Some impressions from the Grand Masters.
As I am packing to get on the road back home from Emporia, Kansas I would like to give you a couple of my impressions from the Grand Masters at GRS/Glendo.
I am sure that some of the other members will post more information and pictures when they have time and return home.
First and foremost is the incredible talent instructing and attending these seminars.
Not only the Master who is instructing but many of those are taking the class would be considered masters in their own right.
The warm, friendly, low-key but totally professional handling of the event by all members of the GRS/Glendo family of employees is something very special.
Yes, they treat one another and all who are attending as welcome, valued family.
Quite rare in this fast paced day and age.
Having attended a couple of these functions I have found every one of the invited Grand Masters to be totally friendly, approachable and more than willing to demonstrate their skill and knowledge in both the more formal class setting or the hanging out and meal time bull sessions.
Nothing has to be dragged out of the masters, the pearls of wisdom flow freely.
During one meal time Ken Hunt was so busy explaining one of his wonderful techniques that he did not take a bite of his food by the time we left the restaurant.
The wait-person could not understand why he didn’t want it packed to go.
But Ken was much more interested in the people than the food.
Another impression is all the fun that is mixed with the serious side of gaining knowledge at this function.
So many of the Master themselves and the attendees have much talent in other fields.
One of these seems to be in music and voice.
Most evening and many meal times turn into wonderful entertainment sessions.
Sam and Abigail are well known for their musical ability.
But I want to tell you that Ron Smith, Winston, Marcus, Fred and Judy, Weldon and Brian Powley and others all have enough musical and/or voice talent to take a show on the road.
Yes, there are a lot of fun and good times at the GRS/Glendo learning center.
But underlying that is a very serious dedication to moving our art form forward.
Their full, flat out dedication to education was recognized at an evening event held at Emporia State University where they have sponsored a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in engraving.
This is a first in the United States and an answer to the old world apprenticeship programs.
GRS also helps many of the students out by providing them part time employment.
Make no mistake, DJ Glaser and Don before him together with Kim Pember, General Manager is fully dedicated to fostering the learning and art of engraving.
Another point that I found very interesting in a personal way was the fact that no tools sales are normally allowed during this time and I had planned to buy a few things.
When I approached my sales rep. he told me that he was forbidden from making sales during the time of the Masters.
Remarkable for a commercial company, he explained that they wanted to keep it totally commercially free.
After a bit of persuasion Kim Pember did grant me an OK to buy what I wanted so that I could drive home with my new toys.
It will take me some time to fully digest my thoughts and will probably want to share more with you later, if you will excuse me.
Please forgive me if I have rambled on, but these events just blow me away.
Respect and regards to all and a special thank you to all that provided me with the pleasure of their company this week.
A special thank you to Sam, Abigail, Tira, Rex, Andrew, Mike B; Sandy, Ron and Liz for their help and friendship.
John B.
As I am packing to get on the road back home from Emporia, Kansas I would like to give you a couple of my impressions from the Grand Masters at GRS/Glendo.
I am sure that some of the other members will post more information and pictures when they have time and return home.
First and foremost is the incredible talent instructing and attending these seminars.
Not only the Master who is instructing but many of those are taking the class would be considered masters in their own right.
The warm, friendly, low-key but totally professional handling of the event by all members of the GRS/Glendo family of employees is something very special.
Yes, they treat one another and all who are attending as welcome, valued family.
Quite rare in this fast paced day and age.
Having attended a couple of these functions I have found every one of the invited Grand Masters to be totally friendly, approachable and more than willing to demonstrate their skill and knowledge in both the more formal class setting or the hanging out and meal time bull sessions.
Nothing has to be dragged out of the masters, the pearls of wisdom flow freely.
During one meal time Ken Hunt was so busy explaining one of his wonderful techniques that he did not take a bite of his food by the time we left the restaurant.
The wait-person could not understand why he didn’t want it packed to go.
But Ken was much more interested in the people than the food.
Another impression is all the fun that is mixed with the serious side of gaining knowledge at this function.
So many of the Master themselves and the attendees have much talent in other fields.
One of these seems to be in music and voice.
Most evening and many meal times turn into wonderful entertainment sessions.
Sam and Abigail are well known for their musical ability.
But I want to tell you that Ron Smith, Winston, Marcus, Fred and Judy, Weldon and Brian Powley and others all have enough musical and/or voice talent to take a show on the road.
Yes, there are a lot of fun and good times at the GRS/Glendo learning center.
But underlying that is a very serious dedication to moving our art form forward.
Their full, flat out dedication to education was recognized at an evening event held at Emporia State University where they have sponsored a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in engraving.
This is a first in the United States and an answer to the old world apprenticeship programs.
GRS also helps many of the students out by providing them part time employment.
Make no mistake, DJ Glaser and Don before him together with Kim Pember, General Manager is fully dedicated to fostering the learning and art of engraving.
Another point that I found very interesting in a personal way was the fact that no tools sales are normally allowed during this time and I had planned to buy a few things.
When I approached my sales rep. he told me that he was forbidden from making sales during the time of the Masters.
Remarkable for a commercial company, he explained that they wanted to keep it totally commercially free.
After a bit of persuasion Kim Pember did grant me an OK to buy what I wanted so that I could drive home with my new toys.
It will take me some time to fully digest my thoughts and will probably want to share more with you later, if you will excuse me.
Please forgive me if I have rambled on, but these events just blow me away.
Respect and regards to all and a special thank you to all that provided me with the pleasure of their company this week.
A special thank you to Sam, Abigail, Tira, Rex, Andrew, Mike B; Sandy, Ron and Liz for their help and friendship.
John B.
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