Guildmaster Jeff Bibb at Norris, Tennessee.

Hello to All:

With the coming of the summer months, we are all now deeply involved with our various gatherings and events. Fort Frederick has just ended, and although I was not able to attend this year, I have heard that it was a grand event. The Tennessee / Kentucky Longrifle show was held several weeks back in Norris, Tennessee. This show was an incredible showcase for anyone interested in  Southern mountain rifle culture, particularly specimens of the “iron-mounted” variety. Several HCH members were in attendance and showcasing their wares.

The West Coast Horn Fair was held last weekend at Morro Bay, California. From the reports I have seen, it seems to have attracted a very good attendance. The photos of the work displayed there looked great! Even though it is often difficult for our members to sometimes travel between the coasts, it is good to see groups of HCH members holding workshops and get-togethers in other areas.

Our own little “Southern” workshop has been a real inspiration for those who have been able to attend. I know that I have learned much from participating the past two years, and eagerly look forward to next year.

With everything in full swing for the season, I want to take this opportunity to remind some of our members that without your annual dues payment, the HCH (and other valuable historical organizations) run the risk of slowly slipping into oblivion.  This year marks the first time in recent memory that we are seeing a large number of members failing to remit their annual dues to our treasurer.

We are not a large organization, but we have been fortunate to experience a large amount of growth over the past several years.  With this growth comes higher operating costs as the services provided to our members have  dramatically expanded. Take a look at our wonderful website, the quality of our publication, “The Horn Book”, The Hartley Book, free entrance to our annual meeting, and the many learning opportunities we have tried to incorporate at the meetings. All of this, and more, takes dedicated time and effort from our Executive Committee, our Committee Chairmen, and all of the folks who step up to volunteer their help.

We have more plans for the future to make our organization even better than it is today, but without the financial support of our membership, this may change. If you value the guild, and what it means to you, please take the time to continue your membership by sending a check to our treasurer, Art DeCamp.

As usual, the door is always open. Write, call, email, or shout loudly to let us know your thoughts about the guild.

Thank you,

Jeff Bibb
Guildmaster, HCH

Please help spread the word that Phil’s Memorial is in fact on the 21 of APRIL.
Please forward this information to all who might be interested.
Thanks.

http://blog.hornguild.org/?p=397

We are shocked and very saddened to learn about the  sudden passing of our good friend, and guild secretary, Phil Cravener. I know that Phil touched many of our lives with his constant smile, his un-ending warmth and humor, and his immense talent as an artisan. Our sympathies extend to all of his family and friends. He will be missed at our gatherings.

With an early spring well upon us, it is once again time to contemplate our annual treks, rendezvous, re-enactments, shows and shoots. Last weekend, I saw several guild members at the Southern Long Rifle Show in Williamsburg, Virginia. While not a large show, many collectors, and fans of early American crafts and art were in attendance. Many outstanding  original (and modern) guns, horns and accoutrements were on display for viewing and for purchase.

In addition to his fine display table of banded, ringed, and screw tip horns, Tim Crosby brought along a portable workbench, a number of hand tools, and capably demonstrated the traditional horn maker’s craft for the entire show. His bench attracted a lot of attention from the attendees.

A large part of the mission of our guild is education. Each year I participate in two local historical events in the central Virginia area. At each, I make it a point to have as many representative pieces of early colonial life as possible on my table. I usually spend the better part of both events talking with folks (and their children) about early American life and the articles that were used in daily life. The level of interest is truly astounding. Since so little is currently taught in our schools about this topic, both children and adults are very interested in “how folks used to live”. They often express a desire to learn more and  explore making something of their own as a future project.

I would like to encourage ALL of our members to make an effort this year, and in the future, to make this type of education a goal for your own participation in the events you attend. Maybe you can demonstrate a horn working skill at a show or event. Perhaps you can demonstrate something for a local school. At your next long rifle show, ask if you can demonstrate at your table. It isn’t hard to do, and the results are usually fantastic. Keep a few HCH membership cards on hand and give them out to interested participants.

