May 2016 Carver`s Corner - Regina Whittlers and Woodcarvers

May 2016
Issue 161
Carver’s Corner
President’s Message
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by Linda Anderson
Our big Woodworking Show on April 23 and 24th was very successful. This year the
South Saskatchewan Woodturners Guild took the lead with the Show. Thanks to Jack
Lyster, who chaired the Planning Committee made up of Turners and Carvers who all
worked hard to make sure everything would run smoothly.
Throughout the weekend, we had a steady stream of people admiring the art, talking with carvers and
turners, watching demonstrations and entering the Penny Parade and the Woodturners raffle.
Saturday was particularly busy all day.
There were 57 people at the Saturday night supper, taking the time to rest, eat and enjoy the piano
music of Jim Gallagher.
As well, 23 people signed up indicating an interest in taking beginner carving lessons in the fall.
Herb will have financial information about the Show available at our meeting on May 12th.
This year, we accommodated the MS Walk by moving from the traditional first weekend in May to the
last weekend in April. I think that the move helped us. The weather was a bit chilly so people didn’t stay
home to work in their gardens or do other warm weather activities.
I want to acknowledge how many of our woodcarvers helped to make the Show a success:
Most importantly – all the club members who had display and/or sales tables: Ron Davidson, Bob
Dawson, Bill Dearborn, Peter Dielschneider, Leif Ellefson, Gary Haggerty, Cal Isaacson, Paul and Roxanne
Perron, John Robertson, Ken Smith, Alex Tivas, Linda Anderson.
Carving demonstrations: Emile Gaudet, Dave Hornung, Andre Beaudoin, Linda Anderson, Bob Dawson,
Wayne Cann, Leo Belanger, Peter Dielschneider, Leif Ellefson, Jerry Ford, Alex Tivas and Bill Dearborn
who organized the demos.
Penny Parade – Herb Klassen, Russell Littlemore, Nadine Klassen and the many who contributed the
items to the Parade. (Bill Dearborn was delighted to win the last tool roll created and donated by Jean
Davidson.)
Photography – Mary Hornung, official photographer, for taking many photos and Bill Dearborn for some
photoshopping and saving of the selection. Check out our website for all the great pictures!
Distance Award - for travelling to take part – Ron Davidson, Cal Isaacson
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Carver’s Corner
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Encouraging spectators – Just a few people that I saw personally – Wilbur Feader, Gene Damour, Tory,
Joanne and Quinn Neald, Randy Markewich, Jean Davidson, Marion Isaacson, Aggie Dawson, Samir
Makar, Irene Smith, Irene Tivas, Gerald and Barb Ford, Len and Doris Sheldon, Al Jardine, Irene Beaudoin,
Judy Dielschneider (and many others from Peter’s extended family) – and I’m sure I have missed many.
But it is important to note that everyone’s interest and support adds to the positive effect of holding the
Woodworking Show.
Lots of names! Right? Just goes to prove that many hands make light work. Thanks to everyone!
The next opportunity for RWW members to contribute to the life and work of the club comes with our
display at the Queen City Ex which runs from August 3rd to 7th this year. All of us can offer items for
display and closer to the time I will be asking for volunteers who will take shifts caring for the display,
demonstrating carving by working on a project and interacting with the public that comes through the
Arts and Culture venue where our display is set up.
Our last meeting for this half of 2016 will be held on May 12th at the Balkwill. Please come and offer
your opinions about the Show and ways in which we can continue to improve. There is still opportunity
to purchase a club vest – which showed off our carvers so well during the Show.
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May 2016
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Remembering Dave Hornung
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by Linda Anderson
Regina Whittlers and Woodcarvers lost a valuable member of our club this past week, when Dave
Hornung passed away suddenly. Dave, who was our resident expert in chip carving, could always be
counted upon to contribute his skills and his ideas to our club. He regularly participated in the annual
Woodworking Show as well as taking shifts, along with his wife, Mary, at the Queen City Exhibition.
Dave recently took on responsibility for encouraging club members to provide him with information
about themselves so he could prepare it for inclusion in our Newsletter as a way to help us get to know
one another better. Dave made all of these contributions quietly and without fanfare. He very much
valued the camaraderie of the club but had no need put himself forward.
