News

Chris's Final Report: January 31

The model is mastered, the party is over, and our much enriched group is disbanding to their respective corners of the world. We have gained much: a knowledge of traditional as well as new techniques for developing complex roofs; an appreciation of German culture and wood working tradition; and most importantly new friendships.

Our group has proved to be diverse and we are better for it. Stilly, the structural engineer/pilot, who provided us with sound and substantial mathematical guidance and kept us in stitches most of the time; Michael, who offered an amazing translation service (even the technical language!); James, who picked up on the humor where Stilly left off (and added his own Irish twist); the South Mountain crew, who shared their mastery of the craft; Rocco, who always "got it"; Tony, who added his Deitrich's help (and who threw off the curve); Man Young and Khoori, who provided their cultural perspectives; Ying, who was always the one we could pin being late on; and of course Beavis and Cliffy, who provided levity that made this such a memorable experience.

Our new big black hats are off to the entire staff at the Gewerbe Akademie and at Deitrich's. These folks run a first-class operation. My advice is that we as a Guild find many ways to further this relationship, giving as much as we have taken.

The crew, from left: Ying Hong, Stilly Sprague, Ken Leuchtenmacher, Tony Wall, Chris Koehn, Man Young Song, A.R. Khoori, Michael Ruehle, Filippo Compagna (the meister), Oliver Armandi (Deitrich's), Alex Hyland, Rocco Bellebuono, Dennis Thulin, Billy Dillon, John Sandiford, and James Maguire. Your "embedded reporter" Chris Koehn, proudly sporting his new Zimmermann's hat, presented by Filippo Campagna and Heiner Maute.