To Be or Not to Be....

That is the question.  Whether it is nobler in the spirit of tradition to suffer the requirements of an oppressive IRS and greedy State Secretary, find members willing to hold office, and comply with our written Charter and Bylaws,... OR to throw in the towel, let the non-profit corporation known as South Dakota Woodcarvers be dissolved, let it die, or put it to sleep in the annals of history.

Should we not then be free to meet as usual, socialize, and whittle pieces of wood as we have done once or more a month for over thirty years? Or why not simply enjoy the same by merging with classes regularly and weekly held at the Center for Active Generations.  No more sponsoring Shows and Sales or competitions! No need for money in the Bank or redwood signs or logos!

Ay, there's the rub, for who knows what trouble it is to end a corporation?  How do we disperse the funds? Who will keep the volumes of Newsletters, minutes of meetings, and scrapbook of clippings and pictures. And....Will Bill O'Reilly write a book called "Killing South Dakota Woodcarvers, Inc."?

I have a hard time throwing things away.  It's sort of a hobby of mine to figure out a way to reincarnate  something destined for the land fill into some useful tool.  A resolution to dissolve SDWC, Inc. has considered and proposed to be brought to a vote at our annual meeting, January 17, at the Center for Active Generations.

I, for one, will vote to let the corporation live on, another day, another year.

Happy New Year!

Jeremy Frislie

A day after Veteran's Day an article in the Argus Leader paid a nice tribute to Ex-Marine Jeremy Frisle.  The website video is a "Must See!" Woodworker relishes creation of lasting items

Dakota MasterWorks Winners

Congratulations to Don Clemetson, Dave Johnson, and Richard Peterson for awards won in the Dakota MasterWorks!  See pictures of their work at: http://www.sdhca.org/consumer-info/dakota-masterworks/

Change Happens

Change # 1: The meeting room for the November Third Saturday Meeting.  Instead of the usual Arts Room 132, the meeting will be in the Crafts Room, 201.

Change # 2: The annual Christmas Show and Sale at the Park Ridge Mall will not be happening this year.  It's all about the low numbers of interested participants and public demand.

Change # 3: The Sioux Empire Woodcarving Exposition at the Sioux Empire Fair.  A complete revision of how entries are submitted,  judged, and displayed is in order, along with how individual carvers and members of the club may participate as featured artists or demonstrators.

 "All good things must come to an end",

Frank Orthmeyer, July 26, 1923 - October 9, 2014

Our dear friend and loyal member of SDWC, Frank Orthmeyer, passed away this morning.  In addition to serving as our club treasurer for several years, he supported and participated in all our club activities and taught woodcarving classes at the Center for Active Generations.

Though we miss him greatly, his enrichment of our lives will continue on and not be forgotten.

See his obituary and funeral details at: Heritage Funeral Home