Blackhawk Carving ClubThe Blackhawk Woodcarver
Fall, I think is the nicest time of
the year! Also, it is time to prepare for the annual election of our club
officers. We need members who are willing and able to help run the club; we
will be looking for volunteers and nominations! In the next newsletter I
expect to have our proposed candidates for the four elected club officer
positions identified. At the November business meeting, we will vote on
them. The club officers are essential to the successful operation of the
club. However, the club operation relies upon more than just the club
officers. Many others contribute in various ways; and this is necessary.
At our next carving session, the 8th
of October we will have a special presentation, demonstration, and a “carve
along” with Jim Trumpy who was kind enough last October with a similar
presentation on Carving the Face. This year it will focus on “Carving
Hands”. Refer to the announcement in this newsletter for details.
We have a special event this month:
on the second Saturday of the month, 11th of October, we will have an outing
to Belvidere Park to view a special set of wood carvings of a family of life
size Indians; plus a few other interesting features, all in the Park’s
setting of Fall tree color. We can also visit downtown and see the giant ice
cream cone carved by member Bob Coleman. Look for a more detailed
announcement in this newsletter.
This month we will start to evolve
our monthly Show & Tell to include more commentary on the carvings displayed
and the individual carvers.
We are now starting to receive dues
for 2026 membership. Jerry Robey has the honor of being the first member to
renew for 2026. Remember our dues remain very low and are essential for the
operation of the club.
Remember our annual Christmas
Holiday party brunch is set for Wednesday morning, the 10th of December. We
will again return to Peterson Meadows for this annual and special occasion.
Fall and Winter usually mean an
increase in colds and flu; and COVID certainly remains. Please exercise
caution and keep yourselves as healthy as possible. I want to see as many of
you as possible at each of our events!
Tyrone Johnsen
The meeting was called
to order by president Tyrone Johnsen at 9:30 with 24 members present.
The minutes of the August
meeting were read by secretary Jim Foster. A motion to approve was received
and seconded with no corrections or additions.
In the absence of Treasurer
Larry Stenzel, Tyrone reported the club finances are stable and solvent.
Tyrone discussed the plan to
create a binder to be kept in the club cabinet that would contain the
current members list with contact information, the latest newsletter and
eventually a picture directory. Joe Etminan has volunteered to put this
together with assistance from Bill Aupperle for the membership list and
photos.
Topics of discussion were the
need for officers nominations at the October meeting with elections at the
November meeting.
Reminder for the ornament
challenge by Tony Devito to be displayed at the Christmas brunch at Pedersen
Meadows on December 10. Joel Taylor is in charge of the Christmas event with
assistance from Tyrone.
Tyrone also discussed the
plan for a group of members to visit the Belvedere park in October. He also
noted the possibility of a carving demo and program for the club in the
fall. Tyrone discussed the importance of the club officers and encouraged
everyone to be willing to do their share.
There was no specific new or old
business discussion.
A motion to adjourn was received
and seconded at 10:15.
Vice-president Richard Brittnacher
presented the Show and Tell items.
Respectfully submitted by secretary
Jim Foster.
Christmas
Horse Challenge
Tony DeVita announced a new Christmas Horse Challenge. Tony brought a number
of blanks as the one in the left; and his offer to provide instruction as
desired.
Carving at
the meeting
Rich Talbot finishing up this relief
carving of an eagle which will be a gift to a friend next week.
Wood Carving Wit: Four Jokes Whittled to Perfection
Why did the woodcarver never get bored?
Because every piece had its own grain of excitement!
Why did the wooden statue get promoted?
It finally made a lasting impression!
How do woodcarvers throw a party?
By bringing out the chips and carving up the dance floor!
What’s a woodcarver’s favorite TV show?
Anything with a good twist—especially “Whittle House on the Prairie.”
In the Workshop
Wood carving isn’t just about
shaping timber—it’s about sculpting smiles, too. Whether you’re chiseling
away at a block of basswood or pondering what to craft next, let these jokes
be a reminder that a sense of humor is the sharpest tool in your kit. After
all, laughter helps sand away the stress and polishes the spirit, leaving
your creativity smooth and ready for the next masterpiece.
Wood Carvings
of an Indian Family at Belvidere Park
Saturday, 11 October, Tyrone invites
all members and interested parties to view the unique life-sized wood
carvings of an Indian family at Belvidere Park. This outing is for the
benefit of the club members and is open to all who visit to see this display
and the beauty of this park.
We will meet at 10:30 am in the
parking lot of the Belvidere Township Park District Administration parking
lot located at 1006 West Lincoln Avenue, Belvidere – this is on the
southside of Lincoln Avenue just east of South Appleton Road. The east end
of the parking lot overlooks the display. There is handicapped parking and a
nearby bench.
From there we can walk or drive to
see the Mill building and additional bronze sculptures. We can do an easy
drive through the park to view the dam, antique water level control gates, a
pedestrian suspension bridge over a wider fork of the Kishwaukee River, and
hopefully wonderful Fall tree color.
We can also proceed into downtown
Belvidere to view a giant ice cream cone carved by member Bob Coleman. This
is located off West Locust and State Streets, behind the Dari Ripple and
Sips & Sprinkles. Along State Street in this area there are many beautiful
painted murals on the sides of buildings.
I hope you will join us and invite
your family members and friends!
Carving
Hands: Presentation, Demo, & Carve Along
Jim Trumpy of the
Rock River Valley Carvers of Wisconsin, will join us on Wednesday the 8th
of October to discuss and demonstrate Carving the Human Hands. This will
take place during our normal carving session; and will start about 9:30 am.
Jim will present, discuss, and demonstrate key characteristics of the hands
and their size relationship to the face and human body. Then he encourages
us to carve along with him! Jim will have a paper handout and marked, wood
rough-outs for those who wish to carve along. Make sure you remember to
bring your carving knife and glove.
This presentation and “carve along”
will be similar to the one Jim did for us last Fall on Carving the Human
Face.
The presentation and demonstration
will take about the first hour and we will have time then for your questions
including any about carving the Human Face.
Show club members show different
ways to display name tags.
Larry Stenzel & Tyrone Johnsen with
a Blackhawk Woodcarvers club display at the Rock River Valley Carvers of
Wisconsin annual Show in Janesville.
Nick Scheuer at his Nick’s Birds
booth at the Greenwich Village Art Show in Rockford.
Newsletter
deadline
Keep sending your pictures and
stories by the October 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
Show and Tell
A number of characters which double
as golf tees by Richard Dunphey.
I just finished a pair of Cedar
Waxwings. Notice that one is passing a berry to the other, this is a
trait of the species. Bob Matthews
Rocking Horse and two characters by
Jim Foster.
Wood spirits and a walking stick by
John Skaggs
Stylized mother and ducklings by
Nick Scheuer.
Car and truck with removable engines
modeled are those from his youth by Richard Prutz.
Relief carving by Roger
Benedict.
Seahorse, Hippie, & Wizard by
Jerry Robey.
