invited guests and others .Around six we would like to have atailgate supper with many grills burning meat and swapping stories . It is too new to have all the details so stay tuned .

But this year we will have space for the biggest tailgate area we ever had . So come and help us try on our new shoes . We can camp over night but hook ups may not be available. Plenty of parking .

SPRING FLING 2006

2006-01-23T17:50:00.000-05:00

From the Chairman of Spring Fling ;

After thirteen wonderful years at the same location we have lost our site
for Spring Fling. Despite the size restrictions it has been a great place
for a spring blacksmithing event, and regretfully we move on. We are working
hard to locate a new venue for the future, and are looking into several
promising options. With only a few months left until our usual event date,
we must reconfigure. We are looking into a possible location and date that
will suit everyone for a 2006 event. For the future, we plan on holding
Spring Fling on the traditional third weekend of April.

We will pass on further news (for 2006 and 2007) as it develops.

Our Christmas Dinner FAYS SPEACH

2005-12-08T11:06:00.000-05:00

December 2, 2005 DRAFT by F.P. LeCompte III for Presentation
On December 5, Annual BGOP Meeting/Dinner

Mr. President, Officers, member of the board, members of the Blacksmith’s Guild of the Potomac, honored guests, ladies and gentlemen: You have once again afforded your committee the honor of serving as your representative to present this Certificate of Appreciation and Outstanding Achievement Award to one of our oldest members, who showed up over 24 years ago at the Gulf Branch Nature Center and began working on the building and the forge now used continuously by the Guild members since it was finished in 1981/82.

Through the years, he has shared his talents with the Guild members and the public as a demonstrator, director, officer, builder, teacher mentor, and many other talents too numerous to mention.

He was usually seen at the Guild member meetings, arriving early and leaving late, sharing his knowledge with anyone who would ask. He was always ready to help in any field that the Guild would ask of him, such as the Spring Fling, the Guild pendant, and field trips. Field trips were to West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Washington D.C. and, of course, to Virginia. Field trips means: going to events doing blacksmith demonstrations, and also trips for collecting tools for blacksmithing. (I think we wore out 2 cars and a truck!)

And now on behalf of the President of the Blacksmith’s Guild of the Potomac and all its’ members, it gives me, your committee chairman, great pleasure and honor to present to you the outstanding member, Mr. Chris Worsley.

SEE PLAQUE BELOW

Our CHRISTMAS DINNER

2005-12-06T21:29:00.000-05:00

Here is the certificate we gave to chris . I will add the text when i can find it . we will have a higher res. photo also .

Our CHRISTMAS DINNER

2005-12-06T13:50:00.000-05:00

KEITH KUCK AND STAFF

Our CHRISTMAS DINNER

2005-12-06T13:32:00.000-05:00

NANCY ZASTROW recieves her certificate of appreciation

sculpture contest

2005-11-22T23:57:00.000-05:00

Connie is drumming up interest in a group art project . please give her a hand on a big project that will be good for our guild.

sculpture contest page 1

2005-11-22T23:44:00.000-05:00

CALL FOR ENTRIES:

The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority

Presents
Gaia Sculpture Prize

$7000 Prize for a sculpture that engages public awareness of the
relationship between human beings and the living systems of Planet Earth.

Also - Four finalists receive $500 and exhibit model at unveiling site.

UNVEILING: At a conference on the Gaia Theory at George Mason Law School in Arlington VA (October 14, 15, 2006)

LOCATION: Permanent installation at Potomac Overlook Regional Park in Arlington.

JURORS: Martin Ogle, Chief Naturalist, Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority
Kim Ward, Executive Director Washington Project for the Arts\Corcoran
Wendy Ross, Practicing sculptor for over 35 years, especially informed by the structure, patterns and rhythms of natural phenomena.
Cynthia Connolly, Director of the Ellipse Arts Center, Arlington, VA, and Artist
Representative of the Potomac Overlook Regional Park neighborhood

Criteria for Gaia Sculpture Prize entries:

 Three-dimensional freestanding, 5-8 foot sculpture for outdoor installation.
 Materials must be highly weather resistant.
 Sculpture should reflect relationship between human beings and the living systems of Planet Earth as exemplified by the Gaia Theory. Entrants are encouraged to visit site and talk with Martin Ogle (Chief Naturalist, Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority) and to undertake sufficient research on Gaia Theory to understand the theme of this sculpture contest. (Initial information is provided at the end of this Call for Entries.)

