Blackhawk Carving ClubThe Blackhawk Woodcarver
Volume XXIV, Issue 4
Blackhawk Carving Club
Open Carving every Wednesday (12:00 to 3:00pm). Ken Rock
Community Center, 3218 Eleventh St, Rockford, IL 61109
Business Meeting; third Wednesday of the month. Friends and spouses of
carvers are welcome to come to meet and visit. Carvers
bring in finished carvings for “Show & Tell.”
Tyrone Johnsen
Presidents Report April
Spring has arrived! No more snow – I
hope! Less shoveling and chipping ice; and more time for carving.
That lead me to ask fellow member
Roger Benedict: “What inspires us and what would constitute a ‘work of
art’?” After staring at me with a look of contemplation, he replied:
“My hunch for most carvers, it is
about a personal enjoyable pastime having goals influenced by an outside
source; such as an experience, magazine, or a colleague carver.
On the other hand how many times have you heard the statement, ‘the
art of carving’, and not given it any thought? If
you are like me there would be a typical response of probably very little.
It seems to be a powerful phrase ‘in the art of’, that had me thinking about
our Wednesday carving group. As far as the word
itself---art---I am not sure what significant influence that has with some
woodcarvers? However, how about a thought or two to
explore how art-aspects influences woodcarving and realize it does exist
during our Wednesday sessions.
During my years in the club I have
seen many carved objects having to do with curiosity and inventive thinking.
Whether or not any of this has art as a definition, it is the outstanding
creativity that is often displayed. For years I am
continually amazed by the manner limits are exceeded and perhaps a risk was
taken. My appreciation is not just about how well carved
was the subject, but also how well creativity and originality were provided.
I would like to suggest the next
time when viewing “show & tell” carvings look for the evidence that the
carver accomplished within the art of creativity. You
will be surprised how much creativity lies below the surface of the carved
cuts. Thus, try not to take for granted it is just what
you see---explore.”
Well, maybe soon I will be sitting on my back patio carving my “Octopus in Meditation Pose” or some other work of art (hopefully).
Tyrone Johnsen with Roger Benedict
Club
Activity Schedule
April 3 open carving
April 10 open carving
April 17 open carving and meeting
April 24 open carving
May 1 open carving
May 8 open carving
May15 open carving and meeting
May 22 open carving
May 29 open carving
June 5 open carving
June 11 Picnic at Bauman Park (see article below)
June 12 open carving
June 19 open carving and meeting
June 26 open carving
July 3 open carving
July 10 open carving
July 17 open carving and meeting
July 24 open carving
July 31 open carving
May 1 open carving
May 8 open carving
May15 open carving and meeting
May 22 open carving
May 29 open carving
Blackhawk Woodcarvers annul picnic
The Blackhawk Woodcarvers annual
picnic will be on 11 June 2019 at the Bauman Park Shelter from 3:00pm until
sundown. Attendees should bring their own lunch and may bring a dish
to pass. The club will provide soft drinks and water. If you plan on
grilling bring your own charcoal and lighter. There are grills available at
the park.
Gary Lundquist
Mid-Wisconsin Chippers Annual woodcarving
The Mid-Wisconsin Chippers Annual
woodcarving show is moving to the Oshkosh Convention Center in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin this coming spring. Our show date is Sunday May 5th. The 2019
show is moving to a great venue that is about a 3 hour drive from Rockford
with plenty of parking, a food concession, wood and tool vendors and we
already have 33 tables registered. A club table is $30 ,
and entitles six of your club members to have one entry each in the
competition for judging. A regular single artist table is also $30, but
entitles that artist to 4 entries for judging.
This year with our move to Oshkosh, we hope to see some Blackhawk Carvers
here promoting their club and bringing their art to Oshkosh.
We always have many pyrographers too. In addition, our club is
sponsoring five upcoming classes. are in our December newsletter on our
website with sign up forms and other information. Betsy Popp will have a
six day class on the Pygmy Owl (Feb. 28, March 1,2, 7,8, and 9). Lee
Belanger will teach a cottonwood bark carving class on a lighthouse (March
14, and 15). One of your own, Denny Neubauer, of Denny Knife fame, will
teach three classes: knife making on May 6th, Sharpening on May 7th, and
carving "Little people" on May 8th. Please spread the word to your club and
if anyone has any questions they should feel free to call me or send me an
e-mail.
Thanks, Cedric Richeson, Secretary Mid-Wis. Chippers Woodcarving Club.
e-mail
richeson@ameritech.net tel. 920) 420-1225
Rock
River Valley Carving Club
The 14th Annual RRVC Carvers of
Wisconsin Show & Sale. Saturday, September 14, 2019, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Craig Center, The Rock County Fairgrounds, 1302 Craig Avenue
Janesville, Wisconsin 53545.
For more information, Please contact: Reggie James - (608)
365-4281 or Brad Crandall - (608) 931-0188. The
chain saw carver is Zoli Akacsos, of Zoli's Woodcarving
www.rockrivervalleycarvers.com
19th Annual Woodcarving Show,
Competition and Sale. September 21, 2019 – 9am to 5pm and September 22, 2019 – 9am to 4pm. The Holiday Inn, 1001 Amber Avenue, Stevens
Point, Wisconsin 54482. Admission is $5.00. (Attendees 12 and under are
free). For more information, contact: Ron O’Kray 715-341-2214
715-570-2534(cell), Greg Wirtz 715-423-0471
715-323-2035(cell)
https://wisconsinriverwoodcarvers.org/2019-show/
Facilities Relocation Committee Formed
President Tyrone Johnsen has
formally appointed the following members to the relocation committee: Denny
Neubauer, Bob Hallstrom, and Don Stansfield. They will
continue to investigate potential facilities which meet the club’s current
needs including availability Wednesday mornings.
