Blackhawk Carving ClubThe Blackhawk Woodcarver
Our annual club picnic was most
pleasant! There were only eleven of us in attendance; but we enjoyed good
company and very pleasant weather. The morning was cloudy with possible rain
forecast (which did not come) and temperature right around 70 F. Not a
typical late June temperature. I am reminded of this, as I reflect on our
picnic and glad it was not scheduled for this start of July when we are
currently experiencing 90+ temperatures with “heat indexes” at or above 100.
The cooler weather and rain
forecast may have also allowed us the exclusive use of Shelter. We
each brought our food and drink but there was a number of shared items.
Generally, desserts, like chocolate chip cookies, banana bread, chips, pop,
and brownies … Oh! Did I mention chocolate chip cookies! I think it worked
well to have our normal carving session at Ken-Rock first; and then moving
to nearby Sinnissippi Park about 11:00 for the picnic.
The week before the picnic we sadly
bid good bye and well wishes to long time member Don Stansfield. We had lots
of cake and a tribute by Roger Benedict. Don had his eldest daughter with
him. She is helping Don prepare for the move. Don is relocating to the Gig
Harbor, WA area near this daughter. In the past weeks, Don has been going
through his stuff, bringing in some pieces for us to see, passing on some
supplies and carvings. Don was also generous in donating three of his
carvings to help raise club funds at our next Christmas Party “bucket
raffle”.
We were fortunate enough to have
former member Denny Neubauer visit us and attend a couple of our carving
sessions. Denny and Becky moved to Mesa, AZ about five years ago. At least
four of us members were also fortunate to visit with Denny and Becky during
the annual International Woodcarvers Congress where Denny was teaching and
was one of the three show judges.
Remember, every Wednesday morning we
have our normal carving sessions; and the third Wednesday includes the
monthly meeting and Show & Tell.
Tyrone Johnsen
Secretary
Report for June 2026
Blackhawk Woodcarvers June 2026
meeting minutes
Meeting was called to order by
President Tyrone Johnsen at 9:25am
18 members were present including a
guest
This was an experience since we had
to meet in the gym with very poor acoustics.
Secretary minutes read by Roger
Benedict and approved
Treasurer report by Betty Gregory
presented that the financial statement was balanced.
Currently we have adequate operating capital. There were
no incoming funds this month, and one outgoing payment of $25 to reserve a
table for the Janesville Woodcarving Show in September.
President report by Tyrone Johnsen
had a reminder about the picnic next Wednesday 24th at
Sinnissippi Park 11:00 am, bring own food and drinks. We
will still meet to carve at Ken-Rock regular time, then head out for the
picnic. Don Stansfield donated three carvings for the
Christmas Party raffle.
Old business, none
New business, none
Adjourn at 9:35am
Show and Tell was held.
Afterwards we were treated to
delicious cakes, chocolate and vanilla, by Bob Hallstrom for saying goodbye
to Don Stansfield who was moving to the Seattle area near his two daughters.
Don will be living in a condo association having an excellent carving
group. He was also treated with a poem, “Always,” read by
Roger Benedict. His daughter Debra was also present.
Respectfully submitted, Roger
Benedict
Two pics from
our annual club picnic on June 24.
Carving Shows
The Creede Woodcarvers Rendezvous
will be Celebrating 35 Years on July 11 – 15, 2026. Register
Mid-January Online @
www.crddedwoodcarvers.com.
The Rock River Valley Carvers of
Wisconsin Inc. will be holding their 20th annual Show and Sale on
Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Rock County Fair
Grounds “Craig Center” 1301 Craig Ave. Janesville, WI.
Feathered Carver is Brad Crandall. Free Admission,
donations accepted. Contact Brad Crandall @ 608-931-0188
or
bwkicrandall@gmail.com or John Raisbeck
@jkraisbeck4@gmail.com. for more information.
Wisconsin River Woodcarvers Show,
Sale, & Competition September 19 & 20, 2026
The Capitol Carvers of Wisconsin &
Badger Wood Turners will be holding their 35th Annual Show & Sale
on Sunday October 25, 2026 at the DeForest Area High School, 815 Jefferson
Street, DeForest, WI. Show hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Any questions call, April Bird, CACW President, 608-320-9217.
The Waupaca Area Woodcarvers Club
will be holding “Artistry in Wood” Show, Sale, & Competition on Sunday
November 1, 2026 at the Waupaca Recreation Center, 407 School Street,
Waupaca, WI. Show hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Admission for Adults is $5.00,
Children (Age 1 -16) free. For more information
contact Harold Mohr 715-281-4923.
