The Blackhawk Woodcarver
                     Volume XXII, Issue 1,  January 2016

Presidents Report

Friends,

Many people don't make New Year's Resolutions. I read recently, only 20% of those who make them keep them. But, how about saying “I'd like to do this this year”? It's not like a “Resolution” that we'd have to keep. It's just an idea.

Some of you in the Blackhawk Club have been carving for years. You've probably tried everything or have found the thing you like doing and that's what you do. But, what don't you do or don't think you can do?

I've had it in my head that I can't carve anything in the round. So, I've decided that I'm going to carve something in the round, and may venture into caricatures, before the year 2016 is over.

Is there anything in carving or burning you'd like to do this year? Think about it. Give it a try. After all, 2016 is a whole year long, and that may be long enough to get something new done. And, best of all, we get a whole extra day in February.

Gary Curl

January Birthdays
(that we know about)
1   Mike Petty
11  Gale Terrell
20  Will Rottman

Club Officers       (815 area code)
President - Gary Curl,   895-5106
Vice Pres. - Frank Lay, 677-1190
Treasurer - John Skaggs, 547-6951
Secretary - Martha Fitch, 399-2453

Committees   (815 area code)
Librarian - Dawn Rozanas—229-8996
Show Co-Chairmen - Gary Curl  895-5106,  Elaine Terrell 765-2886
Webmaster - Gordy Moscinski, 874-7978
Membership  - 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
Programs—Bob Matthews 544-2359 & Denny Neubauer 515-508-9524
Petty Cash—Dona Wisner
Christmas Party -
Picnic - Tony Devita
Soap Carving –Gary Lundquist

Club Activity Schedule

January 6   open carving
January 13  open carving
January 20  open carving & meeting plus Homemade
                   jigs and helpers
January 27  open carving

February 3 open carving and a demonstration on painting with Acrylics
February 10 open carving
February 17 open carving & meeting
February 24 open carving

March 2 open carving
March 9 open carving and a lesson on  a band saw when making a 3-D cutouts for a bird and another for caricatures
March 16 open carving and meeting
March 23 open carving
March 30 open carving

April 6 open carving
April 13 open carving
April 20 open carving and meeting
April 27 open carving

Woodcarvers Meeting of December 2015

The meeting was called to order at 9:05 am by President Gary Curl.

Chuck Drewes gave the membership report.  He reminded everyone it is time to pay dues of $25.00 for the next year.  Please pay as soon as possible.

Minutes of the meeting held on November 18^th were read by Secretary Martha Fitch.  No one had any additions or corrections.

The Treasurer’s report was given by John Skaggs.  The report was approved.  John also noted that he has a spreadsheet of all expenditures by the Club for 2015, and anyone can ask to review this information.

The Petty Cash report was given by Dona Wisner.  No corrections or questions were asked about this report.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Tony Devita reports that the family of deceased member Emil LeBeau has donated tools, carving books and patterns from Emil’s collection to the Club.  The tools and books are on sale, with the proceeds to go to the Club.  Roger will write an article for the Newsletter and Martha Fitch will send the family a thank you card.

NEW BUSINESS

Don Stansfield announced that a Club member Jayne Pheiffer is celebrating her 95^th birthday on Friday (December 20^th).  Don asked that everyone who knows Jayne would send her a card so she can get a shower of cards on her birthday.  Her address is available.

Steve Terrill of the Officer Nominating Committee reported the results of their meeting. 

President ---  Gary Curl

Vice President   --  Frank Lay

Secretary  --  Martha Fitch

Treasurer  --  John Skaggs

A vote of the attending members was taken.  The nominations were approved with only one dissenting vote.

President Gary Curl responded for all the nominees that it is an honor to serve a 2^nd year.

Motion to adjourn was entered, and the meeting ended at 9:20 am.

Secretary Martha Fitch 

Deadline for the news for the next newsletter is February 3rd.

Club dues are due

The club dues of $25 are due on or before Jan. 1, 2016. Make checks payable to Blackhawk Carvers and give your cash or checks to Chuck Drewes.

Door Prize Drawing

Don't forget the Door Prize drawing on First Wednesdays. Bring something you don't need or want anymore, but know someone would be thrilled to win at the drawing.

Homemade jigs & helpers
January 20, 2016. Bring in your homemade jigs,  vices, tool boxes, clamps or anything that you made to help in carving.

Well the activity committee is back for another year. 

On February 3rd Bob will give a demonstration on painting with Acrylics. He will talk about the brushes he uses; techniques that will let you develop shadows when your are trying to paint a single color; the mixing colors; layering several colors when painting feathers; and the use of washes. Also let’s try the new TV contraption again. 

Denny and Bob are developing a video presentation for March 9th.  The subject will be on the use of a band saw when making a 3-D cutout for a bird and another for caricatures.  Once again we will be using the TV to present the pictures along with a discussion about what is going on. 

Hey gals and guys we need your help with ideas for things to do and we will try and we will try to comply.  Is there something that you want to develop and show to the club, why not?  Don't be bashful, we are all here to learn from each other.

Denny and Bob

Snowman Carving Challenge

 

A presentation was made by Don Stansfield to winners chosen by a vote of all attending members. The challenge was to carve a small wooden snowman.  The simple rules were: 1. A one-piece snowman head and body must be carved from a piece of wood not exceeding 1-1/2” square by 3” in size.  2.  Add-ons are acceptable.  3. A finish of the artist’s choice is to be used.  Prizes were awarded.

 

Annual Christmas party

 

 

 

The annual Christmas party was held Wednesday, December 9th.  As usual, our group of cooks brought in their prized delicious dishes.  The dessert table never seems to lack.  A special thank you to Rosalie Wesley for organizing this successful event along with all of her helpers.  A good time was had by all.

Carver of the year

Every year we honor the carver who has made an impressive and long lasting contribution to the Blackhawk Woodcarvers.  The honor is having the honoree's name engraved on the plaque located on the side of the storage cabinet.   This year Bob Matthews was honored  as the Carver of The Year during the annual breakfast.

By Roger Benedict

Show and Tell pictures by Larry Clark and comments by Martha Fitch 

 

John Skaggs brought in 3 completed projects from his CLR class of 2 angels and a Santa flying.  They are carved from basswood. Not shown are a set of coasters also done by John.

Chuck Drewes completed these carvings in basswood at the CLR class.

Carrie Lay presented her angel and Santa from basswood.

 

Frank Lay also brought in his completed works.

      

Gordy Moscinski brought in a carved dog in basswood and 2 carving knives he made in a class with Denny Neubauer.

 

Gary Curl brought 2 knives he made in a class.

 

Tod Wisner showed his completed cameo, carved on basswood.

 

Colin Bystrom carved a snowman.