SPLINTERS MAY 1993
Yes! May is here in all her splendor.. Those April showers
have once again brought us all the magnificent blossoms of May. May always seems
to mark a re-prioritization of activities .. The lawn mower gets more attention
than the lathe.. .the garden rates higher than the garage.. .the passing of the
seasons... .even the weeds are a welcome change. Now a few words of Wizdum plagiarized
from “Click and Clack”, the tappet brothers from a graduation address “life is
hard--it’s even harder if you’re stupid” . . .. from Ted Williams “If you can’t
think too well --don’t think too much”.
MAY MEETING...BE SHARP...STAY SHARP
Third
Tuesday is a little early this month. Our meeting is Tuesday
May 18, at 7:00 P.M. gathering as usual at the Duck River
Electric Building in Decherd. Bob Reese, a really keen guy, will be presenting quick
ways to put a sharp
edge
on hand tools . .plane irons chisels, carving and lathe tools. All of you “cut ups” will want to hone your
sharpening skills.. .this program will be far from dull . . .you’ll just have to
stay on edge until next Tuesday. Of course we’ll also be everyone’s favorite,
Show and Tell., if-you have some item that might boost Bobs sharpening topic
please bring it as a show and tell item... .favorite stones, jigs, tools or gimmicks
for sharpening. If only someone could find a dull tool.
PROPOSED JUNE PROGRAM
Ross
has proposed a panel discussion on log I heavy
timber construction for our June program...please let Ross know if you have an
interest in being a panel participant.
COMRADES GATHER TO CELEBRATE MAY DAY..
A RED LETTER DAY
If
you missed our May Day seminar on Saturday May 1 st Y0U missed another fine day
of fellowship and education on a good number of the many facets of finishing. .
. another excellent exchange of information. We had 14 attendees and
participants all leave a little smarter and a lot heavier.. .thanks to doughnuts
by Phil and burgers. dogs, sausage and goodies by Richard Gulley. Thank you to
Bob Reese and Ross Roepke for bringing things together and the Gulleys I Church of the Nazarene for hosting the
gathering.
JACK IS BACK
!!!
Our dear friend Jack Townsend is back at his assigned station in Estill Springs.. .where he belongs. He’s using a walker while recovering from knee surgery ...We’re glad to hear he’s doing well and getting meaner by the day. Give him a call or visit I’m sure he’ll be to here from you.
MISCELLANY
**Jim Van Cleave has a few items for
sale or horse trade.. .a Delta scroll saw and.. .a battery powered sabre saw, Makita.
**If anyone is looking for a good
deal on glasses or just a good story.. .talk to Bob Eubanks.
APRIL MEETING
Our April brought a nearly full house to listen to John Anderson talk about reproducing muzzle loaders... .Thank You to John and Ross for the fine program. We missed our president, Bill Chew.. .Ross represented you well and managed to keep your name off any committee roles. Guests included Jim Wright, Lenny Cooper, Dave Foster, Butch Janey and Tom McGill.. .guests are always welcome.. .good to see some new faces as well as the old ugly ones.
SPOTLIGHT
Last month we promised to revive a tradition of interviewing various members, new and old, just to help us get to know each other. This month we thought we’d take advantage of a “Herald Chronicle” article about one of our talented members who has achieved fame in another area of interest... .Kenny Smith we’re proud to have you on
Staff Writer
Kenny Smith. a
guitarist from Estill Springs, had more than just gifls to be thankful for on
his recent 24th birthday—be also won third place at the National Championship
flat Picking Guitar Contest in Winfield, Kan.
“Winning third
place was a great honor and even more special since it was my birthday!” said
Kenny.
His third place
winnings included a guitar and trophy.
Kenny began playing the guitar when he was a mere four and a half years
old. The accomplished musician now recalls his interest in learning to play the
guitar as a child when his dad kept a guitar hid in the closet. “He told me not to touch it, but I bad to—I
couldn’t resist! Then my Dad came home early one day and caught
me. I thought I was in trouble...” recalls Kenny. But instead, his father began teaching him the basics of the
guitar—the G, C and D chord.
Then Mom and
Dad got me a guitar and my brother a banjo for Christmas that same year and it
has been great ever since,” said Kenny.
Kenny feels his family’s strong love for music gave him a true appreciation
for the art.
“Coming from a
musical background, my Dad played the fiddle and really was a big influence on
me. He would take me and my brother to contests and to friends’ houses to expose
us to more music,” remembers the musician.
His early exposure
to music grew into a career. Kenny currently plays with the bluegrass band,
“Barn Stormers.” He credits the mandolin player of the band, Rick Rotex of Huntsville,
Ala., as being a big influence in his music. Rick was named a finalist in the mandolin
competition of the same contest in Winfield.
‘The Barn Stormers”
have been playing at various engagements out of town and would like the opportunity
to perform for a Franklin County crowd.
Kenny is the
son of Carl and Carolyn Smith of Yader, Md. The musician has lived in Franklin
County for the past two years. He is married to the former Thesa Farrell, a
native Franklin Commtian.