Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all
December! The end of 2021! Christmas! What a great time of the year! At this time of year, we take time to remember that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin to save sinners, of whom I am chief. We are truly blessed to live in the United States where we have the freedom to worship God as our conscience dictates, enjoy the freedom to express that thought (and any other thought we might have), and freely assemble (e.g., membership in the Charlotte Woodcarvers Club).I am going to step out on a limb and say that the Christmas banquet was a great success. The choir from Carmel Christian School sang beautifully. We thank Verna Clark and her hard work with those teenagers. We will have photos in the January issue. Food and fellowship were great as usual. We will also have photos of the carvings brought by many for all to enjoy.
Club election will be held on January 11, 2022. Right now Bob Gerbe will run for president, Tom Bowling for secretary, Rich DiFranco for treasurer, and Steve Stillitano for a 3-year board member. We need someone to run for vice president. We will have another nomination meeting on Dec. 28, so you have time to accept the call to serve your club.
Covid continues to decline, so, if you can, please come back and join us on Tuesday anytime between 9 am to 6 pm. We have novice to advanced carvers, young to old, carving everything from bark houses to caricatures to chip carvings and birds. The conversation is inviting as well. May the blessings of the season be with you.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14 (NASB)
Blessings while Carving
Neil McGuire
Charlotte Woodcarvers Club
Happy Thanksgiving To Your Family
Well, there are no club activities, events or classes this November. How strange is that? We had a successful Waxhaw Autumn Treasures on October 9 and 10. Many people stopped and spoke with us. The last Matthews Farmers Market was the 30th, and all went well there as well.
Looking forward, we will have our annual Christmas banquet on December 7. Again, we will use Carmel Presbyterian Church’s fellowship hall. This year we will have the choir from Carmel Christian Academy as our guests and entertainment. They will give us a Christmas program lasting about 20 minutes. I know the director, and am looking forward to the music she has chosen.Speaking of the Christmas banquet, I would appreciate anyone who has a donation for giveaways. Anything will do; a carving, knife, finishing materials, books, etc. What you donate we will give away to the lucky few.
Happy Fall Y’all
October should be a good and busy month. We begin with great fall weather, what a joy it is.The Waxhaw Autumn Treasures festival is Saturday and Sunday, October 9 and 10. Richard DiFranco is in charge of that event, but we can use as many as can help. No one is expected to attend the whole thing, but come when you can and stay as long as you can. Richard will appreciate your help, and it will benefit the club.
The Matthews Farmer’s Market has invited us back on the 30th. Keep that date open as it is an opportunity to spread the word about carving. It should be a very pleasant time carving under the tent and spreading the word about our hobby. We will be able to hand out the 2022 Showcase flier as well. Great opportunity.
Happy Autumnal Equinox
The summer heat should be declining, and the autumn colors exploding. This is a great time of the year. A great time to get after those carving projects around the house half done. (You can’t fool me, I know you have as many as I do.)
September is an especially good month to get carving as there are no club events coming up. Wild Acres was a success again this year (see the write-up later in this edition), and the Matthews Farmer’s Market as well. We are looking forward to an even better retreat next August.October will have us at the Waxhaw Autumn Treasures being held this year on October 9-10, at least that is the plan as of this writing. More details next month.
Happy Dog Days of Summer
Summer is peaking, and carvers are taking vacations. While attendance is down a little, the old guard is returning. Who knows, we may be looking at you next Tuesday for the first time in a long time.I asked at the picnic, and Bob Gerbe responded to the call. I am pleased to announce that he has joined our board of directors as the Vice President. I have given him the responsibility of arranging experts to come and teach their specialty. He is working on getting Tom Gow to come and teach Cottonwood Bark Carving again. Tom was with us in 2019 at the Wild Acres event. Hopefully Bob can schedule a weekend something this fall.
August 7th will find us at the Matthews Farmers Market for the second time this year. This continues to be an opportunity to share our hobby and art, and recruit new members.