The Blackhawk Woodcarver

Volume XXV, Issue 1,  January 2018

Presidents Report

Welcome to 2018! A new year and a couple of new officers. This past year was a wonderful experience for me. I found the club to be a great wealth of knowledge, experience, craftsmen, and friends. Our members are really great at sharing their knowledge and friendship. This new year will continue to be a great one for the club through the continued participation of all the members.

 

I want to thank Jerome Mais our immediate past president for his service and leadership and all the other officers now and in the past. At our Christmas party we had seven of our past presidents in attendance for which I think we should be very proud.

 

The Christmas Party was very much of a success. The club setting was turned into a very attractive setting with the 15 or so tables, lining two of the walls, filled with carvings by club members; and the arrangement and table decorations on the dining tables really made the room festive. I forgot the food tables did look attractive and very inviting. I certainly could have used much more time to view the extensive number of carvings on display. There were an overwhelming number of carvings on display and the quality and variety were superb. I was impressed with the very large number of members who came to help set up the room on afternoon prior; and with the take down and cleanup after. A great thanks goes out to all who organized, helped, attended, and participated in the Party & Show.

 

A number of skilled, experienced members did offer classes which took place at the meetings and required only the most minimal of cost to participate. We have members who are so knowledgeable, skilled, and willing to share that this alone is a great reason to belong. We also had a couple of themed challenges which allowed all to participate. We all benefit from the contributions of the members.

 

I believe we will continue to strive to make Blackhawk Woodcarvers great club and to well serve the membership through 2018 and beyond.

Tyrone Johnsen

Club Activity Schedule

January 3 open carving
January 10 open carving
January 17 open carving and meeting plus Roger Benedict will present a slide presentation
January 24 open carving
January 31 open carving

February  7 open carving
February 14 open carving
February 21 open carving and meeting
February 28 open carving

March  7 open carving
March 14 open carving
March 21 open carving and meeting
March 28 open carving

April 4  open carving
April 11 open carving
April 18 open carving and meeting
April 25 open carving

May 2 open carving
May 9 open carving
May 16 open carving and meeting
May 23 open carving
May 30 open carving

Deadline for the news for the next newsletter is January 3, 2018.

Like us on Facebook “Blackhawk Woodcarvers”.  Many pictures and information.

 

January Birthdays (that we Know of)

  1  Mike Petty
 11 Gale Terrell
 20 Will Rottman

Blackhawk Carving Club Minutes November 2017

Minutes of the regular monthly business of Blackhawk Woodcarvers; held on December 20, 2017 at 3218 Eleventh Street, Rockford, Illinois.

Tyrone Johnsen, President Elect opened the meeting at 9:00 in the absence of Jerome Mais who is on vacation in Florida. 

In the absence of Secretary, Steve Terrill, Larry Stenzel read the Minutes of the previous meeting.  The minutes were approved 

John Skaggs reported that we are solvent.

There was no Petty Cash report.

Chuck Drewes reported that dues are due now for 2018. 

Old Business:  Tyrone reported on the success of the Christmas Party last week.  The display of all the members woodcarvings was very impressive and the decorations for the party were very well done and very festive.  Tyrone thanked everyone who helped both with the setup and tear down.  Dave Meyers donated some money for the coffee fund. 

The secretary finally showed up.     

New Business:  There is typically not a meeting during Christmas break.  We will assume that we will be meeting on the first Wednesday in January.  John Skaggs went to confirm that we could get in even though the school will be closed to students.  With John’s confirmation that the school office will be open during the Christmas break, it was decided that anyone who wishes to come can come to the last Wednesday in December and first Wednesday in January. 

Roger Benedict reported that he will have a presentation about the 4 Blackhawk Woodcarvers who went to Austria for a carving school.  He will have slides and talk about the experience at the next business meeting. 

Dona Wisner reported that today’s treats are prepared by Jeff Hartman and include both apple pies and cherry pies that Jeff made. 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:21.

Respectfully Submitted

Larry Stenzel, volunteer substitute secretary and

Steve Terrill Secretary

 Club Officers       (815 area code)
President - Tyrone Johnsen, 397-9274
Vice Pres. - Louis Jurisch, 568-7096
Treasurer - John Skaggs, 547-6951
Secretary - Steve Terrill,  708-0471

Committees   (815 area code)
Photographer - Larry Clark, 262-9982
Membership  - Chuck Drewes, 985-8575
Librarian - Bernie Budzynski
Petty Cash - Dona Wisner
Webmaster and  Newsletter Editor- Gordy Moscinski, 874-7978
Newsletter Publisher, Gary Johnson 399-1697
Historian - Elaine Terrell 765-2886
Programs -
Picnic - Gary Lundquist
Soap Carving –Gary Lundquist

Passed Treasured Carvings

Again, as a reminder, I would like to have our club members start bringing in along with regular SHOW and TELL items, some of your carvings that you have treasured from the past.  We all have carvings packed away or setting on a shelf that no one has seen for years except our spouses.  I will have an extra table set up so we can show our favorites on the Wednesdays that we have our meetings!

