NEWS ROUND-UP

In following our Club tradition, there is always a Swap Meet at the December Party.  Bring anything relating to woodcarving that you want to sell, swap, or just plain give away.  (A few years ago, Jim Griparis brought in a pair of bent skew palm chisels.  One was a left-handed skew, the other was right-handed.  Some of us had never even seen such tools, let alone know how to use one.)

A fine suggestion was made at the last meeting that each of us bring one or two of our carvings to have on display.  These will be set up on tables off to the side, and will show our visitors what we do.

FINAL REMINDER - This looks to be a really super-duper party that you would NOT want to miss - - - if you’re not signed up, be sure to call Bernie Budzynski at 815-332-2395 to tell him you want to be part of the fun!

Accordingly, the Nominating Committee is presenting to you the names of Bob Hallstrom for President; Don Stansfield for Vice President; John Skaggs for Second Vice President; Gary Lundquist for Secretary; and John Wacker for Treasurer to serve as your officers for the year 2009.

In accordance with Club By-Laws, the official election will take place at the business meeting on Wednesday morning, December 17, at the usual meeting place.  At that time, the nominations will be opened for nominations from the floor for each office as it comes up in turn.  This gives everyone a whole month to consider whether or not they wish to nominate any alternatives to the Committee’s suggestions.

     Some members have confessed that they really don’t know everyone in the Club.  We’re going to try to fix that by making a photo album with everyone’s picture in it.  To that end, Lisa Hanus has volunteered to photograph each member, and to gather interesting facts from them so we can put all this into the album.  However, since publishing such a book in one whole shot would be a bit over-budget for us, we will publish the pix and facts on the installment plan.  You will get single pages from time-to-time along with your Newsletter.
Lisa will be taking pictures and gathering material as her time permits.  Please be nice, and help her along as much as you can.  This is a pretty big project, and her job will be tough enough anyway.  This album will expand our friendship, and help make the Club even more fun.

    
SPECIAL NOTICE - Because of a couple of slip-ups at the Post Office, some of our Club mail that was addressed correctly to the P. O. Box has been returned to the sender.  This problem has been fixed.  There should be no difficulties from now on.  Sincere apologies for any inconvenience.  Our appreciation goes out to Jennifer Heise, Editor of the Capitol City Carvers Newsletter, who called to find out what the problem was.  Thanks, Jennifer!. 

      Club Memberships expire on the 31^st day of December.  See Membership Chairman Dona Wisner, or mail to Club Post Office Box listed in Club facts section at end of this Newsletter.  Low $20 price is the same as last year.

      Attention Snow Birds! - If your Winter Mail Address is different from the rest of the year, you can still get your Newsletter on time.  Just be sure the Newsletter Editor has the correct address, and we will see that it goes directly to you.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

     Don Stansfield and Bob Hallstrom delivered Halloween Pins For Kids to the kids in Childrens’ Wards at all three Rockford hospitals: 44 to Swedish American, 74 at Rockford Memorial, and 26 at OSF Saint Anthony Hospital.  “Thank You” notes were received from Ginny Sullivan, Child Development at OSF Saint Anthony, and from Paula Culvey, Nurse Manager Pediatrics at Swedish American.
 

SICK  BAY  REPORT

     Paula Christianson, Roger Benedict’s wife, came home after her last trip for foot bone surgery at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.  She was in a “walking cast,”, and things were progressing in the right direction.  They  made her fourth trip back to Mayo’s just before Thanksgiving; got the cast taken off; and had Paula fitted with a special shoe for the next stage of recovery.

     John Wacker has a serious gall stone problem.  He was in Swedish American on Tuesday before Thanksgiving for an ultra sound test to learn the extent of the stones.  As this is being written, John has not yet received definitive word on the test.

     Rosalie Wesley reported in to say that she is not sick.  She telephoned Gary Lundquist to report she would not be carving on Wednesdays for a few weeks, because she had contractors coming in to repair tornado damage inside her home.  The voluntary explanation is to forestall any worries members may have had that her absence might be from an injury or illness.  Very thoughtful of you, Rosalie.

