Tonight I just got home from the weekend meeting of the NCCKG. The family made the trip with me and had gone on to the beach. Between waiting on them to return and running down to Kinston to check on Tony Kelly, Guild Treasurer, I had allotted for an extra day in my schedule. Tony had back surgery last Tuesday and could not make the meeting, so supper from the Guild and a first hand report on the meeting was a must. GET WELL SOON Tony.

Besides the meeting, the weekend held another special event with the birthday of Trena McNabb being celebrated with homemade ice cream and birthday cake. Happy Birthday Trena. Everyone was glad you chose to spend your birthday with us.

The meeting started Saturday morning with a demo by John Hege on forging a hawk head.
http://www.poythresscustomknives.com/images/NC Guild/2007 July Mtg/John Hege Forge Hawk.jpg

Then Wayne Whitley forged a small hawk head and placed it on the "Iron-In-The-Hat" to go with the other treasures that are used to pay for the lunch the Guild provides for those who attend.
http://www.poythresscustomknives.com/images/NC Guild/2007 July Mtg/Wayne Hawk Head.jpg

After lunch, Tommy McNabb showed everyone how to make a silver sheath.
http://www.poythresscustomknives.com/images/NC Guild/2007 July Mtg/Tommy Silver Sheath.jpg

During the business meeting, the Guild had to elect a new Vice-President. With a unamious vote, Travis Daniel was elected to fill the spot. Travis is no stranger to the Guild or knifemaking. He also has a vision as to what he would like to see happen in the Guild. He has a real passion for knifemaking and knifemakers.

Saturday night, everyone gathered at Blackbeards for supper and fellowship. The fellowship among the membership is a real treasure for me. The good natured joking and genuine concern shown for each other makes the trips to the meetings worth it for me.

After supper, there was a late night grinding session with our new Vice-President having the opportunity to give one-on-one instructions to his very special guest, Jay Daniel, his son. There could have been no "prouder" pappa than Travis was when Jay asked his Dad to give him grinding instructions. Looking on is Ken Simmons and Jay's friend Kelcie.
http://www.poythresscustomknives.com/images/NC Guild/2007 July Mtg/Travis and Jay Grinding.jpg
Looks like the younger Daniel just might give his dad a run for his money with grinding skills.

Sunday morning, the meeting continued with Wayne Whitley showing everyone how to finish out a Tomahawk once the head is forged.
http://www.poythresscustomknives.com/images/NC Guild/2007 July Mtg/Wayne and Tomahawk.jpg

Then to finish out the scheduled day, Travis showed eveyone how to taper a tang.
http://www.poythresscustomknives.com/images/NC Guild/2007 July Mtg/Travis Tapering Tang.jpg

Then was a reluctance to leave on everyone's part so several impromptu demos "broke-out" with one being Bob Hamm fitting bone to a tang
http://www.poythresscustomknives.com/images/NC Guild/2007 July Mtg/Bob Ham Fitting Bone.jpg

And then Tommy McNabb, Travis Daniel, and Wayne Whitley giving a look-see to the guys of some of the different jigs they have developed and used over the years.
http://www.poythresscustomknives.com/images/NC Guild/2007 July Mtg/Tommy and Jig.jpg

This took the meeting over into the early afternoon on Sunday and as the "break-out" demos were completed, everyone began the journey home. The turn out for the meeting was really good with about 35 folks there and the weather was absolutely perfect. I always have a good time at these meetings and have to say this was a REALLY GOOD TIME. If you missed this meeting mark your calendar for Oct 20. This meeting will be held at the shop of Alan Folts in Greenville, NC. See you there.

Thanks for the writeup Joan, I had a great time at the meeting. I've got some pictures I'll try to pull of the camera for you this week.

I had a great time on saturday. I've never had a bad time at one of our meetings. I wish Phillip and I could have stayed for sunday's festivities but there were things to deal with here at home.

No problem twins---the home made ice cream you brought more than made up for you absence on Sunday. Mamma Jones out did herself again with the training she is putting into you guys :)