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!

Canadian Crest

Commissioned carving recently completed

by long-time SDWC member,
Bruce Alexander

www.customwoodcarving.com

Next Meeting:

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

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

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