TOOL DAFFINITIONS

Courtesy of Don Stansfield

“ Electric Hand Drill - Tool normally used for spinning pop rivets in their holes until you die of old age..”

BUSINESS MEETING

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Gary Lundquist, Secretary

     ✶ Blackhawk Woodcarvers Business Meeting was called to order by President Bob Hallstrom
     ✶ Minutes of October meeting were read by Secretary Gary Lundquist, and approved as read.
     ✶ Treasurer’s Report was presented by Bob Hallstrom, and approved as read.
     ✶ Membership Chairman Dona Wisner introduced new member Steve Williams.
     ✶ Librarian Marshall Field, Jr. reported the library has a new supply of tool catalogs for THE WOODCRAFT SHOP.
     ✶ Newsletter Editor Tod Wisner announced that Lisa Hanus will be gathering photos and bio info on members for a Club album.
     ✶ Membership Chairman Dona Wisner introduced new member Steve Williams.
     ✶ Webmaster, Gordy Moscinski, said he knows that the web site is getting visited, because of the number of phone calls he is getting.  He also mentioned we should have a sign on the door, People visiting for the first time, have trouble finding us.  John Winter volunteered to see that a suitable sign is donated.  Thanks, John.
     ✶ Librarian Marshall Field, Jr., reported he can get extra keys for the new library cabinet.  He also asked for a volunteer to take over the Librarian’s job, since he has been doing it since the beginning.  Bernie Budzynski stepped up to take the job.  Thanks, Bernie.
 

✶ NEW MEMBERS  ✶

     Welcome to Steve Williams ... newest member of Blackhawk Woodcarving Club.  Steve lives by South Beloit, and was recruited as a member by John Skaggs.  (I think)
 

✶ VISITORS at the MEETING  ✶

Two strangers dropped in to see if any of our members could, or would, carve ivory tusks to replace broken ones on a small elephant carving.   Much discussion with individual members.  After visiting around, one of the men was heard to say, “Boy, you guys are really neat!”  He was referring to our personalities as well as to our carving skills.  These two had located us through our Website.  Thanks to Moscinski!  Again!
 

✶  OLD BUSINESS  ✶

     Christmas Party & Swap Meet Committee of Bernie Budzinski, John Skaggs, and John Wacker presented their recommendations for the “what and how” of the Party.  .  Active discussion followed on what sort of eats, what beverages, and should spouses be included.  Pizza seems a bit out of place in the morning, but someone suggested “breakfast pizza.”  Ted Faber and John Skaggs are bringing 30-cup coffee makers.  Regular and de-caf?  Sounds like fun!  Don’t forget there will also be a Swap Meet & White Elephant Sale of your extra carving stuff.  See the lead story in this paper for complete details.

     The 2008 Nominating Committee has consulted with the current officers (who are doing a great job) and has secured agreement from said officers to have their names placed in nomination in the Club election on December 17 to have them serve another year, if the Membership so votes.  In addition to the offices to which we all have become accustomed, the Committee has added the office of Second Vice President.  This is being done to recognize that Don Stansfield has been personally carrying one heck of a load, and deserves to have some help.

Accordingly, the Nominating Committee is presenting to you the names of Bob Hallstrom for President; Don Stansfield for Vice President; John Skaggs for Second Vice President; Gary Lundquist for Secretary; and John Wacker for Treasurer to serve as your officers for the year 2009.

In accordance with Club By-Laws, the official election will take place at the business meeting on Wednesday morning, December 17, at the usual meeting place.  At that time, the nominations will be opened for nominations from the floor for each office as it comes up in turn.  This gives everyone a whole month to consider whether or not they wish to nominate any alternatives to the Committee’s suggestions.

     Sight & Hearing quilt squares must be turned in withOUT any finish ... RAW WOOD.  See comments under “Community Service.”

✶  NEW BUSINESS  ✶

     Gordy Moscinski suggested that we have an official Club Historian.  While Club papers and pictures have been accumulated by a few of the members over the 15 years the Club has been in existence years, it would be nice to have an official repository.  We need a volunteer.

