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