Dave was a creative teacher and learner. He taught for 31 years in elementary school and was a sessional
lecturer at the University of Regina for another 14 years. Dave loved to try innovative teaching projects
and methods, often before they were entirely accepted. He experimented with individualized teaching
where children could work at their own pace, being tested for completion of a section of study and then
going on.
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He also involved the community, inviting people with skills to share them at school interest centres.
Children tried varied arts such as Ukrainian egg painting, model building, knitting, guitar and many more.
Dave’s creative energy was lived out with his family – Mary and his four children, seven grandchildren
and 3 great grandchildren. He paid careful attention to the accomplishments of others in his family,
especially noticing their school report cards. Dave challenged himself to learn new crafts such as
crocheting and leather work, always intending to help others learn these crafts as well.
We have been enriched, as individuals and as a club, by Dave Hornung’s gentle presence. May we
remember his gifts even as we miss our friend and fellow woodcarver.
May 2016
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Carver’s Corner
COMFORT BIRDS and RWWC
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by Ken Smith
I am sure those of you who get the Wood Carvers Illustrated magazine this past week
have read about the overwhelming acceptance of the comfort bird and the support it is
providing to many people across the U.S. The Regina Whittlers and Wood Carvers are
experiencing the same support from those who receive these little carved birds. At our
Woodworking show on the weekend, one lady came to me and expressed how she
bought a bird and had given it to her friend who carries that little bird constantly either
in her hand or in her pocket. It provides so much comfort to her and for many people. Other club
members have received similar comments. These little birds are wonderful in providing a spirit of
kindness and comfort.
Club member Gerald Ford asked the club to provide comfort birds as a club project to the Allan Blair
Memorial Centre for cancer patients. While the cancer patients prefer the birds to be natural wood
rather than finished because of the feel of the wood in the hands of those receive chemo treatment, the
club has responded and has provided 677 birds to the clinic so far. This past weekend Al Jardine and
friends from Melfort brought a box full of carved birds to our show and gave them to the club to pass on
to the clinic.
At a special luncheon for cancer patients at the Allan Blair Centre on Tuesday, April 27th Gerald Ford
accepted the recognition from Wilbur Heinrich, Coordinator of Volunteer Services on the comfort bird
project and its appreciation at the centre. Gerald says his goal was to see 1000 birds donated and there
are only another 323 to go.
This is a worthwhile project by our club as an community project that is really appreciated. Thanks to
Gerald for getting it into full swing.
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RWW Club Happenings
Regular Meetings
Regular Meetings are typically held on the Second Thursday of the
month at the Neil Balkwill Centre 7:00pm. It’s a great time to
gather, carve, and share. The Odd numbered months are formal
business meetings. Meetings will resume again in September.
Carver’s Corner
President
Linda Anderson
[email protected]
Carving Nights
Carving Nights are held on the Third Thursday of the month at the
Neil Balkwill Centre 7:00pm. Project and Blank Provided Cost: $5.00
Meetings will resume again in September.
Wednesday Drop-In Carving
9:30 am till Noon
Neil Balkwill Centre Woodworking Shop
Secretary
Wayne Cann
[email protected]
Treasurer, Programming,
and Membership
Herb Klassen
[email protected]
Librarian
Dale Wenman
[email protected]
Newsletter
Samir Makar
[email protected]
Website
Bill Dearborn
[email protected]
www.reginawhittlersandwo
odcarvers.ca
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RWW Club Happening
Summer Carving Class
The Medicine Hat Carving Club is holding a class from July 16 until July 22 (7 days). The project will be a
bobcat leaping up to catch a pheasant. Power tools will be used. The instructor is Doug Harrison from
the USA and the cost is $500 CDN. Anyone who is interested can let Bob Harding know @403-878-3925.
Share Shop 2017
Mark your calendars. On September 17 & 18 Regina is hosting the annual Saskatchewan Share
Shop.
What is it?
It’s a chance to spend a couple of days carving with fellow Saskatchewan Carvers.
What does it cost?
A smile
What are we carving?
Apparently the project is to be a secret. You will have to be there to find out.
If you need more details or want to help with the planning, give Herb Klassen a call.