Every year at Dixon’s, part of a table-holder’s responsibility is to offer a demonstration of some type of historical craft or art. Chuck Dixon has incorporated this theme every year, and I think the results speak for themselves.  Education should be a goal for all of us. Without it, our art and craft will completely disappear at some point in the future.

As always, I look forward to hearing from you  with your thoughts, comments, suggestions, and feedback.

Y.M.O.S.,

Jeff Bibb
Guildmaster, HCH

Guess To Whom These Hands Belong.

Phil Cravener at the 2012 HCH Annual Meeting (Carlisle, PA) - Photo: Rick Sheets

PHILIP W. CRAVENER, Secretary
May 8, 1937 – March 24, 2012

Philip W. Cravener, 74, of Latrobe, died Saturday, March 24, 2012, in Excela Health Latrobe Hospital. He was born May 8, 1937, in Indiana, Pa., the son of the late Merle E. and Phyllis (Moorhead) Cravener. Philip was retired from Carborundum, and was a member of  many black powder related organizations.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne L. (Lunk) Cravener, of Latrobe; two sons, Jeffrey M. Cravener, at home, and Christopher A. Cravener and his wife, Carolyn, of Blairsville; two sisters, Cora Lee Tarr and her husband, Maurice, of Latrobe, and Diana Webb and her husband, Richard, of Jeannette; and a grandson, Cody A. Cravener. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

He served the Penna Gun Collectors Association as treasurer for many years. He was the secretary of the Lantrobe Sportsmen. Phillip Cravener also belonged to the Old Westmoreland Rifles and served as Commander, Adjutant and the Treasurer.

He had 40 years experience building, repairing and restoring muzzleloaders and accouterments. When Roland Cadle was elected Guildmaster of the Honourable Company of Horners, he asked Phil if he would offer to serve as secretary. Phil Cravener served loyally as the HCH secretary up to his passing. He was a busy man, dedicated to his craft as a gunmaker and horner. He was a member of the CLA, HCH, NMLRA and the NRA.

If you would like to share a few words about Phil, you may do so below by leaving a comment.

Jeff Bibb, Guildmaster

Our 2012 meeting in Carlisle, PA is now history, and I must say that from the response I received, “a good time was had by all”. Many thanks to Dick Toone, and everyone who spent many  hours organizing our gathering.  Plans are already in place for 2013, so stay tuned!

In my opinion, our conference reached a new peak this year. Recorded attendance was 96 members, a new record for our meeting. The tables and displays were fantastic, as usual. Jim Leach did a superb job of organizing a blowing horn display that was truly mind boggling. In addition, Jim cataloged and photographed all of the horns that were present with the goal of publishing these important artifacts at a future date. The throaty bellows and whoops from many of these horns could be heard throughout the show!

The workshops were outstanding, and I believe that we have arrived at a very successful method of communicating our art to those who attend the meeting. Every time I went out to the hall, folks were gathered around the tables, taking in the skills and techniques that were being demonstrated. Thanks to all who manned and worked these tables. I hope that we can continue, and expand these programs in the future.

Congratulations to our new Journeymen, Mike Burke, and Rich Hujsa. It is always rewarding to see members advance through our ranks as artisans. Congratulations are also in order for our drinking vessel and strap contest winners, Mike Burke, and Ginny Hawker. Beautiful work!  Congrats. also to our contest winners, who entered some outstanding pieces. A special congratulation to Mr. John DeWald, who hit a three 1st. place home run, with the addition of Best of Show! Great work John!

After this year’s show, I thought back to the first annual conference I attended in Williamsburg, VA. I joined the guild at that show, and had no idea of what to expect. The members attending that show made me really feel welcome, and openly shared their considerable knowledge of horns, history, and techniques. Five years later, I see more of this than ever at our meetings, and through our membership in the guild. I believe it is this open sharing of knowledge and skills that makes our organization unique, and I feel that through this process, we offer our members an invaluable resource.

