Blackhawk Carving Club Rockford

Blackhawk Woodcarver

Volume XVIII, Issue 5, May 2011

Here are six of the portrait carvers from Roger Benedict’s relief carving class at CLR. Left to right- Steve Terrill, John Skaggs, Frank Lay, Gordy Moscinski, and Will Rottman. The assignment was to carve a profile of yourself. There were actually 12 members in the class, but these were the ones who showed up for Show & Tell at the Club business meeting, April 20. If we can get the other carvers together at a later date, we’ll put them in the Newsletter, too.

NORWEGIAN WOOD CARVING is exhibited in the Vesterheim Norwegian Folk Museum in Decorah, Iowa. Folks who have visited there say it’s a great experience for carvers. Rosalie Wesley and Don Stansfield took a carving course up there in March, and they can give you an idea of what you might see.

For information and literature on the place, call the Folk Arts hotline. In Decorah, that’s 563-382-9682, Ext 201.

REMEMBER THE CLUB PICNIC. It will be Tuesday, June 14, in Sinnissippi Park (Rockford) at the shelter house across the road from the golf clubhouse, 4PM until 6PM. Use the golfers’ parking lot.

This is potluck, so bring a dish to pass - an amount large enough to serve 10 or 12 people. That way, we can sample lots of different delicacies. There will be sign-up sheets at every Wednesday morning carving session during the month of May. You can choose what type of food you might prefer to prepare.

Bring your own meat to cook over the charcoal grills, your dishes and utensils. The Club will furnish grills, charcoal, ice, and beverages: soda pop, coffee, and water.

If you lent $20 to someone who never comes back to repay you. . . it was probably worth it.

ROGER BENEDICT has been retained by The Clearing Folk School at Ellison Bay, Wisconsin. (Door County) to teach a class in relief carving June 19-June 25. This is the second year they have hired Roger to do a full week class. They used him as a 3-day week-end carving teacher in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

The Clearing is located on 160 acres of scenic land abutting the Green Bay on the west side of Door County. It was started by the famous Chicago architect, Jens Jensen, as a retreat for people interested in the arts to get away from the noise of modern living. They offer classes in arts and crafts including music, poetry, pottery, and painting, besides Roger’s wood sculpture.

If you are interested in learning more about The Clearing, or perhaps enrolling in a class, call 877-854-3225.

HARLEY REFSAL makes an interesting distinction between “Carving” and “Whittling.” He says if you can do it using only a knife, it’s probably Whittling. If you are using other tools like gouges and chisels, you are probably Carving.

E. J. Tangerman, author of Whittling and Woodcarving, says, “To whittle, you need only a pocket knife ... to carve, add a few chisels.”

On the other hand, these two techniques of removing wood to achieve a figure are BOTH “reductive sculpting.” By this logic, while a carver with gouges, etc, is admitted to be a sculptor, the whittler with only a knife is just as much a sculptor! Ver-r-r-ry interesting.

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED in things Norwegian, you might want to check out the Coulee Region Carvers’ carving show up in Coon Valley, Wisconsin, June 18 & 19. You would have to choose between Maquoketa, Iowa, and Coon Valley, because the Affiliated Woodcarvers have their annual International Show & Competition June 13 through June 19. (See the Carving Shows section later in this Newsletter.

SICK BAY REPORT -

TOM BACKER is still fighting some serious health problems. His wife, Johanna, reported him to be in good spirits. But then Tom usually is an up-beat kind of guy. Art Brown visits to check up on Tom.

EMILE LeBEAU - is recovering at home. And is doing quite well. He has a regular care-giver named Tom to help. Tom brought Emile to visit us at carving Wednesday, April 13. Emile was walking with a walker, but all-in-all he was in good spirits.

TWO BIG CARVING SHOWS - The first is the International Carving Congress in Maquoketa, Iowa, in June. Next, is our Club Show, & Sale, & Competition on Saturday, August 20, at the Tebala Shrine Center.

