The Blackhawk Woodcarver

Volume XXIX, Issue 1 January 2024

Blackhawk Carving Club

We meet every Wednesday at 9:00 am until 11:30 at the Ken Rock facility at 625 Adams Street, Rockford, IL. KenRock is located in the area of Rural and North 2nd St.

Presidents Report for January 2024

Welcome to 2024!

Your new officers for 2024, Rick, Jim, Larry, Gordy, and Tyrone hope to make this a great year for all. We will strive to inform you of our plans, mainly in the area of classes and programs; but also smaller details and then bigger aspirations.

We had a great Christmas Holiday Party with 43 members and guests in attendance. Peterson Meadows again prepared their dining room for our special brunch also with room for display of some of our carvings. Special thanks also to Tony DeVita for leading this effort; and also to Denny and Beckie Neubauer who provided table decorations and made our parties possible during COVID. We missed them as they moved to Arizona in November.

Speaking of our Christmas Party, Betty and John Gregory were admiring Don Stansfield’s paint and finish on his carvings. They were curious about how he achieves his “soft” painting. So we will put this question to Don following our January 2024 meeting and Show & Tell. We hope Don will share some of his paint and finish tips and techniques to achieve his soft thin paint look, avoid over painting, and avoid bleeding at desired color separations.

Gordy Moscinski is schedule to do a woodcarving class starting in February. Roger Benedict has expressed interest in doing a relief carving class perhaps in April. We hope to do more of our mini presentation programs (such as the January one featuring Don Stansfield) as we progress through the year. One targeted topic is manual method of sharping our knives and gouges.

Remember, this is your club; we are all volunteers!

Tyrone Johnsen

Dues are coming up

Just a reminder that 2024 dues are due. Make checks out to Blackhawk Carving Club and give to Larry Stenzel at 7689 Northgate Road, Roscoe, IL 61073 or any Club officer. Dues are $25

Secretary report for December 2023

Minutes of the regular monthly business meeting held on December 20, 2023 @ the KenRock Community Center, 625 Adam's St. Rockford Il. 61107

Vice president Rich Dunphy opened the meeting @ 9:37.

The minutes of the previous meeting were presented by Jim Foster on behalf of Steve Terrill.

Treasurer Larry Stenzel reported the club finances were solvent and reminded everyone the 2024 dues are being collected.

Rich acknowledged the December birthdays. Don Stansfield brought in cupcakes for his birthday. Rich also noted that the meeting facilities will be available next week regardless of the holidays.

A brief discussion was held about renewing our commitment to Ken Rock for 2024 and it was agreed to.

Rich introduced the proposed officers for 2024 and a vote was held and approved.

Gordy reported that he brought in a selection of carving rough outs and is selling them to the members.

Tony Devita reported he has talked to Denny Neubauer and he has found a new club in Arizona and is very happy.

Show and Tell items were presented and discussed. There were 12 carvers with a variety of projects.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:10.

Respectfully recorded and submitted by Jim Foster.

Carving patterns and blanks.

Gordy Moscinski displayed a number of carving patterns and blanks. He will be teaching beginning carving starting in February for 5 weeks every Wednesday at KenRock.

Blackhawk Carving Club Website

The Blackhawk Carving website is blackhawkcarving.com It has the newsletters from the beginning of the club plus other good information

Foredom For sale

I would like to sell my power carver, with dust collector and lots of accessories. It is a Foredom. I do have the owner's manual and a couple of books. I am asking $200 for everything. Please call or text me at 815-985-8216 or email fitchmj@comcast.net.

Martha Fitch

Newsletter deadline

Keep sending your pictures and stories by the February 2, 2024 deadline.

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.

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

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

Facebook

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

February Birthdays (that we Know of)

25 Arne Larsen

26 Gordy Moscinski

Club Officers (815 area code)

President, Tyrone Johnsen, 397-9274
Vice Pres, Rick Brittnacher, 608-346-6501
Treasurer, Larry Stenzel, 389-4714
Secretary, Jim Foster, 414-3248

Committees (815 area code)

Webmaster & Newsletter Editor Gordy Moscinski
Photographer, Tyrone Johnsen, 397-9274
Programs, Rick Brittnacher, 608-346-6501
Picnic, Tony Devita

CLR Beginning Carving class Spring 2024

Being able to create the figure of an animal, person, boot, wizard, or other object from a block of wood provides a feeling of accomplishment that is hard to beat. This 5 week course will provide participants with the ability to carve many different objects with their own personal touch.. Class members will be charged $20 for supplies. Carving tools will be provided for the first session and tools for purchase will be available. (approximately $20). The instructor has 37+ years of experience teaching students of all ages.

1. Title of class: Beginning Carving

2. Dates: February 14, 21, 28, March 6, 13

3. Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

4. Number of sessions: 5

5. Class limit 12

6. Location of class: Ken Rock 625 Adams Street, Rockford, IL.

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