John DeWald’s Last Message as Guildmaster

As I begin this, my last Guildmaster’s Message, I want to focus on an introduction to your new Guildmaster.  Welcome, Kris Polizzi!!

The passing of the mantle of leadership to Kris comes with a feeling of pride and of love.  Love for this guild, and pride in that my choice as my successor was such an easy one.  Her steadfast support of this Guild is apparent in everything that she has done for us and will be in her dedication as she carries the Guild into the next two years.

I said it once, and I’ll say it again; She is a prize fighter and knows what it takes to overcome obstacles.  Know this, an acquaintance became a friend, a friend became a confidant, a confidant became a lifelong sister.  My two years as Guildmaster would have been much more difficult without her support and counsel.  As she and Clint Byers take the helm, I ask all of you for your continued support of both of them and the Guild as you have done for me.  Good luck little sister, I have faith in you, you will do well.

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Regards as always,

John L. DeWald Jr., Past Guildmaster

See You In Altoona - HCH Horn Fair and Annual Meeting

It is with great anticipation that I write this because in only 2 days we will all hopefully be together at the Altoona Grand Hotel, celebrating our 25th Anniversary!!!  I can not think of a single meeting I have attended that filled me with such excitement except for maybe my first time at Ft. Roberdeau.  25 years!  I mean think of it.  It was 1996 and a group of like-minded folks sat down and came up with the idea that became the Honourable Company of Horners.  In the years that followed, the people that came together and the leaders of the Guild ensured that it not only grew in membership but in knowledge and resources. And wow!  What a guild it is today!!

I have been truly honored to have led this guild for the last two years albeit from my computer and my home.  This is why I am so excited to see our membership again.  Nothing fulfills the horner’s heart than being with friends old and new and sharing in such an ancient for of art and craftsmanship that we all love.  The 25th Anniversary is going to be an event to remember.  Your Excomm has been planning this for the past three years and there is no doubt in my mind that its culmination will leave a lasting impression on all who attend this year.

There are several special treats in store, and several presentations that are sure to impress. A very special lapel pin will be available in limited quantity, and a new t-shirt will be available as well.  So, pack up your horns, bring along your cameras and notebooks, put the family in the car and head on out to Altoona, Pennsylvania for a great time is about to be had by all.

Safe travels and I look forward to seeing everyone.

YMH&OS
John DeWald Jr.
Guildmaster

December 26, 2021 - We Have a New Location for the 2022 Annual Meeting!

 

We as a Guild are grateful for the dedication of Kris Polizzi. She has spearheaded the effort to find a suitable location for the 2022 Annual Meeting and has met with success! Our thanks go out to Roland Cadle and Art DeCamp also.

Please read the Update in Kris’ own words below.

John DeWald, Jr.
Guildmaster

Well, this has been one whirlwind of a week! I’ve heard the stories of how our brave leaders once had to scramble to change the location of the Annual Meeting. To be honest, I’ve always thought, “Glad that wasn’t me”! Well, last week I got an unexpected e-mail from AHEC and you know the rest of the story.

I’d first like to thank all of our members who jumped in to help by suggesting new locations to use as a venue. We quickly started making calls and sending e-mails. Within a few days we had some pretty solid leads. I’m happy to announce that on Thursday we finalized a location that was suggested by both Roland and Art, The Altoona Grand Hotel (1 Sheraton Drive, Altoona, PA 16601). Not only will it be able to furnish beautiful and large rooms for our event, we are also able to have a block of rooms reserved, so that your entire weekend can potentially be all in one place! We’re also able to keep all of our original plans as far as scheduling and prices!

To reserve a room, just call the main number (814-946-1631) and request to be in the “HCH” block. Rooms reserved for Thursday, March, 3rd through Sunday, March 6^th will be at a discounted rate of $85/per night. There are plenty of restaurant choices within walking distance and even more with a short drive. I‘ve been assured their food is top notch, so I’m really looking forward to the banquet! There will also be a cash bar and appetizers at the mixer before dinner.

