The Humble Award

AKA: The Joe Humble Newsletter Editor of the Year Award

History

The ABANA Board of Directors initiated the Joe Humble Newsletter Editor of the Year Award in 1994 to recognize those who work tirelessly to publish the various affiliate newsletters. The award was named for Joe Humble, who served on the ABANA Board, established the first affiliate, and published a monthly newsletter for over 14 years.

Criteria for Nominees

Nominees for the award:

  • Must be a current or former affiliate newsletter editor.
  • Must be an ABANA member (or spouse) in good standing.
  • Must not have won the award in the past 5 award cycles.

Nominate an Editor

Who can nominate an editor?

Editors, associate editors, or affiliate presidents can submit a nomination. Self-nominations are allowed.

Submit a Nomination Now

Mike McLaughlin holding the 2022 Joe Humble Newsletter Editor of the Year Award from ABANA.

Mike McLaughlin, 2022 Humble Award winner.

Award Recipient Selection

The Joe Humble Award Committee will be comprised of the past 5 living Humble Award winners. ABANA Board members may not serve on the Humble Award Committee. The ABANA Awards Committee Chair will act as a liaison to the Humble Award Committee. It is the ABANA Awards Committee Chair’s responsibility to gather and forward all nominations to the Humble Award Committee. The Humble Award Committee will review all nominations received and make the final selection of a winner. In the event of a tie, the ABANA Awards Committee Chair will cast a tie-breaking vote.

The following criteria will be used to evaluate the nominees: Joe Humble Evaluation Form

Recipients

  • 1994 – Clay Spencer – Alabama
  • 1995 – Jim McCarthy – Missouri
  • 1995 – Donnie Fullwood – Georgia
  • 1996 – Gene and Peg Chapman – Washington
  • 1997 – Kim Harris – North Carolina
  • 1998 – Bob Thompson – California
  • 2000 – Marcia McEacheron – Minnesota
  • 2002 – Jerry Kagele – Washington
  • 2002 – Julie Pickett – Colorado
  • 2004 – Dave Smucker – North Carolina
  • 2006 – Bill Clemens – Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland – Hammer and Tong
  • 2012 – Chris Holt – Pittsburgh Area Artist Blacksmith Association – Newsletter
  • 2014 – Steven and Carol Spoerre – Michigan Artist Blacksmith Association – The Upsetter
  • 2016 – Jenny Plummer-Welker Mid-Atlantic Smiths Association – Hammer Notes
  • 2018 – Amy Mook – Northwest Blacksmith Association – Hot Iron News
  • 2021 – Mark Teece – New York State Designer Blacksmiths – Anvil Chorus
  • 2022 – Mike McLaughlin – Blacksmith Association of Missouri
Amy Mook, 2018 Humble Winner
Blacksmith Mark Teece holding the 2020 Joe Humble Newsletter Editor of the Year Award from ABANA.
Mark Teece, 2020 Humble Award Winner