ACCEPTING ENTRIES: First-round proposals due on February 1 2006; Finalists submit models of sculptures by March 15, 2006; Prize winner completes final sculpture by September 15, 2006.

ELIGIBILITY: The exhibition is open to all sculptors, 18 years of age and older, living in Virginia, Maryland or Washington, D.C.

INSURANCE: Insurance during transit and installation will be the responsibility of the artist.

page 2

2005-11-22T23:43:00.000-05:00

SUBMISSION. Artists may submit either digital entries or slide entries. All entries should be accompanied by an up-to-date resume and a list of references.

Digital entries: digital entries should be sent by email and should include:

1) Ten images of past work. All images must be saved as Jpegs (.jpg), saved at 72 dpi resolution, and be no larger than 4x5 inches or 800k in size. Each image should be labeled with the artist’s name, title of work and image number 1–10.
2) A proposal for the Gaia Sculpture. The proposal should include suggested size, materials used, an explanation of the symbolism of the sculpture as it relates to the theme of the sculpture contest, and a visual representation of the proposed sculpture.

Slide entries:

1) Ten slides of past work. Submit 35 mm slides in cardboard or plastic mounts, labeled with the artist’s name, title of work, and image number 1-10. Please mark a red dot in the lower left front corner of each slide.
2) A proposal for the Gaia Sculpture. The proposal should include suggested size, materials used, an explanation of the symbolism of the sculpture as it relates to the theme of the sculpture contest, and a visual representation of the proposed sculpture.

Professional quality black and white photos of accepted work will be requested for publicity purposes.

Mailing address for Digital Entries
Potomac@nvrpa.org
“Gaia Sculpture Prize” in subject bar
Please call (703)528-5406 and speak with Martin Ogle to confirm receipt

Mailing address for Slide Entries
“Gaia Sculpture Prize”
c/o Potomac Overlook Regional Park
2845 Marcey Road
Arlington, VA 22207

CALENDAR:

February 1, 2006 – Entries due.

February 15 – First round of judging complete and 4 finalists selected ($500 prize for each of these 4 finalists is awarded soon thereafter).

April 1 – Final proposal due with a model of proposed sculpture.

April 15 – Winning sculpture proposal selected. (half of $7500 prize will be awarded soon thereafter; remainder of prize money will be awarded after installation of sculpture).

September 22 – Sculpture completed.

October 14 – Sculpture unveiled at conference. Installed at park soon thereafter.

Questions? Call Martin Ogle

contest page 3

2005-11-22T23:38:00.000-05:00

THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY is a public park system with 19 parks in 3 counties (Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun) and 3 cities (Alexandria, Fairfax City, and Falls Church) in Northern Virginia. Potomac Overlook Regional Park, located in Arlington, Virginia, houses the park authority’s nature center and naturalist staff, and as been leading efforts to educate the public about the Gaia Theory for over 15 years. In 2006, the Gaia Theory will be Potomac Overlook’s guiding theme, highlighted by a conference on October 14 and 15 at which top scientists have already been scheduled to speak.

Synopsis of the Gaia Theory

The Gaia Theory posits that the organic and inorganic components of Planet Earth operate together as a single living system that is self-generating and self-regulating. It suggests that this living system has automatically controlled global temperature, atmospheric content, ocean salinity, and other factors to ensure its own survival. In this respect, the living system of Earth can be thought of analogous to the workings of any individual organism that regulates body temperature, blood salinity, etc. So, for instance, even though the luminosity of the sun – the Earth’s heat source – has increased by about 30% since life began almost 4 billion years ago, the living system has reacted as a whole to maintain temperatures at a very even level, suitable for life.

