<p>Happy New Year! As I sit and write, I glance outside our upstairs window at the mountainside before me. Winter brings a special beauty to the mountains of Virginia. Often noted for their blue color, this time of year imparts a purplish cast that I cannot help but think of as somehow more striking than [&hellip;]</p>

<p>A Merry December to you all: I say this from a traditional view, having recently spent some time reading Harnett T. Kane’s wonderful book, The Southern Christmas Book, first published in 1958. Kane traces the origins and practices of our earliest settlers from the 1600’s onward in areas ranging from Virginia to Maryland, New Orleans [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Some thoughts on November 2012: Is it just me, or are most of you completely worn out with the mindless hullabaloo surrounding this election?  It seems that one cannot go more than an hour without the phone ringing and demanding our attention as to who does what better, and who is more honest, and who [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Greetings once again: In Virginia, October is in the air. The leaves are starting to turn golden browns, and bright reds, while beginning to cover the yard and driveway. Acorns rain down like a bad hail storm. If the old stories about the amount of acorns relating to a severe winter are true, we are [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Greetings: With the end of summer in sight, many of us are looking forward to the cooler temperatures and glorious colors that mark our fall season. I know I am, and with it, the opportunity to get outside more and explore the woods and mountains. Many of our ancestors would be anticipating this change with [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Hello to all: Has it been two weeks since Dixon’s gun-making fair already? How time flies, and the annual CLA show is just around the corner next weekend (08/18 &#8211; 08/19) in Lexington, Kentucky. I don’t know about you, but for many of our members, these two shows mark a very busy time in our [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Happy Fourth of July! As I write this, I wonder how many of our modern citizens really understand the impact of the events that would result from the writing and signing of our Declaration of Independence long, long ago. Five of our founding fathers worked to arrive at a document that expressed their desires and [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Hello to all: With summer in full swing in most of the country, now is the time to get out and participate in historical activities. Here in Virginia, the city of Charlottesville just celebrated part of its 250th year festival with an 18th century encampment and  re-enactment of Tarleton’s raid in 1781.  While walking around [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Hello to All: With the coming of the summer months, we are all now deeply involved with our various gatherings and events. Fort Frederick has just ended, and although I was not able to attend this year, I have heard that it was a grand event. The Tennessee / Kentucky Longrifle show was held several [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Greetings to all: We are shocked and very saddened to learn about the  sudden passing of our good friend, and guild secretary, Phil Cravener. I know that Phil touched many of our lives with his constant smile, his un-ending warmth and humor, and his immense talent as an artisan. Our sympathies extend to all of [&hellip;]</p>

<p>In my first message  as your newly appointed Guildmaster, I would first like to say thank you  to everyone  in our organization who has worked so hard in the past to bring the guild to its current position.  I appreciate your confidence in me, and I hope that I will be able to adequately “follow [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Our annual meeting is just around the corner.  If you have not sent in your dues and registration form, the deadline is February 24th, 2012.  If you plan to enter the horn strap/drinking vessel contest you can bring the item with you or send it to me and I will bring it for you. Time [&hellip;]</p>

<p>HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! The Honourable Company of Horners is again saddened to learn of the passing of another great horn worker and supplier of horn, John Plybon. John was truly a pioneer in horn work and was the first recipient of the Guild’s prestigious “Lanthorn Award”. We offer our condolences to the Plybon [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The Executive committee met this past November to discuss HCH business and a motion to sanction “official” HCH regional meetings was brought to vote. After much debate and discussion, the motion was defeated.  The following items were taken into consideration before coming to this decision: Club Resources (both monetary and manpower) &#8211; Each year the [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Our first fall executive and committee chair meeting is now part of the Guild’s history. It was extremely productive and hopefully has paved the way for future meetings of this type. Numerous items were on the table, including a thorough review of the Guild’s by-laws. The special committee that was appointed to conduct the review [&hellip;]</p>

<p>About Our 2012 Annual Meeting The Honourable Company of Horners 2012 Annual Meeting will be held at the Army Heritage Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  The dates for the meeting are, Friday March 2nd and Saturday March 3rd, 2012 with an early set-up on Thursday March 1st. A block of rooms will be set aside [&hellip;]</p>

<p>The Honourable Company of Horners is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a true icon for horn workers, collectors and enthusiasts alike; Jim Dresslar. We offer our condolences to the Dresslar family who are in our thoughts and prayers.  Jim certainly paved the way for all horners with his book; “The Engraved Powder [&hellip;]</p>

<p>ATTENTION! Members of the Honourable Company of Horners; there is a prize update for our blowing horn strap and drinking vessel contest.  Winners in each category will receive: A $100 cash prize A hard copy edition of the Hartley Book A certificate of achievement And be honored guests of the Guild, along with their spouse, [&hellip;]</p>

<p>This month&#8217;s Message from The Guildmaster is provided by Jeff Bibb, our Guildmaster Elect. My thanks to Jeff for providing it. Ed Long Guildmaster &nbsp; 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 [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Is it that time again? You bet! Just a few weeks away, Dixon’s Gunmakers Fair, the event we all look forward to year after year. During the evening on the first day of the fair, the HCH will hold the 7th Annual Summer Reception at Jacobsburg Historical Society. A letter has been sent to all [&hellip;]</p>