Blackhawk Carving Club Rockford

         The Blackhawk Woodcarver
                            Volume XXI, Issue 11, November 2014

Blackhawk Carving Club P. O. Box 8285 Rockford, IL 61126 Open Carving every Wednesday (8:30-11am) except Dec 25, Jan 1. Ken Rock Community Center (Sacred Heart Academy, Multi-purpose room) 3218 Eleventh St, Rockford, IL 61109 Business Meeting; third Wednesday of the month. Friends and spouses of carvers are especially welcome to come to meet and visit. Carvers bring in finished carvings for “Show & Tell.”

Club Officers     ( 815 area code)
President - Roger Benedict 988-3314. Vice Pres. - Frank Lay, 677-1190. Treasurer - John Skaggs, 547-6951 Secretary - Martha Fitch, 399-2453.

Committees
Librarian - Dawn Rozanas—229-8996.   2014 Show Co-Chairmen - Bunny Nord-heim, 633-1876, & Martha Fitch, 399-2453.   2013 Show Publicity - Roger Benedict 988-3314. Webmaster - Gordy Moscinski, 874-7978. Membership Chair - Chuck Drewes, 316-0398. Newsletter -Publisher - Gary Johnson 399-1697. Newsletter Editor– Gordy Moscinski, 874-7978. Photographer - Larry Clark, 262-9982. Historian - Elaine Terrell 765-2886. Activities– Bob Matthews 544-2359 Denny Neubauer. Refreshments—Dona Wisner

Clearing of the Bench
My past presidency of the club has been rewarding as I observed many initiated activities by various members regarding soap carving civic activities, business meeting programs, carving classes, the annual carving show, and the Christmas breakfast. Thanks to all of you! I welcome our new Newsletter editor, Gordon Moscinski, for taking on a very important aspect of the monthly news. And of course look forward to the new leadership from President Gary Curl.
Little did I know what the year would provide when I was approached to be president; however I told myself that whatever will be, and to take one week at a time to make sure that club’s suc-cess continues for 2014.
My passion for this club has been obvious and always wanted to see others seek a means to become involved to have a rewarding experience. It is im-perative that everyone keep in mind that we are a bunch of amateurs that do the best we can, and that all volun-teers conduct their efforts in the best interest of everyone. Any and all ideas and actions are welcomed.
Keep your tools sharp,
Roger Benedict

November Birthdays (that we know about)
Bernie Budzynski 11-6
Don Magnuson 10-8
Richard Andersen 10-20

Club Activity Schedule
November 6 - open carving
November 13 - open carving
November 20 - business meeting
November 27 - open carving

December 3 - open carving
December 10 - open carving
December 17 - Christmas Party (see below)
December 24 - no carving
December 31 - no carving

January 7 - open carving
January 14 - open carving
January 21 - business meeting
January 28 - open carving

New Members 2014
From Chuck Drewes

So far this year we've had 11 new members join and I have no doubt we'll have more before years end.
Kevin Hagel 12-4-13
Colin Bystrom 1-15-14
Tim Wright 1-22-14
Gottlieb Brandli 2-12-14
Larry Onley 2-26-14
Bill Schemerhorn 3-19-14
Ron Watson 4-16-14
Cheryl Degado 4-24-14
Larry Walker 4-30-14
Dawn Rozanas 7-23-14
Jim Foster 11-19-14

Minutes for November 2014

Minutes of Meeting for Blackhawk Woodcarver’s November19, 2014
The meeting was called to order at 9 am by club President Roger Benedict.
Roger introduced Del Lohr, who brought in wood for sale.

