2009 CLUB PICNIC - Tuesday afternoon,, June 2.  Weather was OK.  Tony DeVita, chairman.  Most folks were there by 4 o’clock.  Tony had charcoal going, and ready for cooking.  And the party started.  Final count was 47.  After the meats were all cooked, and before we sat down to eat, we had a prayer led by our own Resident Pastor, Frank Lay, the Carving Preacher.  And it was a good thing, too.  Frank warned us beforehand that if we did not pray before eating, we would choke on the food.  I guess the prayer did the trick, because there was a most copious amount of vittles consumed without any signs of choking.                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Gordy & Mary Moscinski

     Naturally, the most important points to cover at a Potluck Picnic like this involve the food.  Quantity:  There was half again as much as we needed.  And that was after many of us went back for second helpings.  Quality: The finest you ever did taste!  Variety: Excellent - every base was covered, and every  taste was satisfied.  Conversations after we were finished eating revealed some food favorites.

     Potato Salad: Most comments agreed the best potato salad was from Carl Hicks.  However, if this were a serious competition, Carl would have to be disqualified, because he used to make potato salad professionally.  Never mind, we enjoyed all the potato salads.  No harm, no foul.  And besides, it wouldn’t be a real potluck picnic without lots of potato salad!

     Deviled Eggs: Your Editor took it upon himself to personally judge all of the different Deviled Egg contributions.  And there were SIX separate and different entries in this Class, so you can understand the great personal sacrifice he made to assure fair and balanced judging.  After several trips back to the line for further sampling of Deviled Eggs, the final decision was that each one was better than the others.  (My personal blessings on you wonderful cooks who brought Deviled Eggs.)

     Desserts: A most fine assortment of cakes, pies, brownies, and cookies.  The most noteworthy of all were the pies brought by Jeff Hartman from Freeport.  Now Jeff is a fine gentleman, but no one would expect a guy to bring pies.  Not only did he bring pies, he brought FOUR.  One each of cherry and peach, and two apple.  (Ni-i-i-ice variety) PLUS  Jeff made them himself, with the crusts all from scratch!

(Note to Jeff: Your crusts rank right up there in quality above most commercial pies.  However, just a brief suggestion, Jeff.  You might want to use just a pinch more cinnamon in your apple pies.)

     Baked Beans: You simply have to have Baked Beans at a Potluck Picnic.  Right?  This category is always a toughie to judge, because there are so many different preferences in Baked Beans.  Personally, I like them all.  I think there were four different Baked Bean dishes at this picnic.  A perennial favorite at Blackhawk Woodcarving parties is the recipe from Marshall Field, Jr.  I think we all count on Marshall’s Beans to show up at every party.  The secret of Marshall’s recipe is that he uses ONLY 239 beans.  (Ask why!)

     Miscellaneous: There were two mysterious contributions that deserve special mention, because they were unique and tasty.  Unique because you don’t often see cooked peppers at a potluck.  And the same goes for the Greek-style ripe olives.  Both were welcome additions to the menu.  And, did I say, “Tasty.”

         click on picture to make it larger          

                       Virginia Lucas ate with the Budzynskis                                      Gary & Helen Lundquist

     No picnic is really complete without a game or two.  The sillier, the better.  Unbeknownst to DeVita, Bernie Budzynski took it upon himself to bring in a game of Egg Toss.  Now, those of us who know Bernie are acquainted with his sometimes kinky sense of humor.  What better than an Egg Toss to loosen up a bunch of very proper wood carvers?  (We retired folks can sometimes be wound a bit too tight, and a little loosening-up is a good thing.)

     There was really a lot of hesitation among the picnickers to join Bernie’s Egg Toss Game, but finally, after much coaxing and teasing, about five pairs of picnickers moved out onto the grass across the walk and formed the two lines for the game.  The winning pair was Dona Wisner and Wes Englund.  They were able to toss their egg, without dropping it, for a greater distance than any of the other pairs.  As their prizes, Bernie awarded Dona a beautiful block of basswood and Wes a pen that Bernie had made himself.  (For making special personally-crafted pens like this one, see a Woodcraft store.)

     For those of you who may not be personally acquainted with the Egg Toss Game, it is usually played with raw eggs.  If not thrown and caught very carefully, a raw egg will splatter all over an unfortunate contestant.  In the case of the Budzynski Egg Toss, there was a special twist.  (You shouldn’t be surprised at this!)  In explaining the game rules to the contestants, Bernie demonstrated what happens when an egg is dropped or not caught gently, by throwing an egg on the ground ... a sloppy mess of egg yolk and slimy egg white all over.  Then he passed the rest of the eggs out and started the game.  As one pair of contestants after another was eliminated, we discovered that our eggs would NOT splatter.  No matter how hard they hit the ground.  Bernie had smashed a fresh egg to scare us into the right frame of mind for the game, and then passed out HARD-BOILED eggs for us to toss!  The whole thing was a hoot!  Thank you Mr. Bernie Budzynski!  You are a Champion at unwinding.

