South Dakota Woodcarvers

New Officers Elected at Annual Meeting

2012-01-13T16:50:00.003-06:00

There was a good turn out of members for the 2012 Annual Meeting of S D Woodcarvers, Inc.--enough at least to elect some new officers. After serving a second three-year term as President (and coffee maker), Dick Hansen has been given a well deserved reprieve from his official duties. Bill Dickey, Sr. will now take over that important position.

Bill's son, Gene, will continue to prove his excellent work as Secretary and publisher of the Newsletter, and Derek Boekoff will once again serve as Vice President.

The important office of Treasurer, which has been diligently maintained since 2007 by Bill Huntimer, will now be trusted to Arne Bortnem.

Other business of the meeting included a decision to have third Saturday meetings at the Sioux Falls Center for Active Generations.

Christmas Show Sales were Good!

2011-12-07T09:51:00.004-06:00

According to SDWC member Frank, woodcarving sales were pretty good during the Christmas Show and Sale at the Park Ridge Galleria. And at least two little girls were happy to have their picture taken with Santa (also a woodcarver and member of SDWC).

28th Annual Christmas Show and Sale

2011-11-02T20:59:00.002-05:00

The 28th Annual S D Woodcarver's Christmas Show and Sale will be held once again at the Park Ridge Galleria located in Sioux Falls at 26th St. and Western Ave.

Date: December 3rd

Time: 10 AM to 5 PM

See and buy hand carved works of art by local carvers and say hello to Santa Clause!

Next Meeting: Monday, October 10th

2011-10-05T21:31:00.004-05:00

It won't be long now...winter will soon be here--then summer again!

But first we must get through this lovely fall season--which includes pheasant hunting. So why not attend the Monday meeting SD Woodcarvers and apply your carving skills to carving a pheasant head?

The meeting starts at 6:30 PM, room 503, at the Ed Wood T & I Center, located on the southern end of the Southeastern Tech campus.

For more info, contact stumpkicker@hotmail.com

2011 Sioux Empire Expo People's Choice Best of Show

2011-09-11T20:39:00.003-05:00

"Lunch Time"

by Bill Dickey Sr.

2011 Sioux Empire Woodcarving Expsition Winners

2011-08-28T19:52:00.006-05:00

Thanks to professional woodcarver, Bruce Alexander, for taking the time not only to judge this show, but also to take pictures of the entries. Check out his website: www.customwoodcarving.com

First Place in Novice Class:

Mountain Lion by Craig Johnson

Second Place, Novice Class:

Buffalo by Craig Johnson

First Place, Intermeditate Class:

Leopard by Derek Boekhoff

First Place, Advanced Class:

Laughing Gull by Frank Orthmeyer

2011 Sioux Empire Woodcarving Expsition Overall Best of Show

2011-08-28T19:49:00.001-05:00

"Get Out of my Garden, Mister!"

by Richard Peterson

Another Winner for 2011 Expo

2011-08-28T19:43:00.003-05:00

Woodcarver Ron wins a hug from Miss Sioux Empire Fair, Heather Johnson:

(Hard to resist temptation to photo shop devil horns on Ron's head!)

New Meeting Place

2011-07-04T11:19:00.002-05:00

Saturday morning, June 18, members of the S D Woodcarvers enjoyed their first meeting at the Washington Pavillion in downtown Sioux Falls. A few of us needed some help from Pres. Hansen to find our way through the doors to the south hallway leading to the meeting room on the third floor, but know that we know the way, next time will be easy.

Thanks to a lot work by our very capable treasurer, Bill Huntimer, a fun project featuring a woodpecker picking toothpicks from a simulated log bin was available for everyone at no charge. Bill even manufactured springs with the spiraled wire salvaged from plastic clothes dryer ducting. Its good to be back to back to meetings on a Saturday morning!

Our next meeting will be held again at the third floor meeting room in the Washington Pavillion.

DATE: Third Saturday, July 16

TIME: 9:00 AM till Noon

Report of Annual Meeting

2011-02-03T13:56:00.004-06:00

“Hope and Change” was the headline for last year’s Feb-Mar Newsletter and report of the Annual Meeting. At least “Change” can be reported as a result of our most recent Annual meeting, which was held last January 13th at the STI Ed Wood Center. After a twelve-year term as Secretary and publisher of the SDWC Newsletter—plus at least three terms between 1984 and 1994--I will be handing over the newsletter templates and keyboard codes to our new Secretary, Gene Dickey.

Dick Hansen, Dick Sabers, and Bill Huntimer will continue in their offices as President, Vice President, and Treasurer. Bill's report of the Treasury showed $372.20 as total expenses; $216.00 as total income; $1276.70 as total amount in accounts at Service First Federal C. U.

Vice Pres. Dick Sabers reported on the Christmas ornament give-away last December at one of the weekly food distributions by Faith Temple. Tree ornaments, miniature S D pheasants, and other items left over from the Side Walk Arts project were handed out by three of our members to grateful recipients (mostly children) as they went through the food lines. Each was greeted with "Merry Christmas from the South Dakota Woodcarvers." Everyone who attended this annual meeting agreed that producing even more such items to give away next Christmas would be a worthwhile project for all members to work on during the coming months of 2011.

Former Pres. Richard Peterson initiated discussion about the possibility of acquiring a theft proof display case for showing entries at the Sioux Empire Fair Expo without the need for a security person to be there all the time. It was agreed that further investigation of possibilities by all interested members could produce a more definitive plan for this project by the next Thursday evening meeting, February 10th. The same was agreed in regard to the request by several members to find a place where we could have meetings again during the day on Saturday.

Many thanks to Former Pres. Peterson for all his Meet the Members articles. They really made the newsletters worth reading! Thanks for the distinct honor and a privilege to be of service, and thanks to Gene for being willing to try his hand at recording minutes of meetings and keeping everyone informed.

Retiring Secretary, Arne Bortnem

Notice of Annual Meeting

2011-01-01T14:27:00.001-06:00

The annual meeting of South Dakota Woodcarvers, Inc. will be held on the 13th day of January in the year 2011 for the purpose of electing officers and planning activities for the coming year. The meeting will be held in room 503 of the Ed Wood Trade and Industry Building on the campus of Southeastern Technical Institute, Sioux Falls, between 6:30 and 9:00 PM.

Activities and project carving planned for the regular second Thursday meeting will follow the meeting adjournment.

John Cummings

2011-01-01T14:09:00.006-06:00

We mourn the passing of another devoted woodcarver, husband, father, and friend. John Cummings died December 15, 2010. He was only 76 years old.

Obituary at Barnet-Lewisfuneralhome.com

CORNELIUS EUGENE “CORNE” ELLIS

2010-12-05T23:02:00.003-06:00

Our good friend and member of SDWC died Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Sioux Falls, SD
Age: 85 years, 1 month, 8 days

See complete obituary at http://www.georgeboom.com/.

