[TheForge] blind smithing - was Pennsic survived

[Eric Klaus]

Harlan Krueger, a member of the PBA (Prairie Blacksmith Association) is the
primary blacksmith at Rock Creek Station in Nebraska.  He said one of his
biggest thrills was when a group of blind children came to visit ... ages
ranged from 10 to 16.  He talked their leaders into letting them pound some
steel.  Once he got them positioned, he said they could repeatedly hit the
same mark that he would first tap with his hammer.  Every one of them got
the chance, and at the end of the session, they had 2 foot piece of steel to
take back that they had all pounded on.  He received a thank-you note from
the leaders that brings tears to your eyes.  The kids pass that piece of
steel around their story circle and tell about the day they all got to be
blacksmiths.  The leaders of that group now schedule with him yearly to come
down and spend time at the shop.