The Blackhawk Woodcarver
Volume XXV, Issue 11
Presidents Report
November 2020
Fall was my favorite time of the
year as a youth. This was due to the pleasant temperatures for playing
outdoors. As an older adult, November was the month of Thanksgiving probably
originally due to the season of crop harvest. Now I look at November and
Thanksgiving as a time to focus on reflecting on our many personal
blessings.
The virus continues to significantly
disrupt our lives. Our weekly carving sessions, business meetings, and “show
and tell” displays at Peterson Meadows have been interrupted and will
continue to be probably at least through this Winter and Spring. This Summer
we found a reasonable, relatively safe, and enjoyable alternative by meeting
outdoors on Wednesday mornings at Sinnissippi Park. This has worked for part
of the membership. Unfortunately, this still posed a proper concern for a
large number of members. Personally, myself and a few others have found it a
very pleasant experience and without any adverse health results. Late
October brought on some uncomfortable cold and windy conditions. Then today,
the first Wednesday morning in November we pleasantly experienced short
sleeve weather.
Mild outdoor weather will be very
unusual and unpredictable through the Winter and Spring. So our thoughts on
alternatives continue and become even more important. Indoor sessions are
desired but the safe health concerns of our membership continues to be of
prime concern. We have an attractive option.
The club Nominating Committee has
concluded their search and established the slate for the 2021 elected
officers. The Election Committee, consisting of the same three club members,
has announced the election process and schedule.
Financially our club remains
solvent. We did have to pay the annual fee for our post office box.
I hope you have found time to enjoy
our hobby of woodcarving. Many of us have been carving Christmas gifts. I
enjoy creating different versions of the Santa “Tomte” which is a Harley
Refsal design and was original given to me by member Don Stansfield.
Originally, I varied the fur trim and colors. This year I have been modified
Santa to be holding/playing a guitar (for my son), holding a puppy, and even
carrying a stack of books (as a gift to the local library).
Tyrone Johnsen
Blackhawk Carving Club Minutes October 2020
A meeting was not held, therefore no
minutes.
The
Nominating Committee
The nominating committee of Martha
Fitch, Chuck Drewes, and Roger Benedict are pleased to announced the
following slate for 2021:
President, Tyrone Johnsen
Vice President, Richard Dunphey
Secretary, Steve Terrill
Treasurer, Larry Stenzel
Join in to applaud these folks to
continue serving in these officer positions. We need to recognize
Tyrone for his contribution to continue for a fourth term as president,
which is unusual under ordinary times . But we are not in ordinary
times right now as the coronavirus has prevented our means to function in
typical and familiar manners as a group. However Tyrone's decision to
continue as president is focused on his willingness to keep alive the
historical meaning of the Blackhawk Carvers group. Think about what you can
also provide, perhaps, with a zoom presentation, an idea for a carving
challenge, or anything to enhance meaning for mutual interest. Take
care and stay healthy.
Roger Benedict
Dolores
Ann (Long) Cascio
We remember one of our founding members.
Dolores Ann (Long) Cascio 1932—2020
Dolores Ann (Long) Cascio, 87, ran into the arms of her Lord and Savior on
October 25, 2020. She was born to Anna (Full) Long and James F. Long on
Veteran's Day, November 11, 1932 in Sublette, IL. She lived most of her life
in Rockford and graduated from Bishop Muldoon High School in 1950. Dolores
was a talented local artist who studied under the late Christy Andres. She
was an active member of Blackhawk Trails Club, Y Artists, TOPS, Blackhawk
Wood Carvers, RVC Center for Learning in Retirement and St. James Catholic
Church. She was a woman of great faith and lived her faith every day in
service to the Lord. On Easter Sunday 1981, Dolores was left physically
disabled from a car accident which killed her husband and mother. Her
fighting spirit kept her alive as she knew the Lord had more work for her to
do.
She is survived by three daughters, Karen Cascio, Barbara (Doug) Karraker,
Connie (Thomas) Naber, granddaughters, Anna (Kyle) Polzin, Sara Karraker;
grandsons, Andrew (Hallie) Naber, Jonathan (Yara) Naber, David Naber; 3
great granddaughters; and 1 great grandson. She is predeceased by her
husband, Joseph C. Cascio; daughter, Carol Ann; both of her parents; and
brothers, Delmar and James Long.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, November 6, 2020 in St. James
Catholic Church.
December Birthdays (that we Know of)
2 Larry Stenzel
5 Bob Hallstrom
14 Don Stansfield
20 Jim Foster
31 Martha Fitc
Vice Present
Treasurer Larry Stenzel
389-4714
Secretary Steve Terrill
708-0471
Committees
Programs, Richard Dunphey, 633-9003
Webmaster & Newsletter Editor Gordy Moscinski 874-7978
Membership Chuck Drewes 985-8575
Photographer Steve Terrill
Picnic Tony Devita
Carvers
wanted
Sometimes I get calls from people
wanting to have a carving done (for money). If you are interested in
any of these contacts, let me know and what kind of carvings you are
interested in doing for people. Don Stansfield,
woodchip1508@comcast.net
Let’s
get creative
We would like to challenge all
members of the club to carve a snowman for the JANUARY newsletter.
You can make them any size or thickness, in the round or one sided,
chip carved or woodburned. This will showcase the diversity and talent of
our club members. Sorry, no $$ prize.
Send them in by January 6th 2021.
Thank
You
A big thank you to all who
contributed pictures and commentary for this newsletter.
Great job!
Keep sending your pictures by the
December 2 deadline.
A look
behind closed doors
This is a project that I completed
for my grandson.
1. A picture of the pattern.
2. A picture of the finished raised
relief.
3. The finished colored relief.
Bob Matthews
I haven’t done much carving but I
have done a little burning so I do have a few new pieces. The giraffe
and dog were commissions, the rest were just for my own amusement.
Larry
Stenzel
Reverend Ole was the pastor of the
local Norwegian Lutheran Church; and Pastor Sven was the minister of the
Swedish Covenant Church just across the road. They were both standing by the
side of the road, pounding a sign into the ground. It read: “Da end iz near!
Turn yourself arount now! Before its to late!”
A car sped past them and the driver
leaned out and yelled: “Leave us alone, you religious nuts!”
The car’s tires screeched as it
rounded the curve; then a big splash.
Rev. Ole turned to Pastor Sven and
asked: “Do ya tink maybe da sign should yust say: ‘Da bridge iz out’?”
(Thanks to JoAnne Dahl Anderson and
Martha Fitch for the humorous story; Figures and scene by Tyrone Johnsen)
Tyrone Johnsen
I carved this caricature of my ski
buddy but equipped him with vintage equipment from our youth: leather lace
up boots, bamboo poles, and long straight wooden ski without metal edges or
safety bindings.
Tyrone Johnsen
A Yellow Legs in the preening
position.
A wolf carved many howls ago.
When I started carving this dragon
it was an intended gift for my grandson, who is now 19.
His younger brother will now be the recipient.
