CHRISTMAS PARTY BREAKFAST took place on Wednesday, December 16^th at our usual meeting place- ( the KenRock Center) Scheduled for 9:00 A.M., a majority of the attendees were in the rather chilly hall closer to 8:30. As usual, Bernie Budzynski and his crew did a magnificent job. There was more than enough food, in fact, there were more than 30 'doggy bags'.

The CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST PARTY was a full breakfast - catered by Bernie, his wife Barb, Helen Lundquist, Dona Wisner, and others.  Just like last year, we had a variety of fruits, delectable scrambled egg & sausage casseroles; just right sliced ham, juices, coffee, rolls, breads, and this year we even had pies, cookies and cakes!  I counted 72 in attendance - but with all those people getting up to talk, get more food and coffee,  I could be off by more than of five or six .. Those in attendance were almost equally split between men and women- perhaps a few more men.

As is our tradition, there was an opportunity to sell or barter some of your excess "stuff' which included wood, bark, tools and carving things. Buy, sell, trade, or give away, whatever, as long as it was gone from the original owner. This year, it took a new direction called "Blanket swap." Gordy Moscinski conducted it.  Speaking of Gordy, he announced that our web site is now complete including a history of the club - just click on the history button.

SLATE OF OFFICERS FOR 2010 he Nominating Committee presented the following nominees for 2010: Gary Lundquist for President; John Skaggs for Vice President; Jack Basford for Secretary, and Bob Hallstrom for Treasurer.  By roll call vote all were duly elected! The following Committee people will serve us thru 2010: Ozzie Webb has stepped forward to be the Newsletter Editor (you can contact him at 1.-815-964-4739 to add news items, or complain about the content of the bulletin.); Lisa Hanus & Tod Wisner will continue for the Directory; Bernie Budzynski as Librarian; Dona Wisner, Membership Chair; Larry Clark, photographer; Rich Andersen, Ozzie Webb, John Skaggs, & Bob Hallstrom as the Program Committee; Don Stansfield & Bob Hallstrom as Show CO-Chairmen; and Gordy Moscinski as Webmaster.

Thanks to the Nominating Committee of Elaine Terrell, Roger Benedict, and Dona Wisner for all their work. There were no further nominations from the floor.

FREE WOOD -- BLACK WALNUT, CHERRY, and LOCUST. See want add section of this news letter.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE CLUB HISTORY BOOK? As mentioned above, our club history is now available. This was compiled by Elaine Terrell who gathered every scrap of information she could find, and put into an orderly fashion. It is really impressive! You should find the time-there's always time available for what you choose to do (www.blackhawkcarving.com) Gordy Moscinski, our intrepid Webmaster.

As a well earned thank you for our outgoing president, he received a kind of brown lounging suit with his moto "eat, sleep, carve" on both the pants and the sweater. The color was brown, and not his usual yellow. green or red

Did you know? A single violin is made of seventy separate pieces of wood.

FOR CLARIFICATION: DURING IN CLIMATE! WEATHER, CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL TV STATION -

IF THE SACRED HEART SCHOOL IS CLOSED, THERE WILL BE NO CARVING.

(However, the school will be closed during the next two weeks, and THERE WILL BE CARVING!

I mentioned more than once that our annual Christmas breakfast was 'free'.

She announced that after paying for the 'goodies' she had approximately $8.00 "seed money" as a start for next year. My only comment -besides thanks- is drink more coffee!

(The following is a repeat from our last news letter; but the news letter editor feels it is worth repeating.

SPECIAL NEWS FROM LARRY YUDIS at The Woodcraft Store, Bettendorf, IA -

After a 43-year run in the Quad City area (Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa), the International Woodcarvers Congress, sponsored by the Affiliated Wood Carvers, Ltd. (AWC), is moving north to Maquoketa, Ia. It is a small community about 42 miles directly north of the Quad Cities on Hwy 61.

The show and seminars will be held in Pearson Hall on the Jackson County Fairgrounds, 1212 E. Quarry Street. More information about Maquoketa and the Congress move will be available shortly on our website ( www.awcltd.org ) and in future newsletters, which go out to AWC members.

Another big change for the Congress is the dates the show will be held. From 2010 on, we will be holding the Congress a week earlier than we have in the past. Here is a rundown of the festivities and dates:

June 12 & 13: Accepting carry-in carvings for competition.
June 14 & 15: Closed judging of competition pieces.
June 14 & 18: Various 1, 2, 3 and 5 Day seminars being held.
June 17 & 20: Show will be open to the public (Charge at the door).
June 19 & 20: Judges Critique Sessions.
June 19: Annual Awards Banquet.
June 20: Annual AWC Membership Meeting.
June 20: Release of competition pieces at 4:00 PM.