See Carving Shows and Carving

Classes listed at the end of the Newsletter.

MAY BIRTHDAYS -

5/2 - Roger Benedict
5/8 - Lloyd Duerst
5/13 - Brian Steder
5/14 - Wes Englund
5/21 - Bob Matthews
5/22 - John Hartwig
5/22 - Steve Terrill
5/25 - Larry Christensen

(This is kind of fun. Why aren’t you listed?)

A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. My desk is a work station.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? Over 23% of the active members in the Blackhawk Woodcarvers Club are WOMEN? Yes, that is most certainly correct. Almost one in every four members is female. And that’s a good thing.

Elizabeth Growey of the Center for Sight & Hearing staff stands with Blackhawk carver Dona Wisner, admiring the 17-panel “quilt” that the Blackhawk wood carvers created as a gift for the Center.

BUSINESS MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

The meeting was called to order April 20, 2011 at 09:08 AM by President Gary Lundquist, with 39 members present.

Secretary Steve Terrill read the minutes of the previous meeting, and they were approved as read.

Treasurer’s report was read by John Skaggs and approved as read. We have a nice balance. Details are available to members.

Coffee Cash report by Dona Wisner shows a nice cash balance.

Membership Chairman Dona Wisner reported one new member; Laura Kiedaisch (KeeDish). We have a total membership of 108 with 83 Active members and 25 associates. We have had a slight reduction in Active Membership as some members unfortunately did not renew.

Webmaster Gordy Moscinski reported that the new website is up and running. He has included a counter and we have had 111 hits so far in a two-week period.

John Skaggs asked about why there are no carving pictures. Gordy is open to suggestions, but has designed the new site in response to comments that there was too much “junk” on the old website. Gordy will put on pictures from the show.

If someone is interested in selling a carving or tool, they can post it online. Just give the information to Gordy. There is a whole section on the carving show. Tod recommended we put the club mailing address on the Website in addition to the contact phone numbers. Gordy will add a map showing how to find us. Skaggs thanked Gordy for a “Darn” good job.

Librarian Bernie Budzynski reported that the library is in good shape. Check out the Library’s DVD on carving wooden pliers.

Newsletter, Tod Wisner - Circulation is down a bit because we don’t mail copies to folks who are not current in their dues.

No dues ... no News.

Vice President Bob Capion reported that he has put out some patterns for the relief carvings he suggested for the show. He would like some people to sign up, pick a pattern, take it home and do it. He would like for people to have teams and a team leader who will organize the information. He would like to keep the carvings all alike for example with similar subtle colors. He says the theme is leaves this year. A team leader could see that the qualityof the carvings are consistent. The goal is 5 premium carvings to be auctioned off. If we have some money, there are a number of things we could do, including buying a better, lighter TV and a cabinet that we could use to store our electronic equipment like our amplifier. The majority of members supported the cabinet idea. We are still in the investigation stage.

There was no old business.

New Business:

President Gary Lundquist reported progress in negotiations to provide classes with Sharon Bechtold, the renowned pyrographer.

She could provide one-, two-, or three-day classes. A one-day class would cost around $90 to $100 pending class size of 6-12 people. A two-day class would be in a range of $140 to $183, and a three-day class would be around $180 to $215.

Minimum size for 2- and 3-day workshops would be 5. Six people showed interest in participating in such a class, depending on when it was offered. People interested were encouraged to talk to Gary after the meeting to indicate how long a class they would be interested in. No times or dates are set at this point.

Don Stansfield brought in information for the Club Carving Show in August which he handed out to all members. He encouraged people to get started now. There will be a 2-inch challenge again. There are a number of categories for regular carvings this year including a new category of pyrography.

Rich Andersen noted that it is often quite practical for two people to share the same display table at the show. This is an especially attractive arrangement for carvers who may not need much display space.

