"Tong Making at Iron and Lace Blacksmithing Class"

     With the previous beginning blacksmithing class out of the way, this weekend was all about making “Tongs”. At Bill Printy’s blacksmith shop the forge was loaded with coal and heated up for a day of forging tongs. Each set of tongs have their own identity, but they are each an invaluable tool for the blacksmith. The amount of times the iron is placed and removed from the forge would be a very cumbersome task if not for the use of tongs. This class would provide the student with three to four new sets of tongs that will be a great start for his personal use in the home shop. Bill and Mark Heisdorffer were on hand to see that the process included adequate input from the instructor. They work with each student to assure not only the quality of the finished product, but the technical value of the classroom experience.

     I remember the blacksmith shop in Bonaparte back in 1950. I would walk by the front of the shop and can still remember the silhouette in the darkness that pulled the handle on the large bellows pushing the air into the forge. This large figure would emerge from the smoke and flames and begin pounding the glowing metal against the anvil. Those days it was all about practical day to day repairs in the shop, as well as horse shoes. Now blacksmithing has evolved at the hand of Bill Printy and he willingly shares his love for the craft with others. I have been impressed with his love for the iron and what he has learned to craft from it. His work is truly spectacular! This weekend, as I took photos at the tong making class, I just had to admire the project he was working on. It was clamped in the air so as to provide an eye-level view. I know it is just iron, but looking at his finished work is like looking at Rembrandt or Picasso. This is the same theme over and over at the folk school classes. Gifted artists who want to share their passion and talent with others.

     The Villages of Van Buren County are a unique place to live and we are so blessed to have the quality of artists that call this splendid river valley their home. The Villages Folk School is all about becoming a part of our life of living the arts. Come take a class and experience it for yourself. I have the privilege of being a part of this wonderful group of artists and telling others of the work that they do here. This is only the beginning of what can truly become a premier folk school that offers both the artistic excellence and the splendor of the constantly changing valley that surrounds our everyday campus.

     The next day of classes this month is May 22nd. Two classes are scheduled that will offer something for both those who want to work inside and those who want to experience the great outdoors. A Beginning Card Making class is planned as well as a day of Bird Watching. This will be a day spent enjoying the migratory birds in our local wetlands. I hear the pelicans are coming, could it be? Just ask Raymond and Connie Morris and they will be happy to share their love of bird watching with you. Better yet! Register for their day of bird watching and see first hand the exciting array of migratory birds that make their flight path through Van Buren County, Iowa.

     Registration is easily done by calling our Villages Folk School office at 319-592-3700 anytime Tuesday through Friday, 12 noon to 4 p.m. You can also print a registration form from our website at www.villagesfolkschool.com, fill it out and send it with your payment to the folk school office at Box 51, Bonaparte, Iowa.

     Join us for a great weekend! We look forward to sharing this experience with you.