Happy Olympics USA!               

Minutes of the regular monthly business meeting of the Blackhawk Woodcarvers The meeting was called to order at 9:06AM by President Steve Terrill.

Minutes for June 20, 2012 read and approved.

Petty cash report by Dona Wisner indicated a positive balance. Report approved.

Membership Chairperson, Dona Wisner, indicated membership has not changed since the last meeting. There are still a total of 111 members: 91 active and 20 associate. The most recent members( Sherman Jones and Diane Johnson) were both present. They  stood to be recognized and are now official members.

Web Master, Gordy Moscinski, had no report. 

Bernie Budzynski, Librarian, addressed the members about 13 missing items from the club library. While he encourages people to use the library; he reminded each of us to please take the time to sign out items with a name and date on the appropriate card. He is in the process of compiling the list of said items and will distribute them at a future meeting. If you recognize an item, you are welcome to keep it for a time, but please complete the appropriate card.

Old Business:

President Steve Terrill acknowledged Ralph Rossignol for his Totem Pole class. Both Steve Terrill and John Skaggs were participants in the two day class held on June 20 and 27. Special thanks were sent out to a very talented carver and teacher.

Steve indicated that there were birthday omissions in the July Newsletter. The following four were also born in July:  Ed Vittell, born on the fifth, Steve Johnson and Bob Coleman, on the 22nd, and Marshall Field Jr. on the 26^th.

Don Stansfield gave a report on the upcoming Blackhawk Woodcarvers 18th Annual Woodcarving Show. There are an ample supply of advertisement cards available for distribution. Please pick up a few to give to your friends. There is still time to volunteer to assist with the show. See Don for the sign-up sheet. Don also has a supply of information packets regarding carving entries, displays, door prizes and contact information.

There will be two types of raffle tickets for sale on the day of the show. One can purchase tickets for a chance at winning small to medium wood carvings or related items or you can purchase a chance at a larger carving; such as, a cane or wood spirit.

Larry and Carol Yurdis, owners of the Woodcraft Shop in Bettendorf, Iowa sent unsolicited donations for this year’s raffle. We all appreciate their graciousness and generosity in sending carving books, riflers and a set of diamond tipped grinder burrs.

Don Stansfield also pointed out that the fee charged by the Tebala Shrine Temple for rental is $300 a day, but in actuality we utilize the facility for set up the day before and are not charged an additional fee. We are given this rate, since Arne Larson, a Blackhawk Carver Member, is also a Shriner. According to Don “ If he drops dead, we will have him stuffed and put in a corner”. Entries for the competitive judging are slowly coming in and a second mailing has been sent to individuals, who live outside the Rockford area and were participants in the carving competition last year.

New Business:

The sharpening system that Roger Benedict purchased on behalf of the club will be ready soon, once decisions are made as to whether it should be boxed, mounted or displayed. The cord still needs to be repaired; Don Stansfield was volunteered for this task. 

Larry Clark was instrumental in creating a Blackhawk Woodcarvers calling card. Steve Terrill has a supply available. The business card indicates that we meet weekly at Sacred Heart Academy in Rockford and welcomes newcomers.

Bob Capion and his wife, Linda , extended an invitation to all of us, Blackhawk Carvers, to celebrate their Fiftieth wedding anniversary with them. The party is Saturday, July 28, from 6pm. to 11pm. at the Eagles Club, 1200 West Galena Ave. in Freeport, Illinois. They requested no gifts, only your friendship and love. Entertainment will be provided by our very own Bob Coleman. Music, snacks and beverages will be on hand for all to enjoy.

Missing Books!

#10 - How to Design & make Wood Reliefs / Robert Skinner
#21 - Neckerchief, Side Pins & Magnets / Robert Reitmeyer
#36 - Chip Carving Technique & Patterns / Wayne Barton
#43 - Western Figures Carving / Harold Enlow
#44 - Knife Carving / Ivan Whillock
#48 - Whimsical Birds / Laura Putnam Dunkle
#60 - Figure Caricatures in Ozark Style / Harlod Enlow
#64 - 1001 Design for Whittling / E T Tangerman
#68 - Traditional Wood Carving / Paul Hasluck
#73 - Scandinavian  Style Carving / Harley Refsal
#79 - Scrap Wood Fun for Kids / Robert Endicott
#123 - Elements of Wood Carving / Chris Pye
#150 - Creative Chip Carving / Frank Mannims

Show and Tell

Bob Coleman carved a large (24in. x 16in.) crescent Moon Man out of driftwood, which he finished in polyurethane. He also carved a Wind Spirit walking stick from a diamond willow branch. The branch had a very distinctive knot and this became the Wind Spirit’s very pronounced nose.

Using Joseph Savarese’s “Carving a Sleepy Owl”, Wood Carving Illustrated Summer 2012 as a guide, Jerome Mais carved two small Wise Owls. The following poem was also displayed on the show and tell table. The wise old owl sat in an oak. The more he saw, the less he spoke. The less he spoke, the more he heard. Why can’t we be like that wise old bird?

Richard Prutz’s carving titled Mother and Child was carved from pine and enhanced with acrylic paint.

Marshall Field,Jr. chip carved a star on a laminated maple cutting board. The recipe box, which had two chip carved stars was carved from soft pine. Both projects were finished with polyurethane.