27th Annual S D Woodcarvers Christmas Show and Sale

2010-11-23T21:31:00.004-06:00

Join members of South Dakota Woodcarvers, INC. at the Park Ridge Galleria for their 27th Annual Christmas Show and Sale!

Saturday, December 4, 10 AM -- 4 PM

Location: 26th St. and Western Ave, Sioux Falls, SD

Shop for Christmas, eat lunch at the Pickle Barrel, enjoy piano music and free cookies and cider!

Pine Roots Present a Challenge At the October Meeting of SDWC

2010-11-05T22:38:00.004-05:00

Thanks to Don Arend a whole table full
of wondrous and assorted remnants of Black Hills pine tree roots were available free of charge to members attending the Second Thursday evening meeting of the SD Woodcarvers. It will be interesting to see what will eventually emerge from these uniquely different pieces of wood.

Don was also prepared to help with making the wound wire trees he is famous for, but no one was quite ready yet to try out this new art form. Maybe there will be more interest in that for our next meeting in November.

SPEAKING OF WHICH--Due to the Second Thursday occurring on Veteran's Day, this meeting will be postponed until the following Thursday, November 18th. (And if you buy into "Numerology" stuff and Gary, the Numbers Guy, you know that anything associated with the number 11 is probably a good thing to avoid…hence 11/11 is probably a really good date

to not go to any woodcarving meetings..?.:).

Also appearing at this meeting was the first of finished horse head projects, begun during the July meeting of SDWC at the Horse Barn Art Center. Pictured right is one of three samples brought in by Dick Sabers.

Sioux Empire Woodcarving Expo Judging Results

2010-08-21T21:40:00.010-05:00

Novice Class Best of Show:

Bison

carved by Dick Hansen, Sioux Falls

Intermediate Class Best of Show:

Troika

Carved by Gerald Gackle
Sioux Falls

Advanced Class Best of Show:

House Wren

Carved by ArneBortnem
Sioux Falls

Eighteenth Annual Sioux Empire Wood Carving Exposition

2010-07-19T12:02:00.002-05:00

August 10-15 -- Sioux Falls, S. Dak. at W. H Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls, SD.

Fair admission $5.

Rules and Entry Form for entering this woodcarving competition can be downloaded from the Sioux Empire Fair website. Just click the Sioux Empire Fair Link at the right and look for pages 83 and 84 in the PDF file.

For more information, contact:

President D. Hansen, 605-334-5978, oldbiomass@aol.com

Or:

Arne Bortnem, 605-361-3547, stumpkicker@hotmail.com

Meet Member Steve Sechser

2010-07-19T11:26:00.003-05:00

Steve was born in Omaha where his father was a businessman. And later, he grew up in Sioux Falls, his mother's hometown, with three sisters. Sisters live in Sioux Falls and one in Kansas City. For family, Steve has a daughter and a son with both living in the Black Hills.

After serving for thirty years, Steve retired from the Postal Service three years ago. In a walking route, Steve would cover about five miles a day. All that walking set him up for a hiking hobby today, which he shares with his children. In later years of work, Steve drove his routes. When asked if he had any trouble with dogs he answered none. But he did have one good story of a dog, which came out for the mail and carried it back to his owner who was confined to a wheelchair. Smart dog. Good story.

Steve has outdoor hobbies such as hiking, fishing (4 or 5 times in Canada), biking around Sioux Falls, winter cross-country skiing and gardening. Today, Steve lives on a five-acre piece of ground with a house and barn on it. There he tends a garden of vegetables and flowers, and also gets a crop of asparagus.

Past carving projects have been walking sticks for his daughter. Steve got interested in carving from looking over club carving at the local fair several years ago. He was thinking that he would like another hobby. He joined the S D Woodcarvers in 2009, and today he is carving a Dick Saber's bark carving of a hobo.

Today, Steve is fixing up an old hip-roof barn with new shingles and several rooms on the lower level for a shop. He would like to add equipment for carving and some furniture projects. Wild life (the animal and bird kind) is another interest Steve has. Some day he would like to do some animal and duck carving. Steve, be careful on that barn roof!

Welcome to our club Steve. It's good to see you at our monthly meetings.

Meet Member Bill Dickey

2010-04-14T21:05:00.003-05:00

Bill Dicky was born in Pennsylvania and lived there for a year while his father, Bill Dickey Sr., was in the service. Then Bill moved to Sioux Falls, grew up and attended school there. After graduation, Bill enrolled in the Estherville, Iowa, Junior College for a Criminal Justice Degree. With that in hand, Bill returned to Sioux Falls where he worked as a correction officer for Minnehaha County. Later, a local Law Enforcement officer approached Bill about becoming a policeman.

Now living in Emmetsburg, Iowa, Bill served there as a policeman for two or three years. In Emmetsburg, Bill met Sharolyn and married her. A few years later Bill became the Public Works Director, a position he still occupies. One of the several responsibilities Bill and his seven-man crew has is clearing the streets of snow. And with a total so far of seventy-two inches of snow, this year has been especially challenging.

Sharolyn, wife, is a financial officer also working in Emmetsburg. Both Bill and Sharolyn tend to their backyard. The yard has a pond with all the trimming. This takes them alot of energy and time what with their crayfish pond inhabitants. Other pets are a dog and a parrot.

Along with taking care of the streets of Emmetsburg, Bill is an EMT, on call five nights a week on ambulance runs as needed. One week, they made seven runs.

Needless to say, Bill is busy. And as much as he enjoys carving, he doesn’t find a lot of time to engage in it. Carving about eighteen years, the majority of his carving is done with his family and friends at workshops. They have attended workshops in Forest City and Bill has helped in setting up workshops in Emmetsburg. Teachers have included carver John Burke and Lloyd Meng. Bill says he is appreciative of friendships at those events and also here in our club.

Bill’s first carving was an Indian bust, of Butternut, well soaked wood, and carved wet. Today, it sits in their dining room along with other Burke and Meng carvings. Bill also enjoys caricature projects.

The only problem Bill had with carving was the time he and eight other carvers dremeled their way into a project in the family garage. Suffice to say they raised a lot of dust, which made its way through the whole house. Sharolyn is very supportive though, today inviting Bill into her kitchen to do his carving. Just no more dremeling groups. Sharolyn, we understand and especially so our wives.

Bill would like to be more active in our club but distance is a big problem. Bill, you are welcome here whenever it works out for you.

Meet Glen Isles, Member since 1991

2010-02-03T22:17:00.002-06:00

Glen Ilse was born in Flandreau, South Dakota, and he grew up in Egan. Involved with his father in the construction business, Glen developed proficiency in cabinetwork. That, and making boxes, still interests Glen.

