The 2009 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY should be ready for distribution at the next business meeting, October 21.  This is 8.5" x 11".  It has a plastic comb binding so it is easy to open and lay flat.  It has the name and phone number of every member we had on the records when the book went to press.  It also has pictures of most of the Members.  Forty-one members have signed up to reserve copies.  If you have not yet reserved a copy, you may do so by contacting Tod Wisner at his home, 399-3169.  The price is $2.00 a copy, COD.  The first printing will be for the original 41.  We will then run one more printing for folks who missed the first one.  That’s all for this year.  The next edition will be priced at $3, because we under-estimated costs this time.

     THANK YOU, JOHN WINTER, for suggesting we could save money by distributing the Newsletter at a Wednesday morning session.  While just leaving out a pile on a table doesn’t  serve the Club’s communication needs very well, it’s OK when we put copies in envelopes with people’s names on them.  We saved almost $15 last month.  And, folks seemed to like getting their own copy delivered personally!

     NANCY PETERS WENT to the First Annual Indiana Woodcarvers’ Summer Camp over in Bremen, Indiana, about 10 miles south of. South Bend.  She says it was really great fun.  Talk to her and get some details.  You may want to go there next year yourself.  Nancy also goes, almost every year, to the Gathering of Woodcarvers over in the Sandwich, Illinois, Fairgrounds.  She’s pretty enthusiastic about this one, too.

    SPEAKING OF CARVING GATHERINGS - Did you get a chance to visit the Rock River Valley Carvers show in Janesville, WI, on September 12? . . . or the Valley Carvers 21^st annual show at Starved Rock State park on September 27?  How do you think our Show stacks up compared to those two?  Frank Lay reports running into Blackhawk Woodcarvers at the Janesville show “almost every time he turned around.”  Don’t forget the Capitol Area Carvers’ show later in October at Olbrich Gardens, Madison, WI.  They usually combine their carving show with the Turning Club, and that makes for an interesting show.  Easy drive, too.

     DAVE MEYERS REPORTS that The Woodcraft Shop in Bettendorf is out of printed catalogs right now.  They will be reprinting soon, but in the meantime, you have two options.  One, either use their On-Line catalog.  Everything in their whole line is on their web site at www.thewoodcraftshop.com.  Or, Two, call them at 1-800-397-2278, and ask for their FREE catalog CD.

     DON CHRISTENSON is a gemologist as well as an accomplished woodcarver.  You will see his work if you visit the Gem & Mineral Show at the North Suburban Women’s Club, Saturday, October 3.  6320 North Second Street, Loves Park, Illinois.  You can probably find the times in the GO SECTION of the Rockford newspaper.

     HER GLOVE was on the table when she cut her finger.  I won’t mention any name, because it might embarrass my wife.

     BERNIE BUDZYNSKI BROUGHT IN printed information sheets on the Florida Winter National Wood Art Expo & Competition.  (The Show was previously called “Florida Woodcarving Expo.”)  This will be Friday & Saturday, January 23 & 24, 2010, in the Harborside Events Center, downtown Ft. Meyers, Florida.  Bernie went there last year, and he says it is absolutely fabulous!  It has been expanded even further for this year.

     The competition has four levels: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, & Master.  All together, they are awarding $1,700 in prize money.  Judges are Desiree Hajney, Bob Guge, Josh Guge, and Eldon Humphreys.  Bernie says, “If you are in the area of Ft. Meyers toward the end of January next year, it would be well worth your time to see this show.”  There are really special hotel rates available if you plan far ahead enough.  The affair is run by Mr. John Franz, 239-768-6570-, johnfranz@comcast.net.

Signs of the times - on a radiator repair garage - “Best place to take a leak!”

BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Gary Lundquist, Secretary

    Secretary’s Report - Minutes of the August meeting were read, and approved as read.

    Treasurer’s Report -Report read by Treasurer Pro Tem Bob Hallstrom.

    Membership Report - Dona Wisner reported six new members: Nordine Bolstad, Gerald Haney, Walter Himmelsbach, Herman Hollingsworth, Herb Page, and Robert Stockley.

    Newsletter Report - Tod Wisner read the report on our Carving Show that was written up in the Madison, Wisconsin, Capitol City Carvers latest Newsletter.  (Reprinted at the end of this Newsletter)

     John Winter suggested  we try a new distribution system to help cut costs on our Newsletter.  If you’re at the Wednesday morning carving session on or about the First of the month, you will get personal delivery of your own copy of the Newsletter.  If you’re not there, then we stamp and mail the rest of the copies to the rest of you the next day.  We tried it for the first time with the September Newsletter.  Many members said they liked it even better this way.  And, we saved $0.42 for each one hand-delivered.

