I just have to tell this story. Sorry its a little long.
In April I went fishing on Kentucky Lake with a friend. The first morning on the water another boat waves us over. The couple in the boat was making their last few casts before heading home and gave us their remaining minnows which were more than enough for our weekend. As our boats floated apart I asked where they were from and he said Louisville to which I said I would be in Louisville for a woodturning convention in June. He said he was a carver and the small talk continued until the boats were too far apart to hear. Just before distance won over the conversation I asked his name, which he shouted back.
Fast forward to the Symposium. My wife drags me back into the IG after lunch Friday because she wanted to show me the St Louis Club’s very cool collaborative piece and she had missed the Youth Table. I look across the table and there he is, the minnow guy, so I introduce myself and the conversation begins. I suspect we were a little loud and attracted some attention to ourselves. Apparently he had called the Galt House for more info on the ‘convention’, who sent him to AAW in Minneapolis, who sent him to the local AAW Chapter. He joined the local club, signed up for the Symposium and brought his son. Having not turned his first stick yet was shopping for a lathe at the trade show so I gave him my advice. We probably spent 45 minutes talking, both pretty excited about the chance meeting. My wife & I go to the banquet and enjoy the company of our new acquaintances at the table. The program begins and the only time the room is really quiet is when they draw the names for the five Oneway lathe winners. We could not have been happier to hear the name of my Minnow guy as a winner of a Oneway machine. We shared the whole fishing story etc. with everyone at the table.
So back to work on Monday. I come home wishing I could win the lottery and become a full time turner then hit the button on the answering machine. There he is, the minnow guy, in all his southern graciousness gloating and thanking me about winning the Oneway lathe. It really made my day. I suspect I have made a new friend with a story we will share a thousand times at turning events for many years to come.
Frank
In April I went fishing on Kentucky Lake with a friend. The first morning on the water another boat waves us over. The couple in the boat was making their last few casts before heading home and gave us their remaining minnows which were more than enough for our weekend. As our boats floated apart I asked where they were from and he said Louisville to which I said I would be in Louisville for a woodturning convention in June. He said he was a carver and the small talk continued until the boats were too far apart to hear. Just before distance won over the conversation I asked his name, which he shouted back.
Fast forward to the Symposium. My wife drags me back into the IG after lunch Friday because she wanted to show me the St Louis Club’s very cool collaborative piece and she had missed the Youth Table. I look across the table and there he is, the minnow guy, so I introduce myself and the conversation begins. I suspect we were a little loud and attracted some attention to ourselves. Apparently he had called the Galt House for more info on the ‘convention’, who sent him to AAW in Minneapolis, who sent him to the local AAW Chapter. He joined the local club, signed up for the Symposium and brought his son. Having not turned his first stick yet was shopping for a lathe at the trade show so I gave him my advice. We probably spent 45 minutes talking, both pretty excited about the chance meeting. My wife & I go to the banquet and enjoy the company of our new acquaintances at the table. The program begins and the only time the room is really quiet is when they draw the names for the five Oneway lathe winners. We could not have been happier to hear the name of my Minnow guy as a winner of a Oneway machine. We shared the whole fishing story etc. with everyone at the table.
So back to work on Monday. I come home wishing I could win the lottery and become a full time turner then hit the button on the answering machine. There he is, the minnow guy, in all his southern graciousness gloating and thanking me about winning the Oneway lathe. It really made my day. I suspect I have made a new friend with a story we will share a thousand times at turning events for many years to come.
Frank