There’s plenty of room for display tables and demonstrating stations, so sign up today if you’d like a table. Please fill out this form. Print it out and mail it with your payment please. The address is on the form.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 717-367-3883 or polizzifam@netzero.net. Thank you so much for “hanging in there” with us through this hectic time!

Kris Polizzi- Guildmaster-Elect/Events Committee Chair

Guildmaster's Challenge at the March 2022 Annual Meeting

HCH members, Take Notice!!

Our 25th Anniversary is fast approaching which means another chance to put your hornworking skills to the test. The Guild Master’s Challenge is still in full effect. There is still time for you to craft an entry before March, 2022, in the spirit of the 18th century craftsmen of old. The challenge is open to all HCH Members. Those taking on the challenge must create a horn object utilizing only those tools and atmospheres available to 18th century hornsmiths. This means no power tools, modern implements electricity, or modern lighting. As one who has taken on the challenge in the past, I can tell you it was an invaluable learning experience and gave me a new appreciation for hornwork.

The award is presented to the winning entry of the challenge. This year it will be a handcrafted item made by redware artisan Selinda Kennedy especially for this event. Please document your project through photos so all members can appreciate the process and efforts of all involved.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing your entries!

Your Most Humble Servant,

John DeWald, Guildmaster

December 8, 2021 - Special Announcement - Bone Tipped and Banded Horns - Volume 2

This is a Special Announcement on Pre-Orders and Sponsorship of Bone Tipped and Banded Horns, Vol. II
Please see Master Horner Art DeCamp’s message below…

YMOHS,

John DeWald
Guildmaster

Jay Hopkins greatly anticipated Volume II of his Bone Tipped & Banded Horns book is ready for publication.Initial distribution is set for March of 2022!  Those who have seen the contents of Volume II feel this edition is even better and more interesting than the first volume thus making Volume II a “must have book” for your personal library.  All collectors of powder horns and Kentucky rifles will greatly benefit from having this book in their library.

This second volume continues his 50-year study concentrating on regional characteristics of professionally made powder horns from the southern US.  It has been significantly augmented by collaboration and cooperation with other collectors, students, and museums. The focus of Volume II is on powder horns of the south including North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas.This volume will be hardbound with approximately 320 pages, over 140 powder horns featured and over 600 full color images. Each horn will be illustrated, measured in multiple parameters and the various materials and woods identified.  Then, pertinent history and biographical information will be included, as well as an analysis of the horn and its origin.

A standard copy of Volume II may be ordered, assuring that individual of receiving their copy immediately upon publication.  Price for a standard pre-ordered Volume II is $79.95, plus $10.00 S&H.

Simply download this form, fill-out and mail it and with your payment to:

 

 

Sincerely,
Art DeCamp
HCH Publishing Committee

September 2021 – Message from the Guildmaster

The summer temps are starting to wane and it is evident fall will soon be here.  I continue to remain positive and am looking forward to March of 2022 and our 25^th year celebration.  Shortly after the NMLRA Spring shoot in Indiana, I received an e-mail from Benjamin Quearry.  I am including an excerpt here as it is important all our members get to read what he wrote:

Thank you and the Honorable Company of Horners for the wonderful horn the HCH provided for the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association’s Americans with Disabilities Act project. The horn is a beautiful piece of work, done in the highest craftsmanship. It has helped our fundraising effort a great deal, and we are in your debt. I am very thankful for the alliance we have formed between the Honorable Company of Horners and Gunmaker’s Hall. 

I met Joe-D Baxter during the June shoot at Friendship. I was impressed by his journeyman’s work. We quickly decided that Gunmaker’s Hall needed a better way to display horn work. To that end, we are in the process of doing some renovations to the interior of the Hall, to restore its 18th century look and atmosphere. We would like to build a period wall display, specifically for HCH members to display their work at Gunmaker’s Hall during the shoots. The space will be about 5 feet wide and 6 feet high. We really want to have a nice place to display the work of the HCH. 