     Phyllis Schmidt surprised us at the picnic by bringing in a box full of wooden “Croaking Frogs” and some very nice pins.  These are from her husband Sandy’s personal collection.  She is donating these to the Blackhawk Woodcarving Club for sale or the Raffle at our Show & Competition on August 15.  A beautiful and most welcome donation.  Thank you Phyllis.

     Interesting Weather Development - We moved the Club Picnic from September to June to help space the two mixed-couples socializing out more evenly.  (Christmas Party & Picnic)  We also knew that June weather is much nicer than September weather.  You know what September can be like - chilly, windy, and often damp & drizzly.  And our September picnics were often just that.  Now, fast forward to our New & Improved Picnic Date in June.  SURPRISE.  It was chilly, breezy, damp and drizzly.  ( Tony, I thought you had better connections with The Big Guy than to allow this to happen.)

     Picnic Conclusion - It was a really fine success.  No other way to describe it.  The only thing that wasn’t so nice was that some of our members couldn’t be there.  Some for health reasons, and some for personal schedule conflicts.  We missed you guys.

     Mystery Solved!  After two months of wondering who made these two nice little carvings, we finally learned who dunnit.  Frank Lay.  Nice work, Frank.        

(1) Display tables are round, and six feet in diameter.  If you want to use a table cloth to display your carvings, bring your own.

(2) Display your nicest carvings.  Sell them if you wish.

(3) Enter the Competition.  It’s fun.  And pays cash prizes!

(4) Have you brought anything in to Bob or Don or Tony D. for the Raffle?  This Show is about the only way we make the money to support our Club.

(5) Setup for the Show is Friday afternoon, the day before the Show.  See Don Stansfield, and volunteer.  It’s fun.

(6) Be an active part of the Show, and help out for one of the short shifts during the day. 

     “Four-inch Spherical Carving Challenge.”  And, it really IS a challenge.  You should know the Rules by now.  They have been in the Newsletter for the last two months.  The Rules also have been distributed by Don Stansfield, personally.

Can You Name this expert carver?

  Yes, he is a member of our Club.

     Coffee & Cookies Program  is a huge success.  Not only are the refreshments appreciated, but the operation is making a modest profit.  Much gratitude and special thanks go out to all our generous members.  For example, one of our carvers donated $5 one morning ... “I don’t drink coffee, but I sure would like one of those cookies.”  Many others simply drop a whole dollar in the cup.  This is what paid for drinks at the Club Picnic, and will also be able to help support the Christmas party in December.  Many thanks to Dona Wisner for doing all the Coffee & Cooky work.

Question:

Why did the chicken cross the road?

     North Suburban Carvers Newsletter reported on one of their carving projects.  One of their members had bought some cane blanks from a wood supplier in Wisconsin.  These were of “Class 1A basswood.”  They said that this is the highest quality of basswood.

     Editor’s Note - OK.  Now - I am well aware that some basswood carves better then other stuff.  I always thought it was simply northern vs, southern.  Or maybe just a matter of luck.  Nobody even told me there were different commercial grades available.  How do I know what grade of wood I’m getting when I buy?  What are the grades?  How do I learn about this apparently arcane system?

     Thank you, Ray Olson - For teaching the Swedish Elf/Santa Class.  These are copies of Swedish figures (resin castings) on sale at Stockholm Inn Restaurant.  The twenty Club members in the class all seemed to be having lots of fun with the project.  Ray taught three sessions, June 3, 10, and 24.  These were as an adjunct to the regular Wednesday morning sessions, just like Elaine Terrell’s chip carving classes and Gordy Moscinskl’s Indian flute classes.

DonClark's elves	Gale Terrell's elves

 

     Blank roughouts were furnished ... three different sizes to each carver.  They looked easy, but looks were deceiving.  Think about it - no hands, no arms, no feet, and no face.  But the twisted  hats proved to be the fly in the ointment - it seemed like every knife stroke was against the grain.  Some of the carvers used original variations that made their work more unique.  It all added to the fun!

    How many of you went to the International Woodcarving Show & Competition in Bettendorf in June?  That is one of the premier carving shows in the whole world.  Carvers come from many countries to compete. 
   Did you see the work of the Blackhawk Woodcarver members that was entered?  Bob Matthews had some of his work entered in the competition.  Jim Griparis had three canes entered.  One of the canes was accompanied by a matching long-handled shoe horn.
   At the same time as the Competition & Show there was a carving school offered with many different Master Carvers teaching many different carving techniques.  Relief carving, in-the-round, caricatures, chip carving, and variations on these.  Some classes were only one day, others may ran for three or even four days.  This is a great chance to learn as well as have fun.  Makes for a nifty vacation.

