Richard Andersen is checking on our show caterer, because there is belief of a scheduling mix up. Hopefully this will be resolved. Reported by Don Stansfield that the show registrations are slow in coming; and encouraged members to sign-up.

Upon becoming a carver a new obsession sets in that is about becoming a collector of things. First of all it is about wood that most of us have tons of and perhaps never gets used. But the real hoarding is about carving tools and miscellaneous things of every sort we tend to believe is needed for carving. Now if you are a non-believer about collecting, look around your shop and take a look at your assortment of tools. Yep, I bet you have nearly all the tools that could be advertised or sold. Included would be old dental tools, burnishers, sandpapers, needle files, power tools, dust collectors, or who knows what. Sharpening devices of many kinds would also be included. Congratulations if you fall into this obsession, because you are one of many carvers who think alike. So, if you want to take inventory and have a "talk and tell" session about your stuff, let us know and this would become an agenda for one of the future meetings in the New Year.

August 21st---Bruce Archer will present his carvings included in his picture framing business.

September 11^th---Annual Picnic at Sinissippi Park for Family and friends.

September 18^th---Salem will present a variety of fine-design large carvings that are from trees of the Rockford area.

October 16^th---Jeff Lightcamp will present his fine design woodworking of wall boxes and furniture.

November 20^th---Robert Kerwin will present his unique designs of boxes having many secrets.

December 28^th---Swap night and Christmas Party

September 9^th---Capital Area Carvers of Wisconsin 19^th annual carving show & sale at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Monona, WI. Contact Bob Newbegin (608) 334-1490

Rock River Valley Carvers 2^nd annual show at Craig Center Rock County Fairgrounds Janesville, WI. Contact Jim Trumpy (608) 752-8139

September 18 through 21----Gathering of Carvers (GOW) at Somonauk, IL Registration for classes is now open, contact Bob Mau. Have 16 instructors, over 35 seminars, hosts are Joe and Sharon Dillett

September 29^th---Badger State carvers Fall Show at Mount Mary College 2900 N. Menomonee River Parkway Milwaukee, WI.

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

Bruce Archer, a Rockford native, will present a program about his carving hobby combined with his picture framing business. He has been in the picture framing business for the past five years. He does most of his work with power carving and then completes the carving with chisels. He has been retailing all his life including the old Union Hall store on East State Street. His framed carvings are shown in regional art shows. Please plan to attend for a very interesting evening on August 21^st, business meeting night at 7:00 pm.

This year's show was another good event in our long list of accomplishments. The annual show has many tangibles besides showing works of carving art. Meeting old carving friends is just one of the pleasures of the show. Working together over the months to make it happen with the day of set-up and registration provides a darn good feeling. Of course witnessing the turnout from Rockford folks to see everyone's displays and competition awards 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.

It is time to plan for those "dishes to pass around" and "beverages to drink." Believe it, a year has passed and here it is another annual picnic! The older we get the faster these good things come around. This year's picnic is at our familiar place in Sinissippi Park in the hill top shelter house near the golf course. Time to gather is any time after 4:00 pm and time to eat is 5:30 pm. Grill fires and beverages will be provided. Bring a dish to pass and your meat to grill. And bring relatives and friends!

Let's be thinking about a car pool program to assist a friend who can not make it to a meeting due to a physical problem, such as night driving. For those needing assistance call a club member and get a ride. For those who are aware of those in need, assert yourself and call them to give them assistance to the meeting or Wednesday morning carving days. In fact everyone should be thinking about car pooling for Green Space thinking.

Hats off to a bunch of our members who donated a whole day to teach soap carving to Cub Scouts. It was a bright summer day at Alpine Park where Tony DeVita, Marshall Field, Tod, Wisner, Elaine & Gale Terrell, and John Wacker gave lessons to create art from a bar of soap. This was a Cub Scout Day Camp that had over 60 Cub Scouts who ventured into several different activities of which one was soap carving. Reports were about the enthusiasm and brightness of these young boys that made it very worthwhile. Our volunteers could not say enough good things about these kids. Good job everyone!

The Blackhawk Woodcarvers was founded in 1993 and has a goal of preserving and encouraging the art of woodcarving. Membership is open to anyone having any skill level of carving, including those who have never carved and want to learn about carving.