     Now, some folks have suggested that we send out the Newsletter by E-mail.  A valid suggestion.  However, while the Newsletter is published basically as a service to members, it is also very important to the Club as an organizational device.  You see, not only are the Internet users in the minority, not even those that are Internet active always get the message.  When a person gets a piece of paper in their hands, they cannot ignore it.  They have to do something with it.  This guarantees for the Club that EVERY MEMBER gets all the information, and gets it in a timely fashion.  (God, USPS, and your Editor willing.) 

    Club Membership Directory - Time is up.  If you don’t have your picture and/or personal write-up turned in by September 30, we can’t wait for you.  We can publish only what material we have in hand.

    Library Report -  Bernie Budzynski reported we now have 123 books in the Club Library.  He still has some books and maga zines ... some free, a few donated by Norma Boehm need a nominal donation.  New book on Bark Carving, donated by Bob Hallstrom.  Also, Bob reported finding his “lost” VHS tape on sharpening, and he donated it to the Club library.

    Web Master Report - Check the Club web site.  Gordy Moscinski was back in town in time to teach his course Introduction to Woodcarving at CLR.  (Tell your friends that we have TWO members teaching woodcarving at CLR ... Gordy’s Introduction in the Fall semester, and Roger Benedict’s Relief course in the Spring..

Corduroy pillows are making headlines !

     Bob Hallstrom announced sign-up sheets for monogrammed shirts, aprons, and club name tags.

     Don Stansfield announced he had for sale basswood and some power tools which, he claims, mysteriously materialized in his workshop.  (Unbeknownst to his wife, Judy.),

     The Church School from which we rent our carving room, is starting a program of Bingo Parties.  These will be every Saturday night.  Cost is $25 per person.  This sum includes a dinner and all the Bingo cards you can play.  For each player who is a member of the Blackhawk Woodcarvers (and announces that) our Club will get a $7 donation from the Chuch.

     Bernie Budzynski invited anyone interested in woodturning to visit the Woodturning Club meeting that evening, 6:30 PM, at the  Boys & Girls Club.  Bernie is issuing a reciprocal invitation to the Woodturners members to visit Blackhawk Carving Club.

     Don Stansfield passed out the pumpkin/high hat cutouts, and helped us all get started carving them.  These are for the Pins For Kids program.  Easy and fun.  You could almost finsh one completely in the hour or so we had.

     The Redeemer Lutheran Church Womens’ Club woodcarving presentation does not yet have all the volunteer carvers needed., Thursday, November 5,  - - - -

     Halloween is just around the corner, and everyone in the Club is busy carving pumpkin pins for Pins For Kids.  Gifts for any children in a local hospital over Halloween.  Don Stansfield brought in cut-out blanks of a pumpkin caricature with a top hat on.  Each carver at the meeting got two blanks to carve. 

     (We have two people in Van Matre.  Now, you can visit both with one trip, or just send cards.)

    Franklin Johnson was transferred from Van Matre Rehab Hospital to continuing care at Provena Cor Mariae Nursing home for re-hab work.  He has lost some weight, and looks great - ten years younger!, room 23B.  He’s coming along fine, and needs only to get back his strength.  His phone number is 633-6417.

    Lois Johnson, Franklin’s wife, is has been transferred from Van Matre, and is now in Alden Alma Nelson Nursing Home for rehab work.  A current (9/20/09) photo shows her looking good.  Franklin says that she’s doing well, and will probably be out of there before he gets out of Cor Mariae. 

    Karen Matthews, Bob’s wife, had serious back surgery to fuse vertebrae.  Monday after the Show in August.  She went to Van Matre Rehab, but is out now, and back home with Bob.  She will be going in a couple of times each week for re-hab training.  Bob says this will likely have to go on for quite some time.

    Marshall Field, Jr. Had major surgery right after the Show, and has been at every regular Wednesday morning carving session the since then!  Now that is real devotion to carving!

    Lee Thomas’ wife went in for cataract surgery.  Serious complications - - -= She was allergic to the anaesthetic they used, and had to be hospitalized for a couple of days to stabilize her condition.  She’s out now, and recuperating OK..

