Now that our free Christmas Breakfast is past, and I guess I'm officially the New Editor, I thought that I'd try to add a few words about each of our carving sessions. On Wed. December 23" there were at least 17 woodcarvers present, and there were quite a few chips made. Your Editor showed his eight shoes - one for each of his children. There was lots of comrade amongst those present, and I held a most unique full sized carved billfold - complete with exposed credit cards - you'd think it was real by the feel and texture - for a carving it was suburb!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday - I expect that many of you were with family and I hope that all were well!

* Make sure you throw out the word "CAN'T" and replace it with "CAN"!
* There's always enough time to do the things you "find time to do' and there's never enough time to do the things you don't want to do!
* The most useless thing to do is ... worry!
* The most damaging weapon is …. the thoughtless use of your tongue!
* The most observed trait seen in our club, and the most satisfying is the manner our club members unselfishly help others with both encouragement and example!

I decided to wait until after the next carving session before mailing the newsletter - maybe a few more will attend and that will save a few more dollars in mailing costs.

1. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable level!
2. You no longer try to hold in your stomach no Matter who walks into the room.
3. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them anyway.
4. With all your aches and pains, you are no longer viewed as a hypochondriac - and your joints are a better predictor of the weather than the local weathermen!
5. Your eyes won't get too much worse-!
6. People call you at 9:00 P.M. and ask, "Sorry, did I wake you?"
And 7. You no longer think of the speed limit as a challenge.

December 30th. By my count, we had 28 attendees (and I even took off my shoes to make sure the count was correct!) The hall was so cold that your editor saw only four people making chips.

It was announced that we'll be carving a Goldfinch starting January 21^h with Bob Mathews conducting the class. A Cost of $20.00 includes the materials, (cutout, eyes & feet, patterns, epoxy, paint, etc.) And the class will be limited to 18 members. Class members will be required to furnish the following: sand paper - various grits -paper towels, pie plates, cups for water, carving tools, wood burner and tips, and paint brushes - plus a mount for your completed Goldfinch. The class will last approximately 5/6 weeks. (this is mentioned briefly in the activity section of this news letter.)

Heard in passing: A friend and I were standing in line at a mediocre 'fast food restaurant, waiting to place our order. There was a rather large hard to ignore sign posted: "No bills larger than $20 will be accepted.  The woman in front of us, pointed to the sign and said: "Believe me, IF I HAD a bill larger than $20, I wouldn't be eating here!"

I was wondering just how many of our club members have an email address. If you would be kind enough to give me yours, I'll include it with our new roster, tentatively scheduled to be given out in either February or March.  I plan on this because our dues were due January, and we now have listed almost 100 members.

January 20 - Regular meeting, see below, and Don Stansfield presented a cut-out for carving a stylized bird in anticipation of Bob Mathews' Goldfinch carving scheduled for January 27^th, (and next 5 weeks). This will include the carving of a Goldfinch, painting, mounting, legs and eyes are also included.

In order to save a few more dollars, the editor is trying something new (to him at least) With the next news letter mailing with no envelopes! Let me have your comments. The newsletter will be mailed First Class; but without an envelope!

6 January 2010 (and I didn't even write 2009!) There were 33 in attendance today, and it wasn't anywhere near as cold as last week. In fact one person anticipating a cold classroom, wore his long johns and was uncomfortable in his heated condition.

13 January 2010. I counted 40 members present. Bob Capian brought in his first attempt at producing a visual aid in bark carving. From his comments to me, it looks like its a "winner" Good job Bob.

BUSINESS MEETING JANUARY 20^TH   I counted 40 present.

* Club Dues are due BEFORE 1 February at $20.00 per year. After the first, the dues will be $25.00.

Show 'n Tell: Lonnie Hayes displayed a completed Moose. (If I get my computer savvy up a few notches, I'll also show the pictures.)

Don Stansfield displayed a revised Abe Lincoln, and a Finish Serving Girl with tray.

John Winters showed a shadow box, with two tug-o-war characters, he also presented cards as possible display legends for use with the men throughout the year.

A very colorful Green Jay was presented by Bob Mathews.

A life-sized relief carving of a friend was presented by Roger Benedict.

Jerry Mais displayed a carving of his bill fold.

Julie Meyer displayed a small plain carved man.

Our balance created quite a discussion; which prompted a proposal to create an annual budget (with a recommended cushion) Bob Mathews, Don Stansfield, Roger Benedict, and Donna Wisner will present a proposed budget at the next meeting. Several comments were made about our treasury and what to do with any excess -if any. (See above)

A tabled motion was made that we pursue the possible acquisition of a simple sound system to assist a majority of our club members in following our verbal presentations.

