The happy gentleman appearing in the photo at left was surprised and speechless to learn that he is the latest recipient of The Guild of Metalsmiths’ annual Juare-Hubler award. Herb Fick, who joined TGOM somewhere around 1985, was recognized at the January 16, 2011 meeting. The award is TGOM’s traditional way of recognizing an individual who has consistently lived up to high standards and helped TGOM to grow by sharing and giving of himself.
Although Herb was speechless at the meeting when he learned he was the honored metalsmith, he now wants to share these words of appreciation with you, the members of TGOM:
“There were people in the room who never knew Ollie (Juare) and Paul (Hubler). They need to know that when these two craftsmen came into the room, I could feel the warmth. They both had a smile that led you to believe that they were working for a reward that few would understand. And then they would teach you how to do stuff. For me that is quite a standard. There is a lot of talent and giving in the Guild. There is a huge reward for helping to do what does not really seem like work. There are a lot of folk in the guild who qualify for the award.
“I am humbled. Thank you for the warmth in that room. I also slept very well that night.
“Two thoughts:
“I like Roland’s contribution. ‘He can’t talk. Have we got any more of those?’
“And I am reminded of a day forty years ago while being lead through a maze of small passages and alleys in a medieval section of a town in northern England. My friend Julian called back to me “Watch your head on that doorway, Herb. It’s narrow.”