Our March meeting will be held in-person (Yay!!) at Rick Wortman’s from 12:00 to 2:00 PM.
We think that most of us are vaccinated against Covid at this point, but if you are not, please respect Rick’s home by wearing a mask.
Agenda:
Remarks
Treasurer’s Report
Dues ($40): Please Mail To Rick Wortman If You Haven’t Done So.
Critical Show & Tell — Send Photos A Few Days Ahead Of The Meeting
Demo — Rick Wortman will demonstrate the basics for a natural-edged bowl which entails all the cuts for regular bowls with a couple of nuances and procedural differences for the edge, drying and returning.
The February 2022 meeting of the Watergap Woodturners was held over Zoom on the 5th of the month.
Attendees: In attendance were Mike Peacock, Jim Cerra, Scott Hendricks, Rick Workman, Steve Ackmann, Joe Kopec, Ed Nikles, Patty Jennings, Carol Pastor, and new member Joe Pansini.
Opening Disscussion: The opening discussion involved the on-going issue of covid that necessitates our meeting over Zoom. However, with the decline in Covid cases over the last several weeks, the thought was that we may be able to meet in-person again in March. We will continue to watch the covid news and make a determination on an in-person vs Zoom meeting for March as the meeting date approaches. Note that currently, the March 2022 meeting is scheduled to be held at Steve Ackmann’s home, but Steve mentioned that his workshop is in an unheated garage, and it may be better to move his hosting to a later date. An alternate site will also be chosen ahead of the March meeting.
Mike encouraged any members who haven’t yet paid their dues to please do so.
Mike also pointed out that member Harvey Fein has a feature article in this month’s American Woodturner.
Joe noted that he had attended a virtual AAW Woodturning symposium and in the discussion sessions he found that many woodturning clubs have been facing many of the same challenges as we have during the pandemic. Joe mentioned once we get together in-person again, he will share some of the solutions and suggestions he heard during those meetings.
Treasurer’s report: Rick Wortman reported ten (10) of 14 members had paid dues so far. Further, we received some funds from sales at the Peters Valley gift shop, as well as a donation. The balance in the checking account was $785.00. Our largest expense of $516.00, our liability insurance, is pending. There was some discussion of why this insurance is needed for meetings, and the sense was that it was required by Peters Valley in order to meet in their woodshop. Rick stated that the policy we have has been provided by The Hartford, through the auspices of the AAW. Some thought that individual members homeowner’s policies should be adequate. Mike Peacock will discuss with Kristin Muller, the director of Peters Valley, regarding this requirement.
Rick noted that we have received some income from the sale of members turnings that had been donated to our shelf in the Peters Valley gift shop. Rick also stated that Erika Hewston, director of the PV gallery and gift shop will include club items in their online store.
Demonstration: Scott Hendricks put together a PowerPoint presentation and video of the Munro Hollower 2 Carbide hollowing tool and the details of the associated parts and accessories he has put together to use it. Scott also provided a video of the tool in action. Several minutes of Q & A ensued after the demonstration.
Show & Tell: Several members submitted photos of their recent work to Mike Peacock prior to the meeting. Items shown were:
Rick Wortman:
Walnut Bowl with actual walnut cross sections epoxied into the rim
2 Natural Edge Pin Cherry Bowls
Ash Bowl with epoxy rim
Joe Kopec:
Walnut Bowl-reworked
Cherry Bowl with open metal lid used as a potpourri
Jim Cera:
Almond Shaped Turnings (something he learned at a recent demonstration)
Pens (he has fun doing them, they seem pretty easy to do, and people love them)
Coincidentally, this month’s American Woodturner has a feature article on creating an Elliptical Vessel.