NEW BUSINESS:
While reviewing a box of old club items, Roger found a number of patches with the club logo. They are for sale for $5 each.
Note was made of a carving competition in Salisbury, MA. This is the 45th Wild Owl Competition. Bob Matthews has attended previous competitions and attest to this being a worthwhile activity.
Presentation by Jerry Mais ---
Today is the 21st anniversary of the formation of the Blackhawk Woodcarving Club. The first meeting was held in November 1993. Thanks to Gordy Moscinski who contacted a number of people who were interested in carving and arranged to meet for the purpose of forming the club. The first meeting had an attendance of 54. Of the 12 leaders 9 of these are still active members. A thank you should be given to all founding members for their efforts. (Applause from all attending members indicated their agreement). Jerry showed a relief of the original logo and showed the subsequent change completed in 2009 to what we have now. Jerry has a booklet with instructions to make your own copy of the logo.
A special cake was brought in by Dona Wisner which was presented to the club for our enjoyment.

REPORTS
Treasurer John Skaggs reported on all funds received and expended. The balance is lower than previous years, so he will be conducting an in depth review.
Secretary Arne Larson read the minutes of the meeting of October 15, 2014; and gave thanks and praise to each person mentioned. Minutes were ac-cepted.
Membership chair Chuck Drewes reported that it is time to begin paying dues for 2015.
Dona Wisner gave her report on Petty Cash.

OLD BUSINESS
Rosalie Wesley reported progress for the Christmas Party to be held December 17, 2014. There will be a potluck Brunch as part of the meeting. A sign up sheet is now available. Please indicate if you will bring a guest, type of food you will bring and if you will need an outlet. We can use the oven in the kitchen and have access to 2 roasters. The Club will provide: paper plates, cups, napkins, flatware and boxes for leftovers.
Bob Matthews presented the list of proposed new officers for 2015:
President --- Gary Curl
Vice-President --- Frank Lay
Secretary --- Martha Fitch
Treasurer ---- John Skaggs
The list was accepted as proposed, and the voting was unanimous.
A request was given to the general membership for someone to be in charge of the newsletter. (After the meeting ended, Gordy Moscinski volunteered and was accepted as newsletter chairman.)
Also, a Librarian is needed.
Roger requested that any new members in attendance need to have a photo taken for the member-ship list.

PROJECTS ON DISPLAY
Carrie Lay gourds John Skaggs spoons and fish cap holder.
Gary Curle pyrography
Bob Matthews blue bird
Richard Prutz relief plaques
Tony DeVita statuette
Frank Lay statuette
Martha Fitch thin Santas
Bernie Budzinski 3 pyrography projects
Jerry Mais Santa figure
Larry Stenzel pyrography

Roger reminded everyone that the room is available next week, the day before Thanksgiving, for anyone who wants to come to carve.
The meeting ended with cake and discussion.

Carving Shows/Classes Shows within 3 to 4 hours oneway drive time of Rockford will be listed as they become known.

November 15 and 16, 2014 - Caricature Carving with Chris Hammack $185.00 + Cost of Rough outs. The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, Bettendorf, IA. 52722
November 20 and 21, 2014 - Carving Miniatures and Learning to Sharpen with Denny Neubauer. $95.00 /// Sat - Sun: Nov. 22 and 23 - $95.00 The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, Bettendorf, IA. 52722
December 6 and 7, 2014 - Designing/Creating a Thunder Drum Gourd with Bonnie Adams. $95.00 + $20.00 Material Fee. The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, Bettendorf, IA. 52722
April 18, 2015 - Sheboygan, WI 25th Kettle Karvers Show at (new location) Lakers Ice Center, 1202 South Wildwood Ave-nue. www.ketttlekarvers.org

More listings are available in Chip Chats! (ed. Note - Be aware of the many shows coming up in Florida and Ari-zona for those of you who travel south.) See also: Clas-ses at 1-800-397-2278 or www.thewoodcraftshop.com

What is the best way to carve wood?
Whittle by whittle.

I have agreed to be the newsletter editor. I will hopefully compile the information that club members contribute, as you can see from this newsletter. So if you will be teaching a class or have gone to a class outside of the club it would be nice if you would share this information or a picture with the club. Maybe you have received information from another carving club or have discovered a new way to do something in carving then please share this for all to see in the newsletter.
Since I am not in attendance at many of the meetings I need to rely on your help in publishing this newsletter if you want it to continue. The best way to share this information is to email me at gordy@moscinski.net
Thank you to all that responded to my requests for information.
Gordy Moscinski

RELIEF CARVING CLASS
Roger Benedict will present a class to carve your personal face profile (cameo). The class will be Wednesdays beginning January 28 for five or six weeks. Fee is $25 for taking your processed photo, prepared basswood panel with waste wood removed and transferred face features.