As a young man, Glen moved to Sioux Falls and began working for the city as an equipment operator. Then he went to work for Holcomb Freightliner, driving trucks and helping out with maintenance and sales of trucks. Now, for the past eleven years, Glen is retired and enjoys carving as a favorite pass time.

Artistic talent must run in Glen's family. His twin sister is very artistic in drawing, painting, and fabric work, and Glen's daughter is very good in clay sculpture and loom creations. It was Glen's older brother, also a woodcarver, who encouraged Glen to start carving about 20 years ago. He even signed him up for a subscription to CHIP CHATS!

Glen's first carving was a small dog, and it is still with him. "It was fun!" said Glen. His favorite projects are caricatures and cottonwood bark "wood spirits", and he enjoyed going along with the Dickey family for a John Burke carving class in Emmetsburg, Iowa. (An interesting side note is that Bill Dickey and Glen's wife Cheri are related to the professional artist, John Greene.)

A mutual friend introduced Glen and Cheri to each other. Being both retired allows plenty of time for spoiling grandchildren (nine of them), sewing, board games and cards with friends, fishing, and traveling. Of course the gift and calling to serve as Santa Clause has given Glen a special distinction. We were very pleased and fortunate to have Glen appear as Santa at our Annual Christmas Show and Sale last December at the Park Ridge Galleria, but something we may not know is that Glen has also been Santa in California, Chicago, and even New York City. One very memorable job as Santa was in New York City in December of 2001, when New Yorkers were still having a very tense time and had strong feelings about 9-11.

Glen, thank you for being a member of our club, for being our Santa Clause, and for letting us get to know more about you!

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING

2010-01-06T12:12:00.002-06:00

The Annual Meeting of S D Woodcarvers Inc. will begin at
6:30 PM, THURSDAY, Jan. 14, 2010,
in room 503 of the Ed Wood Trade and Industry Center,
Southeast Technical Institute,
2301 Career Place, Sioux Falls, SD.

The purpose of the meeting shall be (1) to elect officers, (2) to conduct general
business pursuant to the goals and purposes stated in the Corporate Charter and by laws, and (3) to deal with issues related to the specific projects and activities preformed in the past or to be preformed in the future by the members as a group.

All active, dues paying members are eligible to vote and serve as officers
of the corporation. (Check the date in your address label to see if dues are due!)

After the meeting: Tool Sharpening Workshop

At last! Tool Sharpening Tips Make Sense!

2010-01-05T23:01:00.002-06:00

Thanks to Bruce Alexander for forwarding the November 2009 Newsletter from Chris Pye. It was a real treat to read his comments on tool sharpening--since I have been forever trying to preach "You don't sharpen the edge; you sharpen the bevel."

Chris is devoted to teaching the art of woodcarving and his web site has a lot to offer for anyone interested learning to carve. (Click on the Chris Pye link in the Links Section to the right!)

Santa Clause Appears at 26h Annual Show and Sale

2009-12-13T22:04:00.004-06:00

Thanks to long-time member Glen Isle and his world-wide connections, Santa Clause himself appeared at the annual S D Woodcarvers Show and Sale at The Park Ridge Galleria. As usual the crowd was nothing to brag about and there were lots of candy canes left over.

Pres. Dick Hansen and Ron Schulte maned a display of tree ornaments and other carvings made by members of SDWC. All the profits went to the Food Pantry for school kids.

The show included art work and carvings by Don Arend, Don Clemetson, Dick Peterson, Frank Orthmeyer, and Arne Bortnem.

26th Annual S D Woodcarvers Christmas Show and Sale

2009-11-04T23:25:00.004-06:00

WHERE: The Park Ridge Galleria, 26th Street and Western Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD

WHEN: Saturday, December 5th, 2009
Doors open at 8:30 AM

SANTA CLAUSE will be there with treats from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

To see what else is available at the Park Ridge Galleria click in the links box at the right.

Kidney Transplant for Gene Dickey

2009-09-23T21:45:00.004-05:00

Gene Dickey, prominent member of SDWC, went into the operating room at McKennen Hospital last Friday, Sept. 25, to get another kidney transplant. Pres. Dick Hansen has paid him a visit and reports that "he looks great and feels the same".

He is scheduled for release from the hospital Thursday morning and is hoping to attend the meeting on the evening of October 8th.

Let us all pray that this transplant will bring Gene back to a normal life filled with all the great and wonderful things he is destined to experience and achieve!

NOW ANOTHER NEW NOTICE OF MEETING TIME CHANGE!

2009-09-23T21:38:00.002-05:00

The Wednesday evening meeting turned out to be a problem for some of the members, so now the meetings for the coming year (until next August) will be held on the Second Thursday evening of each month.

Our next meeting will be October 8th, starting at 6:30 PM. Location remains the same: room 503 in the Ed Wood T & I Center, Southeastern Technical Institute, Sioux Falls, SD.

NOTICE OF NEW TIME FOR MONTHLY MEETING

2009-08-13T11:15:00.001-05:00

To all members and guests who attend monthly
meetings of the South Dakota Woodcarvers:

Terms in the contract for using the classroom at Southeastern Tech
have changed. Starting September 16, 2009, we will be meeting on the third Wednesday eveing of each month. The time for these meetings is set for 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

The location remains the same: Ed Wood T & I Center, room 503.

Sioux Empire Woodcarving Exposition Winners

2009-08-09T19:44:00.006-05:00

Novice Class Best of Show:

Rose Broach

Entered by Derek Boekoff, Sioux Falls, SD

Intermediate Class Best of Show:

Kestrel Hawk

Entered by Lorraine Pearson, Sioux Falls, SD

Advanced Class Best of Show:

The Veteran

Entered by Don Clemetson, Brandon, SD

Next Meeting: LOCATION MAY CHANGE!

2009-07-14T11:24:00.002-05:00

The August meeting was sheduled for this Saturday, July 18, 9:00 AM, at the Ed Wood T & I Center, room 503, but an unexpected change for renewing the meeting room contract with STI has put the location for a meeting in question. We may have to find another locatation for our monthly meetings.

See you at the fair!

Sioux Empire Fair Woodcarving Exposition

2009-07-14T11:07:00.002-05:00

Entries for the Sioux Empire Fair Woodcarving Expo are already being mailed in, and Bill Huntimer has contracted with a carver from Brookings to judge this year's competition. Judging will begin Sunday, Aug. 9 at 1:00 PM, and all entries should be delivered to the Arts Building by 4:00 PM Saturday, Aug. 8th.

A copy of the Rules and Regulations and Entry Form can be printed from pages 85 and 86 of the Fair premium book, located under "Registration Forms "at www.siouxempirefair.com

Since 1991, when we had our first "exposition" at the Sioux Empire Fair and only a dozen or so entries submitted, a number of changes have occurred in the way judging and presentation of awards were conducted.

