Last June almost 500 timber framers and their sympathizers gathered for their third annual get-together — which in my opinion continues to be one of the best little builders' conferences around. As in past years, participants came from all over the U.S., as well as from Canada, England, France, and even the San Juan Islands. The conference began with a trade show displaying power tools, stressskin panels, heavy machinery, portable saw-mills, pegs, heating systems, sealers, and finishes provided by 16 exhibitors. Workshops that day covered whole house design, the evolution of timber frame in the Northeast from 1740-1840, framing layout, pricing, and a traditional Amish house-raising. The day ended with a slide show where participants presented ten slides of their own