The Blackhawk Woodcarver

Volume XXVI, Issue 12     December 2021

Blackhawk Carving Club

We meet every Wednesday at 9:00 am until 12:00 noon at Ken Rock’s new facility at 625 Adams Street, Rockford, IL.  The location is next to and East of Heritage Park on Rural Street.  Travel Rural from North Second St. (going East) or from the 5 point intersection at Rural and Prospect St. (going West). 

Presidents Report  December 2021

Fall is here; and Winter is soon upon us. Holidays also! We have just observed Thanksgiving. I have much to be thankful. I like to use carvings to help add a little humor to my announcements in this column and on our club Facebook page. I want to especially thank fellow member Denny Neubauer for the use of a lot of his very extensive family of caricatures over the past few years. For this Thanksgiving illustration I will use my family. I am gathered with my alter ego Tyr On to give thanks for our many blessings as my friend (and fellow member) Brother Tony give thanks as well as the hope that Tyr On will not become a “Berserker” the next time he goes “Viking”.

Now on to the more serious club business. We will meet every Wednesday morning in December: 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. Note that the last two Wednesdays are the day before Christmas Eve and the day before New Years Eve. We will have a Christmas Party on the 15^th in lieu of the normal monthly Business Meeting. There will not be a Business Meeting in December. The Christmas Party will include food and have our annual display of carvings and a Show & Tell. There should be a separate announcement in this newsletter with details of the Christmas Party. Weekly sessions are scheduled to continue at the same time and same location, the new Ken-Rock building, in January.

In November we meet every Wednesday morning in our new home at Ken-Rock. We held our normal monthly Business Meeting (Minutes should be included in this newsletter) and we initiated voting for our 2022 club officers. The proposed slate of officers have been elected. Denny Neubauer will be the 2022 club president. A separate announcement in this newsletter gives more details.

As Denny will succeed me as president, this is my final President’s Column. I want to thank my fellow elected, appointed, and assumed officers and all of our members for the service and support they have provided to the club over these past four years.

Tyrone Johnsen

 

Blackhawk Carving Club Minutes November 2021

Minutes of the regular monthly business meeting of Blackhawk Woodcarvers; held on, November 17, 2021 at Ken Rock Community Center, 625 Adams Street, Rockford, Illinois 61107.

President Tyrone Johnsen opened the meeting at 9:32 am.   

Secretary, Steve Terrill read the Minutes of the previous meeting October 20, 2021.  The minutes were approved as read. 

Treasurer: Larry Stenzel reported that we continue to be solvent.  He is also collecting payments for dues for the 2022 Year. He has so far collected 23 paid dues.  Tyrone indicated that we have 22 members and one new member in that count of paid members.  Gordy suggested we have 43 members on our rolls.  

Old Business:  Tyrone suggests that we move on to the elections for next year. Member voting will be open till the end of the month.  Tyrone read the slate from Roger and Bob H.; Denny Neubauer for President, With continuing Richard Dunphey as Vice Chair, Larry Stenzel as Treasurer, and Steve Terrill as Secretary. Tyrone called for the vote.  Steve recorded 18 members voting for the slate and none against. 

Gordy reported on the project list suggested at the last meeting.  They will be simple projects.  Each month the newsletter will feature the project(s) for the month with a picture.  Our first project in January will be a simple comfort bird.  We expect about 3 projects per month. You will not need a band saw as cutouts will be provided at a nominal cost.  Some of the first projects will include: Brother Anthony, carving a face study, colored Pencils, small bark houses, comfort fish, small caricatures, snowman, flute, butterflies, relief carving, icicles, wizards, chip carving Christmas ornaments, wood burning, chip carving coaster, Gingko leaves, Participation is optional.

The Christmas Party is scheduled for the third meeting in December in lieu of the business meeting. That would be December 15.  The club will bring in a hot dish.  As of now the plan is that plates, plastic silverware, cups… will all be furnished by the club.  It will be a buffet type meal.  There will be a pot-luck with people bringing in food such as rolls fruit salads, etc.  There will be a charge for the meal possibly $5 a head.  There will be a sign up list for people to make reservations and indicate their dish to pass. This event will be open to spouses.   There will be decorations on the tables and show and tell for the whole year.    

Tyrone asked for a motion to adjourn.  It was moved and seconded and the meeting was adjourned at 9:51.

Respectfully submitted; Steve Terrill, Club Secretary.