     The Business Meeting in December wants to be shortened to make time for the Party and Swap Meet.  To that end, it has been suggested that we dispense with reading the unusually lengthy Minutes from the November Business Meeting, and simply move to accept the minutes as presented in this Newsletter.  Then, we can get on, as neatly as possible, with election of officers for 2009.
 

✶ SHOW & TELL ✶

photos by Larry Clark

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Rich Anderson showed a small goose in flight and a small semi-automatic style pistol he had carved for his grandson ... when grandson said he wanted to show the gun at school, Rich kept it.

Bob Matthews showed a full-sized goose he had carved in 1987.  Made from a laminated block that had been drilled, pinned, and glued, the wood has since shrunk and shows the seam.  Bob also showed this just-finished DEEP relief carving of a Grey Hawk.  The limb is mostly free from the background. 

Tod Wisner carved a “Musical Spoon Man” with a Hillbilly caricature.  Finished with acrylic wash colors and antiquing wax.

Tony DeVita brought in two miniature Green Bay Packer caricatures. 

Marshall Field brought in an early creation of his... a Buck Saw in a Bottle.  He also showed several small dogs and pigs which he carved “more years ago than he wanted to admit.” 

Don Stansfield passed around a commemorative utility knife from Stanley Tool Company.  The original knife was first designed in cast aluminum and marketed about 150 years ago.  This commemorative model is cast in solid brass and came in a most handsome presentation case. 

Tony Valdez has finished his large carving of Moses.  Beautiful!  It has beautiful wash coats of classical Bedouin colors, and stands on a lovely base.  Tony, all the strain and effort you put into Moses was well worth !   The other picture shows Tony with the assortment of tools he used on the project. 

Frank Lay showed two items.  The first was a gnarly root from an elm tree.  Frank has carved different things on many, many spots ... there are seventeen faces hidden in different places around; as well as praying hands, waving hands, a snake’s head, and a cross.  There may have been more things, but that’s all I could see.  When asked what it was, Frank replied, “It looks like Hell.”  The second piece was  an especially beautiful example of weathered wood.  It was so intricate that it looked almost carved.  Frank said that one was done by his Boss.  Frank is a Christian minister, you know. 

Will Rottman showed two relief carvings.  The first was of a horse’s head, and was colored.  The second, not titled, appeared to be a modernistic rendition of Mother Mary with Child Jesus.  Or two nuns.  Will didn’t say.  (Photos not available)

Dona Wisner showed the Santa Claus she carved for Ray Olson’s Santa Claus class.   She also brought in a Christmas Elf/Dwarf she carved from a rough-out made out of a 2x4.  The Santa was finished with acrylic wash colors.  The Elf was finished with two coats of Danish Oil - clear.

Jayne Pheiffer showed her finished flat plane carving of the Nativity scene from the class at CLR.  (Photo not available)

And then there was John Winter’s display of wooden “birds” that he calls “Tool Imitators.”   Are they tools imitating birds? ... or birds imitating tools? ... “Tooley Birds”?

✶ THE PROGRAM  ✶

     John Winter, the “Tools As Canes”  wood carver put on a really entertaining program about his experiences collecting logging tools.  Axes, hatchets, two-man saws, etc.  There was an unusual amount of audience participation with questions and comments.  While John has sold his whole collection (because of space limitations in his new home) he had pictures to show what the collection included.

John described some of the problems involved in collecting these things (besides the space thing).  Displaying the collection took up the whole basement in his previous house.  Always nicks and cuts from sharp cutting edges.  Tedium of handling heavy tools to and from various programs he put on eg. - put only two tools together in one box, and it’s already too heavy.

John told us about different types of various wood-cutting tools.  For example, he explained the design purpose of a broad axe, an adz, a fro,.   He explained the difference between a wood roof shingle and a wood shake.  He also warned us to never use an axe as a sledge or maul.  A splitting maul has thick sides, while an axe has thin sides to the head.  The blows with the back of the axe causes the thin sides to bulge out, thus ruining the axe.

The fireman axe does NOT have a sharp cutting edge for cutting.  The edge is always about 1/8" wide for splitting doors, etc. 