Ed Nikles:
Cheese and Chips server: Made from an old cutting board countertop with a granite inset
Lamp from maple
Bud vase with a large check that was filled with CA glue and pigment
Walnut bowl with epoxy decorated rim
Scott Hendricks:
Mulberry vase with alcohol stain and gold paste rubbed into the grain
Large burl bowl
After the show and tell there was a brief discussion of the mechanics of the 1-on-1 skills sessions provided by members. Members can arrange for a lesson on a particular skill or technique from another member with that particular expertise. We agreed that the recipient of the lesson would pay $30 for a 2-hour session that would be donated to the club. It is up to the participants oaf a given session to work out the details — time, place and any time/fee for a lesson that goes beyond 2 hours. between themselves Mike Peacock asked that members contact him with topics they fell confident and comfortable in teaching so that a list of possible sessions could be developed and published.
There being no further business for today, the meeting adjourned at 1:35 PM
We will need to continue our 2022 meetings on Zoom until the covid surge subsides. The link will been sent by email.
Agenda:
Remarks
Treasurer’s Report
Dues ($40): Please Mail ToRick WortmanIf You Haven’t Done So.
Short Notice Challenge— Rick suggested that everyone try some brand new technique or project that they’ve been thinking about attempting. Due to the short notice of this challenge, work-in-progress is fine.
Critical Show & Tell — Send PhotosAnd Any Challenge Photos A Few Days Ahead Of The Meeting
Video Demo? — Scott Hendricks will attempt to share his planned demonstration of the Munro Hollowing toll via video.
Here’s to hoping our need for Zoom is short-lived.
The January 2022 meeting of the Watergap Woodturners was held (disappointingly) over Zoom on the 8th of the month.
Attendence. Attending were Jim Cerra, Rick Wortman, Mike Peacock, Joe Kopec, Carol Paster, Scott Hendricks, Patty Jennings, and Steve Ackman.
Treasurer’s Report. Rick Wortman reported a current balance of $267 and noted that timely payment of the $40 dues is needed to cover insurance and Zoom subscription costs. Rick also noted that Janine Wang had not cashed the check for her May 2021 demonstration. He will follow up with her.
Discussion. Attendees agreed to shift winter meeting from the 2nd to the 1st Saturday of the month. We also agreed to postpone planned demonstrations until we are back to face-to-face meetings. Mike Peacock will make the adjustments and post the updated schedule. Finally, we discussed paid demonstrators for 2022 with several attendees agreeing to research potential candidates.
Critical Show & Tell
Jim Cera — Described his recent pen turning activities and the overwhelming response from friends and family for such a relatively easy project.
Steve Ackman — shared a pepper mill he turned.
Rick Wortman — Rick shared a nice red oak bowl with a wide rim decorated with black walnut shell slices and india ink colored epoxy. The design was inspired by Dennis Fuge’s demonstration in October 2022. In the spirit of our new critical show and tell format Rick felt his bowl should have a more sweeping curve shape.
Scott Hendricks — Scott shared a bowl with an egg-shell band that was also inspired by Dennis Fuge’s demonstration.
Patty Jennings — Patty shared several of the turned snow people with hats she’s been turning.
Joe Kopec — Joe provided photos of a fun baseball with Mets cap.
Our annual event to turn toys for Project Self Sufficiency’s Season of Hope Toy Drive was held on Saturday, December 4th at the Peters Valley Wood Studio. The “elves” participating in this year’s event were Steve Ackman, Jim Cera, Scott Hendricks, Jenny Hinchman, Patty Jennings, Carol Paster, Michael Peacock, Mark Wallace and Rick Wortman.
The group made spinning tops, magic wands and ball catchers. Members also made toys at home to be included in the donation. Joe Kopec, who couldn’t attend the event, made a number of tops. A total of 80 toys were provided to Project Self Sufficiency.
Our November meeting was held on Wednesday, November 3rd in the Peters Valley Wood Studio. Attending were Jim Cera, Rick Wortman, Scott Hendricks, Steve Ackman and Mike Peacock.