Don Stansfield also offered t- shirts for sale that can be ordered from a friend of his which read “I do not need another knife! I do not need another knife! I do not need another knife!” Don just can’t seem to understand why she offered them to him. (Wink,wink!)

President Gary Lundquist noted that Gordy has a bunch of information from the old website that is available on two CD’s. One has the history, library, newsletters, etc and the second has pictures. They will be available in the club library and can be checked out.

President Lundquist noted that if any of the new members need name tags, aprons, or shirts that he has a sign up list. There are also some free magazines available. And, thanks to our intrepid wood carver, John Winter, we have two Official Blackhawk Woodcarver door stops complete with tassel and logo. He was tired of the concoction of make shift door stops.

Brian Steder knows of a lady in Sycamore whose father was an accomplished wood carver. He passed away, and left behind a number of tools, wood, and equipment. Brian will go there Saturday and take pictures to see if any of our members may be interested in purchasing some of the items.

Gordy Moscinski reported that Don Stansfield had said there would not be enough room in the Tebala Center for the wood turners to join us in our show.

Bob Matthews brought in a number of wood pieces and some tools that had belonged to Don See. These were on the back table, and available free to club members.

Tod Wisner asked the people from Roger Benedict’s portrait relief carving class to pose with their carvings for a group picture.

(See it at the beginning of this Newsletter. Ed)

Meeting was adjourned at 09:53.

PROGRAM

Bob Capion showed a video of Master Carver Ernest “Mooney” Warther including a demonstration of how he carved thousands of pairs of working pliers out of one solid piece of wood. Bob then handed out blanks and instructions to all members to make their own all-wood carved-from-a-single-piece pliers.

Bob had a number of samples ... to examine and for sale. X-acto knives were donated by Bob Hallstrom for those who needed one.

Respectfully submitted,

Steve Terrill, Secretary

SHOW & TELL - See pictures grouped at the end of this Newsletter.

CLUB ACTIVITY SCHEDULE -

Business Meetings & Special Events -

⇨ May 18 - Business Meeting, Program: Karen Hammarberg

⇨ June 15- Business Meeting, June 14\\?? - Club Picnic

⇨ July 20 - Business Meeting, Quarterly carving project

⇨ August 17 - Business Meeting

⇨ August 20 - Blackhawk Carving Club, Show & Compete @ Tebala Temple

⇨ September 21 - Business Meeting, Wrap-up report on the Annual Show

⇨ October 19 - Business Meeting, Quarterly carving project, Select 2012 Nominating Committee

⇨ November 16 - Business Meeting, Announcements: Club Member of the Year, Slate of officers nominated for 2012

⇨ December 21 - Christmas Party Brunch & Swap Meet, Election of Officers

⇨ January 18, 2012 - Business Meeting, Quarterly carving project

⇨ February 15 - Business Meeting

⇨ March 15 - Business Meeting

⇨ April 19 - Business Meeting, Quarterly carving project

CARVING CLASSES -These are classes within a short drive time of Rockford. Be sure to check ahead of time, because some of the classes fill up fast. For complete listings in all States, look in the different carving magazines.

May 27-29, Bettendorf, Iowa, Medium/Middle Relief Carving with John Engler. Pre-stenciled blanks will be available on a wide variety of subjects. Tuition is $185, plus cost of blanks @$30 - $35 each. The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, Bettendorf, IA, 52722.

June 13-19, Maquoketa, IA. Many classes on many subjects all taught by internationally-known Master Carvers. These fill up fast. If you’re interested, don’t delay. For an information packet, call Larry Yudis at 563-676-8264

June 19-25, Ellison Bay, WI, The Clearing Folk School, featuring Roger Benedict will be teaching relief carving. Please call 877-854-3225 for more information. www.TheClearing.com.

CARVING SHOWS - Shows within 3 to 4 hours one-way drive time of Rockford will be listed as they become known.

May 1, Appleton, WI, Mid-Wisconsin Chippers 37^th Annual Woodcarving Show, Sale, & Competition. Monarch Gardens, 2311 West Spencer St. 10am-4pm, admission $2, children under 12 free. Jayne Neuenfelder, 920-982-5582.