The Gaia theory was developed in the late 1960's by Dr. James Lovelock, a British Scientist and inventor, shortly after his work with NASA in determining that there was probably no life on Mars. His research led to profound new insights about life on Earth. The theory gained an early supporter in Lynn Margulis, a microbiologist at the University of Massachusetts. In the past 15-20 years, many of the mechanisms by which Earth self-regulates have been identified. As one example, it has been shown that cloud formation over the open ocean is almost entirely a function of the metabolism of oceanic algae that emit a large sulfur molecule (as a waste gas) that becomes the condensation nuclei for raindrops. Previously, it was thought that cloud formation over the ocean was a purely chemical/physical phenomenon. The cloud formation not only helps regulate Earth’s temperature, it is an important mechanism by which sulfur is returned to terrestrial ecosystems.

The Gaia Theory has inspired many leading figures of the past 20 years, including Vaclav Havel, John Todd (inventor), Freeman Dyson (physicist), Al Gore, Joseph Campbell (mythology expert), and Elisabet Sahtouris (microbiologist). These and many other people have written and spoken eloquently about how the Gaia Theory can help us model human activities after the living systems of our planet; the concept offers lessons for the design of economic, energy, social and governmental systems.

Blacksmiths' Guild of the Potomac

2005-11-08T15:03:00.000-05:00

this in from outsourse. anybody want it . call me

I attended a brown bag seminar today and the speaker was Hank Griffith from
the Building Museum. They're going to be taking the Liquid Stone exhibit
down in Feb. and have to get rid of what may be several hundred pieces of
4' rebar. Thay have no takers as of now and I immediately thought of the
Guild as a possible recipient.

November Clinker Breaker

2005-11-07T08:43:00.000-05:00

Dear Tom,

I have no intention of getting into a pissing match with you or ABANA as that was all that the anvil shoot controversy turned into. However your comment that “the chapters belong to ABANA” leads me to believe that you still have the same inaccurate understanding that the ABABA board had when the controversy started. If you check you will see the only term that chapters agreed to when signing up as ABANA chapters was that they would promote the art of blacksmithing, the same as ABANA. Nowhere do the ABANA bylaws give it authority to govern the chapters. There was never a liability issue as the organizations are separate legal entities. Patty early on requested and received ABANA’s insurance policy and nowhere did it address anvil shoots or assume responsibility for the action of a chapter (regarding anvil shoots or otherwise). I know that chapter autonomy was the issue behind the anvil shoot controversy because my wife Patty Draper discussed that with me when she identified the issue and then went on to refuse to abide by ABANA’s ruling. All the smoke and mirrors over liability and safety will not change that fact. Bottom line, certain members of the ABANA board were shocked, then angry, that a chapter would dare to challenge their perceived authority and they used every means they had, threats, intimidation, but mainly the power of the press to try to keep their assumed control. Hence the reason for my current President’s Corner message, which is to keep those in our chapter that continue to be ABANA members informed as to what the ABANA board is up to, as ABANA continues to control the press and ABANA members will not get this type of information through an ABANA publication.

Concerning my summation of events I believe it to be accurate. When someone files a petition in a court against another it is called being sued and if you do a little research you will find that Kagele himself referred to the NWBA as the host affiliate of the 2006 conference in the newsletter he was editing.

As for Kagele, once people learn about his background and his current actions and see the liability he poses to the organization they will be better able to make a decision as to whether they want him (or the other board members that support his actions) to have another term on the board.

Finally, I don’t want to fight either. I would just like to see Kagele, Dorothy and Claire gone. Maybe then I will rejoin ABANA.

Bill Robertson

5079 Sundance Ln

Tallahassee FL 32309

applecrossforge@nettally.com

This week end nov 5-6 2005

2005-11-04T13:47:00.000-05:00

We will be over to Derwood Md at the Christmas show. Come and join in the fun . This is the 10th year . I will post some photos tomorrow .
BILL

copy of november clinker breaker, presidents corner

2005-11-04T13:45:00.000-05:00

President's corner.
Bill Robertson

Thanks to everyone who helped put on another great conference.
Pictures and details will be in the next issue.

Abana update:

An ABANA relief fund has been established to help blacksmiths affected
by Hurricane Katrina. Following a discussion and a vote taken at the
FABA general membership meeting, FABA will be donating 500 dollars
toward the effort. We thank John Steel, president of the Pittsburgh
Area Artist Blacksmith Association, who proposed the idea. We
encourage individual donations also. make checks payable to ABANA
relief fund, po box 816 Farmington GA 30638.

