Ruthie and I are finally catching up and I’m finally able to spend a bit of time at the computer. MontanaFest was a great party! Ruthie and I enjoyed ourselves immensely and it’s all because of the incredible company we had during this festival.
The people who went to the trouble and expense to get here cannot be thanked enough. These are the people who made this thing work. The camaraderie and sense of family was instantaneous and the help Ruthie and I received was incredible. When we needed chairs or tables moved it was done, when we needed to get my equipment and tools off the dance floor it was like a David Copperfield show…, a cloud of dust forms over the tools and settles on a cleared and swept dance floor. Ruthie and I thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your help and your company. There is truly something very special about those who work their hands in wood.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Taunton and Mark Coleman. You guys sent so many goodies everyone got some and it was very generous of you to add this dimension to our festival. Magazines, books, sweatshirts, tee shirts, plans and bags.., wow! Thank you.
Woodworker’s West sent a ton of issues for everyone. Thanks to them.
Woodshop News sent issues, caps and subscriptions. Thanks you!
Ellis Walentine and WoodCentral gave away caps and shirts, thanks to them.
The presenters, sheesh, where do I start? Dave Smith is an incredible teacher and mentor. Under Dave’s tutelage people left ready to turn and so inspired to do so. Dave, thank you for the inspiration. Joe Johns and Smitty- Thanks to the both of you for the photography work. It took a load off my shoulders and you guys did a great job. Joe, thanks for the workshop on table saw tuning, I’d better spend some time with my machine not spinning, Hah, hah, ha…
Rob Lee, holy cow, what a guy, what a company. For those unaware Lucy is the head of customer relations and these two working together have put Lee Valley at the top of the heap. I can’t express what an honor and privilege is was to have you two here. Heck, I even got to dance with Lucy. Thank you for coming and for the gift for the prize drawing. I look forward to seeing the two of you again and really enjoyed your presentation on tool development.
Rob Cosman, this guy had only a few hours to spend and came out of his way for MontanaFest. It was a great and well polished show with some fabulous information.
MontanaFest was a great success and as Ruthie and I were driving around returning borrowed and rented stuff we were going over what we learned. It’s very likely we will be hosting this festival next year and we’ll put some more polish on this thing so it’s even better.
Again, it’s the people who came that made this festival what it was and it was great. Thanks to you all and please continue to check in to the festival pictures page, http://www.montanafest.com/festpics.html because Joe and I will continue to update it as people get home and send pictures our way.
Lee and Ruth Grindinger
Edited 8/17/2005 3:45 pm ET by LeeGrindinger
Replies
Lee
Thanks again for everything last weekend. It was a fantastic experience, and a great time that I will never forget. I can't tell you how relaxed I am now, which is what I needed BIG TIME!!!
You and Ruthie are wonderful people, and I hope to continue to see you through the years. I feel like I made some new friends in that beautiful valley you call home. I still can't figure out how you ever get any work done with all that beauty around you. I'd just stare out the windows for hours on end!
You can put me down for next year for sure, and for as long as you'll be having me, I'll be on my way.
See ya soon!
Jeff
Count us in to !
Tim
Even though I didn't make it this year, my thanks still go out to you and Ruth. I know there is a large amount of work that goes on before some thing like this that you and Ruth took care of before anyone showed up. I was looking at the pictures Sunday to see what I had missed and figured maybe next year if I don't have my leg in a cast again!
I was told Tuesday to start taking the cast off and try learning to walk again.
Take care Marsh
Lee... looks like you had a great time ....congratulations on a job well done !
i enjoyed the slide show ....
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=25084.3
Thanks to everone, it was great fun and Ruthie and I are going to do it again, we had a blast.Mike, your advice was great! Mike hosted a Breaktime fest and we turned to him for advice. It was right on the mark and MontanaFest went really well. Ruthie and I are going to work out some stuff so it goes even better because we learned a great deal. It was an unbelievable group and what still amazes me is how quickly the cameraderie and sense of friendship formed, it was nearly instantaneous. This is a tribute to those who came, what a great bunch of people!Ruthie and I had so much help and it made our lives so much easier. Again, it was a privilege to have all of you here.LeeMontanaFest
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled