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The July Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, July 21th on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). Pot luck lunch at noon (Please bring a dish to share.) Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. Trade Item for July is something made from non-ferrous metal Follow the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland on our web page: www.bgcmonline.org and FaceBook: Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland

The June 2013 Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, June 23rd (This is NOT a third Sunday of the month) on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). Pot luck lunch at noon (Please bring a dish to share.) Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. Trade Item for June is a blacksmithing tool Follow the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland on our web page: www.bgcmonline.org and FaceBook: Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland

The Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland and the Carroll County Farm Museum will be celebrating the 25th Annual Blacksmith Days, taking place on the weekend of 18-19 May, 2013. This year the featured demonstrators will be Colonial Williamsburg's Ken Schwarz, and Randy McDaniel. These are the same 2 demonstrators who kicked off the very first Blacksmith Days, 25 years ago. Ken will be demonstrating some aspect of colonial style blacksmithing. Randy is bringing his hydraulic press and will be showing how to incorporate a press into your blacksmithing. . Admission for the 2 day event which includes 2 continental breakfasts and 2 lunches is $40 at the gate. Gates open at 8am and demos start at 9am. Registration form is available on our webpage: www.bgcmonline.org If you pre-register, the fee is $30 up until 1 May and then goes to $40. after May 1st. All of the usual amenities: Tailgateing Iron-In-The-Hat raffles both days. Saturday afternoon there will be a live auction of hand forged ironwork. Silent auction ending at 3pm on Sunday. (Attendees may consign items for the Silent Auction.) We are raffling off mirror framed with iron work and a tomahawk made by last year's demonstrator: Jymm Hoffman. Forging contests Green Coal sessions both afternoons. Maryland State Farriers Associations will be in attendance. All of this takes place on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. Follow the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland on our web page: www.bgcmonline.org and FaceBook: Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland

The April Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, April 14th on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). Pot luck lunch at noon Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. Trade Item for April is a garden tool or plant hanger. . Mark your Calendars: The weekend of 18/19 May 2013 will be the 25th Annual Blacksmith Days. Set up is on Friday, 17May. The featured demonstrators will be Ken Schwarz and Randy McDaniel. Go to www.bgcmonline for details and registration form. Registration fee goes up from $30 to $40 on 1 May. Follow the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland on our web page: www.bgcmonline.org and FaceBook: Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland

The March Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, March 24th on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). Pot luck lunch at noon March is time for the 14th Annual BGCM Chili Cook-off. Bring a pot of your best mild or spicy chili and compete for the title of Best Blacksmith Chili. Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. Trade Item for March is a ladle or cooking spoon (If the weather is threatening, check in with the BGCM HotLine before setting out for the Farm Museum 410-386-9150) Follow the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland on our web page: www.bgcmonline.org and FaceBook: Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland

The February Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, Feb. 17th on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). Pot luck lunch at noon Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. Trade Item for February is something with a sharp edge. (If the weather is threatening, check in with the BGCM HotLine before setting out for the Farm Museum 410-386-9150)

The January Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, Jan. 20th on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). Pot luck lunch at noon Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. In the morning, Jacob Selmer will be doing a demonstration of repoussé in steel, as can be used on armor. Trade Item for January is something with a heart, in anticipation of Valentine's Day next month. (If the weather is threatening, check in with the BGCM HotLine before setting out for the Farm Museum 410-386-9150)

Since the Holiday Party was moved back to November, the December Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, Dec. 16th on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). Pot luck lunch at noon Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. Trade Item this month is a set of 4 napkin rings. (If the weather is threatening, check in with the BGCM HotLine before setting out for the Farm Museum 410-386-9150)

The November Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will NOT be at the Farm Museum and will NOT be a Sunday. This year the Holiday party will be the Saturday before Thanksgiving, November 17th, at the Bear Branch Nature Center on the grounds of the Hashawha Environmental Center, 300 John Owings Rd.; north of Westminster off of Rt 97. Set up for the party starts at 4pm and the party starts at 5pm. Please bring an appetizer, side dish and/or dessert. The Guild will provide the main courses and beverages. The Trade Item this month is a hand made holiday ornament. In addition, there will be a cookie exchange: bring 1 dozen holiday cookies and go home with someone else's home made treats. (Please bring a copy of the cookie recipe for the upcoming “BGCM Cookbook”.) BGCM will meet back at the Farm Museum on Sunday 16 December . The Trade Item for December will be a set of 4 napkin rings. (If the weather is threatening, check in with the BGCM HotLine before setting out for any Guild function: 410-386-9150)

The October Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, October 28th (This is NOT a third Sunday of the month) on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). Pot luck lunch at noon (Please bring a dish to share.) Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. The Trade Item for October is a pair of book ends. Heads-up for the November monthly meeting. It will NOT be at the Farm Museum. The Annual Holiday Party has been moved from December to November 17th, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The Holiday Party will be at the Bear Branch Nature Center, north of Westminster. Details will be announced here next month. There will be a regular Guild meeting at the Farm Museum in December.

The September Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, September 23rd (This is NOT a third Sunday of the month) on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). John Dittmeier will be giving a demo at 10 am Don't forget to bring something for the Iron-In-The-Hat. September is time for the BGCM Annual Crab Feast starting at noon. Please bring a side dish or desert. The Guild will supply the crabs, hot dogs, hamburgers and soft drinks. Don't forget to bring something for the Iron-in-the-hat raffle. Trade Item for September is a table top paper towel holder.

