Stage & Freight Event Calendar
Events
May 17-19, 2013
BLACKSMITH CONFERENCE at Anvil Wagon Works in Livingston, MT
Organizer Jem Blueher notes that while this conference is open to the public, there will be a fee to attend and watch. The demonstrator, Joe Delisimunovic, grew up, apprenticed, and became a blacksmith in Croatia. He also worked in a wheelwright shop. Joe will give a 2-1/2 day demonstration. The first two days will include a blacksmith project which incorporates his Croatian style. The third day is a half day, and Joe will demonstrate the rolling of a steel tire, forge weld it, tire shrink it to size, and then heat it up in the fire pit and set it onto the wheel. Fun, fun, fun!
July 10-14, 2013
The 2013 NSFWA Annual Conference will be held in Virginia City, MT! Please refer to the lodging and activities information document as lodging reservations should be made by the end of December.
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Where Have We Been in 2012?
The NSFWA started off our 2012 spring, by gathering in Cheyenne, WY for our Annual Director’s Meeting. The Cheyenne Frontier Days Museum was gracious enough to allow us to host a mixer party in their Art Gallery on Friday April 13th from 6pm until 9pm. We had a wonderful turnout of about 50 guests, representing several organizations. Saturday the 14th was largely devoted to our Director’s meeting, with an exciting field trip out to tour CFD’s Carriage and Wagon Collection!
~May 11th-13th found our group in La Junta, CO at Bent’s Old Fort. In conjunction with their wonderful event, we held our 5th Annual Conference. Gerry Groenewold, Rawhide Johnson, Doug Hansen and Greg VanCoevern were all attendees at Bent’s Fort. Not only did some of our director’s bring their own vehicles, but some were speakers and presenters as well. It was an energetic gathering of trail authorities, re-enactors, wagon buffs and history enthusiasts – all meshed into one great big group of Bent’s Old Fort supporters!
~NSFWA member, Ray Stokes, generously volunteered to attend and represent the NSFWA at Virginia Dale’s 150th Celebration held June 8th-10th, 2012 in Virginia Dale, CO. As you will note in the below letter, Ray had nothing but exciting endorsements for this grand event in this little, off-the-beaten-path community.
Old West and Trail History by Ray Stokes
Virginia Dale Church Services and Summer Kid's Program
~The 4th weekend in June found two of our Director’s at Brian Lebel’s Old West Show and Auction in Denver, CO. Both Rawhide Johnson and Ashlee Ganoung were on hand at the vendor show, with a table to help promote the NSFWA.
~The Oregon California Trail Association (OCTA) held their annual conference in Lawrence, KS August 6th-12th. Greg VanCoevern, our newest director, cordially promoted our Association to the trail enthusiasts that flocked to the OCTA convention.
~August 25th was a day for good food and good people, as long-time member Jem Blueher hosted a small “membership drive” at his shop in Livingston, MT. It was a potluck affair with tasty treats, cold drinks, history lessons and the most heart-felt camaraderie that we feel privileged to call part of our young association.
~Last but not least, was Meeteetsee’s 100 Year’s Celebration held over the Labor Day Weekend in Meeteetsee, WY. Director Jeff McManus was vital to this event, not only by promoting stagecoaches and freight wagons – but by driving one of them in the local parade, as well!
