RAFFLE! RAFFLE!

New! Prizes will be awarded immediately following the U.S Chainsaw Championship in August. This year’s prizes will be made and donated by members:

1. Chip-carved Jewelry Holder – Char Lynum 2. Eagle Relief Carving – Wayne Dubberke 3. Turned Bowl – Bruce Saatela 4. Segmented Turned Bowl – Mary Wieder 5. Butternut Trout – Del Braunberger

SPRING CLASS SCHEDULE Apr 30-May 3 Relief Carving with Fred & Elaine Stenman Or May 3-May 5 Cost: $110.00 for members; $125.00 for non-members* Where: Lafayette Town Hall, 5765 197th St, Chippewa Falls

UPCOMING CLASSES

Dates, Places, Fees – to be determined

Caricatures – Del Braunberger, Wayne Dubberke, Ron Masterbuoni Chip Carving – Jan Jenson, Rich Thelen Golf Ball Carving – Ron Masterbuoni

LOOKING AHEAD

Sep 27-28 Woodburning with Nancy Dardis Cost – to be determined Where: to be determined Contact: John Allen for registration information To adjust the operating budget for meeting room costs and decreased raffle sale income, 2020 dues

will increase to $20.00 for individuals, $25.00 for couples.

2019 dues are $15.00 for individuals, $20.00 of couples. If you’ve not yet renewed, please make checks payable to WWWCG. Submit to Wayne Dubberke, Treasurer. Dues Thanks!

Watch emails and future newsletters for complete details!

April-June 2019

(L-R) Dennis Ciesielski, Mary Wieder Del Braunberger, John Allen

FACEBOOK GURU

Thanks, Char Lynum for the super job you do maintaining WWWCG’s Facebook page AND for introducing chip carving to the masses by teaching classes at the Chippewa Valley Museum. “Like” the WWWCG Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/West-Wisconsin-Woodcarvers-Guild-151767791544858/

CONGRATULATIONS! Contributed by Rich Thelen

WWWCG MEMBER

HIGHLIGHTS Special thanks to these fine members (left and right) for volunteering their time and talents to promote woodcarving and WWWCG at the Menomonie Chili Cook-off (L) and the Chippewa Valley Museum’s Fiber Arts Fair (R). WE APPRECIATE YOU!

Dennis Ciesielski, a newer WWWCG member was invited to show his work at the Hanson Gallery, Pablo Center, Eau Claire . Dennis’ piece, a combination of turned wood and carvings, was paired beautifully with an arrangement of a local florist. The butterflies are reminiscent of Steve Johnson's creations except they’re made of wood and fabric. (Dennis consulted with Steve.) The "nest" is a pine bowl with vertical stains turned "end-grain on" to make a nest. The nest was moss and straw. The bird was turned. The juried exhibition was on display through March 24. For more detail, see the Leader Telegram article at https://www.leadertelegram.com/news/local/fabulous-florals/article_bfe1a624-2a8c-559e-8ac0-85c7d4f0d25e.html Congrats, Dennis!

WOOD SALES DISCONTINUED Due to lack of sales and storage concerns, WWWCG is pleased to announce that the remaining wood supply has been donated to the Bloomer School District for use in their carving classes. Thanks to all members who purchased wood from the Guild in the past!

Snow Daze 2019 Contributed by Ron Masterbuoni

From Jan 4-6, a group of 12 WWWCG members & friends attended the 2019 Annual Snow Daze carving classes in Spicer, MN sponsored by the Central Minnesota Wood Carvers.

This was the event’s 20th year, and the 19th held at the Green Lake Lutheran Ministries facility. The $195.00 per person fee got attendees a hotel style room, with home style cooking and carver friendly hospitality. Starting with supper on Friday through lunch on Sunday, with multiple snacks throughout the weekend, no one went hungry.

The 11 classes included chip carving, low relief carving, carving in the round and bark carving. For non-carvers a fiber arts room was available for knitting, quilting, or any craft attendees want to bring and work on. Tool and wood vendors were available as well as tool sharpening. The instructors were friendly, knowledgeable and gave equal attention to everyone in class. The event was well organized, and carvers went home with completed or near completed projects.

The 2020 Snow Daze is scheduled for Jan 3-5 and is limited to 100 people. The list of classes and registration forms should be available in September, so be on the lookout, and register early.

For further details regarding this event, see the pdf ( scroll down or the page looks blank) that described the classes, accommodations, fees, etc. at 2019 Snow Daze

Fundraiser! Caricature Carved Golf Balls

WWWCG members are being asked to carve caricature faces into golfs balls to sell at Ojibwe and Hallie golf courses this summer; all proceeds to WWWCG. The weather is getting warmer, and golf season fast approaching! If you’ve already carved some golf balls (please continue to do so) get them to Ron or Del as soon as possible so the Guild has a good variety to choose from for customers to purchase. For more information, contact Del at dsbraunberger@yahoo.com or Ron at roninwis2003@yahoo.com Thanks for your help in raising funds to cover the cost of meeting locations AND in keeping membership dues affordable for everyone!