Treasurers Report — Rick reported that the club earned $84 through the sale of members’ turned items in the Peters Valley store. After the Dennis Fugue demo, the club account stands at $257.85
Discussion — The focus of the meeting was on the low turnout and general loss of interest in our club among our members and strategies for re-connecting with current members and attracting new ones. Clearly, the covid-19 pandemic that relegated us to Zoom meeting for about 18 months has had and impact. Still, Scott Hendricks reported that only 6 members responded to the survey he sent out to get a sense of what has changed since the pandemic and we can make the club more attractive. (Note that two members reported having difficulty sending their responses back so the total would’ve been 8). We will continue to work to improve the club, re-engage existing members and welcome new members.
Jim will call the 15 or so members, for whom he has phone numbers, in an attempt to “chat” about why they’ve lost interest and what direction the club should take that would bring them back.
Mike reported that Peters Valley has agreed to our posting flyers about the club in the wood studio. It is the same flyer we displayed and handed out at the PV Craft Fair in September.
Mike also reported that Peters Valley will post information about the club on their FaceBook page.
The first posting of the above was on November 2nd and will repeat weekly. We will also be able to announce upcoming events — like our toy drive event to benefit Project Self Sufficiency in December.
Selection Of Club Officers — Mike Peacock was selected to succeed Jim Cera as club President starting in January 2022 and Steve Ackman was selected as Secretary. Both received a unanimous 4 votes. Rick Wortman will remain club treasurer.
December Meeting— Our next meeting — and last in the PV wood studio until Spring 2022 — will be held on Saturday December 4th starting at 10 AM. This will be our toy drive event to benefit Project Self Sufficiency. Members will bring materials to turn, tops magic wands, ball catchers, yo-yos, etc. The club will provide food and refreshments. It will be a fun and rewarding way to start the Holiday season!
Our October meeting was held on Monday, October 4th at the Peters Valley wood studio.
Dennis Fuge Demo
This month, noted woodturner and Peters Valley instructor Dennis Fuge gave a demonstration which he calls: “Decorative Platters and Finishes on Turned Items”. Dennis is a very experienced turner with a highly accomplished skillset.
Turnout was unfortunately low due to the inclement weather, but those who were able to make the meeting, we were treated to an outstanding three hour journey, filled with a variety of embellishment methods, including the use of pewter; ebonizing; sliced black walnut inlays; and egg shells as well as tips and tricks.
Dennis is a wonderful teacher with whimsical, yet substantive style. He also provided us with a “hand-out” containing resources for a huge variety of materials, tools, finishes and craft supplies. Thanks again to Dennis, for a great night.
November Meeting Our next meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 7 pm at the Peters Valley wood studio. I have put together the following general outline of an agenda for the evening:
1. Selection of a new club president to assume office starting in 2022 — at the end of Jim Cerra’s term.
2. Toys for Tots – The plan is to hold the Toys for Tots production meeting on Saturday, December 4, at 10 a.m. in the Peters Valley wood studio. Discussion regarding toys to be created. Supplies to be provided including wood for turning identified to the specific toys. Finishing supplies
3. 2022 programs and meeting locations outside of Peters Valley woo studio4. Show and tell
Our partner, Peters Valley School of Craft, provided us with an information table at their annual craft fair held at the Sussex County fair grounds on September 25th and 26th.
This was a great opportunity to promote the Watergap Woodturners Club and strengthen our connection to Peters Valley.
Club members Steve Ackman, Scott Hendricks, Joe Kopec and Michael Peacock volunteered to “work the table” over the weekend.
Steve, Scott, and Joe along with Jim Cerra, Ed Nikles and Rick Wortman provided samples of their turnings for the table which attracted many fair goers.
Mike printed flyers with club info to hand out to those interested. They also served as a make-shift banner for our space and table. Note that two of the flyers were also placed on the club’s “for sale” shelf in the Peters Valley store.
Rick Wortman spent a few hours at the “demo lathe”. And, club member Harvey Fein stopped by for a few minutes.
Water Gap Woodturners 