I am sorry to also report, however, that problems continue with ABANA.
Those of you who were around a few years ago remember the controversy
over anvil shoots between FABA and the six other Southern chapters that
put on the Madison conference. The issue behind the controversy was
ABANA's attempt to exert control over the individual chapters (not
about safety or liability). A line was drawn in the sand (by then FABA
president Patty Draper) when we were told by ABANA that we had to
abide by its ruling not to shoot an anvil at a chapter blacksmith
event. However, FABA, as a Florida non profit corporation, could not
accede it autonomy, it ability to decide its own business, to another
organization. The result, after several years of fighting, was ABANA's
acceptance of this fact and a name change from chapters to affiliates.
Jerry Kagele, ABANA board member and attorney, was one of the ABANA
board members behind ABANA's push for this control over chapters. He
used his access to the ABANA publication "The Anvil's Ring" to promote
his agenda and vilify anyone who opposed him. Well, it seems that
Jerry Kagele, as the editor of the NWBA affiliate newsletter, used his
position and the NWBA newsletter in a similar way, and in a way that
did not represent NWBA. The NWBA board fired him as their editor. In
response, Kagele sued the NWBA and it cost the NWBA thousands of
dollars to defend itself. As a result, the NWBA will no longer be
hosting the 2006 ABANA conference in Seattle (NWBA is located in
Seattle) as many members are unwilling to work with Kagele who is the
2006 ABANA conference chair. They have informed the ABANA board that
they are willing to reconsider this action providing that the ABANA
board has Kagele step down from the position. The ABANA board has
refused to get involved, or in other words, it supports Kagele's
actions. Two websites that will provide additional background on Mr.
Kagele and the c u r r e n t c o n t r o v e r s y are
http://www.lawyerethics.org/mt/archives/001054.html and
http://www.lawyerethics.org/mt/archives/000922.html. No one likes to
be the bearer of bad news, but I think that it is important that you be
informed (you will not get this information through any ABANA
publication) so that you will be able to more effectively use your
vote.

letter from tom clark

2005-11-04T13:41:00.000-05:00

Dear Bill,

After reading your message in the November 2005 Clinker Breaker, my
first thoughts were, "This is a classic example of the pot calling the
kettle black".

Your newsletter notes that you are an ABANA chapter, but in
researching the files, I do not find that you are an ABANA member.
Your message reveals that, ABANA Board member, Jerry Kagele, has used
the Anvil's Ring and the Northwest newsletters to promote his personal
agenda. You say that Kagele was fired as newsletter editor and in
response, Kagele sued the Northwest Chapter. (Let me make it clear
that I am not taking sides with Kagele or anyone else, but I am also
not taking comments out of context and spreading those rumors as fact).

When I first heard that Kagele had been fired and was suing the
chapter, I asked my informant if the board had followed the rules of
the organization, in having a meeting to fire him. It seems that is
the same question that Kagele asked. It is also my understanding that
Kagele did not file suit, but did threaten to do so, if the board had
acted in an illegal manner and refused to back down. It is now my
understanding that that was the case, Kagele filed legal action only to
have a judge rule as to whether or not the board had acted with proper
authority. It is also now my understanding that the board refused
Kagele's request to have the entire membership vote, with regard to his
status as newsletter editor. However, an out of court agreement has
been reached, and it is a dead issue. You also state that as a result,
the NWBA will not host the 2006 ABANA conference. The fact is, they
were never the host. A board ruling after the financial fiasco of the
1998 conference, would state that the ABANA board of directors would in
fact be the organizers and hosts of ABANA conferences, starting with
2002. Of course it would always be expected that the local affiliate
would play a major role in all ABANA conferences. As I understand it,
the NWBA has encouraged its members to attend and volunteer on an
individual basis. I hope and believe that the NWBA will be
significantly represented at the ABANA conference. Believing this, I
checked and was informed that approximately one third of demonstrators
and volunteers were NWBA members.