We now have 100 members (79 active and 21 associate and vendor)

Out president, Gary, asked for a 'pool' of soap carvers to 'cover' requested demonstrations for cub and girl scouts (3 pending now)

Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat, drink beer all day, and exaggerate about his conquests for as long as someone will listen.

Bernie Budzynski will be in Florida, starting this week, and won't be back until early spring - have a safe and enjoyable trip.

A passenger in an independent taxi tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him something. The driver screamed, lost control of the cab, and nearly hit a school bus, drove up over the curb, and finally screeched to a halt just before crashing into a plate glass window. Everything was silent for a few moments, and then the driver said, "Please, don't ever do that again. You scared the daylights out of me." The passenger, after he finally calmed down enough to talk, apologized and said he didn't realize that a simple tap on the shoulder would have such an effect on anyone. The driver replied; "I'm sorry! It’s not really your fault; today's my first day driving a cab after driving a hearse for over 25 years."

Wanted: - any old wood carving magazines or books that you no longer need or want. Call Brian 815-633-0382.

For sale: 3 HP Craftsman Table Saw, with cast iron top. $160.00 call Brian 815-633-0382.

Our Club Web-Site (www.blackhawkcarving.com) Gordy Moscinski, our intrepid Webmaster.

(The following is a repeat from our last news letter; but the news letter editor feels it is worth repeating.

SPECIAL NEWS FROM LARRY YUDIS at The Woodcraft Store, Bettendorf, IA

After a 43-year run in the Quad City area (Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa), the International Woodcarvers Congress, sponsored by the Affiliated Wood Carvers, Ltd. (A WC), is moving north to Maquoketa, la. It is a small community about 42 miles directly north of the Quad Cities on Hwy 61.

The show and seminars will be held in Pearson Hall on the Jackson County Fairgrounds, 1212 E. Quarry Street. More information about Maquoketa and the Congress TM move will be available shortly on our website (www.awcltd.org ) and in future newsletters, which go out to AWC members.

Another big change for the Congress is the dates the show will be held. From 2010 on, we will be holding the Congress a week earlier than we have in the past. Here is a rundown of the festivities and dates:

June 12 & 13: Accepting carry-in carvings for competition.
June 14 & 15: Closed for judging of competition pieces.
June 14 & 18: Various 1,2,3 and 5 Day seminars being held.
June 17 & 20: Show will be open to the public (Charge at the door).
June 19 & 20: Judges Critique Sessions.
June 19: Annual Awards Banquet.
June 20: Annual AWC Membership Meeting.
June 20: Release of competition pieces at 4:00 PM.

If you would like to be a part of this historical move for the Congress, you can become a member 0f AWC for $15.00 a year ($20 US for foreign members). Just send a check or money order to the PO Box below, made out to AWC Ltd. You don't have to be a member to come see the show, but you do have to be a member 0f AWC to take any of the seminars offered. If you have any questions about the Congress or AWC, please feel free to give us a call or drop us a line.

Carol and Larry Yudis, Show Chairs, International Woodcarvers Congress, Affiliated Wood Carvers, Ltd., PO Box 104, Bettendorf, IA. 52722, 563-505-2700 (Carol's cell), -563-676-8264 (Larry's cell), www.awcltd.com

Secretary's Report: The minutes of the December meeting were NOT read, but approved anyway. (That just shows how much we trust our outgoing Secretary's words of wisdom.) !

Treasurers Report: (See Business Meeting, January 20th.)

Coffee Cash Report: (includes monies from the Christmas goodies sale) Looks like we're well on our way to a great Picnic and Christmas celebration; but that only depends on the recommendations of the "finance committee".

Membership Report: Dona Wisner reported that we now have 100 members. We're running close to 40% meeting attendees. That's great!~ - that's especially great even when we consider our annual member's 'southern trek'.

Newsletter Report: My first attempt, and all favorable comments will be appreciated - all others should be submitted in duplicate via our usual channels.- Ozzie Webb.

Library Report: None presented because our librarian is spending time in Florida.

Web Master Report: See other areas of this newsletter.

None that I can think of.

Gary is looking for volunteers to demonstrate soap carving to cub and girl scouts. No dates have been confirmed as of this date; however we have at least three in the works. It takes somewhere between 1 & 1 ½ hours per session.

Annual budget preparation due for review.

Pres. Gary will write a letter to the various hospitals to see if they wish to continue our kids pins carving program.

SHOW AND TELL: I'll leave this space for photos when I learn how.

