Rural Smiths Conference

The Rural Smiths of Mid-America will be hosting Bob Becker of Oxford
Michigan at their annual summer conference July 1-2 at the shop of Fred
Caylor in Whitestown, Indiana.
	Bob is an accomplished blacksmith who has taught his skills at the
J.C. Campbell FolkSchool and at Touchstone. His expertise covers the
entire spectrum from architectural to traditional to art. He will
concentrate on lighting equipment and home items.
	Cost is $25 for both days. Attendance is limited so register early.
Hours are 9-4, with a Saturday evening auction and pitch-in dinner
(bring a covered dish.) On Sunday hours are 9-noon.
	For more info write to Charles Gruell, 5615 W. 550 N., Sharpsville,
IN 46068.

Mountain Smiths Meet

The Rocky Mountain Smiths announce their blacksmithing conference,
featuring Francis Whitaker, will be held Aug. 17-20 in Carbondale,
Colorado. Also demonstrating will be Michael Saari, Nana Showalter,
Corky Storer, Nol Putnam, and Nahum Hersom.
	Cost is $90 for members and $125 for non-members. Lodging at the site
is $100, with camping and other accommodations available. Register
early because the conference is limited to 85 people and traditionally
sells out quick.
	To register or for more info contact: Dan Nibbelink, 800 SE 4th St.,
Loveland, CO 80537 or call (303) 667-6749; or John Hoffmann, 12205
Perry #114, Broomfield, CO 80020, (303) 438-0963.

Video from NOMM

BAM has received a video tape of the ABANA exhibit titled 'ABANA comes
of Age' at the National Ornamental Metals Museum. The tape is a good
one, with shots of each item on display overlayed with commentary from
the artist who did the piece. If you want your own copy it is available
for $22 by calling Carla Hargis at the Metals Museum at (901) 774-6380.
The video we got will go in the BAM library, so you can check it out by
calling Ray Chaffin. Several BAM members had pieces in the exhibit.

Chapter project '96

The New York blacksmith chapter that is hosting next year's ABANA
Conference is calling on all chapters to participate in the group
project. They have a great idea, which is to have each chapter
contribute a piece for a chess set. Right now they are calling chapters
to see how much interest there is and I told them they could count on
BAM. I guess we will be getting some standards to go by soon.

Bluestem Crafts Catalog

Not sure what this is all about but they are about to release a
catalogue for summer 1995 of traditional stuff made by Missourians.
Seems like there should be some blacksmiths represented. For more info
write: Bluestem Missouri Crafts, 13 South Ninth St., Columbia, MO 65201

Missouri Folklore Society

An organization you might be interested in joining is the Missouri
Folklore Society. The group is organized to 'encourage the collection,
preservation and study of Folklore in its wildest sense, including
customs, institutions, beliefs, signs, legends, language, literature,
musical arts, and folk arts and crafts of all ethnic groups found
throughout the State of Missouri. Individual membership costs $10,
family membership is $12, students and retired people cost $5. Or you
can fork over $150 for a life membership. Send check payable to the
Missouri Folklore Society to PO Box 1757, Columbia, MO 65205. They do
an interesting newsletter that tells about a lot of neat events, new
books and talks relating to folklore. They also have an annual meeting
where a blacksmith could demo and sell their wares.

Ag Hall of Fame

On your way to Walt Hull's in May you might want to swing by the
National Agricultural Center Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, Kansas.
The place has a large assortment of old farm equipment, several
restored buildings including a blacksmith shop and a huge collectionof
anvils. For more information write to National Agricultural Center and
Hall of Fame, 630 Hall of Fame Dr., Bonner, Springs, Kansas 66012.

Source for Atha-Pneu

According to the Prairie Blacksmith, Sid Suedemeier has an ample supply
of coal, temperature gauges and S-1 (Atha-Pneu) tool steel for sale.
	The S-1 is unique in that it can be cut with a hack saw and work and
air hardens with forging so that it isn't necessary to quench it. You
just shape it and use it.
	Not sure about prices, etc. but give him a call at (402) 873-6603.
	Need I mention he also has parts for Little Giant Power Hammers. .
.