There are a lot of blacksmith resources in Maryland. THe Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland meets at the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster, WNW of Baltimore. We have a section in the Blacksmith Groups Forum here on I FORGE IRON. We also have a FaceBook Page: "The Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland". We give classes. Our most popular class is the Blacksmithing 101, covering all aspects of getting started in blacksmithing. There will probably 2-3 more weekend sessions this year and a Wednesday night session in October. Our webpage is www.bgcmonline.org The Chesapeak Forge Guild meets at the Kinder Farm Park in Millersville. Their home page is http://www.chesapeakeforge.org/ There is a new Guild forming on the western edge of Frederick County: The Blacksmith Guild of Western Maryland. they have a facebook page of the same name. Welcome to blacksmithing in MD.

The August Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, August 12th (This is NOT a third Sunday of the month) on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). August is time for the BGCM Annual Ice-Cream Freeze-Off. Bring you best home made ice-cream and compete for Best Blacksmith Ice-Cream. Pot luck lunch at noon (Please bring a dish to share.) Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. Trade Item for August is a wood working tool.

The June Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, June 10th (This is NOT a third Sunday of the month) on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). Pot luck lunch at noon (Please bring a dish to share.) Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. Trade Item for June is a set of meat skewers and a holder.

This year the featured demonstrators will be Jymm Hoffman and ABS Master Bladesmith Mark Sentz. Admission for the 2 day event which includes 2 continental breakfasts and 2 lunches is $40. Gates open at 8am and demos start at 9am. All of the usual amenities: Tailgateing Iron-In-The-Hat raffles both days. Late Saturday afternoon there will be a live auction of hand forged ironwork. Silent auction ending at 3pm on Sunday. (Attendees may consign items for the Silent Auction.) We are raffling off a damascus ladle made by Ted McNett and Ray Neubauer and a knife donated by Baltimore Knife and Sword. Forging contests Green Coal sessions both afternoons. Maryland State Farriers Association will be in attendance. Set up is on Friday, 18 May. We are hoping to do an iron smelt on Friday afternoon. All of this takes place on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157.

The April Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, April 15th on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). Pot luck lunch at noon Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. Trade Item for April is a garden tool. Mark your Calendars: The weekend of 19/20 May 2012 will be the 24th Annual Blacksmith Days. Set up is on Friday, 18 May. The featured demonstrators will be Jymm Hoffman and ABS Master Bladesmith Mark Sentz. Go to www.bgcmonline for details and registration form

The March Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, March 18th on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). Pot luck lunch at noon March is time for the Annual BGCM Chili Cook-off. Bring a pot of your best mild or spicy chili and compete for the title of Best Blacksmith Chili. Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. Sometime between 10 and 11 am, a group of farriers that are training for an international competition will give a demonstration of “group striking”. They will be making a draft horse shoe from 1/2” x 1-1/4” x 18” steel Trade Item for March is a something incorporating a cross (If the weather is threatening, check in with the BGCM HotLine before setting out for the Farm Museum 410-386-9150)

The February Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, Feb. 19th on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). Pot luck lunch at noon Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. Trade Item for February is a business card holder. . (If the weather is threatening, check in with the BGCM HotLine before setting out for the Farm Museum 410-386-9150)

The January Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, Jan. 15th on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). Pot luck lunch at noon Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. Trade Item for January is something with a heart, in anticipation of Valentine's Day next month. (If the weather is threatening, check in with the BGCM HotLine before setting out for the Farm Museum 410-386-9150)

The December Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will NOT be at the Farm Museum and will NOT be a Sunday. December is time for the BGCM Annual Holiday Party on Saturday, December 10th at the Bear Branch Nature Center on the Grounds of the Hashawha Environmental Center, 300 John Owings Rd.; north of Westminster off of Rt 97. Set up for the party starts at 4pm and the party starts at 5pm. Please bring a side dish and/or dessert. The Guild will provide the main courses and beverages. The Trade Item for December is a hand made holiday ornament. In addition, there will be a cookie exchange: bring 2 dozen holiday cookies and go home with someone else's home made treats. (Please bring a copy of the cookie recipe for the upcoming “BGCM Cookbook”.) BGCM will NOT meet at the Farm Museum in December. The next Guild meeting at the Farm Museum will be Sunday, January 15th, 2012 and the Trade Item for January will be something including a “heart”. (If the weather is threatening, check in with the BGCM HotLine before setting out for the Party 410-386-9150)

The November Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, Nov. 20th on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). Pot luck lunch at noon Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. Trade Item this month is a piece of jewelry. (If the weather is threatening, check in with the BGCM HotLine before setting out for the Farm Museum 410-386-9150)

I also had heard that you do not want sharp edges on hardy hole. So I put a slight bevel on the edges of the hardy hole when I got my new anvil. I used a Foredom (rotating shaft) tool and a carbide bit. Went very, very slowly (the bit was turning super fast, but I took my time) and used a gentle touch. Took a while, but I was satisfied with the outcome.

The October Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, Oct. 16th on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). Pot luck lunch at noon Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. Trade Item this month is something that includes a leaf

The September Monthly meeting of the Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland will be Sunday, Sept. 25th on the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St, Westminster, MD 21157. The facility opens up at 9am and we will be there until about 4pm (more or less). This is not a 3rd Sunday. At about 10am Guild President Bob Hungerman will be doing a demo based on the modern welding class he took. BGCM Annual “crab feast” at noon, Iron-in-the-hat raffle follows lunch (please bring a contribution for the raffle) Business meeting at about 1pm. Trade Item this month is a “crab picking tool

Words are just so inadequate at a time like this. Just know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.