What has not changed is the need for volunteers to help on Saturday with receiving and recording entries and setting up the display area. Whoever is interested can do final setting up and arranging the exhibit for as long as it takes on Monday. Then the usual shifts (AM, PM, Evening) for security duty during the six days of fun at the fair need to be filled.

The master duty schedule will be available at the meeting this Saturday for anyone there who wants to sign up…otherwise call Pres. Hansen (334-5978) to get on the schedule.

Change of Address Notice

2009-05-12T22:00:00.001-05:00

Members at the March meeting voted to implement last year's suggestion by Pres. Peterson to (1) discontinue ownership of P. O. Box 87903 for receiving incoming mail to S D Woodcarvers, Inc. and (2) to use the home address of the current president as our official mailing address. Any first class mail addressed to S D Woodcarvers, P. O. Box 87903 will now be forwarded (for one year) to 3008 E. 22nd St., Sioux Falls, 57103 (Pres. Hansen's home address).

March and April Meetings Report

2009-05-12T21:44:00.006-05:00

Don Arend may have questioned whether his wound-wire tree art had any relevance to woodcarving, but everyone who attended the March meeting was fascinated by his presentation. He showed how he used a homemade jig to twist the strands of wire from several spools at once and displayed a number of unique samples mounted on natural wood formations. We are happy to welcome Don as a new member of our club!

Dick Sabers, who has referred to some of his own carvings as "enhanced nature," was inspired by one of Don's creations to make some carved additions. This creation (picture right) was displayed at our April meeting.

The carving project for the April meeting came from patterns published in Woodcarving in the Scandinavian Style by Harley Refsal. Band saw cut outs for "The Auditor" (in honor of April 15th, tax day) and "Johannes" (peasant with pitchfork) were provided for $2.00 each. (There are still a few blanks leftover for the May meeting.)

Meet the Members

2009-05-12T21:33:00.003-05:00

Ron Schulte, Member Since 2000

Ron Schulte and his wife, Sharon, have lived in Sioux Falls for forty-three years. Before they moved to the big city, they were farming in the area of Emery, SD. Ron has worked as a rural insurance adjuster and a flower wholesaler. Currently he is called to offer his service to law and order as a bailiff in the Sioux Falls Courts.

Sharon is big fan of mah-jongg and will play this popular Chinese game two or three times a week. Quilting has been another one of her favorite hobbies. Ron and Sharon try to make a one-week (or week-and-a-half) trip each year. These trips have included traveling to Yellowstone, the Bad Lands, a rodeo in Canada, Peace Gardens, and Eastern Iowa. Ron used to do more fishing than he gets to do today. Ron and Sharon have two grandchildren who live with their daughter and her husband in Denver, CO, and two sons who live in Sioux Falls.

Carving for Ron began about twenty years ago when he was between jobs. His first carving was a gnome, carved after he bought one for reference. Other early works were small Christmas projects. Carving caricatures is his favorite pastime. Today, Ron is working on a very ambitious project: carving a complete chess set, along with the chessboard. Ron doesn't play chess, so he will let his son and grandson "fight it out". Some of his carvings are sold, but most end up in other houses as gifts.
Ron is a regular at our club meetings and always eager to pitch in on projects. Thanks much Ron! Glad you are with us.

March Meeting:

2009-03-15T15:02:00.002-05:00

9:00 AM, Saturday, March 21, 2009,
at the Ed Wood Trade and Industry Center, Southeast Technical Institute, Sioux Falls, SD

See how Don Arend makes those fantastic wire trees growing out of exotic specimans of natural wood.

As usual, bring a project you are working on or a finished piece for "show and tell"

Coming Events

2009-02-08T22:43:00.002-06:00

February Meeting:
Saturday, February 22, 9:00 AM, at the Ed Wood Trade and Industry Center, STI.
Project: Continue carving 2X2 samples from patterns provided by Derek
(Maybe President Hansen will have some additional work to do)

29th Annual CWS Artists of the Plains Art Show & Sale:
February 20, 7-9:30 p.m.; Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Feb. 22 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
At the Downtown Holiday Inn. http://www.augie.edu/news/2009-02/cws-hosts-29th-annual-art-show-and-sale-february-20-22

Desiree Hajny Carving Seminar:
March 14th at the Center for Active Generations. Desiree will be teaching techniques for carving hair detail on realistic animal carvings. The limited number of registrants for this class has been filled. Call Frank Orthmeyer at (605) 333-9980 to see if any cancellations have occurred.

March Meeting:
Saturday, March 21, 9:00 AM, at the Ed Wood Trade and Industry Center, STI.
Project: (to be announced)

Meet Member Derek Boekhoff

2009-02-08T22:33:00.002-06:00

Derek Boekhoff, SDWC member since 2007, was born in Sioux Falls and moved to Montana when very young. He lived there for ten years. Then he moved with his parents and two sisters, to California and then to Idaho for a number of years. They moved back to Sioux Falls two and 1/2 years ago. Derek has a lot of family in the Sioux Falls area including a second set of grandparents.

Derek's grandfather, living in Montana, is a Master Carver who introduced Derek to carving in 2001. Derek was on his way home from Heartland Baptist Bible College when he stopped to visit his grandfather. Grandfather showed Derek his carvings and gave Derek several tools. Together, they worked on a two-foot by two and half foot carving of panthers in a grassland scene. Derek has this carving and plans to add more foliage some day. This grandfather has been a big inspiration for Derek to carve.

Today, Derek works at a Sioux Falls manufacturing plant called "Showcase Wood Products. Future plans for Derek include making furniture and adding relief carvings to the product. Derek is fond of wild life subjects such as wild cats and panthers for his projects. He has also enjoyed carving small Christmas ornaments for family members. He likes relief carving, but does three-dimensional as well. A leopard lamp carving is one that he has been working on during our club meetings.

Derek earned a BA in Church Music at Heartland Bible College. Today, he is much involved in his congregational activities and does some music arrangements. Derek has also been a pianist for eighteen years. Derek is one of our newer and younger club members and is very faithful to attend our meetings. It's been fun to watch the progress of Derek's leopard lamp carving. It was shown at the Sioux Empire Fair Expo this past summer. We Enjoy Derek's participation in our club activities and appreciate his willingness to serve as our new Vice President.

Notice of Annual Meeting

2008-12-14T21:11:00.001-06:00

The annual meeting of South Dakota Woodcarvers, Inc. will be held on the 17th day of January in the year 2009 for the purpose of electing officers and planning activities for the coming year. The meeting will be held in room 503 of the Ed Wood Trade and Industry Building on the campus of Southeastern Technical Institute, Sioux Falls, between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM.

Activities and project carving planned for the regular third Saturday meeting will follow the meeting adjournment.

