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Recent Bios FAQ

7795 Leon143359@a... 1996‑10‑14 new bio / new project
Your collective GALOOTNESS, I have been in the shadows desperately trying to
read 100+ messages a day, waiting for a new ptoject to come together. Now is
the time to introduce myself. I'm Leon, retired (disability) from aerospace.
Degree in physics, last duties/responsibilities: tech writer and editor. My
wife, Joyce< is my best friend, business partner and mother  of our ten year
old. We've been together since we were 16 and married for 28 years. We are
collectors (she doesn't share my love of tools). But antique furniture, art,
art-i-facts, fossils, books, etc. But we are also users - since starting to
buy furniture after getting married, we've lived with late 18th & early 19th
century furniture. I learned a lot about dating furniture by examining
joinery. Back in the 60s & 70s good, old furniture was not nearly as scarce.
A grand old man of the antique business in New Orleans took me under his
wing. Mr Stern recently died at nearly 100. 
     I learned carpentry / cabinet making from my father (1897 - 1975). Many
considered him to be one of the best, if not, THE BEST in the area. Having
lost one finger and paralyzed another he forbid me to follow in the family
business. But he taught me to appreciate good quality tools and good work.
Very practical - good tools give you something back everytime you use them ,
whereas you pay for cheap tools every time you use them. 
     On to my new project. Bob Villa's new magazine has an article on
Magnolia Mound, a 1790s plantation in Baton Rouge, La. I will be their
visiting Woodwright and Curator of Folk Technology. Yes, that's VISITING, as
in volunteer. The only tools worth noting is the springpole lathe and shaving
horse. 
My first task is to invent a program and seek funding. I grew up knowing
plantations produced cotton, sugar cane, etc.  But an inventory shows that at
one point they had 90,000 cypress shingles sitting by the river to ship.
Apparently they also made barrel staves. I suppose I'll be searching for a
couved froe. 
     I intend to survey all moldings in the house, and, where possible, match
them up with planes.  Many seem to be combinations of simple moldings. I'm
enthused and could go on, but.....If you are in. or near, please E-mail me.
Our goal is a living history museum ( We are an accredited museum.) Would the
Galoots connected with Living History Museums please E-mail me. I would like
to visit and ask lots of questions. 
                      Thanks,
                              Leon



Recent Bios FAQ