Blackhawk Carving Club Rockford

The Blackhawk Woodcarver

Blackhawk Carving Club

We meet every Wednesday at 9:00 am until 11:30 at the Ken Rock facility at 625 Adams Street, Rockford, IL. KenRock is located in the area of Rural and North 2nd St.

Presidents Report April 2026

Spring has arrived; and the crocuses and daffodils are in bloom! The pleasant outdoor weather reminds me of our enjoyable outdoor carving sessions in Sinnissippi Park during COVID 19. Let the pleasant weather draw you outside to your patio, porch, or driveway to allow you to experience your own personal carving experience.

The CLR class on “Beginning Wood Carving” being taught by member Gordy Moscinski started the first of April and will run through the month of April. The class is being held at Ken-Rock and during our normal carving sessions.

Starting in May, member Tom Houlahan will teach a class on Chip Carving. Tom has been surveying interest and taking reservations for wood blanks to enable him to order a sufficient number of blanks. If interested, please contact Tom. Be sure to check out the Chip Carving Class announcement later in this newsletter.

We had very good participation in the Dala Horse carving and painting lead by Gordy Moscinski. We had about 20 finished horses on display at our Show & Tell in April along with some other creations. Keep up the great work and share your creations again each month!

Tyrone Johnsen

Secretary Report for March 2026

Blackhawk Woodcarvers monthly business Meeting called to order by President Tyrone Johnsen at 9:30am on March 18, 2006. Attendance was 17 members

Previous minutes were read by Secretary Roger Benedict and were approved after a correction was made to Gordy Moscinski’s carving class announcement, changing eight attendees to 16.

Treasurer’s report read by Tyrone Johnsen since Betty Gregory was absent. Accounts are solvent. And 4 more members paid their dues, which brings total membership to 40 members.

Old business, none

New Business, Tyrone Johnsen discussed several for future social gatherings, such as the summer picnic and winter Christmas Party. The picnic will occur as usual. The Christmas Party may need careful attention because of new management at Peterson Meadows.

Reminder of Gordy Moscinski April CLR carving class which will be at Kenrock.

A chip carving class is being planned by Tom Houlahan for May at Kenrock. There will be more information available.

For the Janesville Carving Show this fall, one table has been reserved for our use. Perhaps two tables will be needed---more later about this.

Promotion of our club tentatively is considered for community awareness and for regional carving clubs. As a beginning would be showing at local libraries such as Rockford, Belvidere, Loves Park and Cherry Valley. However, we must have members to participate

Adjourned was approved at 9:46 am

Then there was Show and Tell. A rampaging herd of Dala Horses was shown---absolutely well done by all members participating! Congratulations for sure on the artistic painted carvings. There were 12 members showing their carvings from characters to reliefs to chip carvings to Swedish Horses to intarsia and demo of a carving mounting system.

And my personal observation was how well the “show and tell” is now presented. How wonderful It is for each carver introducing their carving, because it presents more ownership and pride. Let’s keep this up, and for those future show and tellers don’t hesitate to participate.

Respectively submitted, Roger Benedict

Quote of the Month

· What do you call a woodcarver’s favorite tool? The "chisel" of their dreams!

· How do woodcarvers relax after a long day? They just “whittle” down their worries.

Why was the woodcarver always calm? Because he knew how to take life one chip at a time!

Club Chip Carving Class beginning in May

Beginning on the 6^th of May at our weekly club carving session, Tom Houlahan will lead interested members in a chip carving experience. The class will cover chip carving basics and proceed through completed piece(s) suitable as “coasters”. Prior experience is not required

Tom will have available 4 inch square basswood for a modest fee and patterns. Members are to provide their own chip carving or detail knives. Please let Tom Houlahan know if you wish to participate and desire wood blanks so this he can insure sufficient supply.

Classes will be planned to run through May; but Tom will be available beyond that time.

Carving shown are by Bob Hallstrom as examples

Carving Shows in Janesville

Event One: Rich Wetherbee Character Carving Class

Rock River Valley Carvers of Janesville are sponsoring Rich Wetherbee character carving class.

Class will be held on April 14,15, and 16 from 9 am to 4 pm at Ravens’ Wish in Janesville Wisconsin.

The cost of the class is $85 per day plus the cost of the roughout. Money is to be paid directly to Rich Wetherbee at the time of the class. They accept cash or check (no credit card). Contact Brad Crandall at 608-931-0188 (please leave message) or by email at bwkicrandall@gmail.com.

Event Two: 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.

Other Carving Shows

KARVE IN 10 will be held at the Westby High School, 206 West Avenue S, Wesby Wi on Saturday April 11, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Multiple drawings for carvers, Free Admission, Donation accepted. For more information contact: John Sutton at lbarnfarms@gmail.com or Steve Michaels at 608-769-8498 and stevemichaels@westby-norse.org.

The Kettle Karvers will be holding their 33^rd Annual Wood Carving Show on Sunday April 19, 2026 from 10;00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Emil Mazey Hall, 5425 Superior Ave., Sheboygan, WI. Free Admission – donations appreciated. New carvers Welcome. Tables $25.00. For information contact: Stuart Thiel 920-698-1206, stuthiel2@gmail.com or Jim Rooker 920-918-8512, jrooker49@gmail.com. Website: www.kettlekarvers.org

The North Arkansas Woodcarver’s 46^th Annual Woodcarving Show will be held on Saturday & Sunday May 2 & 3, 2026. For more information call Sandy Smith @ 870-431-8070 or E-mail webmaster@northarkansaswoodcarvers.org.

The Mid-Wisconsin Chippers will be holding their 50^th Annual “Artistry in Wood” will be held on Sunday May 3, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at The Oshkosh Convention Center, 2 North Main Street, Oshkosh, WI. Admission is $5.00. Ages 12 and under are free. For more information checkout their website www.midwisconsinchippers.weebly.com

The International Woodcarvers 2026 AWC Congress will be held in Maquoketa, IA from June 15 to June 20, 2026 at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. Contact Diane Colley @ 630-335-4850 or www.woodcarverscongress.org for more information.

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 20^th 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 35^th 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.

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 May 6, 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.

Carvers wanted

Sometimes I get calls from people wanting to have a carving done (for money). If you are interested in any of these contacts, let me know and what kind of carvings you are interested in doing for people. Don Stansfield dchip1508@comcast.net

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

April Birthdays (that we Know of)

10 Franklin Johnson

19 John Skaggs

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

Show and Tell