CARVING SHOWS (we usually limit our inclusion to a within 3 to 4 hours one-way drive from Rockford.

Feb 6-7-CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA: Cedar Valley Woodcarvers' show and competition. Longbranch Hotel and Convention Center, 90 Twixtown Road, NE. Free admission , Saturday 9-5; Sunday 10-4. Maurie Vandeville (319) 377-6520  

AUGUST 21 - ROCKFORD, IL. BLACKHAWK Woodcarvers' 16^th annual show/competition at Tebala Shrine Temple. Cash prizes: supplies, food. 2" cube carving challenge. Don Stansfield, 1508 W. Lincoln Blvd., Freeport, IL 61032 (815) 235-0075.

Newsletter Report - Tod Wisner reminded members he has retired as Newsletter Editor. The January 2010 edition will be co-authored with the new editor - Ozzie Webb. All others will be by Ozzje Webb.

THE PROGRAM - carving a stylized bird as a forerunner for Finch carving next week

We will be conducting a Soap Carving Class with Scouts at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, January 14,2010, in Cherry Valley. We still need a couple of more volunteers to help out on this project.

Business Meetings & Special Events -

2010 - January 20 - Quarterly carving project - a stylized bird.
January 27 - (5 weeks) Finch Carving
February 17 ?
March 17 - ? (St. Pat's day wear green.)
April 21 - Quarterly carving project
May 19 -?
June 16-?
June ?? - Club Picnic
July 21 - Quarterly carving project
August 18 - business meeting
August 21 - Club Competition, Show, & Sale
September 15 - ?
October 20 - Quarterly carving project, Select Nominating Committee
November 17 - Announce Club Member of the Year
December15 - Christmas Breakfast Party & Swap Meet, Election of Officers

January 27^th our own Bob Matthews will teach a class on bird carving; the class will probably last 5 weeks.

Ozzie Webb will demonstrate how to use Dremel tools sometime soon.

January 8 - 11, Bettendorf, IA. Bob Guge will; show how to carve a 2/3 size Kestrel (Sparrow Hawk). The woodcraft Shop, 2734 State St. Call 1-800-397-2278. (Ask about hotel discounts)

Jan. 15-18. Bob Guge, Sea Turtle in Habitat (or a fish of your choice) Same data as above.

Feb 16-18 SAME PLACE!, Helli Mayr, Mutters Austria. Bust of Old Lady, same data

Feb 24-26 Same place, same data, Harley Refsal, Scandinavian Flat Plane carving.

Feb 26-28 Same data

February 5 - 7 Wisconsin Expo Center. Friday 12 - 6 PM, Saturday 10AM to 6 PM, and Sunday 10am to 4 PM. Badger State Carvers will present 3D carving; Mask Carving; and Totem Pole Carving. Milwaukee Area Woodturners will present the basics of woodturning. And the Northeastern Wisconsin Woodworkers Guild will present Bent Wood Lamination; making fishing net frames, making a toboggan, making re-curve archery bows, and laminating circle projects. And the Wisconsin Woodworkers Guild will present Scroll Sawing Children Puzzles.

February 11 – March 18, Gordy Moscinski will have a class on wood burning at the "Center for Learning in Retirement at Rock Valley College.

March 9, 16, 23, 30, and April 6^th, our own Roger Benedict will conduct a RELIEF CARVING CLASS , at Rock Valley College the "Center for Learning in Retirement (Bell School Road). Times for the classes will be between (9:00 and noon each day). A fee of $20.00 ($10.00 paid in class) will cover material costs. Recommended for Intermediate or Advanced Carvers. Phone ·1-815921-3931 for registration.

The information below is copied from other sources, and classes may or may not be filled. Be sure to check for yourself; there is no way of knowing any details other than that given.

March 5 - 7 Bettendorf, IA. Ken Curtis, Polar Bear Scavenging In a dump. The Woodcraft Shop, 2734 State Street. 52722. Call 800-397-2278 for details - be sure to ask for motel discounts.

March 20-21, Plover, Wisconsin; Wisconsin River Woodcarvers 10^th annual show, competition & sale. Elizabeth Inn & Convention Center. $2.00 admission, Age 2 and under, free. Ray O'kray (715) 341-2214.

March 27-28 - Green Bay, WI. Northeastern Wisconsin Woodworkers Guild presents their 28^th annual show, sale, and raffle at Southwest High School, 1331 Packerland Dr.; 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Free admission, free parking. Web: newwg.org. Jane Alesch (902) 468-0132.