You also advised your membership to check on Kagele's past personal
history, and while I agree that one could question his past, it seems
that he is now serving as an attorney in the state of Washington and
has obviously paid his dues. The question here is not about his past,
but about the present, and the future of ABANA.
I would like to have trust in the balance of the ABANA board to judge
Kagele's capability of managing this conference. It is what we elected
THEM to do.

Now let's focus on the infamous anvil shoot at Madison, Georgia, which
resulted in 7 chapters being dismissed from ABANA. It was my
understanding, at some time before the Madison conference, there was a
meeting of the seven chapters to vote on the issue of whether or not to
shoot the anvil at Madison. If any one member objected, they would not
shoot the anvil. It is also my understanding that Alabama said it
would support the rules of ABANA as long as they were a member, and
also the Appalachian area chapter voted to support ABANA. But you shot
the anvil anyway. So, what good are rules, what is the purpose of a
group making rules, if they themselves are not going to abide by them?
Anyway, this whole issue was not about shooting anvils, it was the
result of a long conflict between, traditional and artist
blacksmithing. Some have said...between the North and the South. You
claim that Florida would not accept a national organization deciding
their own business, but the fact is, the chapters belong to
ABANA....not the other way around. Like it or not, the Southeast broke
its own rules the day they shot the anvil.

Kagele may have been a strong voice about not shooting the anvil, but
it was in fact, past president, Lou Mueller who reported to the board
that the insurance company would not cover ABANA's liability if they
had any association with anvil shooting. So, ABANA issued a notice
that the insurance company made a direct connection with the chapters
connection with ABANA's liability. Nobody knew this better than, (then
board member) Tim Ryan, and I personally advised Tim to pursue
insurance through the NRA, where they had coverage for black powder
activities. But, to my knowledge, Tim nor anyone else made any efforts
to obtain insurance that would allow anvil shooting.

I was present that day, and I advised (then president) Doug Learn, that
both Alabama and Appalachian chapter should not be considered for
having broken the rule, but my voice fell on deaf ears. I have since
asked ABANA board members, to rectify their wrongdoing with Alabama and
Appalachian area, but to my knowledge, ABANA has not. (Shame on ABANA)
I add that it is never too late to make an apology.

Why fight? ABANA is not an object out there in space somewhere, it is
our national organization. If we accept the challenge and join in the
effort to provide professional management for our national organization
the whole family of blacksmithing will prosper. Sure it can be said,
we don't need ABANA now, we can do it on our own, but why? We are
where we are because of ABANA.

There has never been any question in my mind that the volunteer group
of board members, lack professional management capabilities. While I
was on the board in 1993, I arranged for the president of a major and
successful group like ours, to make a presentation to the board, but
(then president) Clayton Carr, would have no part of it. Saying that
we had too much on our agenda and that we could take care of our
problems. Having had two personal experiences with non-profit
organizations that have hired outside professional management with
great success, I advised, now president, Don Kemper, that I had talked
to and had asked Carter Keathley, president of the Hearth Products and
Barbeque Association, who has achieved tremendous success because they
hired professional management in the beginning. Carter was in fact an
employee of the management company before taking over the full time
management position he now holds. Carter has nothing to gain, but, he
has volunteered his help to at least advise our group of the
possibilities of obtaining outside professional management at a price
we can afford. I have heard nothing from Don Kemper or of his
intentions to pursue this matter.

Lets not fight. I for one am working to promote ABANA's conference,
2006 in Seattle, as well as trying to provide positive input for its
future activities. I would ask that you, and those like you join the
team and try to solve the problems from the inside, rather than take
the easy road and continue "potshots" from the outside.

In closing, let me ask that everyone who reads this, either participate
or encourage others to participate in either one of the two ring
projects. The success of this actually, not only brings people
together, but also helps finance the conference. Remember to make
tools or other items for the "BAM Box" or "Iron in Hat" in general.

Respectfully,

Tom Clark

Tom Clark
Ozark School of Blacksmithing
573-438-4725 (phone)
573-438-6848 (cell)
573-438-8483 (Fax)
www.ozarkschool.com

A new electronic communication devise

2005-08-26T16:28:00.000-04:00

I found this spot and thought we could use this to have better communication between members . It accepts comments to each post . I just wish i could type better.It also allows photos to be posted .