Presidents Message

Fellow Smith's


It's Finally Here!!!!  Warm air and sunshine, time to get 
out and about and do some serious forging.  Before we know 
it, winter will be back and we'll be saying we should have 
done this or done that or gone here or gone there and we 
equally missed out on everything.  I still haven't heard of 
any Hammer-In plans!!!  Why not plan to get a group together 
and forge something for Baraboo or Burlington?  It wood 
create a good reason (if one is needed) for meeting with 
other smiths and swapping ideas and stories.

For those of you who made it to Haverhill for Roger's demo, 
I needn't say anything.  For those who didn't get there, you 
missed one of the best hands on demos our group has ever 
had!  Roger not only showed how to do things, but everyone 
had a chance to get personal instruction in the fire.  He 
did excellent work and had many tips on tools and methods 
from texture dies and a trick cut-off saw to the "Matthew 
Finish."

Much thanks to Roger for a fantastic weekend.  Hat's off 
also to Gene Pippin, Steve White, and everyone else who 
helped, for doing a great job of putting it all together.  
Due to the small turnout, we decided it was in the best 
interest of UMBA to auction all donated items from Haverhill 
at the Baraboo conference.  We'll have quite a few nice 
pieces!!!

I was also fortunate enough to attend the Ozark conference 
after Iowa.  It's always fun to see a group that is 
energetic and active.  There where many very good part-time 
smiths who brought their work to show and tell and the 
auction, some very nice pieces.

As always, if anyone has any ideas on how to make our group 
more active, or help more people out, please drop me a line.

Let's try for a BIG turnout at Baraboo this year, If at all 
possible, it would be well worth your time and effort.  More 
info on the conference is in this newsletter.  There is 
always a wealth of information and camaraderie at any 
meeting, make your plans now.  Hope to see you all there!!!!

Happy and Safe Hammerin'
Mike