Blackhawk Carving ClubThe Blackhawk Woodcarver
On the 11th of October,
we experienced beautiful Fall weather for our special outdoor excursion to
Belvidere Park to view the life-size wood carvings of Native Americans in a
village setting along with some of the other bronze sculptures, a suspension
bridge, dam, and early fall foliage. We shared some home-made pumpkin
cupcakes; and ended our tour at the giant ice cream cone carved from a
standing tree trunk by member Bob Coleman!
We also were blessed with a
presentation and carve along with Jim Trumpy from the Rock River Valley
Carvers of Wisconsin. This year, Jim addressed the importance of the
relative size of the human hands in our carvings. Refer to the photos in
this newsletter.
You will also find pictures of our
members finished carvings displayed during our monthly Show &
Tell. You will see member Jerome Mais continues to uphold the club
tradition of carvings related to the monthly theme: Halloween.
Unfortunately, I forgot to get a picture of Don Stansfield wearing his
carved pin Ghost also celebrating Halloween.
We have started taking paid
reservations for the December 10th Christmas Party at Peterson
Meadows. Please refer to the separate announcement in this newsletter. Note
we need to turn in our attendee head count to Peterson Meadows before the
end of November so that they can prepare adequately.
After our October business meeting I
was pleased to receive offers from two members who offered to fill two of
our four elected positions: Betty Gregory has offered to serve as club
Treasurer and Membership (with help from her husband John); and Roger
Benedict has offered to run and serve as our recording Secretary. Final
nominations and the election of the four elected officers will take place at
the November business meeting.
We have also started accepting
membership dues for 2026. As a paid member, you help your club and your
fellow club members to continue to meet, learn, and enjoy each others
fellowship.
Tyrone Johnsen
Secretary
Report for October 2025
The meeting was called to
order by president Tyrone Johnsen at 9:36 with 26 members present.
The minutes of the September
meeting were read by secretary Jim Foster and approved with no corrections.
Treasurer Larry Stenzel
reported there were no financial transactions in the past month. He reminded
the membership that 2026 dues are being collected, but the cost for the
Christmas brunch has not been established yet.
Tyrone displayed a rough
draft of the membership notebook and discussed the progress. He also
reported the club trip to the Belvedere park by 11 members was well worth
the effort. He noted the hand carving seminar by Jim Trumpy was very
good and well received.
Tyrone also discussed the
need for officers nominations and reminded everyone of the Christmas brunch
date.
There are currently no
volunteers for any officer positions but three current positions may be
willing to serve another year.
Tyrone also discussed the
topic of getting permission before respectfully handling other carvers
projects while on display here and at shows.
Nick Scheur asked the group
if anyone was interested in purchasing carvings or carving equipment from
another resident at Pedersen Meadows. The inventory includes many waterfowl
roughouts and power tools.
Roger Benedict presented the Show
and Tell items from several members.
A motion to adjourn was made
and seconded at 10:24.
Respectfully submitted by secretary
Jim Foster.
Wood Carvings
of an Indian Family at Belvidere Park
Beautiful day to visit Belvidere
Park to view the full-sized wood carvings of a local native Indian village
setting. We continued through the Park to see bronze sculptures and the
suspension bridge over a branch of The Kishwaukee River. We ended at the
giant ice cream cone carved by member Bob Coleman.
Newsletter
deadline
Keep sending your pictures and
stories by the December 5, 2025 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 woodchip1508@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
Committees
(815 area code)
Webmaster & Newsletter Editor
Gordy Moscinski
Photographer, Tyrone Johnsen, 397-9274
Programs, Rick Brittnacher, 608-346-6501
Picnic, Tony Devita
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
Wood Carving Wit: Four Jokes Whittled to Perfection
Why did the woodcarver always carry
a pencil?
Because he wanted to draw attention
to his work.
What did the block of wood say to
the woodcarver?
"Stop chipping away at
my self-esteem!"
Why did the woodcarver go broke?
Because he kept
whittling away his savings!
How do woodcarvers stay sharp?
They never stop honing their skills!
Betty Gregory
carved and painted a couple of ornaments flanking her relief carving
commemorating Independance Day.
John Gregory carved
the soldier and the relief carving to commemorate Independence Day.
Joel Taylor chip
carved two sides of this inspired by Independence Day fireworks.
Other side of Joel Taylor’s
carving.
Here is my start for Christmas
ornaments fo this year. John Skaggs
Hawk relief carving by Rich
Talbot.
Tom Rehmstedt
carved himself a new walking stick.
A closer view of the top of
Tom’s walking stick.
Wally Schapals
carved this decorative unicorn as party of Tony DeVita’s Christmas ornament
challenge. Wally also carved the old man to watch over the unicorn.
Halloween carvings by Jerome
Mais. Middle one features a battery operated candle in it to
illuminate the face.
A number of characters which double
as golf tees by Richard Dunphey.