Meet the Members

2008-12-14T21:01:00.004-06:00

Lloyd Whitley - Member since 2005

Lloyd and his wife, Joy, are long-time Sioux Falls Residents. Lloyd was a State Farm Insurance agent until he retired in 1997. Also, along the way, Lloyd was a body and fender man for seven years, especially enjoying the challenge of spray painting a flawless finish. Joy and Lloyd have six children and eleven grand children, and with the marriage of a grandchild, Lloyd is looking forward to becoming a great grandfather.

Lloyd's interest in working with his hands probably began in the 1930's when he was a youngster growing up and having to make his own toys. After retiring, he and Joy drove their RV to Texas where he was exposed to the art of woodcarving. Taking classes and purchasing a book soon had Lloyd carving elk and deer. Currently he enjoys learning to carve birds. He has taken classes from such notables as Kirt Curtis, Desiree Hajny, and Frank Orthmeyer. (Frank, you are grouped in great company.)

The Center for Active Generations hosts several of Lloyds carving. He gives eagle carvings away to members of his family, and a copy of his wolf and cub was a gift to his brother in Alaska. However, he did sell a blue heron. Big horn sheep and a Kestrel hawk in walnut are carvings proudly completed, and several of Lloyd's carvings have done well in competition at the Sioux Empire Fair Expo and SDHCA Dakota MasterWorks.

Traveling and hunting also interest Lloyd. He has taken big game such as elk, deer, and antelope, and he has crafted his own bow and makes his own arrows for big game hunts. In addition to hunting with his bow, Lloyd has entered state and national competitions. Another enjoyment has been the teaching archery to his grand children. Today, Lloyd has added flying remotely controlled aircraft and using an air brush for special effects in painting his carvings. This fellow doesn't quit! Glad your are with the Club Lloyd! Keep on inspiring us with your many tallents!

25th Annual South Dakota Woodcarvers Chirstmas Show and Sale

2008-11-30T16:36:00.004-06:00

Looking for unique hand-made Christmas gifts? Come to the Parkridge Galleria (26h St. and Western Ave, Sioux Falls) this Saturday, December 6th, and visit displays of hand-carved wooden ornaments, unusual gift items and fine sculpture by members of South Dakota Woodcarvers, Inc.

Doors open at 9:00 AM.

MEET THE MEMBERS

2008-11-07T14:31:00.006-06:00

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!

Canadian Crest

2008-11-07T14:26:00.002-06:00

Commissioned carving recently completed

by long-time SDWC member,
Bruce Alexander

www.customwoodcarving.com

Next Meeting:

2008-09-14T20:37:00.004-05:00

9:00 AM, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008,
at the Ed Wood Trade and Industry Center,
Southeast Technical Institute, Sioux Falls, SD

Unofficial reports of the Side Walk Arts project are indcating that it was a successful venture even though rain came and caused an early closing. Expect an official report of net profit and final assesment at the meeting this Saturday.

The carving project will center around carving toy tops and other things good for woodcarvers to make and kids to play with.

Meet The Members

2008-08-14T23:22:00.004-05:00

Glen Novak--Member since 2006

Glen is unmarried and lives on the family farm near Hurley, SD. He spent a few years in the Army during the Viet Nahm war and another 25 years putting up metal buildings in the Sioux Falls area. After that he was a gravel trucker until he became disabled. Asked how he got into carving, Glen says, "You guys got me started!"

It was at one of the first annual show and sales at the Park Ridge Mall that Glen saw carvings by SDWC members and followed through by cutting down a walnut tree and doing some carving of his own. A westward moving pioneer family, complete with husband and wife, boy, girl and a dog all riding in a covered wagon pulled by two harnessed horses was the inspiration for one of his first works. Another historical inspiration came from the alleged sighting of an 18" high devil by travelers with Lewis and Clark. Opining that what they saw was just a jackrabbit, Glen carved a devil riding on the back of rabbit. Other carvings include buffalo, Indians on horseback, and miniatures.

While carving provides lots of pleasure, Glen also enjoys gardening and baking bread. It is our pleasure to have such a talented and active member attending our meetings and activities.

Gene Gordon--Member Since 2004

After their marriage Gene worked at a Homestake sawmill near Sturgis, SD, while Elaine earned her teacher's degree and launched a forty-year career as a teacher. Now retired, Elaine likes to paint with watercolors, enjoys music, and likes playing games with Gene, who also enjoys music and taught that subject in several schools around the state. Eventually he became a school administrator in Dubrook, SD, and also served Thirty years in the National Guard before he retired and moved to Brandon, SD.

Gene and Elaine have two children and one grandchild. Their son lives in Virginia and earns a living by plotting maps. Their daughter is a teacher in Martin, SD.

Gene was introduced to woodcarving very early in life through 4-H and grade school activities. Then, while in high school, Gene joined a carving group organized by the local Episcopal Priest. Now, besides being an active member of SDWC, he joins the Monday morning carving classes lead by Frank Orthmeyer. His favorite projects are birds and faces, and he is currently working on a full sized American Kestrel.

The art of tooling leather has been another favorite pass time for Gene. His belts, purses, and pistol holsters were popular items at various art and craft shows, and several policemen are wearing his holsters. There is also the hard, but enjoyable, work of maintaining a cabin in the Black Hills. Thank you, Gene, for your company and for sharing your hobby and skills with us.

Sioux Empire Expo Best of Show Winners

2008-08-03T19:56:00.008-05:00

Visitor's Choice Best of Show:

Mallard Hen
by Frank Orthmeyer

Best of Show in Advanced Class:

Viking

by Don Clemetson

Best of Show in Intermediate Class:

Old Time Santa

by Paul Seevers

Best of Show in Novice Class:

Cypress Knee Gnome

by Bill Huntimer

2008 Sioux Empire Woodcarving Exposition

2008-07-19T14:58:00.006-05:00

Anyone who has entered his work in this wood carving competition should by now have received the Sioux Empire Fair Premium Book. Rules and Entry Form for the Woodcarving Exposition appear on pages 90 & 91. The entry form should be available at the Sioux Empire Fair website: http://www.siouxempirefair.com/.

Dates for the fair are August 5-10. Mailed in Entry Forms and entries must be received by Friday, August 1. Hand delivered entries will be received at the Arts Building on Satuday, August 2, 9 AM until 4 PM. Judging will take place Sunday, August 3.

Congratulations Stan and Ihlene Fillingsness!