If you would like to be a part of this historical move for the Congress, you can become a member of AWC for $15.00 a year ($20 US for foreign members). Just send a check or money order to the PO Box below, made out to AWC Ltd. You don't have to be a member to come see the show, but you do have to be a member of A WC to take any of the seminars offered. If you have any questions about the Congress or A WC, please feel free to give us a call or drop us a line.

Carol and Larry Yudis, Show Chairs,

International Woodcarvers Congress, Affiliated Wood Carvers, Ltd., PO Box 104,
Bettendorf, IA. 52722, 563-505-2700 (Carol's cell), 563-676-8264 (Larry's cell), www.awcltd.com

BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES

Wednesday, December 16, 2009.  A lot of the club goings on have been covered in other portions of this newsletter; however, here goes:

Secretary's Report: The minutes of the November were NOT read, but approved anyway. (That just shows how much we trust our outgoing Secretary's words of wisdom.) It's Christmas time, and the members attending seemed to be filled with the Spirit Of Christmas!

Treasurers Report: Our club is financially solvent, and the report was approved as read. (If you want to know the details, come to the meetings. Our newsletter is sent to people who are not in our club.

Coffee Cash Report: See above.

Membership Report: Dona Wisner reported that we now have 99 members. With our usual attendance at our meetings, we are averaging close to 600/0 present!

Newsletter Report: My first attempt, and all favorable comments will be appreciated - all others should be submitted in duplicate via our usual channels.- Ozzie Webb.

Library Report: None presented because time consumed with our Christmas Breakfast.

Web Master Report: See other areas of his newsletter.

With the holidays upon us, the following is submitted to assist those who over indulge (by that I mean consume too much food)

HOW TO LIE TO THE BATHROOM SCALE:

1. Weigh yourself with clothes on, after dinner as well as in the morning, without clothes, before breakfast, because it's nice to see how much weight you've lost overnight.
2. NEVER weigh yourself with wet hair.
3. When weighing, remove everything, including glasses. In this case your blurred vision is an asset. Don't forget your earrings - those things can weigh at least a pound!
4. Use cheap scales only, never the medical kind, they're always five (5) pounds off ... to your advantage.
5. Always go to the bathroom first.
6. Stand on the scale with arms raised, which makes the downwards pressure on the scale less.
7. Don't eat or drink in the morning until AFTER weighing in - completely naked of course.
8. Always weigh yourself after a haircut, this is good for at least a half pound of hair. (Hopefully!)
9. Always exhale with all your might BEFORE stepping on the scale (air has to weigh something, right?)
10. Start out with just one foot on the scale, then holding onto the towel rack in front of you, slowly edge your other foot onto the scale, and (optional) release the towel rack - this should be good for a least three pounds.

None to speak of.

Bob Hallstrom reported that the response received from the various 'hospital- kids projects - are receiving little or no response from the hospitals themselves. He stated that he only hears from one of the three hospitals - we choose not to list the one because ...

SHOW AND TELL

Though the newsletter editor can't remember all who showed, a few are mentioned:

1. Roger Benedict displayed two of his deep relief works of Door County Barns. One had his first attempt at adding color both were excellent and very detailed.

2. Bob Matthews displayed his procedure of carving life-like Mallard Ducks - a drake - the completed one looked so real, I didn't want to touch it because I didn't want to wake it.

3. Bob Capion displayed his most recently finished bark carving of a country church - with included accent lights made by John Winter.

4. John Winter brought an illuminated cane, and said that he wanted it auctioned off with the proceeds going to the club. I never heard the outcome; I guess I was too busy feeding my face.

5. Gordy Moscinski showed a woodburning of his two grandchildren.  It looked just like them.

That's all I could remember. I promise to do better in the future.

CLUB ACTIVITY SCHEDULE: 2010

January 20th - Quarterly carving project. February 17 -?
March 17 (St. Patty's day everyone wear green)
April 21 - Quarterly carving project May 19-?
June 16 (Club picnic is usually scheduled for sometime in June - not scheduled as yet.
August 18 - business meeting
August ?? Club competition, show, and sale.
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.

AUTO SHOPPING

A woman whose fondness for the good life had taken its toll in added pounds and girth- was being shown a Jeep at an auto dealership.

