We are watching closely the changing business conditions at Klehm Arboretum for next year's carving show. John Wacker is coordinating with them about any necessary details to maintain our presence. Currently John will submit a report to their board regarding the make up of our club and our positive status as a good-will club in the community. Meanwhile there will be some activity by Tony DeVita and Bob Hallstrom to find another community hall in case we can not use Klehm's for next year.

Membership dues will be $20.00 beginning January 1^st. Expenses have been growing each year whereby it is time to keep up with inflation.

We have a sick bay report of Larry Christensen having a pacemaker implanted, and Roger Benedict recovering from open-heart surgery.

This month's guest speaker was an outstanding young man, who carves large abstract stylized carvings from tree trunks. His workmanship in detail and finishes were unbelievable. Everyone was wondering how a good-looking young man could be so articulate as well as an excellent artist in wood sculpting? He must be one of those people who have all their genes in the right order, as you would compare him to Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods. It will be interesting to follow his career.

SEPTEMBER MEETING SHOW & TELL

Bob Matthews---Bark carved chalet

Richard Andersen---A model of Richard about 60 years ago

Gordy Moscinski---Butternut duck

Don Stansfield---Picture of cypress knees

This is sending to all of you my "heart-felt thanks" for your wonderful cards, prayers, and acts of kindness. My convalescing is well under control at this time thanks to my wonderful wife, Paula, and the medical community. It is still a mystery to me from all the acute and obtuse procedures of open-heart surgery that the lucky ones can survive and walk across the hospital room in two days after surgery. I am atypical with one by-pass, but the real issue is that every other heart auxiliary device was rebuilt or replaced whereby I am now a bionic man. The get-well cards were a pleasure to re-read several times. The meals on wheels, home visits, taking me to appointments and rehab, and assisted walking by my friends kept my chin up. I believe by now you got the idea on how overwhelmed I am with being grateful of life and friends.

Thank you, thank you,

October 28-29---Wheaton, IL North Suburban Carvers 27^th Artistry In Wood exhibition and competition in DuPage County Fairgrounds. Contact Terri Pijut (847) 458-2919

This year's show had a very good attendance---from the public, 356, and from the carvers, 32 displays. Our Vendors, Paul Miller, Horst Hart, and Gottlieb Brandi continued to provide excellent vendor booths for tools and carving resources. Larry Clark, who once again provided this service, took the official photos. Of course witnessing the large turnout from the Rockford folks makes us want to begin thinking about next year's show. Always, there are many people to thank behind the scenes, and specially thanks to the out of town carvers for their fine participation. We would never have a show success without the wide turnout of carvers. And finally, thanks to the Klehm Arboretum folks for use of their excellent facility and their continued interest in our annual show.

The awards were as follows:

Judges Choice---Rich Young (The Dancer), 1^st runner-up Rich Young (Hound Dog), 2^nd runner-up Roger Benedict (Country relief)

People's Choice---Gary Cichy (White Sturgeon)

4" Sphere Challenge---1^st Don Stansfield, 2^nd Gale Terrell, 3^rd Carl Hicks

Advanced Realistic Animals---1^st Mike Trezek, 2^nd Rich Young, 3^rd Harold Olds

Advanced Water (fish etc)---1^st Gary Cichy, 2^nd Gary Cichy, 3^rd Clarence Thurber

Advanced Realistic Winged---1^st Ray Priegnitz, 2^nd Bob LeMaster, 3^rd Bob Mathews

Advanced Realistic Waterfowl & Shore Birds---1^st John Veccho, 2^nd John Vecchio, 3^rd Bob Matthews

Advanced Realistic Human Forms---1^st Rich Young, 2^nd Rich Young, 3^rd Rich Young

Advanced Santas----1^st Ed Pribyl

Advanced Mythical---1^st Bob LeMaster, 2^nd Ed Pribyl, 3^rd Harold Olds

Advanced Caricatures---1^st Rich Young, 2^nd Rich Young, 3^rd Rich Young

Advanced Reliefs---1^st Roger Benedict, 2^nd Roger Benedict, 3^rd Harold Olds

Advanced Bark Carving---1^st Bob Matthews

Advanced Chip Carving---1^st Horst Hart, 2^nd Horst Hart, 3^rd, Horst Hart

Advanced Canes & Walking---1^st Jim Griparis, 2^nd Jim Griparis, 3^rd Carl Hicks

Advanced Stylized---1^st Rich Young, 2^nd Marshall Field, 3^rd Harold Olds

Advanced Miscellaneous---1^st Rich Young, 2^nd Rich Young, 3^rd Bob LeMaster

Intermediate Realistic Winged---1^st Jerry Macomber, 2^nd Jerry Macomber

Intermediate Bark Carving---1^st Larry Westmorland, 2^nd Larry Westmorland

Intermediate Chip Carving---1^st Michael Esser, 2^nd Steve Esser

Intermediate Miscellaneous---1^st Richard Andersen, 2^nd Richard Andersen

Novice In The Round---1^st Jane Pheiffer

Novice Relief---1^st Jeffrey Hartman

Youth In The Round---1^st Dawson Thurber

Jeff Lightcap, family member of the old Rockford Standard Furniture store, will be our guest speaker on his method of making decorative wooden boxes. For 35 years this hobby has consumed his leisure time. His other wood making interests are making furniture and turning wooden bowls. Obviously we will learn a lot from a person totally engrossed with wooden items.

Please plan to attend for a very interesting evening on October 16^th, business meeting night at 7:00 pm.

ANNUAL PICNIC-----September 11^th

A good turnout led to good food and fun to get together. What is it about a picnic that brings the best out of us? Anyhow for those attending, it sure was worth it.

Beginning January 1^st the membership dues will be $20.00, from an early warning they are due the end of January 2008.