"We are junk magnets," said Virginia resident Joe Hagerman, one of two blacksmiths manning a coal-fired forge at the annual show put on by the Connecticut River Antique Collectors Klub (CRACK) in Ely. Hagerman explained that he joined the group after meeting club cofounder Doug Driscoll at an antiques gathering years ago. He's traveled to the small hamlet in the town of Fairlee each August since then to demonstrate old-style smithing to visitors at the show, which features an array of antique farm machinery and other collectibles. "Now," said Eric Hinckley, Hagerman's friend and copilot in the blacksmith shop, grinning at an 8-year-old girl from New York City, "let's see if you're a real princess." The girl giggled. "How will you know?" she asked. Hinckley held up the iron "princess sword" he'd begun fashioning. "Blow on it," he said. The girl complied with a nervous smile. Hinckley stuck the sword in the coals until it glowed red-hot, then placed it on an anvil and pounded it into shape. "If you're a real princess, it'll turn to gold," he said, picking up a brass-bristled brush. "Now I just have to dust it off to see if there's gold underneath." As the brush grazed the sword, it turned from gray to gold. Hinckley dunked it in cold water and handed it to the girl. "Would you look at that!" he exclaimed. "A real princess!" The girl beamed. Doug and Ruth Driscoll founded CRACK with five other families in 1993. Its membership swelled to 160 families by 2001. On the sales floor of the old Ely store and post office (shuttered in 1972), adjacent to their home, the club amassed vintage toys, beer steins, maple syrup tins, oil lamps, kitchen implements, salt and pepper shakers ... just about anything people collect. In barns and outbuildings, the couple built a blacksmith shop, sugarhouse, sawmill and other work spaces using salvaged and restored equipment. Each August, the Driscolls open their field and "museum" for an annual show and demonstration. Last weekend, the gathering was showing signs of age. Membership has fallen to about 80 families, and the average age has risen. The Driscolls' son Kenny continues to welcome younger members, but recruitment hasn't kept pace with elders aging out. On show days years ago, said CRACK founding member Steve Stocking, leaning on a 1929 Doodlebug tractor car, the entire field was filled with old…
"We are junk magnets," said Virginia resident Joe Hagerman, one of two blacksmiths manning a coal-fired forge at the annual show put on by the Connecticut River Antique Collectors Klub (CRACK) in Ely. Hagerman explained that he joined the group after meeting club cofounder Doug Driscoll at an antiques gathering years ago. He's traveled to the small hamlet in the town of Fairlee each August since then to demonstrate old-style smithing to visitors at the show, which features an array of antique farm machinery and other collectibles. "Now," said Eric Hinckley, Hagerman's friend and copilot in the blacksmith shop, grinning at an 8-year-old girl from New York City, "let's see if you're a real princess." The girl giggled. "How will you know?" she asked. Hinckley held up the iron "princess sword" he'd begun fashioning. "Blow on it," he said. The girl complied with a nervous smile. Hinckley stuck the sword in the coals until it glowed red-hot, then placed it on an anvil and pounded it into shape. "If you're a real princess, it'll turn to gold," he said, picking up a brass-bristled brush. "Now I just have to dust it off to see if there's gold underneath." As the brush grazed the sword, it turned from gray to gold. Hinckley dunked it in cold water and handed it to the girl. "Would you look at that!" he exclaimed. "A real princess!" The girl beamed. Doug and Ruth Driscoll founded CRACK with five other families in 1993. Its membership swelled to 160 families by 2001. On the sales floor of the old Ely store and post office (shuttered in 1972), adjacent to their home, the club amassed vintage toys, beer steins, maple syrup tins, oil lamps, kitchen implements, salt and pepper shakers ... just about anything people collect. In barns and outbuildings, the couple built a blacksmith shop, sugarhouse, sawmill and other work spaces using salvaged and restored equipment. Each August, the Driscolls open their field and "museum" for an annual show and demonstration. Last weekend, the gathering was showing signs of age. Membership has fallen to about 80 families, and the average age has risen. The Driscolls' son Kenny continues to welcome younger members, but recruitment hasn't kept pace with elders aging out. On show days years ago, said CRACK founding member Steve Stocking, leaning on a 1929 Doodlebug tractor car, the entire field was filled with old…