Carol Behning gave Bunny Nordheim a medium size piece of cottonwood bark, which Bunny put on its side and carved into cliff dwellings. Bunny decided to expand on this idea; did internet research on cliff dwellers (e.g. the Anasazi) and their habitat. Bunny was inspired and carved the 29 1/2  inches representation of cliff dwellings, which she wood burned and finished with Watco.

Wes England procured a potential walking stick; this particular stick had three previous owners, but he was the one that turned it into a carved creation. The top of the stick is basswood and portrays a genuflecting Troll painted with acrylics. The sassafras shaft of the stick was carved in a diamond pattern and embellished with a pine cone display. Tung oil was the finish of choice.

Monroe Wisconsin!

Four Reasons to spend a day in Monroe, WI this summer

1. Chainsaw carvings around the downtown square.  This year’s theme: “Pirates on The Square”

2. See the fabulous multidimensional chip carving hanging in the cafeteria in the new Monroe Hospital.

3. Check out the beautiful bird carvings at Wing’n Pond Gallery in Frame-N-Color just off the square.  (Carvings  priced at just a few hundred bucks to seven and a half grand.)

4. Lunch at Baumgartner’s of Pancho and Lefty’s Outlaw Grill.  Both places are on the square.

Don Stansfield

New Doctor!

 A woman went to the General Practitioner group where she was seen by a young, new doctor.  After about 3 minutes in the examination room, the doctor told her that she was pregnant.  She burst out of the room and ran down the corridor screaming.  An older doctor stopped her and asked her what the problem was; after listening to her story, he calmed her down and sat her in another room. Then the doctor marched down the hallway to the first doctor’s room.  “What the hell’s wrong with you?” he demanded.  “This woman is 63 years old, she has two grown children and several grandchildren, an you told her she was pregnang?!!”  The new doctor continued to write on his clipboard and without looking up said: “Does she still have the hiccups?”

Chinese Proverb:

Man who run in front of car get tired.

Now Here’s a proud grandfather!  Check out the Eagle staff!

CARVING  SHOWS

Shows within 3 to 4 hours one-way drive time of Rockford will be listed as they become known.

August `15-18; Bremen Ind.       

Fourth Annual Indiana Woodcarvers Summer Camp at Pla-Mor Campgrounds, 2162 US 6 East. Contact Marcia Yrineo (574) 204-2856; www.iwcsc.org

August 18:  Rockford, IL

Blackhawk Woodcarvers’ 18th Annual Show/Competition and 2” Cube Carving Challenge at Tebala Shrine Temple.  Contact Don Stansfield, 1508 W Lincoln Blvd., Freeport, IL 61032; (815) 235-0075.

August 24-26; Converse Ind. 

Annual CCA Caricature Carving Seminar.  Web Site: www.cca-carvers.org

September 1-2; Springfield, IL

Sangamon Valley Woodcarvers’ 22nd show at Illinois State Fairgrounds, 11th & Sangamon Ave.; Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4.  Adm. $3. (12 and under free).  Lee or Betty Legg, (217) 546-8792; svwoodcarvers.org

September 15; Janesville WI

Rock River Valley Carvers of Wisconsin hosts its 7th Annual show/sale at Rock County Fairgrounds, Craig Center, 1301 Craig Ave.; 10am-4 pm.  Free Adm.  Contact Jim Trumpy (608) 752-8139;  rockrivervalleycarvers.com

September 30; Utica IL

Valley Carvers’ 24th Annual Show and sale at Starved Rock State Park Main Lodge; 9-5.  Free Adm.  Contact Bob Wills, 190 W. Willow St., Coal City, IL 60416; (815)634-3086.

October 6, 7: Bloomington, IL

12th Annual Sculptures in Wood Show, sale, and contest.  At Shirk Center, Illinois Wesleyan University, 302 E. Emerson St.  Saturday 9-5, Sunday 12-4.  Admission $3; Children with an adult free.  Contact; Mike Hartzler (309) 662-4276; www.cornbeltarving.org

October 20-21; Wheaton, IL

North Suburban Carvers’ annual Artistry in Wood show and sale at DupPage County Fairgrounds, 2015 W. Manchester Rd.; 10 am -4 pm.  Free Parking.  Admission$5, under 16 free.  Judy Kavathas (773) 775-8993; www.northsuburbancarvers.org

October 27-28; Danville IL

Kickapoo Karvers’ 31st Annual show at New Life Banquet Center, 1419 N Bowman Ave.  Jim Van Duyn (217) 497-9859.

More listings are available in Chip Chats!

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit;  Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. 

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars , but check when you say the paint is wet?

About Blackhawk Woodcarvers

CLUB  ACTIVITY  SCHEDULE -

Business Meetings & Special Events -

ð    August 15 -            Business Meeting
ð    August 18              Club Show, Tebala Center
ð    September 19 -    Business Meeting
ð    October 17 -          Business Meeting
ð    November 21 -     Business Meeting
ð    December 19 -    Christmas Party

NEW YEAR -   2013

ð   January 16 - Business Meeting
ð   February 20 - Business Meeting
ð   March 20 - Business Meeting
ð   April 17 - Business Meting
ð   May 15 - Business Meeting
ð   June 19- Business Meeting
ð   July 17 - Business Meeting