Door Prizes

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.

Tips and Tricks    Jigs and Twigs

Many of you have  figured out some easy or unique way of helping out your carving.  Send me some of your tips.  Pictures would help show it even better.

Gordy Moscinski 

After applying glue from a plastic glue bottle, place a wooden chip at the end of the glue tip when forcing the tip back into place.  Upon the next time using the glue bottle merely remove the wooden chip, and you will be home free of the old residual glue that prevents quick use of glue application.  Works every time!

Roger Benedict

 

Want to buy or sell

If you have anything that you would like to buy or sell send me an email and I will put it in the newsletter.   Gordy

 

Slide Show

It has been 20 years since four of us from the Blackhawk Woodcarvers attended a carving school in Albeginalp Tyrol, Austria.  For the January business meeting Roger Benedict will present a slide presentation of his experience attending this school with three fine old-time carves (now deceased), Ray Olson, Sandy Schmitt and Jack Lichtenheld.  Besides viewing the class room activities of the school there are stunning photos of the village and valley.

 

Classes at the Center for Learning in Retirement

Beginning Carving  Being able to create the figure of an animal, person, boot, hat or other object from a block of wood provides a feeling of accomplishment that is hard to beat. This 6-week course will provide participants with the ability to carve many different objects with their own personal touch. Class members will be charged $20 for wood blanks,. Carving tools will be provided for the first session and tools for purchase will be available (approx.). Gordy Moscinski has 25+ years of experience teaching students of all ages. Tuesdays February 6 thru March 13 at 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Place: RVC Bell School Road Center, room 2.  Fee $35.00

 

Your First Woodcarving  Join us for your first experience of woodcarving and take home your completed rosette carving. A $5 materials and tools fee payable to the instructor covers all needs for this class. Enjoy the thrill of woodcarving with direction from a wood carver with 25 years of experience. NOTE: For beginner carvers only!  Instructor is Don Stansfield. Monday April 16 at 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Place: RVC Bell School Road Center, room 2.  Fee $15.00

 

Don’t forget to put a quarter in the bucket when you have coffee and cookies at the gatherings.

A reminder:  $25 dues need to be paid, Chuck Drewes will be glad to take your money!

Thank You, Thank You

A thank you to all the people who helped setup and clean-up Kenrock, and thank you to Tod and Dona Wisners son Tom for the center pieces.
Also, our Bob Coleman helped refurbish a doll house at Keen Age Center in Belvidere. Bob did wood work on the doll house that was in bad shape.

Thank You Elaine Terrell

 

Christmas Ornament Challenge

Design, carve, finish
Ornaments brought in to the Blackhawk Christmas Social. December 13, 2017
Simple Rules were: 1.  Ornament must maintain the original size and shape of the provided carving blank.  2.  Ornament must be carved and/or woodburned using a Christmas and/or winter theme.  3.  Enter as many ornaments as you wish.

 

 

Bluebird Caring Class with Betsy Popp

A thank you to all the people who helped setup and clean-up Kenrock, and thank you to Tod and Dona Wisners son Tom for the center pieces.
Also, our Bob Coleman helped refurbish a doll house at Keen Age Center in Belvidere. Bob did wood work on the doll house that was in bad shape.

Thank You Elaine Terrell

 

Show and Tell pictures by Larry Clark and comments by Steve Terrill

 

 

Jack Basford carved a branch that fell off his maple tree with leaves and acorns on the whole shaft.  He also brought a painted Santa and a separate chimney with pegs on it.  When you drop the Santa in the chimney opening he falls down and bounces left and right back and forth down the chimney until he lands in the fireplace at the bottom.  This one was for his grandkids but he has previously made them for his children. 

   

Gary Johnson brought in his bird from Denny’s class on carving a glasses holder. 

  

Tony Davita had a piece of Cedar in his back yard for years and he carved a coffin from it.  (not big enough for himself)  He also brought in a piece of wood his neighbor gave him and he turned it.  It had interesting colors.