Official Luthiers Forum!

I am writing to all of our friends on the OLF on behalf of Hesh and myself.

It is with great sadness (an understatement) that we must bid you all farewell.

In the past few months an individual joined the OLF for the purposes of stalking and harassing Hesh and, needless to say, trying to interfere with our relationship.

This individual has stalked Hesh for over a year starting at a time when Hesh and I were not together and continues to stalk Hesh to this day. This stalking included coast-to-coast travel to place themselves in the proximity of Hesh, letters, emails, and the OLF’s PM system.

The individual uses multiple identities and names and has no aversion for exposing the OLF to self manufactured drama.......... Neither Hesh nor myself has ever met this individual.

Moving on…….. A while back Lance indicated that he wants the OLF to be a place where his 7 year old daughter can sit on his lap while they both read posts. We could not agree with Lance more and this is very much part of the reason why we will withdraw from further participation with the OLF.

The potential is very high for the individual in question to use a thread or threads on the OLF to further harass Hesh or other members and go out with a bang……   If or when this would occur it would be most unfortunate for all. With this said, our very existence on and participation with the OLF is potentially provocative to this ill intentioned individual.

The OLF has been one of the most positive experiences of our lives. We freely admit that guitar building and inlay would not be the same nor have the same attraction to us if it was not for the abundance of positive encouragement that you all have so very generously offered. Some of our friend here on the OLF are now very much like family to us.

Unfortunately today our concerns are for our personal safety. Clearly the epic nature of this continued harassment leading us to this point indicates that a great degree of concern is warranted.

We will miss you my friends………..

Lacey/Hesh,

Man that is a major bummer. Is there any law enforecement agency that can help with your situation?

This forum just won't be the same without your and Hesh's posts, inspirational work, words of encouragement and of course great humour.

I hope we can stay in touch and would appreciate if you could ask Hesh to send me an email with his contact info.

Take care my friends

Lacey, i'm very saddened to hear that you guys are leaving us, hopefully, this person will understand that we are indeed family and that we cannot let this person deprive us of your most appreciated and needed presence on this forum.

Harassment is an ugly thing made by someone who suffers and needs treatment, i shall pray God for this person to heal so this individual will leave you friends alone, this person should understand that doing this is staying inside darkness and far away from the light of God's love, when you stalk, it means that you don't love yourself, you are pushing away the person you desire and denying yourself by the same way.

Lacey, we'll stay in contact, both you and Hesh are family to me for the rest of my life, i'll be there whenever you need me. I have you both in my prayers so this situation finds a peaceful ending.

Yours truly

Serge

Lance and Brock, not meaning to put any kind of pressure on you great folks but is there anything that you guys could do to help our friends stay? Hesh and Lacey mean a lot to me and i'm sure they are higly regarded members from everyone's perspective, we need them here!

Regards

Serge

Well. What can I say to such devastating news. Hesh was like a mentor to me. He is one of the first friends I made here on the forum. I've only met him once in person but even befor that, through many PM's, I considered him a close personal friend. The internet is fantastic that way.

It can also be a double edged sword. And here we have a perfect example of it going wrong.

Anonimity. The majority of us in 'cyber-world' act decently. However, as in all aspects of life, you get some people who will take advantage of a situation.

Because of someones sickness, today we loose a very important part of our community here at the Official Luthier's Forum. Hesh was probably one of the most (if not THE most) dynamic members here. His wit and humour, his fantastic guitars, his constant encouragement and unrelenting desire to help even the 'greenest' of newbies all made him a big part of the OLF family. I for one am deeply sadened by his departure. I feel like I'm loosing a big brother.

And Serge, even if Lance would block the offensive and repulsive user, she would simply come back using another name and another e-mail adress... You can't stop a psycho like that.

Take care Hesh and Lacey. You are both in my heart and in my thoughts.

AlainAlain Desforges38963.5416203704

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Wow, that's just crazy.

Stuff like this really bugs me, I sure wish I could meet this person so I could give them a piece of my mind .

Hesh and Lacey, you will both be missed very very very much. When this person gets thrown in the slammer, please please please come back, you of course will be welcome.

I'm sure you will be looking in often, just not posting and not as a logged in member, so you will be looking down on us I'm sure.

There is always email friends.

You will be missed

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

This is aweful. But you need to be safe. You will be greatly missed. Both of
you. (PM to be sent)
Please come back as soon as you can!!!!!!!!

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

To the perpetrator of this pathetic nonsence...may you get what you truly deserve. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

Kim

Thanks Al, you are right, then we should all shine the light of God's love so this person really leaves them alone and leaves our community, whoever you are, you are no longer welcome here, just go away please, you've done enough damage as it is.

Serge

This is absolutely ridiculous!!

Who would be so mentally ill to even use a forum to torment someone?? Maybe you guys need to get the authorities involved...someone that sick may need be be behind bars!

Well, it is really sad if you guys have to part with us, Hesh and yourself and your bathroom have become a regular day-to-day interaction and we all consider you guys part of the family!

There's gotta be something we can do!?

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

I completely understand your need for safety but I hate the thought of not seeing your work and not reading your valuable input.

