As The Wood Turns Internet Version

July 2005

Location: Woodcraft Supply Store, 1280 E. Dundee Rd, Palatine IL
847-774-1186

In this Issue
> Curls from the President
> Demonstrators Schedule
   for meeting nights & weekend Master Demos
> June 2005 Gallery
> Turning Day at Woodcraft
> Club Meeting Minutes
> Gallery Review Schedule

Are there any musicians out there? Any music enthusiasts? I just watched a TV show called The Legends of Jazz, courtesy of public television, and found a number of parallels to the turning world and our club in particular. The show featured jazz musicians of diverse styles, backgrounds and influences. The unifying theme was that most of them were, shall we say, of a mature age. They were there when jazz broke out and became, if not mainstream, more visible as a musical style. The one exception was a young lady named Renee Olstead, a high school sophomore with exceptional ability and sensitivity to her art.

All of the “Legends” worked with and learned from their predecessors: Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, Miles Davis. All of them had learned the craft and developed the art under a master’s tutelage. The great players of the swing era gave birth to Bebop, which inspired free jazz, west coast cool, and greatly influenced rock & roll. The growth continues, with diverse music for all tastes and interests. All of the “Legends” have endeavored to continue the tradition by teaching and inspiring even younger players. Ms. Olstead is evidence that the system works. In the turning world, does our system work? In my opinion, a qualified “yes”. Can more be done?

Those of us who learn from Osolnik, Prestini and Ellsworth have an obligation to pass these skills on to the next generation. The AAW and the Chicago Woodturners are working to do just that. Our monthly gallery review and club demonstrations do not exist as only entertainment. They are learning tools, meant to teach, and especially to inspire. The AAW Symposium (and other regional symposiums, including Provo), provide learning experiences for turners of all ages, skill levels and disciplines. We are obligated to bring in and expose the next generation of turners to the teachers and mentors who exist today.

So, you don’t think you can teach? That's fine. You don’t feel you can demonstrate, or host a gallery review? Not a problem. Do you know someone who may be interested in turning? Great. Bring them to a meeting. Expose them to the diversity that is woodturning. Offer to bring a high schooler to a meeting, or even to a symposium. Bring your neighbors Cub Scout Pack or Campfire Girls—you know they are welcome. You don’t realize the good you can do for a young person. And who knows, you may have the next Benny Goodman, Rude Osolnik, Duke Ellington or David Ellsworth in that group. They just don’t know it yet, and neither do we.

Until August, learn from the legends, inspire the next group of legends, and please turn safely.

Paul Shotola
Email address:

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Meeting Demonstrators 2005

June
Designing & Building Your Own Tools — Francisco Bauer

July
Identifying Trees of Illinois — Grant Barlow

August
From Log to Bowl — Dan Anderson

September
Marbling — Carole Floate

October
Power Carving for the Woodturner — Pixie Eslinger

November
Threaded Lid Boxes — Fran Islin

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Turning Day at Woodcraft
May 28, 2005

Our friends at Woodcraft opened their showroom to the Chicago Woodturners on May 28th, providing six lathes for us to turn on.

Click here for more details and photos

Minutes of the Chicago Woodturners Club Meeting on June 2005
 By Paul Cavanagh

President Paul Shotola opened the meeting at 7 pm and explained the usual house and safety rules.

Paul mentioned that the AAW now has an insurance program for all professional and semi-pro turners. Check the AAW web-site for info.

The next guest demonstrator will be Chris Stott on July 17 & 18.

Plan on attending SOFA Oct 28,29,30,31.

Paul Shotola recounted that Turning Day at Woodcraft one May 28 was well attended by CWT members. If you were not there you missed a good time. Plan to attend the one in October and participate in Woodcraft's Tent Sale.

Raffle was again conducted by Paul Pyrcik and included some very nice pieces of wood, some Microplane tools, and a circle cutting attachment for a bandsaw.

Anyone who is interested in doing a demonstration of any aspect of woodturning or related areas, such as carving, finishing, decorating, etc., please contact VP Phil Brooks. No experience necessary.

The gallery was reviewed by Jim Brooks who mentioned once or twice the sanding of you pieces. He had lots of insightful points, too, including careful sanding..

The demonstration was conducted by Francisco Bauer on making your own tools. He had some good handouts about metal products that one doesn't find in wood catalogs.

CLEAN-UP VOLUNTEERS FOR JULY
Dan and Marie Anderson
Ron Apponi
Don Lundell
Andy Kuby

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Gallery Review

June— Jim Brooks

July — Gary Hubbard

August — Darrell Rader

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