Saturday, August 8, 2015

Old retired guys and anyone who wants to take a vacation day hammer in

On July 30, at the Osage Bluff Blacksmith Shop we hosted a hammer in  called "The old retired guys and anyone who wants to take a vacation day". You see, it was a Thursday meeting!

There was a little tailgating going on.  Of course the grand daughter Lizzie was in on the dealing too.

 She seemed to always be in among the guys. Note safety glasses were a requirement.



This is the force behind most of the blacksmiths. Thank you Bob Stormer for organizing us for a great group picture. BAM wouldn't be what it is without these woman and many more.


It was good to see some old friends. Don Asbee, Bernard Tappel, (two of the twelve founding members of BAM), Sam Little (a brand new member) and Rich Kamp.


It was also good to make new friends. Stephanie was the only female blacksmith participating. 


Blacksmiths came from long distances too. Larry Lutz was from Iowa. We had 2 from Iowa, and 2 from Illinois.


Through out the day there was a gas forge and 3 coal forges going. Almost everyone worked on a project they brought along or demonstrated something for the group. 



 Seems there were some great conversations shared. . . Pat McCarty and Bob Alexander.


 Chris Owen, Mike Gentzsch, Ken Markley, and Preston Williams.


 Craig and Cory.



This would be the early bird prize!   It seems Tom Patterson arrived two weeks early . . . he had the date wrong.


 Lots of conversation . . . Don Asbee, Don Nichols, and Tom Patterson.

 Phil Cox, Terry Smith, John Viessman, "let's discuss this".


 The gas forges.



 Dan Wedemeyer.
  


Here is the group of BAM members that attended. We hosted almost 50 members and spouses!


Getting ready for lunch, ham, smoked turkey, deer sausage sandwiches with all the trimmings. 


My creative sister carved the BAM logo into a watermelon, added an anvil and hammer on top!



There was still parking for a few more cars. It was a beautiful day in the country. The first cool day after several scorching days.


Lunch is served.

If you are included in the pictures, thank you for coming.  If not, try to make it next time!