2013 Summer Raffle AKA Dixon’s Gunmakers Fair Raflle – It is on! – Drawing: Sunday, July 28th, 2013

Update July 28, 2013- We have a winner! Congratulations to Jeff Bibb of Lynchburg, Virginia.

Now that the annual meeting is over, our thoughts will be turning towards getting ready for Dixon’s Gunmakers Fair at the end of July.  For many Horners it is a great chance to show of your work and hopefully win a ribbon or two. Also, it is time for the annual raffle of the “Bag and Horn Set” made and donated by Guild members.

We have had some excellent sets raffled off in the past and I must say this year is no exception. I asked Gary Elsenbeck of Lee Center, NY and Scott Morrison of Keizer, OR, if they would team up and come up with a nice set for this year. All I have to say about it is WOW! I would like to take this chance to thank them both for this wonderful set.

First of all, I would like to talk about the bag made by Gary. It is a very nice double pouch made from 3-4oz veg tan leather and dyed with a homemade dye. It is flat sewn and has some folk art on the flap that was inspired by the book “Decorative Motifs of the Southern Backcountry “.  The bag itself measures 8” wide, is 7” deep and has an adjustable 1 ¼” strap with a brass roller buckle. Next, the horn made by Scott. The horn is based on the 1762 horn shown in Madison Grant’s book Page 82. It measures 10 ¾” along the outside curve and 2 ¼” diameter base plug. It has two carved bands and one applied band. The two carved bands have been made to resemble dice, one band has the number ‘’5“on it and the other has the number “2”, giving the horn the name”Lucky 7”. He also included a strap made by Kris Polizzi.  Now, for the accoutrements…  Gary donated a 65 grain tin powder measure and a forged screwdriver.  Also Dan Eisenhower of Dover, PA, made a nice 45 grain antler measure that has dice carved on it to match the horn. He also included a brush and pick on a nice chain.

As in years prior, we are happy to be able to add some other items to the raffle.  These items include a nice leather canteen made by Paul Gasparo of Huntington Station, NY.  Jim Webb has also donated a bound and signed copy of his book, “Sketches of Hunting Pouches, Powder Horns and Accoutrements of Southern Appalachia.”

By now I hope I have sparked your interest in these items, and you are asking how much are the tickets? The price for tickets is $5 each or 5 for $20. So, come on and show your support and purchase some tickets. And remember, without your support the Guild could not grow.

	Leather Canteen made by Paul Gasparo of Huntington Station, NY
	Other Items: Hand-forged Turn Screw Antler Measure Soldered Measure Pick and Brush on hand twisted chain
	Hand-bound and signed copy of the book, “Sketches of Hunting Pouches, Powder Horns and Accoutrements of Southern  Appalachia” from the author Jim Webb.
	One More Look! Pouch by Gary Elsenbeck of Lee Center, NY Horn by Scott Morrison of Keizer, OR

 

As stated in the past, I want to have two raffles a year, one at the annual meeting and one at Dixon’s. I will try to have new things every year at the meeting, but Dixon`s will always be a bag and horn set, because that is the tradition. The Drawing will be held on Sunday, July 28th, 2013 at Dixon’s Gunmakers Fair.

If anyone wants to donate and item for either raffle just contact me at eseabee1@comcast.net .

 

Your most humble servant,

Ed McDilda

Fundraising chairman

March 2013 Message from the Guildmaster

Greetings:

I am still reeling from our annual meeting last weekend in Carlisle, PA. There was so much going on that it often became hard to keep track of it all. Between the excellent displays in the main room, the non-stop workshops in the hall, and Roland Cadle’s two thought-provoking presentations on Friday and Saturday, I believe we truly had something for everyone in attendance. The banquet on Saturday night was very enjoyable, and highlighted by the secretive work of the “Committee of Four” and their three benefactors. All of our past guild masters have now been honored in a magnificent fashion, and I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to the members who masterminded the awards. I am sure that more information will be published on our website and in the Horn Book for those who were not in attendance to witness these presentations.

After returning home, I was struck by several thoughts regarding our weekend of fellowship, and our lives in general. While in Carlisle, there was a general sense of calm that pervaded the conference. Folks milled around the display tables, asking questions, carefully examining horns, and enjoying themselves. Many were gathered outside at the workshops, often having the opportunity to try their hand at turning, carving, engraving, polychrome decoration, or other artistic pursuits. Everyone I saw was engrossed in their projects as if time stood still, and we were all catapulted back to an earlier, simpler period. Of course the fact that many attendees were attired in proper 18th. Century fashions helped the illusion.

As a child, I wonder how many of you thought that growing up to be an adult was a goal filled with “freedom?” We all thought that it would be wonderful to eat what we wanted, go to bed when we pleased, watch as much TV as we could stand, and generally operate our lives as we wished. Our young minds had a vision of adulthood that we now know never existed for our parents, our relatives, or their friends.

Our lives seem to become more and more complicated as we grow older. I know that I yearn for younger days when my responsibilities were no so great. Even as a teenager in the 1970’s, there always seemed to be time for friends, family, and everything else in my life. These days, I wonder how it will all get done. We rush from one thing to the next, send off emails at a frantic pace, take endless phone calls, try to get all of our jobs done around the house, and still make time for our friends and personal interests.

Horn work has proven to be a way to lessen stress. The hours spent carving, filing, turning, and perhaps decorating, move my mind away from many of the daily pressures that envelop us all.  If you were at Carlisle this weekend, you only had to witness young Mitch Almason, who enthusiastically took in all of the workshops and instruction that were offered to him. At eight years old, he has already made a very nice horn (or two?), and was fascinated by the artisans offering their experience and talent for his benefit. I wish that as adults, we could open our minds as he did to slow down, forget the other pressures in our lives, and just enjoy the experience of learning and sharing.

Previously, I have written something to the effect that we should pay more attention to the lessons of our elders. Perhaps we should also pay more attention to being a child, existing in that “wondrous” state that allows us to absorb and learn without questioning everything that we see, or allowing our lives to interfere with the process.  As horn workers, and as human beings, I think we might all be a bit better off.

Until next month, thank you. As always, comments or other thoughts are always welcome.

Your most humble servant,

Jeff Bibb
Guildmaster