Safety for you and yours must take presedence but I hope there will be a way for us to see your work without giving the stalker any leverage or openings into your life.

Hopefully the computer saavy people here can find a solution.

Scooter, that is one brilliant suggestion, i wish someone could make a way to be invisible for someone in particular when online...

Yes, safety first for both of you, you really will be missed here!

This is making me sick to my stomach!

SergeSerge Poirier38963.5607986111

Hesh,
Keep your chin up and don't let this "nut case" take the enjoyment out of life, it's too short.
If there is anything I can do, you've got my phone number and email, contact me. I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say that!
Steve

Oh man...

I am deeply upset by this. I've never met Hesh or Lacey, and haven't even had much interaction with them, but I consider them friends. Always encouraging and welcoming, they are the epitomy of what the OLF has come to mean to me. I understand the decision, but, it hurts. It hurts us all.

That being said...

Stalking is a crime, a prosecutable one. Even though the abuser can change their name and email addy, their IP is logged, and they CAN, and should be traced, reported, and prosecuted. I hope we all do EVERYTHING we can, to assure this person is caught and stopped, short of finding them and serving them up a nice cool can of whoop a**.

Hesh and Lacey, I hope this is resolved soon, and that you will be able to re-join us. Please if there is ANYTHING at all I can do, don't hesitate to ask. Hesh, please email or PM me so we can stay in touch.

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

The more I know, the more I know I don't know.

trippguitars.com
OR
Find me on Facebook

Sounds like my brother's ex. What a PITA this can be. Hesh and Lacey, we love you guys and really, really want to find a way around this. Restraining order? Enforceable? Who knows on the internet. I would certainly get the law involved, though.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Wow! What happened here? Hesh, please PM me as this is a ridiculous turn of events and I would love to stay in touch. This place will not be the same without you guys and I hope we can meet finally at a symposium or something.
Sad, sad day.
Evan

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http://www.NewYorkGuitarRepair.com

Hesh and Lacey,
While I've never met you both personally, I have felt like I can call you friends. I have to say that this angers and saddens me. I hope that there is a good way around this unfortunate turn of events.

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Joe Breault
Merrimack, NH
Perpetual novice

Wow, what sad news. Lacey, I can't say I've interacted at all with you or
gotten to know you, but your inlay work is beautiful! And Hesh, I can't
say I've gotten to know you all that well either, but you seem like such a
great guy, and you've been nothing but positive and welcoming to me and
everyone here. Thanks for all the great pics, kind words, and wisdom
you've shared here.

I really hope that there's a way this can be resolved without the two of
you leaving the forum. I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this.

All the best,

Mike

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Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

Lacey, Hesh, I am so sorry that it has come to this. It is indeed a very sad day. While I haven't spent much time on the forum posting, I have come to look forward to reading your posts, even if Hesh did make me spit tea all over my keyboard. It was worth the time it took to clean and dry it!

The truly sad part is that unless this individual is behind bars without internet access and/or gets some serious help, you will always be looking over your shoulders. And I for one will be wondering who it was that did this and is still with us, pretending to be a friend. I understand that a mental illness is not something that they have control over, but hopefully this will be an eye opener and make them take stock in themselves and get the help that they need.

I wish nothing but the best for you two. May there come a day very soon that you will be able to rejoin the forum without fear or concern.

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Aoibeann

Internet stalkers are among the lowest lifeforms on the planet. I could really tell some horror stories, but this forum is G rated. Good luck, and please be careful.

Al

   Man this is a real bummer! I had no idea this thing was going on. I urge you to reconsider this decision, rationally if this person is going to relocate to this extent, disasociation from the OLF isn't going to stop them.

   The best advice, I believe, has already been given, restraining order. If this person is doing this, and violates this order, he/she can be mandated to treatment.

   Things are starting to make sense now! I can't say that this is unbelieveable as I have found Hesh to be one of the kindest persons I have ever corresponded.

    I would treat this with authorities and perhap even hire a detective if you don't know particulars about this person. Seige mentality is understandable because of the creepy nature of this subject but it is still that.

    The decision, is yours, obviously, and I have the highest of regards for both of you, no matter what you do. You know the particulars of the situation... we dont', and I trust in your judgement.

    I ask that you both consider these options and the wisdom involved. I will be praying about this one believe me. Hesh is extremely valuable to the OLF experience for me and many I'm sure.

God Bless
Billy Dean Thomas

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

What? I don't believe this is happening here!! There has to be a way to resolve this.
You guys just can't leave us. I'm really hoping Lance & Brock can help out with this. dang I'm really P.O.

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Beautiful and unusual tone woods at a reasonable price.
http://www.rctonewoods.com/RCT_Store
The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

This is terrible. Do whatever you have to do to be safe, if staying away from the OLF (for a period only, I hope) does that, then do it. I will miss you guys, hopefully this thing can be resolved swiftly.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

This is maddening.

I did a quick google for all of our good on cyberstalking and this is a good start.

Check section 3

EEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

This is so upsetting. I feel so bad for you and Hesh. I hope this issue is resolved so that, first of all, you and your families are safe, and that later you can join us again.

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com