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 September 2026

September is here, the kids are back in school, and we are back in the main room. In less than two weeks, there will be the annual woodcarving show and sale hosted by the Rock River Valley Carvers of Wisconsin. This event is on Saturday the 12th of September from 9am to 4 pm at the Rock County Fair Grounds, 1301 Craig Avenue, Janesville. Our club will be represented at a table! Come visit us, enjoy the displays, and stock up with the vendors!

For our normal weekly carving we are preparing for two sessions with at least three group projects, The first session will start and run through the month of October and the second will run during the month of November. We currently have three “mini” group projects identified:

Group 1 will be led by Betty and John Gregory and will focus on carving a “Peace Bird” ornament which can be used as a gift or for your own holiday decor. John will prepare some blanks and have them available for a small material fee. Groups are set to be held to a maximum of six participants at each month long session.

Group 2 will be led by Larry Stenzel and focus on wood burning holiday ornaments. Generally flat round blanks will be used and can be obtained from local craft stores and Larry might have some if you register sufficiently in advance.

Group 3 will be led by Tom Houlahan and focus on chip carving holiday ornaments. Tom will prepare and provide blanks for a small fee for persons who register sufficiently in advance.

We hope these activities will be of value and enjoyment for the membership. They will take place during our normal weekly carving sessions. Participation is not required and members are welcome to continue to work on projects of their own choosing. Spouses are also welcome!

Rock Valley College’s Center for Learning in Retirement (CLR) is offering a class in Beginning Chip Carving (ART-713-CLR1) at their Bell School Road Center, 3350 N Bell School Road, Rockford. The class will be taught by Tom Houlahan. Classes will run for four sessions on Monday afternoons from 1 to 3 pm through the month of October (910/5, 10/12, 10/19, & 10/26) at the CLR building on N Bell School Road.

Remember to protect your health and that of others. Flu season will be here soon. Each of you is important! Tyrone Johnsen

Secretary Report for August 2026

Meeting called to order by President Tyron Johnsen at 9:30am. Attendance 17

Secretary report: Minutes were read by Roger Benedict and approved

Treasurer report: By Betty Gregory and all is sound and in balanced

President Report: Tyrone Johnsen is developing a maximum and minimum financial band for future budget goal setting. Another reminder about the Janesville Caring Show coming up in second week of September---vendors and demonstrations etc. Good opportunity to meet people, and we have a table. Nominations are now filled. Local store, Custom Apparel, on East State Street, can place our logo and your name on any of your shirts. Bring your shirt; and printing is not expensive. Christmas party is still on and planned as last year’s. Carving classes are now set as:

Betty Gregory---Christmas ornaments

Larry Stenzel---Wood burning

Nick Scheuer---Birds

An interesting plan is to exchange classes when your original class is finished and continue for the three classes. As an example, you will be taking three classes. Sign-up sheets to be made available.

Old business: none

New business: none

Adjourned: 9:47am

Show and tell had seven carvers showing their carvings.

Respectfully submitted, Roger Benedict

· A little humor

Why did the woodcarver always stay calm? Because they knew how to whittle away their problems.

I tried woodcarving once, but I made a mistake. It was a chip off the old block.

Woodcarvers make great friends. They’re always willing to carve out some time for you.

Carving Shows

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 Stevens Point, WI

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.

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.

Nominating Committee Formed for 2027 Club Officer Candidates

A Nominated Committee was named for establishing a list of candidates for our club officers for the 2027 year. Roger Benedict, Betty Gregory, and John Gregory agreed to serve on this committee in response to requests by current club president Tyrone Johnsen.

President Johnsen stated that the committee members were chosen based upon their club experience and their interest in the long-term success of the club.

The slate of candidates are to be identified by late October to permit an appropriate announcement of the slate to be included in the November newsletter. The election is always held during the November business meeting on the third Wednesday of November (the 18^th of November 2026).

All members may nominate candidates for any the officers positions. All club officers are volunteers!

Newsletter deadline

Keep sending your pictures and stories by the October 7, 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 Moscinski

September Birthdays (that we Know of)

5 Suedbeck, David

6 Gregory, John

19 Johnsen, Tyrone

23 Hartman, Jeff

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)