Guildmaster Message March 2018

Please welcome our new Guildmaster Carl Dumke!

On March 2-3, 2018 our annual meeting was held… What a phenomenal weekend for the HCH!  I want to thank all of the members for coming out and enjoying the fellowship and friendship at the annual meeting in Carlisle. We had a great show for our members and the public.  As always, the AHEC staff provided top-notch support for a truly historic event.   The Master row was extremely busy both days as something was learned by everyone!  A highlight to the weekend was to see the lifelong collection of Glenn Beall!  What an impressive collection to say the least.

In addition, as the subject of this meeting was folding combs, Roland Cadle provided a great lecture on the history and making of these rare pieces.  Additionally, we were fortunate to have about 1/3 of the known examples on display!  Jay Hopkins was also on hand to showcase his fantastic new book, which is an essential primer for the study of bone-tipped and banded horns.  If you have not gotten yours, I would be remiss if I did not encourage everyone to get their copies. (Buy the book here.)

Historically, this meeting was unprecedented.  We had four talented Journeymen petition and achieve the rank of Master in the guild.  Making Master is a tremendous achievement, but awarding four in a single meeting was truly inspiring!  I especially want to say how proud I am of our new Master Horners: Tim Sanner, Ed Long, Walter Mabry, and Rex Riddick.  This is a memorable accomplishment for these members and for the company as a whole.

Hazzah! and hearty well done!

Carl Dumke, Guildmaster