Original Members
of our club in 1993
Gordy
Moscinski, Tony Devita, Gale Terrell and
Larry Clark
Not pictured Judy Englund, Wes
Englund and
Lonnie Hayes
Roger
Benedict gave a slide presentation on the history of the
furniture industry in Rockford, IL. It was very enlightening and
interesting.
Gordy’s Class at CLR
Saw some familiar and some new faces
at the Woodburning class at CLR.
Deadline
for the news for the next newsletter is May 1, 2019
May
Birthdays (that we Know of)
1
Rosalie Wesley
2 Roger Benedict
23 Jeanne Williams
14 Wes Englund
26 Chuck Drewes
21 Bob Matthews
28 Art Valley
22 Steve Terrell
29 Sue Watson
22 John Hartwig
31 Colin Bystrom
Longtime blackhawk woodcarver Tom Backer has died. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3300 Rural Street, Rockford. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until time of service Saturday at the church. Memorials may be made to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church or Hospice Care of America, 3815 N.
Steve Terrill
Just a note: Phyllis Schmitt
wife of the late Sandy has passed away. Sandy was a club member for years,
Phyllis attend most of our club functions.
Elaine Terrell
The Woodcraft Shop is being sold to
a company in Beloit, WI. The 800-397-2278 number will be the same-
same na, same service just a different location. More details will follow on
new store as we get them. Larry Yudis owner of The
Woodcraft Shop passed away March 17 and his services were March 22.
Becky and Denny Neubauer
Door
Prizes
Blackhawk Carving Club Minutes March 2019
Minutes of the regular monthly
business meeting of Blackhawk Woodcarvers; held on March 20, 2019 at 3218
Eleventh Street, Rockford, Illinois.
President Tyrone Johnsen opened the
meeting at 1:00 pm.
Secretary, Steve Terrill read the
Minutes of the previous meeting February 19th.. The minutes were
approved as read.
Larry Stenzel reported that we are
solvent and gave some numbers.
Membership: Chuck
Drewes reported that Larry Clark finally paid his dues now that the glaciers
are gone and the waters have receded.
Old Business:
Tyrone asked Tony about the progress of the picnic in June.
Tony believes the date is June 11 (NB the actual date is June 12, a
Wednesday). He believes that Gary Lundquist has already
secured that date at Bauman Park.
Last year we had an open house at
the end of April. We are not in a position to do that
again this year. Talking with John Guth, if there is a
Ken Rock craft show, we may be able to tag on with that.
Nothing is settled at this point, but Tyrone suggests that if there is
someone interested in pursuing that, he would appreciate that.
Tyrone revisited the matter of the
time change. He noted that the time change is in
violation of the bylaws and thus needs approval of the membership.
Because of Ken Rock’s personnel constraints previously discussed,
Tyrone does not have a better solution to the time change.
If anyone is interested in finding a new venue for the woodcarvers so
that we can return to morning carving they need to get all of the necessary
information.
Tyrone has had suggestion that we
might change back to Mornings in the summer. While that
is a possibility, Tyrone is not personally in favor of repeated time
changes. This is not a closed issue.
Louis suggested that we might change
the bylaws to remove the specific time so we would not be in violation.
Tyrone opened the possibility of a motion to change the bylaws.
A show of hands was requested to see who can attend mornings and who
can attend afternoons. Louis asked that his request be
put into a motion. It was seconded by Roger.
Carol also requested a show of hands to see for whom the Morning or
the Afternoon would be a problem. There were 15 people
who said that they found the afternoon time acceptable.
There were 13 people who found the afternoon unacceptable.
The caveat is that we are taking the vote in the afternoon.
Elaine suggested a remedy:
10 people this morning went to the Keen Age Center in Belvidere and
count it was a very nice place with good lighting and did not cost a thing.
The caveat is that we cannot do that as a club and cannot move our
equipment into there. That group decided that they would
do that on Wednesdays (8:30 to 10:30) yet still remain members of Blackhawk
Woodcarvers. Larry Clark suggested that a decision like a
short term time change can be changed by executive decision.
He feels also that we need to make a permanent decision and change
the bylaws. Chuck indicated that whatever we decide we
can inform the population through e-mail. Roger suggested
that we live with what Tyrone has done, that he did it in good faith.
He noted that in investigations a few years ago with the Terrell’s
they found that there is no other place in Rockford that we can afford.
Roger suggested that we are not ready for a bylaw change at this
point. There was a motion to table the motion on the
floor which takes precedence over any other business. The
motion to table passed and will remain tabled until such time as there is a
vote to take the motion off of the table.
Tyrone asked Larry, Gordy, Gale, and
Tony to come up. We have 4 charter members that have been
with the club since 1993. They were given a round of
applause and will get a group picture taken. Gordy has
been everything except Treasurer.
Bunny commented that she thinks
Tyrone is doing a nice job. There was a round of
applause.
The meeting was adjourned for show
and tell.
New Business:
Roger Benedict is interested in giving a presentation on the Rockford
furniture industry at the next business meeting. It will
be a pictorial presentation.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:40
pm. 
Respectfully Submitted: Steve Terrill, Club Secretary
Following the meeting, there was a
slide presentation by Roger Benedict on the history of the furniture
industry in Rockford.
President,
Tyrone Johnsen, 397-9274
Vice Pres, Louis Jurisch, 568-7096
Treasurer, Larry Stenzel, 389-4714
Secretary, Steve Terrill, 708-0471