May 7, Ames, IA, Mid-Iowa Woodcarvers 2^nd annual Adventures In Wood show theme this year “What’s Bugging You?” Reiman Gardens, 1407 University Boulevard. Art Mann, 4004 Fletcher Blvd, Ames, IA, 50012. 515-292-2459.

May 21-22, Bloomington, IL. Cornbelt Carving Club 10^th annual Sculptures In Wood show, sale, & contest. Shirk Center, Illinois Wesleyan University Campus, 302 East Emerson St. Saturday 9-5, Sunday 10-5.. Admission $3children free with adult. For more info, call Mike Hartzler 309-662-4276.

June 17-20, Maquoketa, IA. Affiliated Woodcarvers, Ltd. (PO Box 104 Bettendorf, IA, 52722) presents the Annual Woodcarvers’ Congress at Jackson County Fairgrounds, 1212 East Quarry St. Admission charged. For more details, call Larry Yudis, 563-350-9684

June 18-19, Coon Valley, WI, Coulee Region Woodcarvers 15^th Annual Show at Norskedalen Nature Heritage Center , call Tom Ladwig, 608-582-4353.

August 20, Rockford, IL, Blackhawk Woodcarving Club 16^th Annual Show, Sale, &Judged Competition, with cash prizes. On-site food, carving supply vendors. Tebala Shrine Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford, 10am-4pm, Admission $3, children under 12 free with an adult. Don Stansfield, 815-235-0075, or Bob Hallstrom at 815-963-1326.

September 17, Janesville, WI. 6^th annual Rock River Valley Carvers’ show/sale at Rock County Fairgrounds, Craig Center, 1301 Craig Avenue. 10am - 4pm. Mary Johnson, 608-754-3569 or www.rockrivervalleycarvers.com.

September 25, Utica, IL, Valley Carvers’ 25^th Annual judged and juried Show & Sale. Starved Rock State Park main lodge. 9am-5pm. Free admission. Bob Wills, 190 West Willow St, Coal City, IL, 60416, or call 815-634-3086.

WANT ADS - Carving stuff only. Free listings for individuals, clubs, and vendors (members and non-members ).

2010 Membership Directory - $2.00. Names, pictures, and phone numbers. Available every Wednesday morning.

Carving Wood, all kinds - Del Lohr, 40251 West Rt #2, Lightsville Rd, Forreston, IL 61030, 815-938-2263

CIRCULATION STATEMENT: This issue of the Blackhawk Woodcarver is mailed to 79 members, 14 Friends of Blackhawk, 25 Associate Members, 4 carving magazines. Total = 122. Our Newsletter goes by First Class Mail to assure greatest benefit to everyone.

BLACKHAWK WOODCARVERS
P. O. Box 15488
Loves Park, Illinois 61132-5488

Open Carving every Wednesday (8:30-11am) except Dec 24, 25, 31; Jan 1; and July 4. Business Meeting - third Wednesday Ken Rock Community Center (Sacred Heart Academy multi-purpose room) 3218 Eleventh Street, Rockford, IL 61109

Friends and spouses of carvers are especially welcome to come to meet and visit. All visitors get free coffee. Carvers bring in finished carvings for “Show & Tell.”

CLUB OFFICERS

President - Gary Lundquist, 332-4174

Vice President - Bob Capion, 232-7095

Secretary - Steve Terrill, 393-4581

Treasurer - John Skaggs, 547-6951

COMMITTEES

Librarian - Bernie Budzynski, 332-2395

2010 Show Co-Chairmen - Bob Hallstrom, 963-1326 and Don Stansfield, 235-0075

Webmaster - Gordon Moscinski, 874-7978

Club Website - blackhawkcarving.com

Membership - Dona Wisner, 399-3169

Newsletter Publisher - Bernie Budzynski, 332-2395