Central Flyway Decoy Collectors and Carvers Club
Hall of Fame
It is our intent to recognize those individual members of this club who have demonstrated advanced artist skills, and have gone above and beyond typical service to the wildfowl carving community to ensure this art form is preserved and promoted. These members are among the best-of-the-best and have exhibited exceptional talent in the wildfowl art form and/or have given exceptional service to the club during its 50 year history. To this end, we are establishing a Members
Hall of Fame.
It is long overdue that club members who stand out as the best bird carvers in our club be recognized for their talent in this art form, and for their service to the club and its community. Over the years, they have submitted their art to panels of fellow artists and scientists for critique in competition including regional, national, and international wildfowl carving competition.
Just about anyone knows greatness when they see it. The five inductees into the new CFDCC Hall of Fame were very obvious and easy to select as legends. A legend must possess all five qualities to be elected to the CFDCC members' Hall Of Fame.
Selection Criteria.
1. A legend stands out among other members as one of the greatest carvers the club has to offer.
2. A legend is someone that club members have turned to over the years for expert advice; is a teacher and, is a mentor to our members.
3. A legend is a person of good character and who is in good standing with CFDCC.
4. A legend is a person who has competed and consistently won in wildfowl carving competitions over the years.
5. A legend is someone who, over the years, has tirelessly given their time, talent, and personal resources to our carving club and the wildfowl carving community. They have demonstrated a firm commitment to CFDCC's mission.
2021 CFDCC members have been nominated and inducted into the Member Hall of Fame...
Cliff Hollestelle, Lincoln, NE.
William Browne III, Lincoln, NE.
Alan Thomas, Omaha, NE.
Lonnie Bernth, Yutan, NE.
Norman Wise. LaVista, NE.
Future nominees, if any, for the Hall of Fame will be selected by the current Hall of Fame members. The nominees will be referred to the general membership for final selection and induction.
Ron Cleveland
President.
Hall of Fame.
It is long overdue that club members who stand out as the best bird carvers in our club be recognized for their talent in this art form, and for their service to the club and its community. Over the years, they have submitted their art to panels of fellow artists and scientists for critique in competition including regional, national, and international wildfowl carving competition.
Just about anyone knows greatness when they see it. The five inductees into the new CFDCC Hall of Fame were very obvious and easy to select as legends. A legend must possess all five qualities to be elected to the CFDCC members' Hall Of Fame.
Selection Criteria.
1. A legend stands out among other members as one of the greatest carvers the club has to offer.
2. A legend is someone that club members have turned to over the years for expert advice; is a teacher and, is a mentor to our members.
3. A legend is a person of good character and who is in good standing with CFDCC.
4. A legend is a person who has competed and consistently won in wildfowl carving competitions over the years.
5. A legend is someone who, over the years, has tirelessly given their time, talent, and personal resources to our carving club and the wildfowl carving community. They have demonstrated a firm commitment to CFDCC's mission.
2021 CFDCC members have been nominated and inducted into the Member Hall of Fame...
Cliff Hollestelle, Lincoln, NE.
William Browne III, Lincoln, NE.
Alan Thomas, Omaha, NE.
Lonnie Bernth, Yutan, NE.
Norman Wise. LaVista, NE.
Future nominees, if any, for the Hall of Fame will be selected by the current Hall of Fame members. The nominees will be referred to the general membership for final selection and induction.
Ron Cleveland
President.
2021 Inductees...
Cliff Hollestelle, Lincoln, NE.
hales from Omaha, Nebraska where he was educated at University Of Nebraska at Omaha (formally Omaha University).
Cliff is a CHARTER member of Central Flyway Decoy
Collectors and Carvers Club. The club celebrated its 50th
anniversary in 2020. He is an avid waterfowl hunter.
He has received many awards for his artistry in wood,
bronze and, traditional wildlife art forms. Cliff has served
as a judge for several regional and national wildfowl carving
competitions.
hales from Omaha, Nebraska where he was educated at University Of Nebraska at Omaha (formally Omaha University).
Cliff is a CHARTER member of Central Flyway Decoy
Collectors and Carvers Club. The club celebrated its 50th
anniversary in 2020. He is an avid waterfowl hunter.
He has received many awards for his artistry in wood,
bronze and, traditional wildlife art forms. Cliff has served
as a judge for several regional and national wildfowl carving
competitions.
William "Bill" Browne III, Lincoln, NE.
William "Bill" Browne is a life long resident of Lincoln, Nebraska. He is a graduate of the Law School of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He is an avid hunter and outdoor sportsman.
Bill began his art career during his education at UNL.
He has served several terms as club president and has served as judge and on the board of the International Wildfowl Carvers Association (IWCA).
Lonnie Bernth, Yutan, NE.
Lonnie Bernth was raised in Omaha, Nebraska where he
attended the University of Nebraska At Omaha. Lonnie is a
retired public school educator and administer. He is also a
retired U.S. Army officer, is a veteran of the Iraq war and,
served in the Army Reserves.
He began his carving career in the later half of the 1970s.
Lonnie has served several terms as club president.
Lonnie is an avid outdoor sportsman.
Lonnie Bernth was raised in Omaha, Nebraska where he
attended the University of Nebraska At Omaha. Lonnie is a
retired public school educator and administer. He is also a
retired U.S. Army officer, is a veteran of the Iraq war and,
served in the Army Reserves.
