Febuary 2001 Newsletter

Index

Regular Features

Board_Briefs John's Junket GUILD SPONSORED WOODWORKING EVENTS

Special Articles

REFLECTIONS

Board Briefs

Jeffrey M. Nebel

Secretary:

Minutes of the December 14th board meeting were accepted as written.

Treasurer:

Elizabeth Rohde reported a treasury balance on 1/9/01 of $12,777.50. She distributed a summary income and expense report by month for 2000. The Guild did well in the area of refreshments and the raffles. She will contact Ed Goldman regarding the status of the audit for 1999. This may need to be closed up and the audit for 2000 started.

Programs:

The speaker at the last meeting used his own audio-visual equipment and it was deemed not adequate. This will be reviewed so it does not happen again. The April and May meetings will swap topics because of speaker availability and some miscommunications with them. An updated summary sheet will be included in the next newsletter.

Workshops:

Si Farmer will generate an updated list of volunteers for workshops and give it to Bob.Jahncke. It is well known now that members who offer to volunteer also need to be asked. Dick reported five registered for the shop tours and two for the router table workshop. Allen Clappís workshop may be included on the tour. The router table will be displayed again at the next meeting.

Exhibits:

Dick Yezek reported volunteers are thin for Friday at the Woodworking Show and additional display items are also needed. John Petrovic offered some help in both these areas. Si Farmer will call volunteers to fill in the empty booth staffing slots. Also, a non-member requested to display his canoe in the Guildís booth. The board decided to reject this request for several reasons.
Don Berger reported 72 pieces registered for the Lutheran College event. Korinthia Klien will be available to play her musical instrument at the Grand Opening. The gallery hours will be M-F 9-4:00 and S-S 1-4:00. Don will send reminders to the demonstrators ten days before the 4/10/01 date.

Toy Program:

Ron Hinderman reported needing scrap wood for this years toys. Several suggestions were offered for contacting possible firms for needed scrap lumber.

Publications:

Si Farmer delivered a new box of 2500 membership cards to Jeff Nebel and some of the new Guild business cards to the board members.

Old Business:

Guild members who purchase green shirts for working the Woodworking Show can pay Liz for them.

New Business:

Si reminded the board the two members who have been operating the library are both stepping down. It has been noted the duties of librarian seems to burn out volunteers in a short period of time. Also the duties leave little or no time to participate in the meeting. An article will be placed in the newsletter seeking a candidate for the position, preferably a non-member with a library science background who would not mind having little interaction in the meetingís other activities. The board would be willing to pay this person for performing the duties. Si raised the issue of the Guild obtaining a tax-exempt status. This would help in situations where someone wanted to donate something of value to the Guild. Several board members expressed concern about how much effort and paperwork is involved in this process. Dick offered to investigate and report back to the board. John Petrovic reported on a situation where a legally deaf person contacted him about providing a translator or paying for his. This person showed up at the last Guild meeting and then wrote a less than complimentary report on our organization. John will look into the Guildís legal requirements and liability in this area.

The next board meeting will be held on Thursday, February 15th at 7:00 p.m.at this same location.