I cannot thank the Honorable Company of Horners enough for their gracious help on the NMLRA Americans with Disabilities Act project.

Your most humble servant

Benjaman Quearry

It was heartwarming to read his words and I am grateful every time communication like this takes place as it speaks to the caliber of the Guild and our membership.   Henry Bowman and Carl Dumke are currently working with Mr. Quearry and some special things are in the works to give the HCH a nice “home” for our work to be displayed.  Stay tuned.

The Gunmakers Fair at Kempton 2022
As a reminder the event will be held at the Kempton Community Center on July 29, 30, & 31, 2022.
The Gunmakers Fair at Kempton plans are progressing well and the vendor invitations will be going out after Labor Day.   Those of you who had a chance to attend the CLA show, you might have seen the beautiful custom-built rifle that is being raffled off by Jacobsburg Historical Society with the proceeds going to the start-up of the first event.  If you have not seen it, check out the Gunmakers Fair at Kempton Facebook page or their website for details and to purchase tickets.
Note there is no camping on-site; however, there are sites within a short distance. See a listing here.

The Fall Frolic/Frontier Art Show 2021
If any of you attended Mel Hankla’s Fall Frolic last year in Indiana, you already know the quality of the event.  The Fall Frolic/Frontier Art Show will take place on October 22-23, 2021, at the Lawrenceburg Event Center, Lawrenceburg, IN.  The promoters of the Fall Frolic are making available two tables for the Guild’s use during the show and we are asking for volunteers to staff the tables and help promote the HCH during the event.  With enough people involved, everyone can have an opportunity to enjoy the show.  If you can help, please Daniel Boling ( danielb05@bellsouth.net ) with the day(s) and times that you would be available.

As always, until we meet again, it is my sincerest prayer and wish that all of you and your families have continued health and safety in these uncertain times.

YMH&OS,

John DeWald Jr.

Guildmaster

 

 

April 30, 2021 - Special Announcement from the Guildmaster

To paraphrase my elders;  My how time flies.

Seems like yesterday that we were all together at Carlisle and yet, here we are almost two years later still wondering the outcome of this pandemic.  I am looking forward to March of 2022 as we will finally, hopefully, be able to celebrate our 25^th Anniversary.  In the Interim, there have been some notable occurrences worth mentioning.  First, The NMLRA Horn project by our collective of HCH members is finished.  My compliments to all who participated, it is a horn worthy enough to be added to Jeff Luke’s pouch and photos and the horn itself will be sent off to the NMLRA soon to be added to the rest of the items for the ADA compliant restroom raffle.  Details of the raffle should be available on the NMLRA website.

Secondly, we are all aware now, the Gunmaker’s Fair at Dixons is no longer going to be held.  When I saw the announcement on social media, my heart dropped.  I have been going there for over 30 years and re-invigorated my visits through the HCH involvement and serving on the accouterments panel as a judge, not to mention our summer reception was held during this time.  Well imagine my relief when I received a phone call from the NMLRA and they stated their interest in seeing  the event continued.  In the coming weeks a collective of organizations gathered together via online meetings and site visits to the Kempton Community Center and I am proud and excited to announce a date and the site has been secured for an event in July of 2022.

Yes!  The event formerly known as the Gunmakers Fair at Dixons will now be known as the Gunmakers Fair at Kempton.  The NMLRA, HCH, Jacobsburg Historical Society, and the Pennsylvania Federation of Black Powder Shooters are joining together with a joint financial investment to see the tradition that Chuck Dixon started 37 years ago continues forward.  The first event will be held at the Kempton Community Center, Kempton, PA on July 29, 30, & 31, 2022. This location is only 5 miles past Dixon’s.   Stay tuned as much more information will be coming in the next couple of weeks and months.  There is a website and Facebook page in development and social media is already buzzing.