He began his carving career in the later half of the 1970s.
Lonnie has served several terms as club president.
Lonnie is an avid outdoor sportsman.
Allen R. Thomas, Omaha, NE.
Al Thomas was raised near Treynor, Iowa on his family farm.
He developed an early appreciation for hunting and outdoor sports as well as a love of wildfowl carving. He enjoys hunting and fishing.
Al is a graduate of Dana College in Blair, Nebraska and served as an art educator in the Omaha Public Schools.
Al began his wildfowl carving career in the early 1980s.
He has served as club president.
Al Thomas was raised near Treynor, Iowa on his family farm.
He developed an early appreciation for hunting and outdoor sports as well as a love of wildfowl carving. He enjoys hunting and fishing.
Al is a graduate of Dana College in Blair, Nebraska and served as an art educator in the Omaha Public Schools.
Al began his wildfowl carving career in the early 1980s.
He has served as club president.
Norm Wise, LaVista, NE.
Norm Wise was raised in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. He
graduated from West Nebraska General Hospital School of
Nursing and The University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Norm is a retired U.S. Army officer, is a veteran of the
Viet Nam war and, served in the Army Reserves.
Norm began his carving career in 1980. He currently serves
as the club Secretary-Treasurer. He enjoys teaching
wildfowl carving and outdoor sports.
2021 Hall of Fame inductees. Left to right: Norm Wise, Lonnie Bernth, Cliff Hollestelle, Al Thomas and, Bill Browne.
2022 Inductees...
C.E. "Brick" Paulson is a CHARTER MEMBER of CFDCC.
On September 11, 2022, Brick was inducted into the Central Flyway Decoy Collectors and Carvers Club Hall of Fame. He is recognized for his knowledge and passion for collecting antique duck and other wildfowl decoys and for his artistry in carving wildfowl in wood.
Brick is a 1951 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and had a career in banking and other business ventures until he retired. He served in the Army during the Korean conflict.
Brick is a CHARTER member of Central Flyway Decoy Collectors and Carvers Club and has been actively involved in the Club over its 50 plus years. He has authored the history of the club. In 2022, the club featured him and his work in the club calendar.
In Bricks words “This club has a special place in my heart since its founding. Initially, my primary interest was in collecting, but I started carving decoys to use in my waterfowl hunting activities.”
It is his hope that more people interested in wildlife and hunting will enter the rewarding field of decoy and wildfowl carving.
On September 11, 2022, Brick was inducted into the Central Flyway Decoy Collectors and Carvers Club Hall of Fame. He is recognized for his knowledge and passion for collecting antique duck and other wildfowl decoys and for his artistry in carving wildfowl in wood.
Brick is a 1951 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and had a career in banking and other business ventures until he retired. He served in the Army during the Korean conflict.
Brick is a CHARTER member of Central Flyway Decoy Collectors and Carvers Club and has been actively involved in the Club over its 50 plus years. He has authored the history of the club. In 2022, the club featured him and his work in the club calendar.
In Bricks words “This club has a special place in my heart since its founding. Initially, my primary interest was in collecting, but I started carving decoys to use in my waterfowl hunting activities.”
It is his hope that more people interested in wildlife and hunting will enter the rewarding field of decoy and wildfowl carving.
Jim Fliger
On September 11, 2022, Jim Fliger was the 6th member of Central Flyway Decoy Collectors and Carvers Club to be inducted into the Members Hall of Fame.
Jim was born and raised in eastern Iowa along the Mississippi River to parents interested in nature and nature conservation. His interests in nature and hunting drove his artistic interests and skills from an early age.
Jim is a graduate of Wartburg College and the Omaha School of Advertising Art. He was employed as a graphic artist with Nashua Paper company for more than 25 years.
He began his carving career in the early 1960s and developed a special interest in fish carving.
He was actively involved in the Central Flyway Decoy Collectors and Carvers Club since 1980 artistically and collaboratively to the success of the Club for almost 20 years.
In the late 1980s, Jim authored a book on fish carving which stands today as the “bible” for fish carvers. He was in the process of writing the second edition at his death in 1993. His amiable personality and artistic ability is deeply missed.
On September 11, 2022, Jim Fliger was the 6th member of Central Flyway Decoy Collectors and Carvers Club to be inducted into the Members Hall of Fame.
Jim was born and raised in eastern Iowa along the Mississippi River to parents interested in nature and nature conservation. His interests in nature and hunting drove his artistic interests and skills from an early age.
Jim is a graduate of Wartburg College and the Omaha School of Advertising Art. He was employed as a graphic artist with Nashua Paper company for more than 25 years.
He began his carving career in the early 1960s and developed a special interest in fish carving.
He was actively involved in the Central Flyway Decoy Collectors and Carvers Club since 1980 artistically and collaboratively to the success of the Club for almost 20 years.
In the late 1980s, Jim authored a book on fish carving which stands today as the “bible” for fish carvers. He was in the process of writing the second edition at his death in 1993. His amiable personality and artistic ability is deeply missed.
2024 inductees...
Ron Cleveland and Don Gabelhouse will be inducted at our May meeting. Photos and text coming soon.