Don Stansfield---- An aspen walking stick of great character with heads of bears, flowers, swirls, vines, vertical columns, and a compass on the top end. He says that to determine the front of a walking stick that allows the main features to be seen while stacked in a room corner, you take the selected tree branch and while it is steady on the ground let it lay freely in your hand at a small angle. The branch will automatically be positioned to show the front side. Sounds like "good info."

John Wacker----Showed two works in process figurines that were requested from his spouse, Laina. They will be Christmas presents friends in Germany.

Judy Suit----Two painted Santa ornaments. She was seeking advice about a sealer over the water paints. Good looking Santas.

Looking over the comments from the show evaluation there is a definite interest and positive marks about the show and facility. And there were constructive comments to consider for next year. As we predicted the floor plan would need some fine-tuning for next year; need more definite aisles. A very good suggestion was to provide name tags for everyone. Comments were complimentary about having better judging this year. The question to change the show to two days did not receive support from the evaluation sheets: yes's 9, no's 13. Thus the idea is killed. The only bugger to deal with is satisfying folks about the separate rooms for displays and judging. So far the crystal ball does not foresee a good solution. Perhaps out there in "Mars Land" a solution is ready to be plucked. Any ideas?

Finally, for all the participants from out of town and out of state here is a big THANK YOU, and hope to see all of you next year.

Keep you tools sharp

Roger Benedict

September 19^th----Guest Speaker Roger Benedict about reliefs; a hands on activity, bring your tools to carve a leaf.

September 23^rd----All day carving class by Don Stansfield on flat plane carving of a nativity scene

October 17^th----Guest Speaker Lew Riley about sketching what you see; a hands on activity of sketching.

November 21^st---- Guest speaker Bob Matthews on painting your carving; bring paints and brushes.

December 19^th----Christmas party and swap night.

Mark your calendars for next January when we will begin the planning for the 2007 show.

Roger Benedict will lead the meeting though a carving session of a leaf in relief forms. Bring your gouges and chisels (knives will be not be used), carving glove, and bench backstop in you have one. Carving wood will be supplied. Roger's work is primarily with relief carvings because he enjoys framed art and therefore finds carved reliefs the closest to a framed sketch or painting. Also from his Euorpean travels he became interested from observing the many wall stone and bronzed reliefs in churches and buildings that were created in the middle ages. His work does not generally follow the book tradition for relief carving, but hopefully you will find some interesting ways to achieve a simple relief carving that may lead to future new work for you.

IT IS PICNIC TIME The shelter house is reserved at Sinissippi Park for our annual picnic. The time and date is 4:00 pm till dark on Tuesday, September 12^th. Spouses and friends are encouraged and welcomed. Bring a dish to pass and your favorite meat to grill. Soda pop will be furnished. Begin eating at 5:30 pm. How about someone volunteering with a carving idea to whittle way the time while the food is cooking? Anything from Mars will be graciously accepted.

A basswood carving class is scheduled for Saturday, September 23, 2006 at Kenrock Community Center. Don Stansfield will conduct the class from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm covering the subject of Flat Plane Carving of a Nativity Scene. The nativity will consist of Mary, Joseph, Jesus in a crib, a star, and a base. Maximum class size is 20. Cost is $25 per person that includes the basswood. Make checks payable to Blackhawk Woodcarvers and submit your name and check before the 23rd to: Don Stansfield

Can you remember the last time you met and talked to WWII veteran? Well allow me to introduce a Navy WAVES who was in the service for 2-1/2 years, Jane Pheiffer. After a delightful conversation with her there was no surprise that she would volunteer during the war at a Navy recruiting office. The handsome Sailor and WAVES window posters convinced her to sign up. During those days in the 40's she left teaching and then could not find any decent paying job; thus the Navy came along. Jane could only top this Navy stint by many years later. Once she was an airplane pilot, and today at 84 years old she decided to begin carving. How lucky we are for her to discover the Gordon Moscinski carving class, and later by following her bliss she is a busy wood carver every Wednesday morning.

Jane is from Peoria, IL and has lived in Rockford for 44 years. Has college degrees form University of Illinois, and University of Chicago. She has done it all by raising two children, now with six grandchildren, a homemaker, teacher in various parts of IL including Rockford and state of Michigan, vice president of human resources of a bank, and experienced a bushel of hobbies. She loves classical music, knitting & crocheting, quilting, and bell ringing. And on top of all this she is active in her church. Jane also has traveled over the years to places as China, Australia, Africa, Israel, and parts of Europe. Wouldn't it be something to hear her stories?

She says, "I am delighted to be part of the Blackhawk Woodcarvers. Never have I been with a more helpful, happy, and friendly bunch. Thanks to you, I am learning new things and having more fun at least once a week. God Bless." I know that very little prompting is needed, but please welcome Jane to the Woodcarvers.

Sandy Schmitt is in Saint Anne's on North Alpine. He enjoys your visits and cards. The pleasant surprise of the week is when Sandy came one day to the weekly breakfast; his Son Todd wheeled him in like nothing has ever happened. Good Luck, Sandy.

Congratulations to Dolores Cascio for winning first and second awards for her water color paintings at the Boone County Fair in Belevidere, IL

Please forward any club or member information to the editor. Also if so inclined, submit any letter of 200 words or less for the newsletter. These would be due the last week of every month.

September 10----Madison, WI, Capital Carvers of WI 18^th annual show at Olbrich Botanical Gardens.

September 16^th-----Rock River Valley Carvers Show & Competition at Rock Co. Fair Grounds, Craig Center 1301 Craig Ave, Janesville, WI. 10 am to 4 pm. Ruth McNally (608) 752-0930

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