 

Dues are due

Just a reminder that dues are due.  If you come to KenRock you can pay Larry Stenzel there or if you are unable to attend but would like to be a member and continue receiving the monthly newsletter, you can mail the dues to Blackhawk Carving Club, P.O. Box 8285 Rockford, IL 61126.

 

Denny Neubauer Elected Club President!

With 62% of the club votes, Denny Neubauer along with three of the current officers have been elected the club officers for 2022. Vice President Dick Dunphey, Secretary Steve Terrill, and Treasurer Larry Stenzel will continue in their offices.

Although the defined election voting process for this year states that voting will continue through 30 November 2021, a clear majority of the total club membership has voted in support of the full slate of candidates.

Voting commenced during the 17 November 2021 Business Meeting which was attended by 19 of 42 members. All 19 members (45%) voted in favor of the full slate. Since that time and as of today, 28 November, we have received votes via telephone from an additional seven members who have all voted in favor of the full slate of candidates.

I wish to thank our Nominating Committee of Roger Benedict and Bob Hallstrom for their part in establishing our 2022 slate. Also, thanks to the four candidates for being willing to serve the club in 2022.

Tyrone Johnsen

 

Annual Club Christmas Party

All Blackhawk Woodcarvers members and their spouses are invited to attend our annual club Christmas Party Wednesday morning, 15 December 2021, in our meeting room at the new Ken-Rock building. The room will be open during our normal meeting time of 9:00 am to noon. The hot food is scheduled to arrive at 9:45 am at which time we will plan to eat. Following eating we will have a traditional Show & Tell of our carvings which we will have on display. The cost is $5.00 per person in advance. This is necessary for planning purposes.

The cost will cover a hot sausage egg bake with an additional smaller vegetarian version for the non-meat eaters; also hot water along with instant coffee, tea, and cocoa; and cups, plates, utensils, and napkins.

Attendees are also asked to bring a “dish” to share. Please include this information on the reservation sign-up sheet to aid others in their plans.

The sign-up sheet is available at each meeting and you can also contact Denny direct at: 815-238-5296 or neubauer.dennis@yahoo.com. We need reservations no later than Wednesday, December 8th, for our planning purposes.

All members are encouraged to bring a few carvings for the display and Show & Tell. Separate tables will be set up for the carving displays.

Please remember that the COVID virus is still a threat and flu season is starting. Please exercise caution in your personal health and exposure to others. Also, Winter is near and snow and slippery conditions will soon exist. Use your best judgment!

We look forward to having you join us for this annual celebration!

Denny & Beckie Neubauer with Tyrone Johnsen

 

Mini Lessons for 2022

We are planning some mini carving lessons starting in January. They will be held on Wednesdays at KenRock during our usual Wednesday morning sessions.  It is thought that a member will bring in the materials  for a carving, woodburning, etc. and share their knowledge and help in completing the project.  The first mini lesson will begin January 5 with Gordy providing a blank for a comfort bird.  There will be a minimal charge. Hopefully these projects will be completed in one or two morning sessions.

We need some ideas for these mini lessons and a brave volunteer to lead sessions.  All members of this club are very talented and many are especially talented in their given style.  Please feel free to submit ideas to Richard Dunphy and volunteer to be a presenter.  It will take everyone to make this fun, informative, and improve our craft.

Gordy Moscinski

 

First Mini Lesson January 5 2022

A comfort bird lead by Gordy Moscinski.  An easy carving that brings comfort and joy when given to someone. Bring in a knife and sandpaper and a willingness to learn and share.  

 

Second Mini Lesson January 12, 2022

 

A barn woodburning by Larry Stenzel.  It could be burned simply or with different textures, like the barn wood, stone foundation (or could be just concrete), rusty metal roof (or it could be shingles), trees, etc.  It can be colored or not.  It can have a shadow side to make it look 3-dimensional.  It can easily be made summer or winter, mostly by either putting leaves on the tree or leaving it bare.  It’s small and pretty simple so hopefully can be finished in the one session. Larry will provide  a sanded board, a pattern, transfer paper, etc. He will also  have colored pencils, masking tape, etc.  People should bring their own burner.  He has 2 extra burners so if a couple people don’t have one, they can use his.

 

Newsletter deadline

Keep sending your pictures and stories by the January 5, 2021 deadline. What a great response this month.  Thanks so much!

