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