Then, there was the short lecture on the fine points of how to use a two-man saw.  Never “push,” let the saw do the cutting.  As well as an explanation on saw tooth geometry for lumbering work.  Some teeth cut, and some teeth only carry chips away to clean out the cut ready for the next pass of the saw.

John explained that one of the axes in his collection was so old it had to have three new heads replaced and four new handles!
 

CLUB SCHEDULE
 

Business Meetings & Special Events -

⇨ December 17 - Election of Officers, Christmas Party & Swap Meet

                                                                                     
NEXT YEAR - 2009

⇨ January 21, 2009 - Plan 2009 activities                                                                 
⇨ February   18 -
⇨ March 16 -
⇨ April 15 -
⇨ May 20 -
⇨ June 17 -
⇨ July 15 -
⇨ August 15 - 15^th Anniversary Show & Competition at Tebala Shrine
⇨ August 19 -
⇨ September - Club Picnic
⇨ September 16 -
⇨ October 21 -
⇨ November 19 - Recognize Carver/Member of the Year, Nomination of officers
⇨ December 16 - Election of Officers, Christmas Party & Swap Meet
 

CARVING CLASSES

     This info is copied from other sources. Classes may or may not be filled.  Be sure to check for yourself.  We have no reasonable way of knowing any details other than those shown.  Any carving class news we get is passed along to you in the very next newsletter. 

     December 5, 6,& 7, Bettendorf, Iowa - Rick Harbey will teach Deep Relief Carving of a fireman bust into a block 12 ½" x 10" x 4" thick.  Now that’s deep! $225 including roughout.   The Woodcraft Shop., 2724 State Street, Bettendorf. $185, plus roughouts of your choice ($10 to $45).  Carol & Larry Yudis, 563-359-9684, www.thewoodcraftshop.com.

     January & February, 2009 -  No classes known in our immediate area.

     March 13, 14, & 15 in Decorah, Iowa - Harley Refsal will have his first Scandinavian Flat Plane Carving class of the year at Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum, 502 West Water St.  Class starts 6:30 PM on Friday, runs thru Sat & Sun.  Diane Weston, 563-382-9681.
 

CARVING SHOWS

These are shows within 3-4 hours one-way drive time of Rockford.

     December 2008, January 2009 - no shows known in our immediate area.

WANT ADS

     We offer free ads as a public service to individuals, clubs, and vendors (members and non-members alike).  The only rule is that the item MUST be related to carving.  Mail listing to Blackhawk Woodcarver, PO Box 15488, Loves Park, IL  61132, by the third Wednesday of the month in order to be included in the next month’s Newsletter.

( REPEAT LISTINGS )

     Basswood blanks & walnut rounds (bark-on) - The Club has a modest supply of good carving wood for sale.  And it’s cheap!!!  See Bob Matthews.  First come, first served!  It’s cheap enough to afford to have in your stock to wait for a carving project.

     Carving knives - Tools previously owned by the late Sandy Schmidt.  Priced to sell fast.  See Tony DeVita.

     Duck Carving Book - with life-size patterns and some comments.  From the estate of a late carver who loved to carve birds and animals.  Only $10.  See Bob Matthews.

     Assistant Editor position open on this Newsletter.  Looking for someone with enthusiastic interest in Club Members’ activities.  Will work with talented Staff Photographer; maybe write a special story from time-to-time.  To handle Newsletter production when regular Editor wants to go on a multi-week vacation trip.  Salary is negotiable up to 150% of regular Editor’s pay.    Great opportunity for free self-expression.  OTJ training - full pay while you learn!

( NEW LISTING )

     Bent Gouge - like new #7 - 10mm, 9" long, Henry Taylor, English steel. $15.00 (about half price.)  I just can’t seem to handle it very well, so I’m selling it cheap.

     CIRCULATION STATEMENT: this issue of the Blackhawk Woodcarver is mailed to 78 members; 12 prospective members; 12 Friends of Blackhawk Woodcarving Club, 10 carving clubs, and 12 tool vendors  Total circulation = 124.  We send all copies of our Newsletter out USPO, First Class, to assure the greatest possible benefit to all.

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