Editorially Speaking

Si Farmer

You know, I'm not stingy, but I do want to get my money's worth. I wonder if I'll get my $35 worth from my Guild membership during 2001.
Let's see, to start with, I could learn more but plywood and other sheet goods from the folks at Alpine Plywood, then get a 10% discount on purchases there. I could learn how to make doll houses form a fellow that does that for a living. If I hadn't made my own, I could make my own router cabinet/table for the price of materials alone. I've always been less than well informed about the plethora of chucks for the many many lathes. I'll be more informed on this topic after the March meeting.
We use a lot of metal tools while doing our woodworking. Well, the Guild has a special program just to address this metal / wood union. I could learn about tool steels, heat treatment and blacksmithing tools for woodworking.
Of course, for $35 I couldn't travel to Portland, Oregon, to have the renown Gary Rogowski teach me about router uses and techniques. But the Guild will bring him here to accomplish the same objectives.
Several years ago Jeff Jewitt from Cleveland, OH came to the Guild. He gave a program on finishing and then a two day seminar/workshop on Six Finishes in Two Days, all included in the membership dues. Well, he's going to do it again, expect he will give a Friday evening program on Secrets of Using Dyes and Tints, followed by the Six Finishes in Two Days seminar/workshop, again all without additional membership fees.
I've made some furniture pieces, but don't have a lot of information about doing relief carving for embellishment. Well, the Guild will bring master carver, Rolf Hoffman, in to tell / show me how to perform this relief carving.
There are a lot of commercial jigs on the market to help with a lot of procedures. I'll get a first-hand presentation on doing dovetails with the Leigh Jig from our own Guild members.
Woodworking has a lot of facets, and one that is quite decorate and functional that I have long admired is basket weaving. My daughter is quite skilled in this arena. The Guild will bring in renown Anna J Henry who teaches advanced basketry art form to teach me the art of basket weaving.
Our friend, Marc Adams, of the Marc Adams School of Woodworking in Indiana will teach me how to Design for Success. This is all well and good,...but will I really get my $35 worth?
Let's count it up. If I went to Marc Adams' school in Indiana, it would cost me abut $140 per day (plus travel and lodging) and three days with Jeff Jewitt would normally cost $414. The router program from Gary Rogowski is worth at least $70. One cannot put a price on the value obtained from interfacing with other Guild members through member-given programs and workshops at cost, and one-on-one dialogue / mentoring from knowledgeable and selfless members.
A rough estimate of value I will get for my $35 is $ 620 in commercial value and priceless individual information. And, oh yes, I'll get back several times my $35 that I pay in dues from the discounts that I will get from purchases from the six 'Friends of the Wisconsin Woodworkers Guild' vendors.
I think I'll renew my membership for 2001.

GUILD SPONSORED WOODWORKING EVENTS

Date: 2,3,4 Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Woodworkers Show at State Fair Park, South Hall. The Guild will have a booth at this show.
Date: 7 - Wednesday
Event: Monthly Guild Meeting Program
Location: Washington Park Senior Center
Time: 6:15 - 9:30 pm
Topic: Design and Construction of Doll Houses
Presenter: Jim Johnson of Old World Craftsmen Dollhouses, Hartland, WI
Date: 10th, Saturday
Event: Woodworking Seminars
Time: 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Topics: (Four different seminars) Turning Christmas Ornaments, Woven Wooden   Christmas Ornaments, Marquetry and Windsor Chairs.
Presenters: Elizabeth Rohde, Leila Crandall-Frink, Pete Kolettis , Robert and John Petrovic.
Location: Wisconsin Lutheran College,
    8815 W. Wisconsin Avenue.
Fee:   Believed to be $ 5 for each session, or $15 for all four. Call Debra Heermans, Gallery Director at 414/443-8873 for information on reservations and cost.
Date: Saturday, 17th
Event: Hands-on Workshop
Topic: Router Table (Cabinet) Construction
Presenter: E. Jay Hollingsworth
Location: Jay's Shop
Time: 9 am - 4 pm
Contact Person: Scott Stanwyck 0 262/369-4929
    (You can still register at the February meeting.)
Fee: Members only, Est. cost only $150