April 10 - 11 Bettendorf, IA; Sara & Larry Cornwell; Gourd Carving and decorating. The Woodcraft Shop, 2734 State Street, 52722 Call 800-397-2278 for details, be sure to request motel discounts.

April 23 - 25 (tentative) Bettendorf, IA. Elaine & Fred Stenman, Low Relief Carving, The Woodcraft Shop, 2734 State Street, --52722. Phone 800-397-2278 for details - be sure to request motel discount information.

May 22-23 Bloomington, IL. Com Belt Carving Club's 10 annual sculptures in wood show, sale and contest at the Shirk Center, Illinois Wesleyan University Campus, 302 E. Emerson St. Saturday 9-5, Sunday 125. Admission $3.00: children free with and adult. Contact Mike Hartzler (309) 662-4276; www.combeltcarving.org.

February, Bettendorf, lA, Rick Harney will teach deep relief carving of All-American football player Jim Thorpe. From a 26" x 10" plank. $235, includes roughout. The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, 52722. 1-800-397-2278. Call about motel discounts.

March, Bettendorf, lA, Rick Harney will teach deep relief carving of All-American football player Jim Thorpe. From a 26" x 10" plank. $235, includes roughout. The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, 52722. 1-800-397-2278. Call motel discounts.

April, Bettendorf, lA, Rick Harney will teach deep relief carving of All-American football player Jim Thorpe. From a 26" x 10" plank. $235, includes roughout. The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, 52722. 1-800-397-2278. Call motel discounts.

June 12 - 20, 2010, Maquokets, lA, The annual International Woodcarvers Congress. See above news from Larry Yudis at The Woodcraft Shop listing times and dates. Details on what classes will be taught and by whom will be included in our Newsletters as the details come in.

FEBRUARY 6-7, 2010, CEDAR RAPIDS, lA, the Cedar Valley Woodcarvers present "The Art of Woodcarving" show at the Longbranch Convention Center, 90 Twixt Town Road, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Admission free, hours Sat 10 AM - 8 PM, Sun 10AM - 4 PM. Don Lund, Maurie Vandewalle 319-377-6520.

JUNE 12 - 20, 2010, MAQUOKETA, lA, The annual International Woodcarvers Congress. See above news from Larry Yudis at The Woodcraft Shop listing times and dates. This is the premier woodcarving.

AUGUST 21 - ROCKFORD, IL. BLACKHAWK Woodcarvers' 16^th annual show/competition at Tebala Shrine Temple. Cash prizes: supplies, food. 2" cube carving challenge. Don Stansfield, 1508 W. Lincoln Blvd., Freeport, IL 61032 (815) 235-0075.

Free service for individuals, clubs, and vendors (members and non-members). Items MUST be related to carving. Mail your listing to Blackhawk Woodcarvers, Ozzie Webb, Editor, 1810 Midway Dr. Rockford, IL 61103, by third Wednesday of the month for the next month’s Newsletter.

This issue of the Blackhawk Woodcarver is mailed to 100 members, 21 Associate members, 11 Friends of Blackhawk, and 12 other carving clubs. Total circulation = 143. We send our Newsletter USPO, First Class, for most benefit to all.

Mid-January/ February Newsletter. I have a problem with my computer being able to 'pick-up' photos and 'placing' them into the newsletter, so until I get this "mini-problem" resolved, I'll try to make separate sheets for photos and the like. From Lee Thomas - a note and photos from his daughter. (It's what I've always said about our club and its members.)

We received the following: "Dear Blackhawk Woodcarvers",

I want to thank all of your club members for the advice given to me when I was a guest of my father, Lee Thomas, at two of your October club meetings. I was looking for suggestions about brands of carving tools I should buy as a beginner woodcarver.

I'm impressed by the tremendous woodcarving talent in your club that I discovered by reading the old Chip Chats magazines. And was surprised that your club is able to meet once a week instead of ounce a month. You have a great club there in Rockford and a beginner would have many highly-qualified mentors to learn from.

During my visit, Lee gave me a spoon rough-out to take my first chips on. He also graciously sent me back home to Colorado with a couple decade's worth of Chip Chats magazines for inspiration. As a result of the suggestions everyone made, I went to my local WoodCraft store in Loveland, Colorado, and bought several "Swiss Made" and "Flexcut" tools and started my first project, a 4 inch Basswood Santa.

I joined the National Woodcarver's Association so I can get my own copies of Chip Chats magazine now. I will also be joining the Colorado Woodcarver's Club which meets ounce a month in Denver.

Thanks again for all your advice and encouragement. Annie Mellen