<color><param>0100,0100,0100</param>Ralph has already reported on the major
aspects of our 5th and finest 
Galootapalooza yet or G5 as I was referring to it verbally and on the 
cake. </color>I will throw in some of my observations on what went on. 


First, I want to state that <color><param>0100,0100,0100</param>I am a bit
embarassed about the cake this year. 
I just did not have to time to do the decorating justice. I could do a really 
good job on it  if I could only start on next years cake now...


Doug McLerren did a great job of hosting and so did his family. I think 
that we set a new record for children attending the party although total 
attendance was down from last year's record.


Yes, I did bring 5 Yankee Braces to the party and showed them to 
anyone who would listen (most did). I had a 2101A Bell System, and two 
each of the 2100 and 2101. Lots variation in those 5. Hey, anyone what 
to do a type study ? I digress.....


I missed the Violin maker tour but I know that there are pics out there.. 
Tod are you reading this ??? I want to see them as well.


Ah yes, Tod. One of the real treats for me was looking at Tod Herrli's 
work. His planes are just to die for... I tried to talk him it to using one of 
them to plane Doug's gerbils but he would not take me up on it.. ;) We 
also go to watch Tod do his thing on the "American Woodshop" 
episodes that he guested on. What a brave guy... he wore an original 
Galoot hat on the show and did a great job of explaining how to use his 
planes.


I was really impressed with Ralph's Shaker box making demo, despite 
the fact that he did not make his Roy Underhill inspired 30 minute time 
limit. I have taken Ralph's box making class so I know that he is a skilled 
artisan who is ready and  willing to share any woodworking  knowledge 
that he has. Talk about doing something to create a lasting friendship... 
Truth be told,  I really like him cause he uses a Yankee push drill to 
make his boxes. ;)


Some thing else that impressed me was that Lee Sudlow has completed 
his St James Bay kit and done an excellent job of it too. Those of you 
who have been around for a long time will remember that this was an 
early group buy of infill plane kits. I think that there were about 30 of the 
kits sold and only a handful of them have been completed. What makes 
Lee's accomplishment all the more impressive is that the casting was 
smoothed out by hand using only a 14" bastard file. Congrats to you 
Lee on a really Galoot project. 


</color>Alas some of our friends who had planned to attend could not. It points

out that life is far too short so enjoy it while you can. Like Ralph says in
the 
recap on his web page, go out meet a galoot, have a get together, go to an 
MWTCA , or any other old tool group meet, seek out these people. You will not 
be disapointed..... except when it is over.


As for the MWTCA meet, I didn't do as well as Joe<italic>
</italic><color><param>0100,0100,0100</param>Palazzollo</color> but, I did ok. 
I 
scored a rare Yankee #60, which is a 4 in one scredriver device with blades
that 
store in the tubular handle. Although it is  incomplete, it is the only one
that I 
have ever seen. It also was one of the first tools patented in the 20th century
with 
a Jan 22 1901 patent data. What a great find !


Now, I have to get busy on selecting the site for next year. ;) The BBQ will be
on 
August 4th so mark your calenders. We always have room for someone who is 
willing to attend so let us know.


Jerry Serviss


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