September 2011 Message from The Guildmaster

This month’s Message from The Guildmaster is provided by Jeff Bibb, our Guildmaster Elect. My thanks to Jeff for providing it.
Ed Long
Guildmaster

 

Happy Labor Day to everyone! I hope that all of you will be able to take the day off and enjoy a rest after this whirlwind summer.

Well, Dixon’s and CLA have come and gone for another year. With only three weeks separating these two events, it is a busy time for many of our members. The HCH had a strong presence at both events, and we are all pleased with the success of the guild and its members.

Once again, HCH members made a strong showing in the judging at Dixon’s fair. Several first place awards went to members for accoutrements and guns, including another win by a guild member of the Madison Grant Award! [Mr. Bibb is being shy. It was his Southern banded blowing horn that took this honor. Editor]
Congratulations to everyone. Look for details in a coming issue of The Horn Book.

Guild members were busy all weekend at their own tables, staffing the HCH table (thanks to everyone who generously helped out), selling books and memberships, teaching seminars, judging competition entries, and trying to find time to take in some of the fair for themselves.

The HCH summer reception was once again, a very well-attended event. The food was excellent, the museum was open for viewing, and the folks at Jacobsburg did an excellent job of hosting the event. The great north / south banded horn competition was voted to a tie. Both sets of entries were beautifully made, and even Tom Ames, the head of Dixon’s accoutrements judging, could not truly pick one over the other. Congratulations to Billy and Roland for their work!

CLA was also an outstanding show for the guild. Thanks to John Proud, Frank Willis, and Jim Pease for staffing the guild table, selling books and representing the guild. Many guild members attend and exhibit at CLA. The show is truly so large, that it is hard to take it all in if you have your own table. There were many outstanding displays of contemporary and original pieces to admire over the two days in Lexington.

As we move in the fall season, plans are already well underway for next year’s HCH conference and events. I look forward to seeing many of you in the coming months.

Y.M.H.S.,
Jeff Bibb
Guildmaster Elect