I look forward to serving as your Guildmaster. Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions to keep our organization moving ahead for the future. Thank you.

Y.M.O.S.,
Jeff Bibb

This year’s meeting is promising to be one the best ever.  The Journeymen will be joining with the Masters at the Masters Benches to share their knowledge and experience in the art of hornwork.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity and don’t forget your pen and notepad.

The annual meeting of the membership will take place mid- morning on Friday.  The banquet will be Saturday night.

My temporary stewardship of the Guild will come to an end at the banquet with the passing of the horn ceremony.  It was a rewarding and humbling experience that I will cherish for years to come.  In my last message for our web site, I would like to thank all our viewers and those of you who used the contact us section. I hope we answered all your questions satisfactorily.  I am looking forward to the camaraderie at our annual meeting, see you there.

Sincerely,

Ed Long
HCH Guildmaster

A Pile of Possibilities!

The drawing will be held at Dixon’s Gumakers Fair, which is held in Kempton, Pennsylvania every July. (See their website by clicking here.)

The horn made by Billy Griner, is a copy of an original Rowan County, NC piece. It features three bands with a turned, applied antler tip, and a black walnut base. Overall length is 11 inches around the curve. (See Billy Griner’s website by clicking here.)

The pouch was made by Jeff Bibb and is a copy of an original pouch from Iredell County, NC. Constructed from cowhide, the pouch is 6.5 inches wide by 7 inches deep. The flap is bound and backed with hemp. There is a hanging ball or patch pocket inside. (See Jeff Bibb’s website by clicking here.)

This awesome Southern pouch and horn are complimented by other handmade items. The measure was turned from horn by Mark Ewing, and pick and brush set were made by Jeff Bottiger.

The Honourable Company of Horners is again saddened to learn of the passing of another great horn worker and supplier of horn, John Plybon. John was truly a pioneer in horn work and was the first recipient of the Guild’s prestigious “Lanthorn Award”. We offer our condolences to the Plybon family who are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you John and thank you for your contribution, may you rest in peace.

Another year has rapidly passed and all members should be gearing up for our big event, the 2012 Annual Meeting. The meeting will be held March 2nd and 3rd, at the USAHEC in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

This year, due to our nation’s economic times, members planning to attend will not be charged a registration fee for our annual meeting; the Guild will absorb the registration fee. However your dues for 2012 must be current to gain entrance. Display tables will be $10.00 each, we are limited to 36. The cost for the banquet will be $30.00 per person.

The main theme will be centered around education, with hands on work stations manned by Master Horners assisted by Journeymen. All phases of work will be covered from the selection of raw horn for your particular project, to the finished item.
Listed are some of the events that will take place:

• Freeman Cheryl Davidson will open ceremonies on Friday morning singing our National Anthem.
• The Guild’s ceremonial blowing horn will be unveiled.
• The blowing horn/drinking vessel contest will be judged.
• The member’s annual horn contest will be held and judged on entries in Contemporary Engraved Horn, Traditional Engraved Horn, Carved Horn, plus Horn and Bag and Horn Objects.
• The Guild’s horn and bag for raffle, donated by GM Elect Jeff Bibb and Publications Chair Billy Griner, will be on display.
• All members registering will have their name placed in a drawing for a special door prize, a beautiful adjustable powder measure turned from horn, donated by Freeman Dave Rase.
• There will be a display table of original blowing horns.
• Our Spring Pole Lathe will be on display and demonstrated.
• Members will have their hornware and related items on display.

The annual business meeting will be held Friday morning. The banquet will be Saturday evening and in addition to the meal there will be an Awards Ceremony with a special guest speaker. The event will conclude with the Passing of the Horn followed by Freeman Davidson singing God Bless America.

