Mid-Atlantic Chapter Robert McLaughlin, Vice PresidentThe spring meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of SPOOM was held at Union Mills, MD on March 27 and 28, 2009. Friday March 27 was an all day seminar on working with mill stones led by Ivan Lufriu of Union Mills assisted by Mason Maddox of Colvin Run Mill. Pastries and coffee were available from 8 to 9 and a wonderful lunch of soup and sandwiches was included. Topics from lifting the stones, to setting them to begin grinding were covered. Others carpooled to several local historical sites including several mills. That evening some of the group gathered at a local restaurant for dinner and conversation. Saturday registration began at 8 am with pastries, fruit and beverages. The business meeting began at 9 am. The new and returning Chapter officers and Board members were introduced. We continued the discussion of our “One for One Membership Drive, Chapter help to mill owners, and our plans for the August 2009 Chapter meeting in Bucks County, PA. The business meeting closed at 10:30 am and was followed by a roundtable discussion led by Judy Grove on the proposed approach to developing the 2011 bi-centennial celebration of Mid-Atlantic milling. After lunch of Brunswick stew and other delicacies, Chris Gillis gave a talk on wind power. Chris’s book “Windpower” was reviewed in the Fall 2008 issue of Old Mill News.
The next meeting will be held at Stover-Myers Mill (PA-009-024) in Bucks County, PA on Aug. 15. Plans are in the early stages but include: a business meeting, lunch, a talk by Earl Brown on the worldwide flour trade and a tour of the Mercer Museum which has a large collection of pre-industrial American tools.
Other news from the Mid Atlantic Region. Restoration continues on the Breneman-Turner Mill, Rockingham County, VA. Get more information at their website: http://www.vbmhc.org/turner/turner.shtml. The Pierce Mill, Washington, DC (MD-999-001) continues with restoration of the wooden milling machinery. Fund raising continues for the water pumping system required to run the mill. The design is complete and the installation is ready to proceed as soon as funding is in place. They hope to be fully operational in 2011. Get the latest news at their website: http://www.peircemill-friends.org/. Get further chapter information and the latest news on our webpage at: |
