Blackhawk Carving Club
Rockford, Illinois 61109
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The Blackhawk Woodcarver

Volume XXV, Issue 10      October 2020

Blackhawk Carving Club

We will not meet again formally until further notice. We are meeting socially every Wednesday, weather permitting, at Sinnissippi Park Shelters 1 & 2 at 10:00 am.

 

Presidents Report  October 2020

Our club continues to function even though we are hampered by the corona virus. We have not been able to meet as a large group indoors and in person. Our newsletter along with emails and other forms of communication continue to tie us together; and they provide necessary information and some social communication. During the summer we did start to meet in Sinnissippi Park for joint carving sessions. These sessions have served to allow up to about a dozen members to gather for carving and socialization. I believe the outdoor sessions were considerably safer versions than any indoor sessions. The fresh air should have also provided greater health benefits. I wish we would have attempted this earlier. I am not attempting to sell any of our members on attending these as we all have different levels of valid concern. On the other hand, I have been very happy with this attempt to provide some sort of club gathering for carving; and the respect and compliance that the attending members displayed. No club business decisions were made at any of these outdoor sessions. Your club has neither taken in nor spent any club money through the summer and “remains solvent”. I now wish to cover some items of  club interest.

2021 Election of Club Officers: First your Executive Committee confirmed that our club will hold our annual elections; then we established a process to conduct this election without holding a normal in person meeting.  As we notified all members in mid September, a Nomination Committee was identified as well as an Election Committee. Actually, the same three members (Roger Benedict, Martha Fitch, and Chuck Drewes) make up both committees. Roger Benedict is chairman of the Nomination Committee; and Chuck Drewes is the Election Judge and chairman of the Election Committee. The goal is to establish the nominees for the 2021 club officers by the end of October; and to hold the election during the month of November. Results to be announced in December.

 santa music   snowman   santa puppy

Carved Christmas Ornaments: This season I propose that any members interested join me in carving Christmas Ornaments that we can donate to Peterson Meadows and any other organizations desired. In past years I believe Don Stansfield has initiated a Christmas ornament challenge. The results of which were encouraged to be displayed at our annual Christmas gathering and party. In this spirit we can carve and decorate ornaments with the possibility of donating some to Peterson Meadows, or organizations of special or personal interest, and/or to family and friends. In the past Don provided blanks with a goal. It is possible that a member or two may step in and provide patterns, inspirations, and even possible blanks. In any case, members are encouraged to participate to the extent of their interest and inspiration. Past years designs can be used and modified.

Club By-Laws: As I have previously stated, our club By-Laws are out of date and in need of revision. Our attempts late last year and into the first of this year were interrupted without resolution. I have left this issued tabled due to the impacts of the corona virus. If work on this issue is not resurrected this year, it should be next year. I believe resolution is in the best interests of the club.

Future: I believe the original and primary purpose for the founding of the club was to establish an organization of area people interested in woodcarving as a hobby. I believe that continues to be the primary purpose. The desire of club members is to gather periodically to share their interest in woodcarving. I believe this continues to primary interest of the club members. Meeting in person is the most desirable form for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and experience. I believe this will continue to be the preferred condition. However, as we are currently experiencing, in person gatherings are considered trouble-prone, especially indoors. Personally, I do not see the belief in safe indoor gatherings no occurring until next summer. The forming on new friendships are also a results of social organizations as in our club. These social friendships are also important to our personal health. We hope that each of you utilize the contact information that Chuck Drewes periodically circulates to maintain contact with our fellow members. We will continue to consider approaches to identify approaches to accomplishing the interaction of our club members and maximize the possibility of inclusion of all members.

Personally, I have found more time to devote to carving. Warm weather outdoor carving has worked well for me and has been pleasant. My phone and internet continue to work but in some ways I stay so busy I often use them even less.

I hope all of you are remaining healthy and upbeat. Look for the silver lining. Consider walks and even climbing steps as your gym. Eat healthy. Look to carving, music, reading, and personal relationships to enhance your stress management and mental health!

Tyrone Johnsen

 

Blackhawk Carving Club Minutes September 2020

A meeting was not held, therefore no minutes.

 

Passed Treasured Carvings

When we return to monthly meetings, members are encouraged to bring in SHOW and TELL items along with carvings that are tucked away from the past.  Even though you might be tired of looking at them, they may be teaching tools for others. Dust them off, bring them in, or send a picture for the next newsletter.

November Birthdays (that we Know of)

  6  Bernie Budzynski

 

Facebook

Like us on Facebook “Blackhawk Woodcarvers”.  Many pictures and information.

 

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.

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

Passed Treasured Carvings

At our monthly meetings members are encouraged to bring in SHOW and TELL items along with carvings that are tucked away from the past.  Even though you might be tired of looking at them, they may be teaching tools for others. Dust them off, bring them in!

 

Club Officers    (815 aera code)

Present            Tyrone Johnsen  397-9274
Vice Present
    Richard Dumphy   633-9003
Treasurer         Larry Stenzel   389-4714
Secretary         Steve Terrill   708-0471

 

Committees       (815 aera code)

Programs, Richard Dunphey, 633-9003
Webmaster & Newsletter Editor Gordy Moscinski  874-7978
Membership  Chuck  Drewes   985-8575
Photographer  Steve Terrill
Picnic   Tony Devita

Thank You

A big thank you to all who contributed pictures and commentary for this newsletter. 
Great job!

Keep sending your pictures by the November 4 deadline.

Happy Milestone Birthday Tony DeVita—one of our founding members

tony

 tony

   tony

tony

tony

tony

brother

 A look behind closed doors

cardinal

Female Cardinal.

Bob Matthews

 egg

Tyrone Johnsen—work in progress

 bass

3 Intarsia projects I have finished.        

1.) Striped Bass  14 Pieces

eagle

 2.) Large Eagle   50 Pieces

eagle

 3.) Small Eagle   43 Pieces

I'm working on a Hobo Clown that is 22" x 16" with 73 pieces

They are all from "Judy Gale Roberts Plans"  with some modifications.

 

Hope is all well with you and your families during these trying times.

Bernie Budzynski

 spirit

pumpkin

Bob Coleman—getting in the “spirit”.

 camel

elephant

Here are two wood burnings I did this week.  They’re the first things I’ve burned in a while.  I’ve done a little fish carving, too, but nothing is finished.

Larry Stenzel

 santas

I’ve included a picture of 30 Santas that I was inspired to carve after Tony brought his picture book (of the Santas he’d carved over the years to a club meeting.)  -These will be for relatives and friends at Christmas.  The original one I carved in Gordy’s class stays at home.

Richard Dunphey

 barn swallow

A barn swallow

hedgehogs

Carved these hedgehogs for the neighborhood kids.

Gordy Moscinski

pumpkin

Happy Halloween

 

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