The Blackhawk Woodcarvers Monthly Business Meeting was called to order by Roger Benedict for Elaine Terrell who was unable to attend. The minutes of the last meeting and the treasurer's report was not read, because the members suggested to by-pass them for this meeting. Don Stansfield was ready his Saturday carving class. It was reminded about the carving demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday, October 7^th & 8^th at Klehm Arboretum. Several members have signed up-----see Roger Benedict for details. The August carving show had a profit.

The monthly presentation was with everyone participating in carving a relief led by Roger Benedict. Instructions, demonstration, and wood were provided to carve a leaf. Meeting adjourned (or should one say, the carving session) adjourned at 8:45 pm

John Bibby----A butternut chip carved plaque

Tom Backer----A bark carving of a caricaturized house

For the past several days I have been reflecting over the details and success of our August 19^th carving show. Obviously the main attraction is the judging for those who participated in the show. And once again we had a tremendous facility for presenting our show. Based on this year's success we will need to rethink the floor plan for next year; but what a good problem to have! From an e-mail I received, Greg Writz can best summarize the show,

"The Rockford group made Denny and I feel very welcome. There were many very fine carvings that made judging a challenge. All should keep in mind the real prize at any show is the exchange of ideas, friendships, and good times. If this is kept in mind the Show is a success."

I can not say it any better, thanks Greg.

Keep you tools sharp

Roger Benedict

October 17^th----Business meeting, Guest Speaker Lew Riley about sketching what you see; a hands on activity of sketching.

November 4^th----Guided tour (10:30 am) of Rockford Art Museum of the RBC Dain Rauscher Collection, titled the "Human Touch."

November 21^st---- Guest speaker Bob Matthews on painting your carving; bring paints and brushes.

December 19^th----Christmas party and swap night.

January 16^th ----Guest Speaker Don Miller of Severson Dells on nature and the carver.

The following lists the ribbon winners:

I. Judges choice

Mike Trezek, "Trixie at Play"

II. Peoples Choice

Gerald Lesch, Christmas ornament

III. Advanced

        Realistic animals

                Mike Trezek 1^s
                    Rich Young 2^nd
                    Jim Trumpy 3^rd

        Realistic water

                Clarence Thurber 1^st, 3^rd
                Jim Trumpy 2^nd

        Realistic winged

                Bob Matthews 1^st
                    Bob Matthews 2^nd
                    Jim Trumpy 3^rd

        Realistic waterfowl & shore birds

                George Repco 1^st
                Bob Matthews 2^nd
                    John Vecchio 3^rd

        Realistic human forms

                Bob LeMaster 1^{st
                    Lawrence Sand berg 2nd}
                Rich Young 3^rd

        Santas

                Don Stansfield 1^st, 3^rd
                Ed Pribyl 2^nd

        Mythical

                Rich Young 1^st
                    Lawrence Sandberg 2^nd
                    Ed Pribyl 3^rd

        Caricatures

                Lawrence Sandberg 1^st
                    Rich Young 2^nd
                    Don Stansfield 3^rd

        Reliefs

                Mike Trezek 1^st
                    Roger Benedict 2^nd
                    Rich Young 3^rd

        Bark Carvings

                Gerald Lesch 1^st
                    Harold Olds 2^{nd
                     Larry Christensen 3rd}

        Chip carvings

                Rich young 1^st
                    Klaus Zunker 2^nd
                    John Bibby 3^rd

        Canes & walking sticks

                Jim Griparis 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd

        Stylized

                Bob LeMaster 1^st
                    Roger Benedict 2^nd
                    Clarence Thurber 3^rd

        Miscellaneous

                Gerald Lesch 1^st
                    Klaus Zunker 2^nd
                    Clarence Thurber 3^rd

