RoycroftCampusCorporation

Docent Training to Begin in March

If you have been considering how you might satisfy your curiosity for all things Roycroft or have a New Year’s resolution to give back to your community and volunteer, we recommend getting involved with the RCC in East Aurora and becoming a Docent, giving Campus tours during the months of June - October. You will be joining a fantastic group of volunteers that have been an integral part of the Roycroft Campus revitalization at a major turning point in our development - the opening of the reconstructed Power House as the new Visitor / Education Center.

 

The 2012 Roycroft Docent Training classes will begin March 10, 2012, on the Roycroft Campus. There will be six sessions on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon on the following dates: March 10, 17, 24, 31 and April 14 and 21. Come learn and then share the story of Elbert Hubbard’s mid-life career change, the development of this place called the Roycroft, and its impact on East Aurora and America. It is a fascinating tale and one you will enjoy sharing.

 

The class is taught by this RCC blogger and it is free. However we do recommend one book be purchased by students*. Call 716-655-0261 or e-mail anowicki@roycroftcampuscorporation.com to sign up.

 

-   Sue

 

* The Roycroft Campus Book by Robert Rust & Kitty Turgeon, Arcadia Publishing. Please purchase this at the Roycroft Copper Shop. Your purchases support the Campus restoration.

Monday Mottos

Art is largely a matter of haircut.

-   Elbert Hubbard

 

From One Hundred & One Epigrams, According to Elbert Hubbard, published by Roycroft Campus Press, East Aurora, NY. For sale at the Roycroft Copper Shop.

Happy Chinese New Year - Year of the Dragon

The Gregorian calendar new year has already passed, but the Chinese calendar new year begins today,(the Gregorian date of) January 23, 2012, and is the year of the Dragon. In the Chinese zodiac, each year in a repeating twelve year cycle is represented by a different animal - rat, ox, tiger, cat, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, pig.

 

 

Elbert Hubbard’s Chinese zodiac sign was that of the Fire Dragon. Elbert was born in 1856, and from what I have read of him, he was very much representative of the dragon sign. Here is an excerpt about the Fire Dragon from Suzanne White’s book, “The New Chinese Astrology:”

 

“...the Fire Dragon is the most attractive, charismatic creature in the Chinese Zodiac. His personal magnetism is such that people cannot leave him alone. He is bafflingly contradictory. He’s sexy and full of wisdom. He’s constantly giving advice, yet is not afraid of taking major risks or embarking on oddball campaigns to effect the impossible.

 

“Although he is always making sweeping gestures, involving himself in grandiose schemes and craving attention, he is not afraid of the criticism his behavior often affords him - it seems to fuel his ardor. His determination to dominate frequently places him in the public eye. And his earth-shaking decisions often put him on the public firing line.”

 

An important year in Elbert’s life was another “Dragon Year:” January 30,1892- February 16, 1893. This was the year he decided to end his association with the Larkin Soap Company and go to Harvard. With this in mind, Suzanne White's forecast for a dragon year for those of the dragon sign, shows how Elbert took advantage of a year when all his signs were in alignment: “The very definition of this year pleases you to death! Imagine. Your very own kingdom of a year. A twelve-month long stage on which you may cavort and dance and govern and dominate all at once. Music, maestro, please! This year will bring you certain success. You’ll find yourself at the height of some very personal and important part of your career. While fending off journalists, please remember that this is the year when you need to rethink the past twelve and plan your future. When the brouhaha dies down, take a moment to reflect on where you want to go next. You have two years to effect change or make modifications. Don’t tarry in your glory. Act now.”

 

Elbert used his dragon year well!

 

Happy Chinese and Gregorian New Years to all.

- Sue

 

Monday Mottos

Any man who has a job has a chance.

-   Elbert Hubbard

 

From One Hundred & One Epigrams, According to Elbert Hubbard, published by Roycroft Campus Press, East Aurora, NY. For sale at the Roycroft Copper Shop.

New Year's Resolution to Learn Can be Achieved at the Roycroft

Was your New Year's resolution to learn something new or improve on a skill? For lovers of Arts & Crafts the RCC offers artisan classes all year long so come join other A&C fans learning from skilled artisans in small classes. You will leave with a new skill, a completed project and the satisfaction of knowing your class fee supports not only the instructor but the ongoing restoration of the Roycroft Campus. Check the RCC Web site Class information for details on classes, fees, registration information, and the latest schedule.

 

- Sue

 

 

Monday Mottos

An ounce of performance is worth more than a pound of preachment.

-   Elbert Hubbard

 

From One Hundred & One Epigrams, According to Elbert Hubbard, published by Roycroft Campus Press, East Aurora, NY. For sale at the Roycroft Copper Shop.

Niagara Falls Winter of 1912

For another view of the regional scenery in the time of Elbert Hubbard, here is a view of Niagara Falls in the winter of 1912.Click on it for an enlarged view.

It makes me cold just to look at it! These folks did not have gortex or other modern marerials to keep them warm and dry. Imagine, they are all wearing layers and layers of heavy wool and the women are in long dresses. I love my wool socks and sweaters, but I never like to get them wet.

- Sue

Monday Mottos

An ounce of loyalty is worth a pound of cleverness.

-   Elbert Hubbard

 

From One Hundred & One Epigrams, According to Elbert Hubbard, published by Roycroft Campus Press, East Aurora, NY. For sale at the Roycroft Copper Shop.

Anti-union Stance Brings Hubbard Closer to Big Business

Hubbard is often thought of as a fair boss, ahead of his time with benefits and consideration for his employees. However, this consideration did not extend to labor unions, which were in their formative days.

 

According to Freeman Champney, author of Art & Glory, the Story of Elbert Hubbard, around 1907, the Typographical Union put the Roycroft publishing enterprise on its unfair list. At the time, this action did not really affect business much, and Hubbard was not even aware of it until a businessman who purchased advertising in the Philistine wrote to say that as a union man, he would have to discontinue his advertising.

 

Hubbard then wrote several anti-union pieces for the Philistine and even went so far as to find evidence against this “good union man.” He found out that one of this businessman's suppliers - of a material available no where else - was a non-union shop and Elbert announced this information to the public via a full page in the Fra.

 

This anti-union stance combined with his “Message to Garcia” missive further enhanced Hubbard’s position with big business. 

 

- Sue

Monday Mottos

An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.

-   Elbert Hubbard

 

From One Hundred & One Epigrams, According to Elbert Hubbard, published by Roycroft Campus Press, East Aurora, NY. For sale at the Roycroft Copper Shop.