     A Carving Tip - Lifted from the Capitol Area Carvers Newsletter - When wood is extremely dry, it will often splinter and break out in all the wrong places.  Answer to this problem is to ADD MOISTURE.  “The carving texture of wood has been completely transformed.  Hard, dry, splintery wood becomes almost as soft as cheese and a pleasure to carve.”
     Dick Reese, a master chip carver and member of their Club, puts it in a humidifier of his own design.....A plastic box with a lid, 23" x 16" x 6" is fine for the chip carving wood he uses.  Shallow aluminum pan in the bottom of the box, large enough to hold a large flat sponge.  Saturate the sponge with water.  Non-oxidizing rack (plastic) over the pan/sponge to hold the wood away from direct contact with the sponge.  Wet the wood (in the sink) all sides.  Put on rack, and close lid.  Let it stay there for a day or two, depending on the mass of wood involved.  Too long a time, and you will probably get moldy wood. 
     This system goes right along with what some of our Blackhawk Club members have told me to do with my cherry wood frog that is really, really tough to carve..  Old wood typically gets difficult to carve.  Much of this difficulty comes from aging and drying.  This whole-wood system for softening the wood sounds like a reasonable answer to my problem.  I’ll let you know how it works-Ed.

 

“Don Stansfield says he gained his incredible knowledge of carving by attending the School of Hard Knots.”

 

BUSINESS MEETING

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

      Gary Lundquist, Secretary’s Report - Minutes of May meeting read, and approved as read.

     Treasurer’s Report - Balance on hand as of end of business May 31 $1,681.00.  Report read by President Bob Hallstrom.

     Membership Report - Dona Wisner reported two new members: Virginia Lucas and Tony Thorson.

     Newsletter Report -   We try to get it in the mail before the first of the month to give you the scoop on what’s coming.

Cash received since January 1 = $151.70.  Expenses for coffee, cookies, and cookies = $51.46; Club Picnic pop, ice, charcoal = $38.00.  Balance on hand = $62.24

     VP Don Stansfield - Asked whomever borrowed his VHS on woodburning to please bring it back.

     Bob Hallstrom gave us some interesting info on the new carving member, Tony Thorson.  Tony lives down in Dwight, Illinois, but will be able to visit on occasion.  Welcome, Tony!

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 0945

“The highways of life are covered with flat squirrels who couldn’t make up their mind.”

      Tom Backer came to the May business meeting, and to a couple of Wednesday sessions.  His wife’s health problems take most of his attention right now.  She is in a recovery Center in Madison, Wisconsin.

     Walt Gipe has been getting better.  He came into carving for a brief visit one Wednesday.

     Delores Cascio was involved in an auto accident May 22.  She was in her van at the intersection of East State Street and Longwood Avenue in Rockford when a ‘74 Ford pickup ran a red light and hit her van on the driver’s side between the front wheel and the driver’s side door.  This bounced Delores first to the right, and then back to the left.  This motion did a number on her left leg.  That’s the leg that was already her main problem.  Into and out of the hospital the same day.  She is using a walker while recuperating at home, and will be in rehab at Saint Anthony Rehab Center for an undetermined length of time.  Now on pain-killers.  (That aren’t nearly doing the job, she says.)

     The pickup had a tank of blacktop sealant in its bed.  Dolores’ van windows were open.  She reported the whole inside of her van was covered with blacktop.  The van was totaled.  So were her wheel chair and the power lift that puts the chair in and out of the van.

     Delores sends greetings to all woodcarvers, and will be in to see us as soon as possible.  (After she gets a new van, a new wheel chair, and a new hoisting mechanism.)  Hopefully Delores will be well enough to perform her painting demonstration with Diane Mender at our August Meeting.

     Franklin Johnson is recovering from hip surgery.

THE PROGRAM

     “Out Of My Tree” chain saw carving by Rick Kruse, 108 Adams, Ridott, IL, 815-232-0018, Rick was a most interesting speaker.  He brought in a whole bunch of his carvings to illustrate different points of his presentation.

     He did his first chainsaw carving, a 2' bear, back in 2002.  It took him about 16 hours.  After all the years of practice with chainsaw carving since then, he can now do the same bear in about one hour.  And, it’s a better-looking bear!

     Mr. Kruse is a truly affable daffer - he invites anyone interested to come on over to his place in Ridott for a visit.

Answer:

To show the possum it could be done.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

     “Pins for Kids” carving is now going all year.  Carl Hicks is the Champion Pin Carver.  Have you seen his works?