REFLECTIONS

Alpine Plywood Presentation

Si Farmer

At the January meeting we were treated to a presentation on plywood and other sheet goods by two fellows from the Alpine Plywood Corp. Greg Bednar cdt, csi an architectural representative from Wilsonart was the lead presenter and he was capably assisted by Gary Huber cdi, a sales consultant at Alpine.
The main presentation was slide show/dialogue. Questions were fielded from the audience. The discussed how plywood was made, the different types of plywood and other sheet materials that were replacing classic plywood at the commercial level, i.e. mdf with veneer lamination and mdf-Melamine. The utility and cost of these different types of sheet materials were compared and contrasted.
The presenters used their own PA system which was not integrated into the house system and, as a result, our recording of the presentation was not very audible.
The folks at Alpine have agreed to be a 'Friend of the Wisconsin Woodworkers Guild' and as such they will give a 10% discount to purchases made by Guild members. Remember to show your current membership card to identify yourself as a Wisconsin Woodworkers Guild Member when making a purchase.
The retail outlet is at 12210 W. Silver Spring Road, which is one block north of Silver Spring Drive....and it runs parallel to it. Their phone number is 414/438-8400

Library Staff Position Open

For many years we had a paid staff position of Librarian, in the person of Kay Taylor. She was trained in library science and was very efficient is setting up our cataloging system, ordering new books for the library, overseeing the removal and return of books/videos from the library, sending gentle reminders to members who forgot to return the rentals in a timely fashion, and fining those who were overly tardy, and getting members to replace books/videos which they lost. We miss Kay as person, and as a paid staffer.
At the January Board Meeting, approval was given to secure the services of another paid staffer. This person ( who shall not be a Guild Member) should have library skills, oversee the rental and return of library holdings, send overdue notices/fines to members who are tardy in returning their rentals and order new books and videos as the Board indicates.
This person must attend the Guild meetings, but will be assisted by volunteer Guild members. The pay for this services is set at $50.00 per month.
If you know of anyone who would qualify, and has an interest in the above, please contact our President, John Petrovic.

REASONABLY PRICED LUMBER

We as a Guild have an opportunity to purchase some lumber at a very reasonable price. The price is $ 1.00 per foot. The following species are available: white and red oak, hickory, maple, ash, bitternut, beech and red elm. There is also some butternut which will sell for about $2.00 per foot. Lengths run from 15í downward and widths 4" to 12". Lumber is air dried to 11 to 12% and is in 1", 6/4 and 8/4 and all is rough. Canít buy crating lumber for that price!
Call Jerry Veenendaal (261) 782-1508 if you are interested and maybe several members can get together with trucks or trailers. Site is about 35 miles north of Milwaukee.

Membership Renewal

As was announced previously, February 7th is the cut-off date for the grace period for renewals. If a member has not renewed by that date, s/he will not be listed in the Directory, will not receive the R.I.P.S.A.W., nor any other mailings from the Guild, and will cease to be a member.
Please mail your renewal check to Membership Chairman, Ellen Davis. At the February meeting, Ellen will not be present, and the membership desk will be staffed by substitute volunteers. We usually get a large number of guests, as this will be the first meeting following the Woodworking Show at State Fair Park.
Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated.

Raffle Column

Alan Clapp

Our apologies for missing a raffle in January. Instead, the items slated for the January Raffle will be offered at our February Guild meeting.
A. Fillinger Inc. Millwork and Hardware is getting our new year kicked off to a great start! Herman Fillinger has donated a 12 volt Black & Decker Cordless Drill for this raffle. A. Fillinger Inc. Millwork and Hardware is located at 6750 N. 43rd Street, 414-353-8433.

Reminder Notice for Exhibitors at It's Wood Naturally!

Don Berger

All pieces at the Wisconsin Lutheran College Exhibit, It's Wood, Naturally! are to be picked up on Saturday, February 17th between 10 am and 2 pm by the exhibitors.

Woodworking Opportunities at Rockler's

(Woodworker's Store)

February 2001

10 - Saturday, 2 - 5 pm, Special Finishing Techniques with Tom Monahan
17 - Saturday, 2 - 5 pm, Basic Router Techniques with
Pete Sapienza
24 - Saturday, 2 - 5 pm, Table Saw Basics with
Pete Sapienza

Please contact Rockler's (414)774-1882 for class sizes and cost.

