The Loss of Dan The Master Joyner.
Dan Mehn, known to many as Dan the Master Joyner, woodworker at the Maryland Renaissance Festival passed away on October 26, 2006. He was on his way to see Cirque Du Soleil in DC when he had a heart attack and was taken to Howard University Hospital where he later passed. For those who never knew Dan, he was a quiet man but was always willing to give you details about his work and woodworking in general.

According to his website:
"Daniel J. Mehn ( Dan The Master Joyner) was a native New Orleanian of European and American Indian heritage, who grew up and lived in the University Section of that City. After graduating from Tulane University in Civil Engineering (BS and MS) he entered the US Army as an officer. Returning to civilian life, he began working for a major computer company as a system's engineer, and was assigned to supporting NASA's space program, process industries, early graphic display systems, and educational development.

However, Dan continued to pursue his personal passions as hobbies. These included an intense interest in American Indian culture, theater, history, and literature. Throughout his life, his hobbies tended to involve recreations of historic artifacts and art. When buying and renovating two historic New Orleans homes as a young adult, his leisure time efforts were directed to the production of historic reproductions for his family's use. These included a massive dining room table, coffee table, and plantation rice pattern four-poster bed.

In time, it became evident that Dan's craftsmanship, creativity and talent were appreciated by others who began requesting commissioned works. Dan and his second son Glen began producing specialty items for Renaissance festivals, theater groups, and private patrons. His success in these first paid ventures and his love of creative craftsmanship finally led to him pursuing full-time furniture reproduction in 1993."