     Sight & Hearing Quilt is closing in on completion.  Only a few squares left to do.  Did you do yours?

Military Intelligence

“It is generally inadvisable to eject over the area you have just bombed.”

 - USAF Manual

CLUB SCHEDULE

Business Meetings & Special Events -

⇨ July 15 - Carve Swedish Dala horses
 

⇨ August 15 - 15^th Anniversary Show & Competition at Tebala Shrine Center

          (See map attached)

⇨ August 19 - Oil Painting Demo by Delores Cascio & Diane Mender

⇨ September 16 - Select committees for nominating Officers for 2010, and choosing “Member of the Year”

⇨ October 21 - Quarterly carving project

⇨ November 19 - Nomination of officers, Recognize Club Member of the Year

⇨ December 16 - Christmas Party & Swap Meet, Election of Officers

⇨ January  - Quarterly carving project

⇨ February -

⇨ March -

Daffynition -

“Atheism : Is a  non-prophet organization.”

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.

     August 20-23, Thurs - Sun, Bremen, IN.  (That’s about 10 miles south of South Bend, IN) Council Oak Woodcarvers sponsor their first Annual Indiana Woodcarvers Summer Camp.  Many instructors, no fees.  Check club website www.counciloakwoodcarvers.com, or call Marcia Yrineo at 574-204-2856.

     September 28 - October 3, Sandwich, IL  - Gathering Of Woodcarvers (GOW) Sandwich Fairgrounds.  Bob Mau 630-536-4253;

      www.camperjohn.com/gow.

CARVING  SHOWS

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

     August 13-23, Des Moines, IA  - Mid-Iowa Woodcarvers Assoc sponsors and demonstrates at the Iowa State Fair.  Peoples’ Choice Contest.  Dorcas “Dee” Wolfe515-244-4428.

     August 15, Rockford, IL  - Blackhawk Woodcarvers 15^th Annual Show & Competition.  3^rd annual Spherical Challenge competition w/cash prizes.  Supplies, food, ribbons.  11AM - 4PM.  Admission: $3, children under 12 free.  Tebala Shrine Center, 7910 Newburg Road, 61108.  Contact Don Stansfield, 1508 West Lincoln Blvd, Freeport, IL, 61032, 815-235-0075.

     September 27, Utica, IL  - Valley Carvers 21^st annual judged & juried show and sale.  Starved Rock State Park Main Lodge, 9AM-3PM.  Bob Wills, 190 West Willow St., Coal City, IL 60416; 815-634-3086.

     October 24-25, Wheaton, IL - North Suburban Woodcarvers’ show, DuPage County Fairgrounds.  www.northsuburbancarvers.org.

    October 25, Madison, WI - Capitol Area Carvers of Wisconsin will hold their annual Show & Sale at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave, 10:00AM to 4:00PM.  Table rental $20, Additional $10 required if you are selling.  For details call John Weingandt, W11038 N. Lake Point Dr., Lodi, WI, 53555, 608-592-3556.

WANT ADS

     Free service for individuals, clubs, and vendors (members and non-members ).  Items MUST be related to carving.  Mail listing to Blackhawk Woodcarver, PO Box 15488, Loves Park, IL  61132, by third Wednesday of the month to be in the next month’s Newsletter.

     Carving Magazines -  Bernie Budzynski, is trying to open up a little more space in the Library Cabinet for new books.  He is giving away back issues of Chip Chats and other carving magazines for FREE.  Just take ‘em and share.

     Blackhawk Carving Club insignia is available: Patches to sew on a jacket and decals for inside your car windows.  Patches are $5 (US), but the decals are FREE.  Bob Hallstrom has these items.

     Bob Hallstrom donated three thumb protectors.  These retail for about $2 each.  Certainly $1 would be a reasonable price.  Money goes into the Club Treasury.  Buy one.   Or two.  Or all three.  At Bernie’s garage sale.

     Very nice automatic coffee maker.  Looks like new.  Makes up to 12 cups.  It is too small for the Club ... we’re using a 30-cop percolator now.  New, it sells for over $10 .  Should be a great bargain at $5.  Bernie’s garage sale.

     Four-inch ball roughouts  Just the thing for getting a head start carving your Spherical Challenge carving.  Only $9.  (Remember, we had to pay over half that much just to get a basswood cube!)  See Don Stansfield.

     CIRCULATION STATEMENT: This issue of the Blackhawk Woodcarver is mailed to a whole bunch this month, to promote the Show in August: 65 members, 12 Friends of Blackhawk Woodcarving Club, 21 former members, 26 “other” carvers, 11 carving clubs, and 19 professional carvers n.e.c.  Total circulation = 154.  We send all copies of our Newsletter out USPO, First Class, to assure the greatest possible benefits