You may ask; what is the HCH’s involvement in all of this?  Well, with a unanimous vote from our Ex-Comm, we are investing an equal share of funds with the other three organizations to finance the event.  I am putting out a call to all our members now to please think about volunteering your time to help with the setting up and running of the event and maybe you would even like to be a sponsor.  More details to come. Our presence will continue through vendors, an HCH table, the spring pole lathe setup, and our members continued involvement in accoutrement judging and seminars and yes, we are working on continuing our summer reception.

Please be patient with us as there is much to do and a lot of details are still being worked on by all involved.  If you would like more information or want to offer your help with the event, please contact me via e-mail or phone and will be glad to answer any of your questions

YMH&OS

John DeWald Jr.

Guildmaster

Dec. 16, 2020 - Special Announcement - 2021 Annual Meeting Cancelled

“It is with hesitation and sadness that I send notice of our decision to CANCEL the March 2021 Annual Meeting and 25th Anniversary celebration.

I, along with our Ex-comm and committee members feel this is in the best interest of all of our membership due to current circumstances across our great nation and the restrictions being imposed because of it. Please do not despair though, as this additional year will give the Ex-comm and the 25th anniversary committee members more time to ensure that our 25th year celebration will be the best it can be. Whether we celebrate 25 years of excellence in horn working at the beginning or the end of that 25th year will make no difference. What does matter is the health of us all and the ability to gather together once again in a safe environment with hopefully the pandemic as only a memory.

We will be posting this notice to our Facebook page and our website, and you will see additional information in the upcoming winter issue of The Horn Book. So please stay tuned as I can assure you great things are in store for the future of our beloved Guild. It is most assuredly not the way I would have liked to spend my 1st year as Guildmaster but the silver lining in it all is that I have gotten to see the incredible support of our membership and the tenacity of our leadership to make sure we endure.

I would like to thank all of you for your continued patience and support as we endeavor to find viable solutions to chart through these troubled waters. Until we meet again, I remain your most humble and devoted servant.

John DeWald Jr., Guildmaster”

Message from the Guildmaster – October 4, 2020 – The NMLRA needs our help with a Special Project.

This is a rare opportunity for the HCH to help The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association become compliant with a Federal mandate for compliant restroom facilities at the Walter Cline Range. This fundraiser will be a Joseph Bogle styled longrifle and accoutrements. The builders are lined-up for the rifle, but the project needs our Freeman and Journeymen to create the accoutrements. Thankfully, we have many talented members who are up to the task!

Lock detail of the Bogle Rifle.

Please read the Guildmaster’s Message below. Please consider your talents and abilities to really help with a worthwhile project. When we help the NMLRA we  help ourselves too.

Calling all Freeman and Journeymen,

Based off of conversations with NMLRA representative Mr. Benjaman Quearry and a unanimous decision from your Ex-comm, we are all agreement that the HCH is going to move forward on a project to donate a ONE-TIME collaborative horn for the NMLRA’s project of completing a rifle, bag, horn and accouterments to be raffled off by the NMLRA to raise funds for ADA compliant restrooms at the Walter Cline range in Friendship, Indiana.

If you would like to volunteer, please forward your name and contact information to me, John DeWald at PA_horner@yahoo.com or send a text message to me at 570-220-6450.  There are some important things you should know before volunteering. So, if you are interested please contact me as soon as possible. The project is due by the 2021 HCH Annual meeting.

