February 2024 Newsletter
COMING MEETING: February 13, 2024.
Time: 7:00 PM.
Location: Schramm Park Education Center.
President’s Notes: Greetings to all. I hope weather cancellation was not a major inconvenience. We thought it would be better to be safe than sorry. As you can see, we are recycling the newsletter and agenda for the next meeting.
As I’m sure you all know, we lost Club member
Don Johnson who passed on December 7, 2023. Don was an avid Club member having joined in 2009. He enjoyed carving birds, fish and wildfowl and won multiple ribbons at the Ward Championships and other shows. Don always had a positive attitude and his presence will be missed at Club meetings. His carvings are on display in both the Schramm and Mahoney display cases and his work with be featured in the 2025 calendar(s).
Speaking of the calendar, we’ve had some good response to recent emails looking for participants. However this doesn’t mean that if you haven’t responded yet we don’t need your carvings. We have room so if you have a carving hidden somewhere don’t be shy about putting it on display. We will discuss the calendar at the coming meeting.
I want to say thanks to all members who offered up carvings for the Mahoney display. We even had some members who hadn’t displayed yet offer up carvings. If your carving wasn’t selected you can be assured it’s on the list for round 3.
This January is when we will elect new officers. If you are interested in running for office or want to nominate someone, this will be your chance.
I look forward to seeing you all at the February meeting
Happy Carving.
Kirk
Meeting agenda (2/13/2024):
Welcome members and visitors.
I. Treasurer’s report. 2023 Club treasurer’s report.
II. Old business:
1. 2024 calendar edition plan update. Ron Pigg.
2. Website and Collectors’ Corner page additions.
3. Display case update.
4. Library requests.
III. New business:
1. 2024 Mini Decoy show discussion.
2. Web page addition and changes. carvings.
3. Election of 2024 cub officers.
IV. Agenda additions:
Mid-America Woodcarvers Carvers’ Retreat Report.
Other additions
V. Member’s carvings.
VI. Short Program requests.
VI. Adjourn.
At the December Meeting…
Kirk welcomed members and visitors. Thirteen members and 3 visitors were in attendance. Following the business meeting holiday refreshments and snacks were enjoyed.
Norm gave the treasurer’s report.
Calendar Update…. The issue of one or two calendars was discussed. It was decided we would wait for a complete list of members who want to be included in the next calendar. If there are more than 12 members, we will publish two calendars. Kirk will survey the membership to determine who wants to be in the next edition.
Two members were nominated to be featured carvers for the 2025 calendar. If one calendar is published, there will be one featured carver. It was discussed to include a memorial page for Don Johnson with a final decision to be made in the coming months.
It was discussed and decided that the format will be less graphic with a simpler layout to promote the setup for printing. We will begin photo sessions at the February meeting with a completion target of April.
Ron Pigg and Jim Layman will research other printers for the calendar with an emphasis on local resources.
A calendar update will be added to the February meeting agenda.
Website update and changes…The Collectors Corner page was discussed at length. It was decided to change the article on the Art and History subpage as the current article has been on for several months. The Nebraskaland Magazine article on “Nebraska Decoys” (April 2008) will replace the Gabelhouse article.
It was suggested future articles feature the experiences of our members and feature the decoys and carvings that they have collected.
We will work on a page that will display photos of the carvings of our members. It was suggested we use the photos from the current and past calendars as these are high quality and readily available.
We will continue to discuss the website and its use in future meetings.
Display case update…. The 2nd edition of the Schramm display is complete. The next change is scheduled for March 2024.
All carvings were replaced with new carvings in the Mahoney display. Kirk will contact the members who have expressed interest in the next edition of the displays.
Pictured below is the latest Keiwit Lodge display case installment. Top to bottom, left to right:
White Crappy by Don Johnson;
Gadwall pair by Bill Browne;
Cinnamon teal drake by Aemal Khattak;
Mason Mallard decoy loaned by Cliff Hollestelle;
Gadwall drake decoy by Ron Cleveland;
Green-winged teal, by Tom Paskach;
Pintail pair by Al Thomas;
Flying turkey by Norm Wise.
Library Additions… Norm stated we continue to add to the list of Tom Christie’s carving and painting YouTube videos. The list is available in PDF format for all members. We are continuing to send an updated list as a separate download with each newsletter.
During the year we have added one Tom Christie lull length video (Pintail Hen Painting) and 2 Godin videos (Green-winged Teal Carving and Painting) to the library. Several new study bills have been added and posted to the website.
Members may ask for any of our video holdings which are in CD or DVD format by calling or emailing Norm Wise.
We encourage our members to suggest additions to the library for all to use.
Mini Decoy Show/Contest discussion… The 2025 Mini Decoy show was discussed. We will continue to hold the show and contest at the September meeting in conjunction with the annual family picnic.
These issues were raised and discussed:
- Consider deleting the Masters category.
- Establish an antique (collectable) decoy replica-in- miniature category.
Dues are due…This is the month for the annual membership drive. You may pay at the meeting or mail a check to Nom Wise.
Coming Shows and Competition…
45th Ohio Decoy Collectors and Carvers Association Vintage Decoys & Wildlife Art Show and Sale.
March 16 - 17, 2024. Look for more info at www.odcca.net and in our coming newsletters.
Wildfowl Carving Online Championships will return in 2024. The Dates and Prize Sponsors for the 2024 Competition will be announced after the first of the year. This is an online competition and should not be confused with the Ward Foundation Wildfowl Carving Championships.
53rd Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival…
will be held on April 26 to 28, 2024 at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, Ocean City, MD.
* See the World’s best wildfowl art!
- Attend seminars and classes by master carvers for artists of all skill levels.
- Shop from a wide variety of vendors for fine artwork, home decorations, art supplies, and more…
- Become a Competitor. Read more. Click here.
The Ward foundation is asking members to submit carvings for a special exhibit during the 2024 show. We will bring more info to this meeting.
Holiday message from Curt Fabre… He is doing ok. He sends his best Christmas and New Year’s regards to all of his CFDCC friends. He said if we need carving wood, get an order together for several blocks and call him. It may take some time but he will do his best. He can be contacted at (985) 804-4342
See ya at the meeting on February 13th.