The Long Hunter's Journal
The newsletter of the Utah ALRA
December 2006
Lieutenant's Message
It has been another great year with the Utah ALRA. We had a lot of good times together. I want to express my appreciation to you all for your support, assistance, and efforts in making our events this year a success.
After much consideration I have decided that I am not comfortable relinquishing my Lieutenancy with the club in it's current position with the insurance issue and situation with the Fort. I have decided to run again for another two years, but under certain conditions. The first being that the weekend we meet will need to change. I can't make events the first weekend with my work situation. The second is that I can't take responsibility for twelve meetings a year. We will either need to meet less often or others will have to sponsor an event and take responsibility for it. We can discuss all of this further at the January meeting.
January Meeting
The January meeting will be held at Fort Buenaventura on January 6, 2007 at 10a.m. Now that you know you won't be in danger of being railroaded into the Lieutenant job, please join us! We are at a crossroads and have some very important business to discuss. The insurance issue, our future with the fort, and events for this year will be discussed. Dues will also be collected for 2007.
Dues
Dues are due no later than January 31, 2007 to remain in good standing. Grant will be c0llecting dues and forwarding them to the Factor on January 15, 2007. Dues are $25 with $15 going to the national organization and $10 being retained locally.
Christmas Party
A small group gathered at the Morby home to celebrate Christmas in an eighteenth century fashion on Saturday, December 9. In attendance were Dave & Valerie Morby & Family, Gregg & Paula Hansen, Ryan & Elizabeth Putnam, Mike & Emeline Mendenhall, Terry Pendley, Grant & Kimberly Davis, and Kirk Davis. Morby's have a beautiful home and Dave's "Tavern Room" is sight to behold and I am sure the envy of all who love the 18th century. A fine potluck feast was enjoyed including ham, goose, game meat pie, and stuffing (with buffalo meat) to name a few. The gift exchange got a little more lively than past years, but was still tame. Gifts included ember tongs forged by Mike Mendenhall, a brass pot, Williamsburg pottery, original period coins, and a knife.
Fort Bridger 2007
Thanks to the efforts of Dave Morby, Crystal Frazier, and our willingness to help with the rendezvous the past few years, the Fort Bridger Rendezvous Association (FBRA) has graciously agreed to give the ALRA the whole Quiet Camp #2 area as an ALRA camp. This area will be for ALRA members and invited guests only. There is one caveat; we have to fill it up! So please join us for fun and camaraderie in Q2!
They want us to submit our applications in one packet (as much as possible). Therefore, I will be collecting applications and funds for submission to the FBRA. Please send your application and $40 (check made out to FBRA, not me) per campsite by January 31st to:
Grant Davis
1083 N 300 E
Layton, UT 84041
The dates for the 2007 rendezvous are August 31 - September 3. If you know of other colonials who share our commitment to authenticity and you would like to invite them to join us, please let me know. Please e-mail me with any questions. Again, please get your apps and funds to me by Jan. 31.
Santa's Workshop
Well, not exactly I (your Scribe) got into this hobby partly because I enjoy making things. So, after seeing a couple items at the Western National event, confiscating one and making a quick drawing of another, I headed for my workshop, limited as it is.
Prior to the Western, I was trying to finish a couple candle lanterns. Didn't quite make it because I was having trouble cutting glass. I was good at breaking it! More on this later. These lanterns are the ones you see often with the candle holder on a slide that is raised up to the top to light the candle. First, let me point out, as did Terry, that this is probably not the style of lantern suited to our period. But, since I had spent much time on them, I was determined to finish. I had even constructed a makeshift bow lathe to turn the ends round.
One reason this lantern is not from the period we portray is the glass is much too large. Mica was used, as glass was expensive. I did find several sources for mica but have yet to purchase any.
Don't you just hate it when your wife has a suggestion that works in your Man's-World! I was cutting the glass in my garage when it was cold and it kept breaking. I got on the web to search on "how to cut class." It seems that when you score the glass it aligns the molecules in the glass. You must have your glass clean and only score once and break immediately. Hah! I took it one step farther. I brought the glass inside (on her kitchen counter), put it on a heating pad and proceeded to cut. Only broke one piece. My only problem was measuring right. Because I didn't want the groove for the glass to show in the round portion I had turned so skillfully, it was not very deep.
I thought I had completed the project when one pain of glass fell out. This project was difficult because it required the holes drilled in the top and bottom piece to align nearly exact so the glass would fit. Needless to say, I'll never make this style again. However, you may see them in my camp from time to time (non-ALRA of course) because I put so much effort not to mention cost in them.
On to the next project…another lantern. James had just purchased a new lantern, I believe from J. Townsend and called a "barn lantern". Terry also has had one for many years. This lantern was a joy to make. It required working in several mediums, wood, leather, medal and oh yes, glass!
The hinges are rather unique and were made with bailing wire. Sharpening and heat-treating two nails, one pointed and one flat were used to make the punched tin design. I would make more of this type of lantern and possible use mica in place of glass.
My final project was a knockdown table and two benches. This was a relatively easy project and not requiring many tools. While I have a small tabletop band saw, a handheld reciprocating saw would work. The most frustrating part of this project was to cut the slots exact enough so parts could be interchanged. Also, the placement of the holes to hold the pegs required a precise placement.
Note the bench nearest you. The top is cupped. This created a problem because it caused the support pieces to narrow and not be perpendicular the bench seat. Therefore, the leg slots fit very tight and needed to be widen a bit. I stamped a marked by each to identify it and it's corresponding brace. This is something you wouldn't have to do if you had better wood and procession equipment and should I say, more skill.
Historical Notes
Virginia Gazette - Page 2, Column 3, 1767-08-27
Virginia Gazette - Page 3, Column 3, 1777-12-05