1. Volunteers need to have a knowledge of (or in part) of turning & carving wood/metal/horn, engraving (scrimshaw), strap making/weaving, and leatherwork (for strap ends).
2. If we have more than four volunteers, all names will be dropped into a hat and four drawn out for the project.
3. Out of the four, the Ex-comm will select a project “head” to start and coordinate the project.  This person will also make sure the Ex-comm is updated as to the progress.
4. Each maker needs to document their efforts on the project with photos and a description of their work. (Photos and descriptions will be sent to John DeWald.)
5. Updates will be posted to the HCH Facebook page and website during progress. Once completed and presented to the NMLRA, an article will be done for the hornbook.
6. The horn should represent a post-revolutionary war, late 18th century in Virginia but with Pennsylvania influences.
7. Horn to be completed by March 2021 Guild Meeting for presentation to the NMLRA representative. (presented by all the makers if possible)
8. Each Maker may be interviewed by Mr. Quearry for his upcoming articles in Muzzle Blasts.  (Most likely they will be by telephone as he lives in Indiana.)

Please see the attached documents for more insight into the project and it’s details.
Description of task.
Description of the build.

So, Please do not hesitate, volunteer now for a chance to take part in a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Thank you, John DeWald, Guildmaster

Message from the Guildmaster - Summer 2020

To My Fellow Guild Members…

Over the past several months we all have continued to see the COVID 19 issue grow.  As of the writing of this message, there are currently 19.7 million cases of the virus worldwide.  This has continued to bring about the cancellation of many re-enactment and market fair events that we all look forward to, or count on, every year to keep and strengthen our ties with friends and organizations across the country.  I am sure foremost in the eyes of many of our members was Dixon’s Muzzleloading Gun Fair.  For the first time in 38 years the news that the Fair was cancelled left a hole in the yearly gatherings of so many of our horners and friends and the cancellation of our summer reception.

Well, as I stated before, we will not be defeated!  Your Ex-comm has already done a Facebook “Chat with the Guildmaster” live feed that has helped us to prepare for our Facebook live feed  on September 5^th.  On that day we will have our virtual summer raffle and all can gather to see the drawing of the winning ticket by our Fundraising Chairman, Eric Borneman. Tickets are now available here on our website and the link is also on our Facebook page.  Chuck Brownewell has donated a beautiful bag, horn, and accouterment set all made by him,which was also a multiple ribbon winner at Dixon’s last year.  You do not need to be present on Facebook for the live drawing to win.  Please buy tickets and support your Guild.  Chuck has asked that all proceeds be  applied to offset  the 25^th anniversary cost and the Anniversary Committee would like to extend a HUGE thank you to Chuck for his donation.  One more example of the passion our members have for the Guild and their willingness to support it.

Very soon, you will see an email with a call to all of our Freeman and Journeymen. This will be a chance to take part in a one-time, special project we are going to do for the NMLRA.  We will be choosing, at random, four volunteers to do a collaborative horn to be donated to the NMLRA.  This horn will be paired with a collaborative rifle and accouterment set they are raffling off next year to raise funds for ADA compliant restrooms to be built on their Walter Cline range in Indiana.  For anyone that knows of someone with a disability, they know of the difficulty inattending events without the resources to function as participating member of our Reenactment and Muzzleloading community.  So, if you are a Freeman or a Journeyman, please respond to the mail when it comes and take part in a once in a lifetime project for a great cause.

Lastly, as Carl Dumke and Jeff Bibb have done in the past I will be continuing the Guildmaster’s Challenge.  The 2021 prize will be made by Erich and Janice Steinhagen and the 2022 prize by Selinda Kennedy of Kennedy Redware.  So sharpen your tools and get to work.  There are only 7 months for you to make something to submit.  Remember, this can be a horn or horn object, however, there is to be NO modern implements or sources to complete this work.  No modern lathes, drills, light sources, etc.  Additionally, I am asking that each entrant document parts of their process in photos to share and show the old ways are still possible. If you do not have the resources to print the photos, send them to me and I will print a photo sheet for you.  I promise anyone that takes on this challenge will find a new appreciation for what the horners of old were able to accomplish with minimal resources.  I am looking forward to seeing what you bring to the table.

In closing, keep your spirits up and stay safe.  The guild is still here and we are doing our best to see it leap into the future.   Until then, I remain,

Your most humble and obedient servant.

John L. DeWald Jr.
Guildmaster