 

A note form Gary Curl

I want to thank all for the nice card during my present unpleasantness.  Gary Curl

 

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.

Carving woods for sale

Del Lohr of Cedar Ridge Hardwoods called me to ask if we would let the club members know that he has a large inventory of carving woods, including basswood, butternut (both clear and wormy), catalpa, pine, cherry, etc.  He can provide all widths, thicknesses and lengths.  Del used to sell his wood at our annual shows.  His phone number is 815-938-2263.  

  Don  Stansfield

Carvers wanted

Sometimes I get calls from people wanting to have a carving done (for money).  If you are interested in any of these contacts, let me know and what kind of carvings you are interested in doing for people.  Don Stansfield dchip1508@comcast.net 

 

Facebook

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

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 Moscinski

 January Birthdays (that we Know of)

   18  Craig Sorensen

  20  Will Rottman

 

Club Officers   

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
Photographer  Steve Terrill
Picnic   Tony Devita

 

Upcoming Shows in 2022

· The Minnesota Woodcarvers Association of St. Cloud, MN will host “Snow Daze Carve In” on March 26 & 27, 2022 at the American Legion Post 398, 2333 Wilshire Boulevard, Mound, MN 55364. For more information contact: Ron O’Kray or Greg Wirtz.

 

· Carve in 6 will be held @ the Bekkum, 206 North Main Street, Westby, WI on April 23, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. April Bird will be the featured carver. For more information contact: John Sutton (608-634-4396) or lbarnfarms@gmail.com.

 

· The Mid-Wisconsin Chippers will be holding their 46th Annual Show, Competition, & Sale on Sunday May 1, 2022 at the Oshkosh Convention Center, 2 Main Street, Oshkosh, WI from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For more show information contact Paul Wolters (920-727-2139) or www.nidwisconsinchippers.weebly.com.

 

· The International Woodcarvers Congress will be held from June 11 thru June 19, 2022 at the Jackson County Fairgrounds, 1212 East Quarry Street, Maquoketa, IA. This will be their 54th annual event, the oldest competitively judged woodcarving art show in the USA. More information @ http://woodcarverscongress.org.

 

· The Creede Woodcarving Rendezvous will be held from July 9 thru July 15, 2022 in Creede, CO. More information @ www.creedewoodcarvers.com.

 

· The Rock River Valley Woodcarvers of Wisconsin will be having their annual show on September 10, 2022. More information when it becomes available.

 

· The Waupaca Area Woodcarvers will be having their first woodcarving show on November 6, 2022 @ 407 School Street, Waupaca, WI. More information available from Harold Mohr (715-281-4923) or Kathy Brehm (920-740-1986).

   The Wisconsin River Woodcarvers will not be having a show in 2022.

Show and Tell

     

     

    

Bob Matthews showed three intricate carvings out of thick Cottonwood Bark that he got from a lady in British Columbia.  He made whimsical houses and a pueblo village. One is solid and the next one is two pieces glued together so you can insert a tea light and it will light up the multiple windows. 

 

Jerome Mais showed a number of caricature carvings after the designs of Mike Shipley in “Whittling Country Folk”.  He carved Slim, Delmar, his wife, Doug, moonshine Boy, etc.

In the book, the bonus was Denny Neubauer’s name on page 63… who inspired Billy Joe Bob.

 

Larry Stenzel showed a wood burning of a round Barn that he has been working on for the last couple of weeks. 

 

Gordy Moscinski showed 10 bookmarks that he completed at the request of his granddaughters.

 

John Skaggs was busy chip carving.  He has made many of these for gifts.

  

Tyrone Johnsen carved a Norse Viking carving because of his interest in caricatures he can stage for photos and his Norse heritage.  He calls the caricature Ty after himself.  He also carved a Coat of Arms for his daughter who is into the mythical heritage of the Norse. He painted the background maroon to look like leather.

  

Richard Prutz showed several completed carvings. One he completed was his larger sized Brother Anthony.

 

Don Stansfield showed a small intricately carved heart pin with a cross and a welcome sign with a pineapple which will be the model for his CLR class this spring. 

 

Ole to Swen “I beat Lena up every morning.”  “That’s terrible” said Swen.  “Yes, I get up at six and Lena gets up at seven.” 

 

Sven asked Ole, “Have you had measles or chicken pox?”  Ole replied, “No, but I’ve had Rice Krispies.”