2008-07-19T14:51:00.003-05:00

Stan will be ninty years old on July 10. Ihlene is already a couple of weeks into her 91st year. June 14th was the 68th anniversary of their wedding. As recognized by the South Dakota Arts Council, Stan is a Master carver in the Scandinavian tradition, and anyone who has tasted treats from Ihlene's kitchen will give her credit for being a "Master" baker!
(Contact these talented folks through the Bethesda Home and Inn, Beresford, SD)

NEXT SATURDAY MEETING:

2008-05-12T22:16:00.002-05:00

WHEN: Saturday, May 17, 9:00 AM

WHERE: Ed Wood T&A Center , Southeastern Techinical Institute, Sioux Falls

WHY: Carve ornaments for sale at the Side Walk Arts Festival

Meet the Members

2008-04-12T00:03:00.006-05:00

William Dickey:

Bill Dickey's first carving experience was in 1980, when he and a friend attended a woodcarving class taught by Bill Slater. Carving has been a "fascination" for him ever since.
Bill and HIS wife, Mary, LIVE IN Brandon and have three children. Two SONS (Gene and Bill) also share in his carving interest. Mary is a florist and had her own shop until 15 yearS ago when she sold the business. Today, she does day-care in the Sioux falls cleveland school, but Flowers continue to be important to her as a hobby--as well as collecting her dolls. Something we might not know about bill and Mary is that They enjoy spending quite a bit of their time at the cabin they built on lake herman 30 years ago.

After working 31 years at John morrelL & Co., Bill is employed today by the Brandon valley school system. He was an active volunteer in the Brandon fire department for 33 years, but retired from that last year. To complement his interest in fire fighting, he has been collecting antique fire extinguishers.
Because of a friend's request, bill's first carving projects were owls. Bill still has the first one, a 12"-14" carving. Except for selling a few Santa carvings and contributing carvings to cancer Charities and other benefits, he keeps most of his carvings. Favored projects for bill are bark carvings, caricature carving, small ornaments, and fish. His fish carvings have done well for him in competition at the Sioux Empire fair and at the Spencer, Iowa, fair. He will spend 6-8 months on his fish projects. Expect to see another walleye at this year's fair!

Another favorite activity enjoyed by bill and his two sons during the past ten years, is joining several of their friends in weekend carving classes and seminars. We APPRECIATE THAT they also frequently attend Third Saturday meetings of SDWC, Thank you, bill, for your interest in carving and for your participation in our club activities.

Gene Dickey:

Gene is the youngest offspring of bill and Mary Dickey, and while he credits his father for getting him carving "as a kid", those annual classes and seminars at Waldorf college in Iowa with instructors like John Burke or Lloyd Meng were "great weekends."

Gene's first carving was a cross on bark. This he gave to his grandmother and received it back at her passing. Also, gene carved a tulip on bark. He likes to carve the lloyd Meng caricatures and eagle feathers with an eagle head on one end. Gene still has most of his carvings.

One thing we may not know about gene is that He collects pillsbury dough boy statues, a hobby he began as a youngster. Currently, gene is carving a "boy baker"; also Bill sr. has carved several statures for gene's collection.

Today, Gene lives in sioux falls and has been working at wells fargo for nine years. He Earned his BA in "business management" several years ago. He likes to travel, and, quite Often, it is his whole family that vacations together in places like branson. Like his parents, gene also enjoys their lakeside cabin. Gene says he and bill fish for walleye and northerns from their dock, while dad carves. "Bill and I are whittlers and dad is a carver"

All of us are aware of gene's health problems. Today he needs another kidney transplant. He will enter the hospital in April for final exam to be a "suitable recipient" for a transplant. Then a search for a living donor will happen and could take three to five years. An Aside: Gene's paper for his BA degree was on "living donorships", a well recievced thesis.

Thank you, Gene, for your company in carving and for being a great inspiration for all of us. (An interview with Bill Dickey Jr. will be coming soon!)

April - May Newsletter

2008-04-11T23:56:00.006-05:00

The "Art" of Violin Making

The members and guests at the March meeting of the
South Dakota Woodcarvers enjoyed a special treat as Arthur Ramse gave a talk about violin making. Art retired from farming twenty-five years ago and moved to his current residence in Canton, SD. Wondering what he might do to occupy his time, he paid a visit to retired pastor John Watne, who had resumed the vocation of violin making as he had previously done in Norway.
After a second look at the "how to do" manual Pastor Watne encouraged him to read, Art decided to go ahead and give violin making a try. He learned the basics by assembling his first violin from a kit, and now he is working on his 40th instrument made almost entirely from scratch. Each step of the process, from carving the backs and fronts to bending and gluing the sides, requires painstaking precision, but one of the biggest challenges, Art says, has been learning to apply the perfect finish.
Art told some interesting stories about sales he had made and answered a lot of questions about the various techniques, but of course there were some trade secrets that he was not willing to divulge. In order to compete with the Made-in-China market and Internet sales, he might be willing to part with one his hand made violins for less than $1000.00.

Next Meeting: Saturday, April 19, (9:00 AM at the STI Ed Wood T&I Building)

We still have to decide whether or not to go ahead with plans for a booth at the SideWalk Arts Festival. Once a definite commitment to this project is made, we may have to dedicate some of our meetings to carving those ornaments and such that we intend to sell. (There are already some ornaments and carvings under way.) In the meantime, however, a little bird carving exercise has been planned. Band saw blanks for carving a profile sample of the bird heads will be available as a carving project for this meeting.

February - March Newsletter

2008-02-08T22:30:00.000-06:00

Hats off to Bob Locken!

Thanks to Bob's initiative and willingness to get things done, advertising for our Annual Christmas Show and Sale at the Parkridge Galleria appeared in two issues of the Shoppers News. Even though Bob did not have a table to show off his carvings, either for show or for sale, he paid the bill for the ads and has refused to accept any reimbursement from the club treasurer. Too bad the show had to be canceled because of the weather! We'll probably never know how much good those ads might have done. Thanks anyway, Bob!

News that appeared in a few Internet Events Calendars about rescheduling the show for the next Saturday was completely worthless-- (judging from the few people who showed up that day to shop for woodcarvings). In fact, getting enough traffic at the Park Ridge Gallaria on any given day to make it worthwhile enough to attempt a sale of woodcarvings may be expecting too much--regardless of the amount and type of advertising we could muster. Maybe it's time for a change! (Where have we heard that before?)

The possibility of setting up a booth at the Side Walk Arts Festival next September in down town Sioux Falls was discussed at the annual meeting last month, and Vice Pres. Dick Sabers offered to investigate that possibility. It will be interesting to see what he has to say about that at our next meeting, Feb. 16th.

Who can doubt Paul Harvey?

A new sharpening tool recently advertised by Paul Harvey prompted me to check it out on the Internet web site. They had video demos for two models, the 2000 for $130, and the 3000 for $250. I thought the see-through disk and air cooling features of both models were quite interesting--not to mention lightweight portability. I began to wonder if it would be worth spending that much money for still another sharpening tool.

Then one day I happened to be shopping at Menard's (again) and noticed a large display of the model 2000 on sale for $99.99. I began to wonder if we could get Treasurer Huntimer to part with another $100 and buy one for the club to use at meetings.