IV. Intermediate

        Realistic winged animals

                Stuart Bjork 1^st

        Mythical

                Stuart Bjork 1^st

        Caricatures

                Dolores Cascio 1^st

        Reliefs

                Rick Borrett 1^st, 2^nd
                    Dick McCartin 3^rd

        Canes & walking sticks

                Stuart Bjork 1^st

        Stylized

                Tony DeVita 1^st, 2^nd

V. Novice

        In the round

                Ann Terp White 1^st
                    Judie Suit 2^nd
 

OCTOBER GUEST SPEAKER

Lew Riley will present a drawing session titled, "Draw What You See." Drawing materials and still life subjects will be provided along with Lew's fondness for free hand sketching. Lew Riley is retired from 36 years as an airport air-traffic controller. His work was evenly split among various airports in Indiana and the last 18 years at the Rockford airport. He says, "I always enjoyed art and decided to take up art to make mistakes, because as an air-traffic controller I can not make a mistake." Lew's artwork is self-taught from many classes (sounds similar to the life of a carver.) During the past several years, and currently, he teaches portrait art at the Rockford Art Museum through Rock Valley College. This will be a good opportunity to try your hand at sketching freestanding forms based on light and shapes.

ANNUAL PICNIC

Thanks to Tony DeVita for his efforts to make this year's picnic another success. Tony is a master charcoal fire "starter and attendee," as well as making sure everyone has a place for their meat on the grill. And thanks for all the great potluck dishes. Isn't interesting that potluck food tastes so great in a park! See ya next year.

Thanks to Gordon Moscinski's carving class we have several new members.

Judie originally came from E. Broomfield, New York. The past 48 years she and her husband, Lou, have lived in Rockford raising a family of five children with four grandchildren. She and Lou lived in San Diego for one year while he was on special assignment with Sundstrand Aviation. Having a master's degree in teaching and administration, scholarly defines Judie's background based on her teaching in District 205 and a department head of language arts.

Judie always loved carved figures and wanted to learn the art, and thanks to the Learning in Retirement Center at Rock Valley College she pursued the dream. By joining our carving club she finds herself carving every Wednesday morning, and tries to sneak in additional carving at home in her kitchen. She quickly became interested in flat plane carving because of her family Scandinavian culture and apparently some of Lou's carved pieces. Currently Judie is beginning to expand into more realistic carving.

Judie has many interests such as knitting, sewing, spinning, and oil painting. This, typically, fills the mold of carvers, as anyone of us have additional creative interests. For truly relaxation she prefers classical music and pies of any kind. Since joining the Blackhawk Woodcarvers, Judie has found the members friendly and helpful, and loves every minute of her time among people who are willing to share any aspects of carving. Please welcome Judie when you see her.

Again this year Roger Benedict will guide a tour of Rockford Art Museum. This years exhibit is the RBC Dain Rauscher Collection, titled the "Human Touch." The collection ranges from serious to whimsical, from realistic to abstract, from paintings to three-dimensional works, from photographs to works on canvas, and from large scale to small. Everyone is encourage to attend and recognize that art is selected to engage rather than decorate, it encourage us to imagine, to test, to challenge, and to ask, "why?" This can be helpful with our passions of woodcarving.

The art tour is open to families and friends of the members, and is scheduled for Saturday, November 4^th at 10:45 am with lunch at the Olympic Tavern following the tour. The carving club will cover the $5 museum cost.

Please forward any club or member information to the editor. Also if so inclined, submit any letter of 200 words or less for the newsletter. These would be due the last week of every month.

October 14-15----Thorton, IL, South Suburban Chiselers host annual Wonders of Woodworking show in recreation center at 701 Highland Ave, Peggy Kelly (708) 877-5244

October 28-29----Wheaton, IL, North Suburban Carvers 27^th Artistry in Wood Exhibition and Competition at DuPage County Fairgrounds. Terri Pijut (847) 458-2919

The Blackhawk Woodcarvers was founded in 1993 and has a goal of preserving and encouraging the art of woodcarving. Membership is open to anyone having any skill of carving, including those who have never carved and want to learn about carving.