Thank You
Dear Dr. Farmer
On behalf of the families served through Sojourner Truth House, I want to thank you and all the members of the Wisconsin Woodworkers Guild for the generous gift of many handmade toys.
The love that has gone into the creation of these toys goes on to the children. They thrive on the attention and gentleness that others can give them. You and the Woodworkers Guild are creating that special attention and kindness. Thank you.
I also wanted to tell you, John Petrovic, and the other members how much I enjoyed being with the group for dinner on December 6th. The Wisconsin Woodworkers Guild has been a significant group to Sojouner Truth House ó and I am grateful.
With special thanks,
Kathie Stolpman, Executive Director

Wisconsin Woodworkers Guild
Thank you for your generous donation of toys. We gratefully appreciate your support.
Sincerely,
Friends of Abused Families, Inc.
Washington County

Dear Woodworkers,
Thank you for your thoughtful and extremely generous donation of all the beautiful wooden toys for the Christine Ann center. These toys will certainly help to brighten many young faces on Christmas morning. Remembering families living with violence is a true gift of giving and very much appreciated. As a private, non-profit agency we depend on kindness such as yours to help us provide services to families affected by domestic violence.
We greatly appreciate your support of our services to women and children. Best wishes for the Holiday Season.
Sincerely,
Lea Kitz, Executive Director
Regional Domestic Abuse Service, Inc.
Neenah, WI

On behalf of the victims of domestic abuse, their children and the community, thank you for your continued support. We wouldn't be able to work toward "Peace in all homes" without your help.
Marianne Zirkle,
Director of Outreach Services
WoMen and Children's Horizons, Inc
Kenosha

Woodworking Opportunities at WoodCraft

February 2001

1 - Thursday, 6 - 9 pm, Basic Scroll Saw with Rich Radtke
6 - Tuesday, 6 - 9 pm, Get the Most from Your Table Saw Tuneup, with Bill Boyd
7 - Wednesday, 6 - 9 pm, Dimension Lumber with
    Rich Radtke
8 - Thursday, 6 - 9 pm, Introduction to Pen Turning with Liz Rohde
10 - Saturday, 11 am - 12:30 pm, Valentine Glass Etch with Pat Poeschel
10 - Saturday, 10 am - 3 pm, Power Carve a Ball and Claw Cabriole Leg with Jerry Mymudes
11 - Sunday, 11 am 2 pm, Wings of an Angel Scrolled Frame with Rich Radtke
12 & 19, Mondays, 6 - 9 pm, Carve Noah and a Rainbow with Greg Young
13 - Tuesday, 6 - 9 pm, Tune up Your Hand Plane with
    Jim Miller
14 - Wednesday, 6 - 9 pm, Basic Scroll Saw with Rich Radtke
15 & 22, Thursdays, 6 - 9 pm, Segmented Bowl Turning with Jerry Veenendaal
17 - Saturday, 9 am - 3 pm, Basic Chip Carving with
    Don Crocker
17 - Saturday, 9 am - 1 pm, Scroll Saw Choice of Projects with Al Caldiero
18 - Sunday, 9 am - 5 pm, Beyond Basic Scroll Saw with Rich Radtke
20 - Tuesday, 6 - 9 pm, Router Basics, with Jim Miller
21 - Wednesday, 6 - 9 pm, Marquetry, Introduction with
    Pete Kolettis
24 - Saturday, 9 am - 4 pm, Relief Carve - Lighthouse with Jerry Mymudes
25 - Sunday, 11 am - 2 pm, Raised Panel Door with Dale Osowski
26 - Monday, 6 - 9 pm, Intro. to Wood Working for Women with Rich Radtke
27 - Tuesday, 6 - 9 pm, Advanced Router Technique with Jim Miller
28 - Wednesday, 6 - 9 pm, Carve a Shell / Furniture Enhancements, with Jerry Mymudes

Please contact WoodCraft at 414/607-6164 for class sizes and prices.