A week later, needing still more material for a kitchen cupboard remodel (and to get away from "Super Tuesday" TV), I returned to Menards with a fairly sizable Big Card rebate check. After loading my cart with a sheet of oak plywood, I went to look again at the Model 2000. There was only one left on the shelf and a guy was watching the video. I grabbed the box and said, "Excuse me, I need this for a product evaluation.."

I'll have it available for anyone to try out at our meeting, Feb 16th. There's a link to the website at www.sdwoodcarvers.blogspot.com
~~~Sec. Arne

Meet the Members

2008-02-08T22:28:00.000-06:00

Rollin Manning has been a member of our club since 2000. During the 37 years he worked as a meteorologist, ("Weatherman"--for those of you from Nunda), he lived in North Dakota, Michigan, Indiana, Georgia, Arizona, and finally in South Dakota, where he concluded his career. Rollin admits it was frustrating at times, working against all the weatherman jokes, but he was correct 60-70% of the time--which, he said, wasn't all that bad. He retired in 1990. A year later Marian, his wife, joined him in retirement after years of serving as a dietician in hospitals and nursing homes.

Together, they have four children and ten grandchildren, and they spend a lot of time traveling between Tennessee and Colorado to visit family members. From January 10th through May of this year they will be enjoying the warmer weather in Arizona.
Rollin is a late bloomer in carving. His first wood projects were building bookcases for himself and for family. Then he "graduated" (one could say) to carving. Good Move! His favorite projects are bears, birds and other wild life.

Things we don't know about Rollin are that he is a stamp collector and a presidential gold coin collector. A third thing we don't know about him is that he became 81 last June. And forth, Rollin went directly from High School into the Marine Corp. It was the last year of WWII, and Rollin was on his way to invade Japan when the two bombs that brought that war to and end were dropped. Later, as a member of the National Guard, Rollin served in the Korean conflict.

We are glad Rollin survived his adventures in the military and in the weather reporting business to become a fellow wood carver.

After retiring from John Morrell & Co., Don Clementson worked as a craftsman for a bank in Brandon. His wife, Marge is engaged in the antique business, buying and selling at a booth in trading shows and through an antique store. When not carving, Don enjoys reading westerns and playing golf, and Marge likes to play Bingo. Don and Marge also enjoy taking their camper to Branson and Wisconsin, where they will stay ten to fourteen days at a time. They have two children and one grandchild.

Since Don joined the SD Woodcarvers Club fourteen years ago, his talent for woodcarving has grown, and he has gained a reputation as one of the area's best, along with Jim Savage and Jerry Bergeron, whose works are well known by art collectors in and beyond the Sioux Falls area. He likes to carve various styles of "Santa" figures and walking sticks, but his favorite carvings are large portraits of Native Americans and Mountain Men. Such pieces have won him several Best of Show awards at the Center for Western Studies Annual Artist of the Plains Show and Sale and at the Sioux Empire Woodcarving Exposition. (His Mountain Man that won the People's Choice Best of Show in 2002 is still pictured in the "Gallery" page of www.sdwoodcarvers.com.) Don usually participates in three art shows a year. One is our annual Parkridge Show and Sale. The other two are out of town sites. Don also participates in competitive shows.

When asked what we don't know about him, Don says that he is "old". Hey, Don! Welcome to the club! Speaking of which: besides growing old with the rest of us, Don's service as a club member has been very commendable. Numerous times he has offered instruction on various projects and served as president for five or more years! Many thanks, Don, for sharing your skills with us and for encouraging the rest of us "carvers".

At last report, Don has won a battle against the cancer that was slowing him down during the past year, but last Jan. 8th as he was getting the mail he slipped on some ice and broke his leg. We wish you a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing you again soon!

Notice of Annual Meeting:

2008-01-08T21:30:00.000-06:00

The Annual Meeting of S D Woodcarvers Inc. will begin at 9:30 AM, Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008,
Room 503 of the Ed Wood Trade and Industry Center,
Southeast Technical Institute,
2301 Career Place, Sioux Falls, SD.

The purpose of the meeting shall be (1) to elect officers, (2) to conduct general business pursuant to the goals and purposes stated in the Corporate Charter and by laws, and

(3) to deal with issues related to the specific projects and activities preformed in the past or to be preformed in the future by the members as a group.

Chip carving, continued from the December meeting, has been planned for the after-meeting program. New cutouts and patterns will be available.

Next Meeting: December 15, 2007

2007-12-09T19:23:00.000-06:00

The December meeting of the S D Woodcarvers will be held December 15th, at the Ed Wood Trade and Industry Center, room 503, located on the south campus of Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls, SD.

Planned activity includes a contest for cash prizes for the best in four projects featured at club meetings during the past year: (1) Dala Horse, (2) Apple, (3) Puppy Dog, (4) Any of the other completed meeting projects. Also scheduled for the December meeting is a chip carving project with star ornament cutouts furnished by Derek Boekhoff.

As usual, we look forward to sharing traditional Christmas goodies!

October - November Newsletter

2006-10-13T08:24:00.000-05:00

Greetings SDWC members and fellow woodcarvers!

A lot fine work by many of our members went into carving 4X4 samples for the wooden quilt so expertly assembled by John Cummings into a remarkable display that should be placed somewhere for viewing by the general public. Currently it resides in my basement in the midst of books in boxes, my few carvings, and a collection of clutter that seems to increase exponentially as it clamors for a permanent resting place. John said the quilt belongs to the club, so it is the club which must assume the power to rescue it from its current demise and decide how best to insure its benefit to society.

Shall we put it up for auction at the Park Ridge Christmas Show and Sale and donate the proceeds to charity? Shall we find a public place, restaurant or bank, art gallery or grocery store, where it could be hung on the wall with a dispenser for club brochures? Or shall we just put it into storage along with the round redwood signs and bring it out once a year for the fair? I look forward to hearing your decision on this matter at the next meeting.

Your Secretary, Arne Bortnem

Last Meeting…
We enjoyed the company of new member Glen Novak and guests Derrick Bookup and Ryan McKeever. Since March of last year Craig Johnson, Paul Seevers, Arlyn Thomas, Lloyd Whitley, Dennis VanGoor, and Bob Miller have all signed up as new members.

