The Meeting was called to order at 9:00 by John Skaggs, Treasurer in the absence of President Bob Matthews and Vice President Jerome Mais.

 John thinks we are solvent 

 Steve Terrill read the Minutes of the previous meeting.  The minutes were approved.

 Chuck Drewes was not present to report on Membership. 

 Dona Wisner reported on Petty Cash and we are still solvent.  John told her to keep the money away from Tod

 Old Business:

 Bob Matthews wife has had a stroke and has afib.  She is currently recovering at Rosewood.  Bob will be resigning as President in order to take care of her.  John has been in contact with Jerome Mais who is still in Florida.  When he returns he will assume the presidency and we will need to elect a new Vice President. 

 Dona Wisner reported that she, Bob Matthews and Bob Coleman were on the nominating committee.  This past fall.  Bob Coleman has medical issues and is not available. 

 We have a nice think you note from the Sand Bluff Bird Observatory.  Deb Aguin says she would like to thank us for the nice donation made to the observatory and that they had a nice time presenting and would like to encourage all of us to visit the Banding station when they open in March. 

 Bernie Budzinski reported that the Woodturners presentation has been put off for a while as Roger is conducting his relief carving class as present. 

 Roger reminded us of the beginning of the Relief Carving class next week.

 Gary Lundquist reported we have a request for Soap Carvers on Saturday the 18^th of March for the Illinois Extension in Freeport.  There will be 12 kids for about 1 hour and we will need 2 to 4 soap carvers to volunteer for that. 

 New Business: 

The picnic will be on the 14^th of June, but we are awaiting confirmation of that date.  Gary Lundquist will let us know when that is definite.

Unless we get volunteers to chair the Show, there will be none this year.  Gordy suggested that it might be easier to arrange if we did not have a competition.  John asked who was interested in a show this year and 5 people raised their hands.  No one showed interest in chairing a committee.  Bunny suggested that last year’s show committee would probably be willing to support anyone interested in running the show and she would be happy to support whoever runs the show but is not interested in running it herself again this year.  Ed reported that talking with Denny he found out that the Discovery Center is already booked for this year.  So he suggested we have it at John Skagg’s house.  John will confirm whether the Discovery Center is booked.  Dona suggested that we skip this year and look at having a show every other year.  Elaine Terrell talked with Midway village last year who suggested that the best time for a show is early in the Spring when people are looking for something to do.  They do have space.  They would charge about $6 a person.  We will table this discussion until Jerome gets back. 

 John is concerned about the amount of money that we have in the treasury for a not-for-profit organization.  There was some discussion of paying members who lead workshops but Roger suggested that he is not interested in payment for classes he runs.  It was suggested that we repay Bob Hallstrom the money he donated when the club was insolvent.  Tod Wisner made a motion to repay Bob Hallstrom the money he paid to the club to keep it solvent and Elaine seconded.  The motion was passed unanimously.  Gordy suggested that Don Stansfield be repaid for all the time and materials he has provided for little projects and competitions but Don said he was not interested in being paid. 

 Meeting was adjourned at 09:23. 

 Respectfully Submitted

 Steve Terrill

The Blackhawk Woodcarvers annual picnic will be held on Wednesday, 14 June 2017, from 3:00pm until dusk at Baum Park in Cherry Valley, IL.  We will be at the pavilion by the tennis courts.  No grills will be provided other than the ones at the pavilion, if anyone wants to use them please contact Tony DaVita and he will provide charcoal and starter. The club will provide soft drinks and water..

submitted by; Gary Lundquist

21st Annual Musky Area Wood Carvers Workshop.  August 15-18, 2017 in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin. Teachers include: Wes Spadgenske, Dan Haack, Bob Harris, Echo Keller, Sophie Kubisiak, David Kublank, Gordy Moscinski, Denny Neubauer, Elaine & Fred Stenman, Greg Wirtz, James Thalacker, Dorthy Huse and Lee Belanger.  For the full layout go to Events

Deadline for the news for the next newsletter is April 5, 2017.

Blackhawk Carving Club, Rockford, IL
A shallow relief carving class will be begin on Feb 22^nd, Wednesday mornings, in our meeting room.  Number of sessions will be as necessary to complete your carving.  The subject is a fruit arrangement of a branch with leaves and is 6 x 9 inches of basswood.  Palm tools will be a good choice for your carving.  Cost is $10 a board, pattern is free.  Class leader is Roger Benedict

The Woodcraft Shop, Bettendorf, Iowa
Floyd Rhadigan, carving caricatures. Friday to Sunday: March 17, 18, and 19, 2017 -  $95.00
Denny Neubauer, sharpening class and carving miniatures. Saturday and Sunday: April 8 and 9, 2017  - $95.00.
John Engler, medium relief woodcarving. Friday to Sunday: May 26, 27, and 28, 2017 - $185.00.
Josh Guge, realistic bird carving and painting.  Friday to Monday: September 15, 16, 17 and 18, 2017 –  $270.00 + a $20.00 material fee.

For more information call toll-free 800-397-2278 or go to www.thewoodcraftshop.com

Grace Lutheran Church’s Friday Fun Fest
We need volunteers to help with soap carving and wood working.  Volunteers should arrive by 3:30 pm with session ending at 5:00 pm.  February 24, March 3, 17, 24 2017.  Anyone with questions should talk to me Wednesday mornings. Richard Dunphey

Woodburning Class at Center for Learning in Retirement
Gordy Moscinski taught a woodburning class at CLR in February.  Participants learned the basics of woodburning including how to use a woodburner safely, techniques of shading, pressure, and speed.  Preparation and choice of wood were discussed.  Students chose from patterns supplied or that they brought in.  This was a beginning class which will hopefully create an interest to explore other ways to use the skill of woodburning.

Low relief carving
As from the past years of teaching relief carving it is my pleasure for another session now underway with 15 students.  This class subject is “low relief” of a plum branch, and happy to report that 6 carvers have challenged themselves for the first time with a relief carving.  As always new skills are learned as one experiences strategies and tactics to achieve a caving in relief.  Also a carver becomes more familiar with gauges to remove wood.  The class will continue for several weeks to assure a completed carving for everyone.  Roger Benedict

Realism
Fetch! How real is real?  The most accurate man-made work is but a poor representation of any living creature.  The finish (surface treatment) must be appropriate to the style of the carving and can vary in effect for realistic of abstract pieces. 

Taken from Wildfowl Carving Magazine Summer 1998

Show and Tell pictures by Larry Clark and comments by Gordy Moscinski

Gary Lundquist carved two Santas.

Gale Terrell brought in a finished piece.

Frank Lay brought in a caricature head, a stylized fish and a hidden joint.

Steve Terrill just finished a totem pole that he was working on for four years.

John Skaggs completed an angel with his own finishing touches.

Roger Benedict did a relief carving of a tree.

Don Stansfield carved and sawed some beautiful heart jewelry.

Arnie Larsen Carved two hearts.