All members attending are encouraged to dress in 18th, early 19th Century attire throughout the event including the banquet. Members acquiring display tables are requested to refrain from the sales of imported items; however, they may be part of an educational display and identified as such. Examples include, a bowl made in India or spoon made in China, etc. Display area will be open to visitors at no charge.

In the upcoming week there will be a separate mailing to all members to include a registration form for return to our Treasurer.

In parting, I would like to congratulate Freeman Carl Dumke and Jim Leach on their recent advancement to Journeyman.

Best Regards,
Ed Long
HCH Guildmaster

Carl Dumke Journeyman, Roland Cadle Master Horner and Jim Leach Journeyman

We have a block of rooms at the Days Inn, Carlisle. You must call them at (717) 258-4147 to get the Special Rate of $62.95 per night. Please mention “horn guild” to get the special rate.
NOTE: You must call for the special rate. Trying to book the room through the website will not work. In addition, the website might show the Days Inn as full when in fact there might be rooms left for the Horn Guild.

Days Inn, Carlisle, PA
101 Alexander Spring Rd, Carlisle, PA
(717) 258-4147
Interstate 81, Exit 45

Club Resources (both monetary and manpower) – Each year the HCH Annual meeting has grown to attract over 150 members and guests.  This requires monetary support from the HCH as well as several volunteers to step-up, plan, organize and successfully run the event.

Service to the largest group of our members – The executive committee looked at the demographic data on our approximate 400 members.  We found that almost 75 percent of our membership lives east of Illinois and north of South Carolina.  This makes central Pennsylvania within a 6-7 hour drive of the majority of our registered members.  To move the Annual Event even further south, or further west would significantly dilute this proximity to the majority of our members, thus potentially reducing the majorities’ ability to attend.  A decline in attendance supported this data when annual events were held further east in Massachusetts, and an even greater decline in attendance when held in Indiana and North Carolina.

Our Growth – As the HCH has grown, we have found that the type of venue necessary to hold the annual event has changed.  Attendance of 150 plus people requires larger exhibit locations with close proximity to lodging and food.  Event locations should also be close to some attraction that has a historic interest to the 18^th century time period our members are most interested in and most 18^th century locations are in the eastern part of our country.

However, we did recognize that the meeting should not have a “permanent” home, and that venues should potentially alternate between a Pennsylvania location, and locations to the west and south.  But meetings should remain in the eastern half of the country to reach the greatest number of attendees from the membership.  An event is being planned at the Museum of Appalachia in Tennessee within the next couple of years.

Consistency – We felt that the best way to have high quality HCH events is to focus our “official” efforts on the two events we currently conduct.  The annual meeting in early March and the summer meeting in conjunction with Dixon’s Gunmakers Fair, as long as volunteers step up to operate these events.  Our Awards committee currently provides judges trained to “jury” member’s work for advancement at both of these events.  We felt that before we expand to additional events, we must assure we have sufficient trained members who can apply the same judging standards to future “jurying” procedures.

None of this precludes individual HCH members from planning and holding their own regional event.  A group from the south held a successful event in January with another scheduled for 2012.  A second member held an event, which attracted good attendance as well as new members on the west coast and is planning another event next year.  In fact, we agreed that the HCH would provide access to mailing lists and would promote the dates of any such events in the Horn Book for members who wish to do this.

In closing, it is our responsibility as an organization to maintain our mission statement, “Dedicated to the Research, Preservation and Education of Horn Work” but not at the expense of conducting shows all over the country, it is just not feasible.  One member summed it up with the following statement, “In my years as an HCH member, every project of “value” that the Guild has accomplished has happened because one or more members voluntarily got together and made it happen.  This is how each year’s annual meeting is conducted still.  We don’t exist with paid employees responsible for doing all the work, allowing members to simply sit back and wait for the benefits to fall in their lap just because they “want” something to happen without their effort.”  That is a powerful statement…..as Guildmaster, I concur.

Sincerely,
Ed Long
HCH Guildmaster

Ed Long, Guildmaster, shaves down a horn.