When the salesman’ s pitch had run its course, he sought to close the deal with the usual line; "Now what would it take to get you into one of these?"

Looking at the Jeep s high Front seat, the woman replied, "Probably a ladder and a crowbar'

Feb 6-7-CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA: Cedar Valley Woodcarvers' show and competition. Longbranch Hotel and Convention Center, 90 Twixtown Road, NE. Free admission, Saturday 9-5; Sunday 10-4. Maurie Vandeville (319) 377-6520

CARVING CLASSES:

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.

SOMETIME AFTER JANUARY 1, 2010 Bob Matthews will start a class on bird carving. We will use the male gold finch (wild canary) as our subject. The class will start with the basic carving of the bird, and go on to include burning in feather details, painting, and making a suitable mounting for our finch. The photo in November Newsletter showed Bob with a sample of what we will be doing.

Ozzie Webb will demonstrate how to use Dremel tools sometime soon.

January, Bettendorf, lA, Rick Harney will teach deep relief carving of All-American football player Jim Thorpe. From a 26" x 10" plank. $235, includes rough out. The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, 52722. 1-800-397-2278. Call about motel discounts.

January 8 - 11, Bettendorf, IA. Bob Guge will; show how to carve a 2/3 size Kestrel (Sparrow Hawk). The woodcraft Shop, 2734 State St. Call 1-800-397-2278. (Ask about hotel discounts)

Jan. 15-18. Bob Guge, Sea Turtle in Habitat (or a fish of your choice) Same data as above.

February, Bettendorf, lA, Rick Harney will teach deep relief carving of All-American football player Jim Thorpe. From a 26" x 10" plank. $235, includes rough out. The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, 52722. 1-800-397-2278. Call about motel discounts.

Feb 16-18 SAME PLACE!, Helli Mayr, Mutters Austria. Bust of Old Lady, same data

Feb 24-26 Same place, same data, Harley Refsal, Scandinavian Flat Plane carving.

Feb 26-28 Same data

March, Bettendorf, lA, Rick Harney will teach deep relief carving of All-American football player Jim Thorpe. From a 26" x 10" plank. $235, includes rough out. The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, 52722. 1-800-397-2278. Call motel discounts.

April, Bettendorf, lA, Rick Harney will teach deep relief carving of All-American football player Jim Thorpe. From a 26" x 10" plank. $235, includes rough out. The Woodcraft Shop, 2724 State Street, 52722. 1-800-397-2278. Call motel discounts.

June 12 - 20, 2010, Maquokets, lA, The annual ,International Woodcarvers Congress. See above news from Larry Yudis at The Woodcraft Shop listing times and dates. Details on what classes will be taught and by whom will be included in our Newsletters as the details come in.

We will be conducting a Soap Carving Class with Scouts at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, January 14, 2010, in Cherry Valley. We still need a couple of more volunteers to help out on this project.

Bob Matthews reported that his wrist support was being removed on the afternoon of Dec 16 ..

Franklin Johnson is finally back to health - but not driving as yet.

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

FEBRUARY 6-7, 2010, CEDAR RAPIDS, lA, the Cedar Valley Woodcarvers present "The Art of Woodcarving" show at the Longbranch Convention Center, 90 Twixt Town Road, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Admission free, hours Sat AM - 8PM, Sun 10AM - 4PM. Don Lund, Maurie Vandewalle 319-377-6520.

JUNE 12 - 20, 2010, MAQUOKETA, lA, The annual International Woodcarvers Congress. See above news from Larry Yudis at The Woodcraft Shop listing times and dates. This is the premier woodcarving.

WANT ADS-

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.

BLACK WALNUT LOGS - 16" x 36" ( SOME A LITILE LARGER) call Herb Page 1-815-979-3862. All Free!!!

LOCUST LOGS - up to 24" diameter.
All about 18" long. ALL FREE! See or call Tod Wisner. 1-815-519-5884

CHERRY LOGS - up to 10" diameter, all about 18" long. ALL FREE! See or call Tod Wisner, 1-8150-519-5884

LINDA MENSCHING
has a few Christmas Bark blanks. Call her if you are interested. 1-815-784-3318

CIRCULATION STATEMENT:

This issue of the Blackhawk Woodcarver is mailed to 76 members, 21 Associate members, 11 Friends of Blackhawk, and 12 other carving clubs. Total circulation = 119. We send our Newsletter USPO, First Class, for most benefit to all.