With so many new faces and names to remember, Vern Luke's suggestion that we enact a penalty for not wearing our name tags might be in order. How about let's prove to him that we can all remember to wear our name tags without the penalty!

Next Meeting...
Saturday, October 21, 9:00 AM, at the Ed wood T & A Center. Blanks for carving tree ornaments and small items that might be good for Christmas gifts will be available.

Meet the Members

Dennis Van Goor (Club member for two years)

Dennis Van Goor’s home is in Sioux Falls with wife, Dianne. Together, they have four children, eleven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Dianne’s hobbies include a mission in Bolivia called “Manosmao” (Hand in Hand) and spending time with their grandchildren.

Dennis is a retired USDA Meat Inspector who worked in packing plants in and round the area of Sioux Falls—even as far away as Esterville, Iowa. After USDA, Dennis followed his desire to drive a truck and is now employed at Runge Trucking.
The first carvings completed by Dennis were log chains, which he carved for his mother and sister, in 1992. Classes in Blue Earth, Minnesota helped him get a good start. The USDA job had varied hours and prevented regular participation in a club, so he carved by himself until retirement. Then two years ago, Dick Sabers invited him to come to our club and he joined. Dennis likes to carve caricatures and whimsical houses from bark. Dennis says he lost count of the number of farmer shoes and caricatures he has carved and given away to Dianne, his family and friends.

Member since 1984Something few of us know about Dennis is that he is a motor cycle enthusiast. Also, Dennis discovered that judges can be different when eyeing carvings. The one blue ribbon entry and 2 or 3 reds from the Sioux Empire Expo were entered in the Spencer fair and won 3 blue and 2 reds!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bob Locken
Bob Locken lost a leg in 1982 and tried many things to keep busy. Carving wood was one thing that kept his interest. Computer was another.

Bob’s work at NW Bell got him into working with computers. His first computer was an English model built before 1982. He did bookkeeping for his congregation in addition to his work. Today, Bob uses the tool for his finances, Email, and pictures (another hobby).

Back to Woodcarving: Bob retired in 1983 and tried several pursuits to keep busy. Several SD Woodcarvers invited him to join their club. That he did, and he enjoyed the club. Then, after moving to Colorado, he and a friend started up a carving club there. Bob helped start another carving club at Asbury Methodist Church in 1996. That club is still active with the evolvement of many of our SD Club members. One has to say that the loss of a leg hasn’t kept Bob from being an active club member.

“It’s like a bunch of guys (sorry Nancy) sitting in front of a fire place, a real pleasurable experience”.

Bob likes to carve caricatures, but his work is not for sale. All one has to do to get one of his carvings is say, “I like that one!”

Another bit of Bob’s history is that he served as club secretary for several years before he moved away to Colorado—in fact we suspect getting out of that job was a big motivation for his moving! We are indeed very blessed to have him back in our community.

September Meeting

2006-08-30T21:18:00.000-05:00

The September meeting for the South Dakota Woodcarvers will be held on Saturday, September 16th at 9:00 am at the Ed Wood Center on the campus of Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls.

The project for the meeting is carving the "Buffalo Nickel". You may also bring a project you have been working on to busy yourself during the meeting.

We're always interested to see completed projects for an informal "show and tell".

Beginning Chip Carving Classes

2006-08-22T23:57:00.000-05:00

Starting Sept. 7th, 9:00 am for four Thursdays.

Students will need:

A chip carving knife (some loaners available)
A small triangle
T square
6" ruler with metric and inches
White eraser

Practice boards will be furnished.

Class is limited to 10 students. Fee is $12.00.

Need more info? Call Frank O at 333-9980

2006 Sioux Empire Woodcarving Exposition

2006-08-22T21:57:00.000-05:00

Bill Dickey won the People's Choice ribbon for his realistic pair of Crappies.

Competing in the pyrography (wood burning) category, 'The Old House' by Nancy Cummings won First Place and Best of Show in the Novice Class.

Gale Berven moves into the Advanced Class by winning the Best of Show with his one piece whittling of a Teal duck.

Don Clemetson won First Place in the Realistic Human category and Best of Show for the Advanced class with his carving titled "The Gathering".

Other places are as follows:

Aquatic
1) William Dickey - Crappies in Basswood

Bark Relief--Human
1) John Jussel - Mountain Man (Cotton Wood Bark)
2) Dennis VanGoor - Wood Spirit (Cottonwood Bark)
3) Nancy Cummings - Wood Spirit (Cottonwood Bark)

Bark Relief--Non-Human
1) Craig Johnson - Outhouse (Cotton Wood Bark)
2) Craig Johnson - Whimsical House (Cotton Wood Bark)
3) Craig Johnson - Eagle (Cotton Wood Bark)

Birds of Prey
1) John Cummings - Eagle (Basswood)

Caricature Group
1) John Jussel - Best Buds (Basswood)
2) Ron Schulte - Best Friends (Basswood)
3) Dick Sabers - The Four Seasons (Douglas Fir)

Caricature--Advanced Class
1) John Jussel - "Ya Wanna Piece A Me?" (Basswood)
2) Richard Peterson - Self Portrait (Basswood)
3) William Dickey - Janitor (Basswood)

Caricature--Open Class
1) Mike Willeson Coffee & a Toothpick (Basswood)
2) Dennis VanGoor - Old Sea Captain (Basswood)
3) Mike Willeson - Gramps & His Wheelbarrow (Basswood)

Chip Carving
1) Frank Orthmeyer - 10" Plate (Basswood)

Decoy--Natural Finish
1) Gale Berven Teal (Basswood)

Decoy--Painted
1) Frank Orthmeyer - Mallard Hen (Basswood)
2) Gary Gibson - Pintail (Basswood)
3) Gary Gibson - Canvas Back (Basswood)

Fantacy Creatures
1) Corne Ellis - Carosole horse (Basswood)
2) John Cummings - Dragon (Basswood)

Interpretive Sculpture
1) Paul Seevers - Braided Flow (Lilac Wood)
2) Dennis VanGoor - Humming Bird, Rose, and Old Shoe (Butternut and Basswood)
3) Ron Schulte - Green Man (Basswood)

Open Category
1) Dennis VanGoor - Maple Leaf Candy Dish (Butternut)
2) Paul Seevers - Waves / Bowl (Walnut)
3) Dennis VanGoor - Little Shoe (Basswood)

Pyrography
1) Nancy Cummings - Old Farm House (Basswood)
2) Nola Tollman - On the Run (Basswood)
3) Evelyn Huntimer - Ocean Beach (Basswood)

Realistic Animal
1) Gale Berven - Squirrel (Cottenwood Bark)
2) Richard Peterson - Stay Close to Me! (Basswood)
3) Richard Peterson - Mom Did You Hear That? (Basswood)

Advanced
1) Don Clemetson - The Gathering (Red Cedar Log)
2) Don Clemetson - Mountain Man (Red Cedar Log)
3) Dick Sabers - Mask of Christ (Walnut)

Santas
1) John Jussel - Kris Santa with Staff (Paulowinia)
2) John Jussel - Santa (Basswood)

Shallow Relief
1) Craig Johnson - Barn (Basswood)
2) Lorraine Pearson - Call of the Wild (Basswood)
3) Gene Dickey - TheTwo Bears (Basswood)

Song Bird
1) Lorraine Pearson - Cedar Waxwing (Basswood)
2) Frank Orthmeyer - Cedar Waxwing (Basswood)

Walking Sticks and Canes
1) Ron Schulte - Eagle Staff (Basswood & Poplar)