President's Message WRABA President’s letter for September and October 2008 It is hard to believe but summer has come and gone. The leaves are turning color and some are falling off the trees early. This either means that we are in for an early winter or that the drought at the end of the summer had a larger impact on the health of the trees than we all thought. WRABA members were busy in July and August: · A number of our members attended the joint meeting of Northern Ohio Blacksmiths (NOB) and WRABA on July 19, 2008. The meeting was hosted by Ky Green and his wife. This joint meeting was formerly hosted by the late Bill Hahn and Ky has taken on the responsibility for continuing the tradition of hosting this joint meeting. · On August 2 and 3 our members under the leadership of Marc Yanko represented WRABA at the West Woods Nature Arts Festival held at the West Woods Park in Novelty, Ohio. The purpose of the WRABA exhibit was to allow our members to exhibit and to sell their work and to raise public interest in the art and craft of blacksmithing. All of the demonstrators focused on forging items inspired by nature. Making the sparks fly was a team of demonstrators including Marc Yanko, Roy Troutman, Jim Hovanec, Bob Temple, Ralph Neumeister, Bruce Woodward and me. Not to be outdone by the demonstrators Anne Hovanec oversaw the sales of items exhibited by our members. We are really are indebted to her for keeping the books on the sale and for collecting applicable taxes on the sales. WRABA received a very complimentary letter from the organizers of the event and we have been invited back for next year. · Beyond recognizing the work of Marc and his able team of demonstrators it is important to point out that a number of members also had their work shown in the people’s choice exhibit and that Roy Troutman took first prize for his hand forged gate. Roy’s gate included a crane shown in profile in the middle of the gate. Other members with items in the exhibit included Jim Hovanec, Art Wolfe, Bob Parks, Ralph Neumeister, Marc Yanko and Ken Roby. (Anne, if I missed anyone please add them to the list of exhibitors) · On August 23, 2008 the members of WRABA enjoyed a great picnic at the house of Art and Judy Wolfe. It was a beautiful sunny day with excellent food and gracious hosts who made everyone welcome. For those who attended the event please remember to thank Art and the next time that they attend a Hammer In. I want to remind everyone of several upcoming events: 1. Bob Temple needs raffle items for the weekends when there are activities at Burton Century Village. He also needs members to assist in demonstrating blacksmithing skills at those events. Upcoming events include the Apple Butter Festival on October 11 and 12, 2008. 2. We have a Hammer in on October 18, 2008 at the shop of Bruce Woodward in Madison, Ohio. Details are available elsewhere in the Newsletter. 3. Work on the granite end table has been completed and we are getting ready to sell raffle tickets. Every member will be called upon to sell the raffle tickets or to buy them for themselves. The money raised goes to support WRABA. Happy hammering, Ike