    Pete Avramopolous (The Potato Shak), honorary member of the Club, was involved in a motorcycle accident.  He had a broken leg and smashed ankle, and his passenger, Jill, was severely injured with multiple problems.  They were both hospitalized.  Pete was released in a few days, but returned for surgery.  Jill is still in the hospital. 

Ignorance can be fixed, but stupid is forever.

Business Meetings & Special Events -

⇨ October 21 - Selection of a Nominating Committee, Quarterly carving project (pumpkin heads)

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

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

⇨ 2010 - January 20 - Quarterly carving project

⇨ February 17 -

⇨ March 17 -

⇨ April 21 - Quarterly carving project

⇨ May 19 -

⇨ June 16-

     June ?? Club Picnic

⇨ July 21 - Quarterly carving project

⇨ August -

⇨ September 15 -

⇨ October 20 - Quarterly carving project, Select Nominating Committee

⇨ November 17 -Announce Club Member of the Year

⇨ December 15 - Christmas Breakfast Party & Swap Meet, Election of Officers

Daffynition -

Skill Saw - a portable tool used to make studs too short.

     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.

October 9-11, Bettendorf, IA, Josh Guge will teach Everything You Wanted To Know About Airbrushing. $205 and bring your own airbrush (or buy one there).  The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, 52722.  Call for details on motel discounts.  1-800-397-2278.

November 20-22, Bettendorf, IA, Vicki & Phil Bishop teach caricature carving.  Phil is a past member of Caricature Carvers of America, and Vicki was just voted in this past year.  Your choice among 40 different rough-outs. $195 plus cost of roughout.    The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, 52722.  Call for details on motel discounts.  1-800-397-2278.

December 4-6, Bettendorf, IA, Rick Harney will teach deep relief carving of All-American football player Jim Thorpe.  From a 26" x 10" plank. $235, includes roughout.    The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, 52722.  Call for details on motel discounts.  1-800-397-2278.

December 11-13, Bettendorf, IA, Rick Jensen will teach carving of a Whimsical Cottonwood Bark House in the round. $225 plus $20 to $25 for materials (I think roughouts).  Call for more info.  The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, 52722.  Call for details on motel discounts.  1-800-397-2278.

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

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.  John Weingandt, W11038 N. Lake Point Dr., Lodi, WI, 53555, 608-592-3556.

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

     Tony Valdez wants to sell two of his shop machines.  Both are Sears’ Craftsman brand and in excellent condition.  One is a combination disc and belt sander which can be used quite nicely for sharpening carving tools.  (Bob Hallstrom has one like this in his shop.)  The other machine is a small lathe.  It is pretty good-sized for a “model maker’s lathe.”  He’s selling the combination sander because he recently bought a new patented tool sharpening system, and doesn’t need this one now.  He’s selling the lathe because he doesn’t do that kind of work any more.  Tony says that prices are negotiable.  See him Wednesday morning at Carving, or call him at 815-633-6587.

     Chuck McClung - has a large variety of different kinds of wood as well as woodworking machinery like lathes and band saws that he wants to sell.  (Someone gave me a note on this, I have no further info.)                                                                                  

CIRCULATION STATEMENT: This issue of the Blackhawk Woodcarver is mailed to 76 members, 22 Associate members, 11 Friends of Blackhawk, 5 prospective members, and 11 to other carving clubs.  Total circulation = 125.  We send our Newsletter USPO, First Class, for most benefit to all.

The following material is reprinted from Capitol Area Carvers September newsletter, CHIPS.

     “ON THE ROAD - Our roving correspondents, Marcia Butler and Patti Landmann, drove down to Rockford for the Blackhawk Carver’s (sic) Show on August 15.  It was held at the Tebala Shrine Center, which sounds like it should look like a mosque, but is actually an ultra-modern multi-useful, spacious new facility with plenty of room for the Blackhawk exhibitors.

     “Marcia says she was distracted by the interesting rug-hooking and knitting projects under production by carving spouses, but she did find time to shop at Fox Carving Supply’s table.

     “Patti ran into Denny Neubauer, of Denny Knives, and her teacher from Slim’s, Greg Eirtz who will be presenting a program for us October 13, and had nice chats with both of them.  She said there were a large number of good carvings in the judged area which she really enjoyed.  The venue has round tables, so there were no aisles; Patti felt that this might have caused her to miss seeing some caevings.  She said she also wished there’d been a wood vendor ther, but was otherwise pleased with the Show.”