The Green Teal Drake (GWTD) project is final-ly complete! In April, Bob took on 12 fellow carvers with the objective of teaching them to carve and paint a duck. The class was sched-uled to be split into two 4 week sessions, the first part focused on carving and the second on painting. The carving was completed, but the painting was delayed until late summer. The results looked pretty good, as if I say myself. If and when I do another I want to allow more time to complete the project. Bob Matthews

Roger Benedict blowing out candles held by Dona Wisner. The cake was to celebrate our clubs 21st birthday.

Christmas Party
By Rosalie Wesley
Christmas Party to be held December 17, 2014. There will be a potluck Brunch as part of the meeting. A sign up sheet is now available. Please indicate if you will bring a guest, type of food you will bring and if you will need an outlet. We can use the oven in the kitchen and have access to 2 roasters. The Club will provide: paper plates, cups, napkins, flatware and boxes for leftovers.

Blackhawk Woodcarvers Club Show
By Martha Fitch
On August 16, 2014 the Blackhawk Woodcarvers Club held their 20th annual Show and Competition. The fact that this club has had successful Woodcarving shows for 20 years highlights the quality of the art-work as well as the character of the club members. The competition is fierce but good humored as well. The incredible number of entries from a 4 state area attests to the high esteem this show has in the wood-carving community.
One highlight is the display from a Master Carver who has been invited to be at the show. This year that Master Carver was Dewey Johnson from Racine, Wis-consin. His artwork included free-form bowls he created from tree stumps and burls he collected in the wild; which were much admired by all attendees.
The art entries came in from 3 groups: Novice, Intermediate and Advanced. Separate categories at the different levels include human figures: natural and stylized, waterfowl, land birds, animals, fish, caricatures, Santa Clause, religious, canes/walking-sticks, mythical subjects and also pyrography. Some carvings are in the round and some are in relief. The pyrography or wood burned art is often embellished by paint and can be very delicate and intricate.
It takes courage to enter as a Novice when so many quality pieces are on display; but it is well worth the effort to receive expert advice and tips from Judges such as Roger Beane of Osceola, Iowa and Dennis Jackson of Omaha, Nebraska. These 2 Master Carvers have a background in all forms of carving and wood art. They are undeniably qualified to judge a competition such as this show.
A “Best in Show” was awarded to Shelly Weiser for his group carving “Dancers”. 1st runner-up was Mike Trezek for his carving “It’s Not About Me”. 2nd runner-up was Jerry Stockbridge for his carving “Dog & Doll”. There was also an award given to the carving that most people attending the show judged as their favorite. The People’s Choice Award was given to Ron Engen for his carving “Falcon”.
Part of the fun is the open exhibition and sale of art work by members of the club and the several business vendors who attend. There are always different wood pieces to purchase, instructions books to look at and everyone’s favorite tools. Members also have a chance to display and sell any pieces they have completed but did not enter into the competition. A lively, constant activity is a raffle of donated carving items. Everyone seems to enjoy the prospect of winning a fun piece of wood art.
Many thanks go out to the members of the club and their spouses. Hours and hours have been volunteered to make the event successful. From those who check in the pieces and set up the displays to the people who run the raffle, there is a lot of work to be done. It is a full day, but gives club members a chance to share their love of wood arts. It is also a chance to show others that they, too, can find enjoyment in woodcarving and camaraderie as a member of the Black-hawk Woodcarvers Club.

Best of Show was Awarded to Shelly Weiser

We were saddened to hear that one of our members, Kazimier “Casey’ Strycharz, passed away Saturday November 22, 2014. Our thoughts go out to his family

Show and Tell By Larry Clark