Farewell “Big Dog”

Larry Yudis, well known throughout the carving world as “Big Dog”, passed away on March 17. He and his wife, Carol, started the Woodcraft Shop in Bettendorf, IA in 1973. Many of you may be familiar with the Woodcraft Shop whether you’ve purchased supplies online or directly from Larry & Carol over the years as they served as vendors, and/or sponsors, at many woodcarving events. His stories, jokes, generous spirit and big heart will be greatly missed.

The Woodcraft Shop has been purchased by Cindy Kryshak and relocated to Beloit, WI. Website and phone number remains the same.

Happy 90th Birthday, Ray Helgerson! Contributed by Del Braunberger

*THE RIGHT GLUE FOR THE JOB (1st installment)

We’ve all been there. A chip flies hither and yon, you go searching for the missing piece. After crawling around on the floor with a flashlight and perhaps uttering an expletive (or two), you find it. Success! Now you need to put it back into your carving! How do you pick the right glue for the job? Here’s a start:

PVA Glues are perfect for basic woodworking projects. Inexpensive, non-toxic, readily available, cleans up with water. Once cured, it’s very strong. Popular brands include:

Tite-Bond Original Wood Glue – sets quickly, for indoor use only Tite-Bond II – sets quickly, water resistant, can be used indoors or out. It’s also approved for indirect food contact such as cutting boards, bowls, etc. Tite-Bond II Dark Wood – dyed version of the one listed above. Helps hide joints in darker woods like walnut. Tite-Bond III – waterproof, sets slowly, has lower application temperature making it good for use in cold workshops. Tite-Bond Extend Wood Glue – slower setting than Tite-Bond Original Wood Glue. Useful in complex pieces like curved railings or other items that require more time to align. Tite-Bond No-Run, No-Drip Wood Glue – prevents glue dripping and running; thick, fast drying. Ideal for finish trims like crown moldings, baseboards, window casings. Gorilla Woodworking Glue – similar to Tite-Bond II. It can be used indoors or out and is approved for indirect food contact (please note, this Gorilla glue is NOT their popular polyurethane glue).

Former WWWCG member, Ray Helgerson of Chippewa Falls, celebrated his 90th birthday in January. Following military service (and hearing loss) in the Korean War, Mr. Helgerson became a teacher. Hired by the Chippewa Falls School District in 1961, he served the district for 27 1/5 years. In 1984, he established the Ray Helgerson Scholarship Fund. To date, 219 students have received scholarships. He also donates to the school district’s lunch program. Ray is an accomplished wood carver and scroll saw artist. He also plays cribbage. Ray donated the benches at the Hwy 124/Business 29 roundabout honoring Korean War soldiers. He is also a volunteer driver for veterans needing a ride to the Veterans Administration hospital in Minneapolis. (Excerpt: Chippewa Falls School District Spring 2019 newsletter)

WWWCG Happenings Apr 30-May 3 Relief Carving with Fred & Elaine Stenman OR May 3-May 5 Held at Lafayette Town Hall. Advance registration w/payment is

required. Sep 7 Annual WWWCG Carve-in & Potluck, Masonic Lodge, Chippewa Falls

WISCONSIN Apr 27 Carve-In 3 – Bekkum Memorial Library, Westby. Contact John Sutton,

bekkum@wrlsweb.org Aug 1-4 U.S. Chainsaw Carving Championship - Eau Claire Sep 22-23 WI River Woodcarvers Competition & Show – Stevens Point

IOWA Jun 6-16 International Woodcarving Congress – Maquoketa

Join us at a WWWCG meeting or carve-in soon (see Meeting/Carving Schedule below left)! You are always welcomed to come as you are, when you can, stay as long as you want or just stop by to Shoot the Breeze! When attending meetings/carve-ins at the LE Phillips Center, park on the west side of the building (near the parking lot entrance) and come in the side door. Thanks!

Calendar of Events

EAU CLAIRE 2nd & 4th Weds each month, except Nov & Dec (2nd Weds only) Business Meetings held only in Eau Claire 2nd Weds of each month. 6:00-9:00 pm (late arrivals and early departures welcomed!) LE Phillips Senior Center, 1616 Bellinger St, Eau Claire

CHIPPEWA FALLS Every Thurs afternoon, 1:00-4:00 pm Masonic Lodge, 650 Bridgewater St, Chippewa Falls

Meeting/Carve-in Schedule

WWWCG Officers

Rich Thelen, President 715-456-8253

rlthelen@charter.net

Bruce Saatela, Vice President 715-559-8140

bsaatela@yahoo.com

Wayne Dubberke, Treasurer 715-834-5156

wdubberke@charter.net

Carol Figi, Secretary 715-563-6028

ca.figi@charter.net

Newsletter is published Jan 1, Apr 1, Jul 1 & Oct 1. Please send content, topic ideas, photos or anything else (with consideration of copyright law) to rsaatela@gmail.com

Thank you!!

Education Team

John Allen 715-723-1304

allen54729@charter.net

Del Braunberger 715-723-3946

dsbraunberger@yahoo.com

Rich Thelen 715-456-8253

rlthelen@charter.net