Roger Stegall
Character Carving Roughouts and Class
Roger Stegall is exhibiting at the
Rock River Valley Carving Show on September 12, 2026. If
anyone is interested in purchasing roughouts from Roger please come to the
show. Roger carves character carvings in the Ozark style.
Roger is holding a class on September 13 and 14 in Janesville, Wisconsin .
It is also at the Ravens’ Wish in Janesville,
Wisconsin. The cost of the class is $140 for two days.
Money is paid directly to Roger Stegall at the time of the class.
The class is currently full but if you want to be put on a waiting
list please contact Brad.
Say Farewell to A
Good Friend and Member Don Stansfield
Always
Don the providing man,
Always
doing what he can
Had
a love with tools and wood,
Always
providing what he could
Carving was about non-sanding,
Always a
carving of smooth surfacing
He
enjoyed Blackhawk Woodcarvers,
Always
volunteering with others
Leaving the Midwest to go West,
Always a
decision of his best
Say goodbye friend with a voice of a cello,
Always a
great fellow
Don, don’t forget us,
Always, we will not forget you.
Roger Benedict
June 17, 2026
Blackhawk
Carving Club Website
Just a reminder that on the
Blackhawkcarving.com website you can see past newsletters etc.
All the way from day one.
Www.Blackhawkcarving,com
Newsletter
deadline
Keep sending your pictures and
stories by the August 5, 2026 deadline.
Door Prizes
Don't forget the Door Prize drawing
on First Wednesdays. Bring something you don't need or want
anymore, but know someone would be thrilled to win at the drawing.
Facebook
Like us on Facebook “Blackhawk
Woodcarvers”. Many pictures and information.
Want to buy
or sell
If you have anything that you would
like to buy or sell send me an email and I will put it in the newsletter.
Gordy
July
Birthdays
(that we Know of)
3
Richard Dunphey
22 Bob Coleman
22 Jerome Mais
Committees
(815 area code)
Webmaster & Newsletter Editor
Gordy Moscinski
Photographer, Tyrone Johnsen, 397-9274
Programs, Rick Brittnacher, 608-346-6501
Picnic, Tony Devita
Club Officers
(815 area code)
President, Tyrone Johnsen, 397-9274
Vice Pres, Rick Brittnacher, 608-346-6501
Treasurer, Betty Gregory, 708-8626
Secretary, Roger Benedict, 988-3314
Meet a New
Member – Dave Suedbeck
I was born in the small-town of
Fulda in extreme southwest Minnesota. After graduating from high
school and trying out college for two years in Moorhead, MN (college did NOT
like me!), I joined the Air Force.
I spent 21 years in the Air Force: 6 years as an enforcement
specialist/military working dog handler in the Azores and Warner Robins, GA;
6 years as a recruiter in the Minneapolis area; and 3 years as an
administrative specialist and General’s aide. For the last 6 years of
my Air Force career, I worked at the Military Entrance Processing Station
(MEPS) in Des Plaines, IL. For 3 of those years, I was in charge of
getting basic trainees to their basics training sites; and the last 3 years
I was the Testing NCOIC.
After my retirement from the Air
Force in 2003, I spent a miserable year as the paint department’s assistant
manager at a Menards. I did not enjoy working retail! I missed almost as
many holidays with family during that one year at Menards as I did in my 21
years in the Air Force! In 2004, I saw a help wanted ad in the
Rockford Register Star for a position in a company contracted to do
investigations for government security clearances. I applied and was
offered a position as an investigator. After 4 years as an investigator, I
applied for and was selected for a position in our Integrity Assurance
department. I was in charge of making sure our investigators were
properly trained and followed all the rules.
I have been married to Kim for 40
years - she was an education administrator for her career. We have been
married for 40 years and have two grown kids, Nicole and Dan.
International
Woodcarvers Congress annual show
At least four of our club members
visited the International Woodcarvers Congress annual show which ran Jun 14
through the 20th.
Hundreds of beautiful carvings on
display in the judged show.
More than a half dozen carving
classes ran during the week; including one taught by Denny Neubauer with the
help of his wife Beckie.
Members John and Betty Gregory took
advantage of some of the vendors to stock up on desired supplies.
Show and Tell
Don Stansfield has
moved to the Gig Harbor, WA area. His last day with our club was June 17 and
we honored him with cakes and a tribute.
Also, Don was kind
enough to donate three of his carvings for our annual Christmas Party
“Bucket
Don Stansfield
displayed this carving he did about 2013.
Ornaments by Betty Gregory.
A little character by Jim
Foster.
Rich Talbot relief.
Roger Benedict
carving.
Three carvings are all by
Jerry Robey based upon articles on Woodcarving Illustrated.
