MEET THE MEMBERS

Larry Dahl
Member since 1992

Larry and Judy Dahl live in Slaton, MN. They have one child and two grand children. Judy is a retired nurse and now volunteers in the local Hospice Program. She also enjoys making artificial floral arrangements while working in a local gift shop, but the really good times are spent with the grandchildren.

Larry is a retired schoolteacher and counselor. Today, Larry volunteers at the school, helping first and fourth grades with reading. Also Larry is the commander of his American Legion Post. He is active in his church and serves on the Pastor/Parish committee and will be a delegate to the state conference meeting.

He and Judy have traveled quite a bet going to Hawaii, Mexico and Europe. They were in Europe during the 9//11 attack. . Europeans were as stunned by the attack as we were and many of them expressed sorrow that it happened. One congregation held a worship service for our country and a German congregation built a big cross with flowers to honor the victims Larry has carved for over 20 years after a friend gave him several carvings. His first projects were small birds (hut hatches and chickadees). In 1992, Larry asked Jerry Bergeron, who now resides in Amarillo, TX, if a guy from Minnesota could join our carving club. The answer was "Yes!" and Larry lost no time in becoming a member.

Currently Larry enjoys carving full size Wood ducks, has carved quite a few of them. Local townspeople keep him busy with requests for Santa figures, Mrs. Santas, cardinals and bluebirds. He as been a regular participant with carvings for sale at the annual Christmas Show and Sale at the Parkridge Galleria, but some carvings he keeps and gives to grandchildren and townspeople.

Larry, good to have you aboard! We appreciate your driving all the way from Slaton to carve with us and participate in our club activities.

Gerald Gackle
Member since 2007

Gerry graduated from the University of North Dakota and worked as the chief accountant at Homestake Gold Mine for many years. Then he began his own Lead-Deadwood Accounting Service. Arlene, his wife, worked with him until he sold the business and retired to Sioux Falls, where they have lived for the past seven years. They have four children. The two girls live in Sioux Falls. One of twin boys stayed in Lead; the other moved on to Nevada. So far there are eight grandchildren.

Besides doing a lot of travelling to see family, friends, and grandkid's games (including trips to Sweden, Europe, California, Texas, Arizona, Cape Cod, Florida), the Grackles find time for a lot of activities. Arlene keeps busy with her sewing, church quilting, Mahjong, and, of course, grandchildren. Gerry plays golf, enjoys photography, and no doubt gets his share of being with the grandchildren. There is also always maintenance work at the church, which he performs two or three times a week. This winter they plan to go south again.

Three years ago, Gerry was looking for another Hobby when an Arizona friend introduced him to carving. Now he is an active member of our club and regularly attends classes taught by Frank at the Center for Active Generations. His favorite type of carving is relief work: scenes of animals and an old car. He also enjoys carving caricatures. This "in the round" carving is new work for him. Most of his carvings remain with Gerry, and Arlene displays many of his relief works around their house, but we all have had the pleasure of viewing a good sample of his work displayed as entries in the Sioux Empire Woodcarving Exposition and the Dakota Masterworks Art Show.

We are glad the carving bug got under you skin, Gerry, and we are glad you joined our club. We enjoy carving with you. Keep up the good work!