Our March meeting was held on Saturday, March 4th, 2023 at 12:30PM at the home of Carol Paster in West Orange, NJ.
Attendees: Rick Wortman, Carol Paster, Patty Jenkins, Jim Cerra, Scott Hendricks, Dave Robinson, Steve Ackmann
Presidents report: Carl Beaulieu has reached our and plans to begin attending meetings again when his schedule permits. Ken Aulicino is also engaging with me on our club emails and he likely will be attending again.
I attended the New Jersey Woodworking event at the Edison Convention Center in February. It was my first time at this event but it seemed very well attended. Quite a few venders were there and many vendors selling wood slabs and blanks.
I am also signed up for the Totally Turning event in Saratoga Springs on March 24th and 25th. Saratoga Springs is a great town to visit, the hotel is cheap, and the demostrators are national quality.
In addition, I’m signed up for the AAW annual symposium in Louisville, Kentucky, June 1st thru June 4th. This will be my first AAW event.
April Challenge: Our next meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2023 at Scott Hendricks home in Blairstown. Our Challenge for April is to bring a bud vase to the meeting. Let your imagination run free with this one!
Treasurer’s Report: Rich Wortman reported that all dues have been paid in full for the year, with some generously paying extra. Many thanks to each member. Rick further reported that he has paid this year’s insurance payment in the amount of $525.00 As of the meeting date our treasury balance is $577.50.
Rick reminded everyone that we need quality pieces to sell in the Peters Valley Gallery. These sales directly help our treasury.
Rick also mentioned that one of the most fruitful direction for our club regarding demonstration is to piggy back on to instructors who are conducting classes at Paters Valley. We then have access to nationally recognized turners, who are already in the shop and can then simply extend their first or last day of instruction into a session for us. This can also be cost effective for both our club and the instructor.
Next Meetings: With regard to the above, Rick has reached out to several of the instructors who are currently booked into Peters Valley this summer.
Beth Ireland has agreed to provide a session for us in conjunction with her class on bandsaw boxes. Her class is taking place from August 18th thru August 22nd, and our session time isn’t firmed up yet but will likely be on the evening of August 22nd at the Wood shop. More details later.
Show and Tell:
Rick Wortman, in keeping with our discussion about Beth Ireland’s class on bandsaw boxes, brought a walnut bandsaw box with a turned top.
Dave Robinson brought a bowl and a bud vase made from a tree that was planted when his daughter was born. The tree was a redbud.
Scott Hendricks brought a large hollow form vase that was made from ash. He also brought another hollow form that was stained on the outside. He also brought a bud vase made from cherry with a glass tube inside with interesting holes around the fours sides of the base, giving a view of the bottom of the tube.
Scott will be demo-ing his hollowing tools at the April Meeting.
Carol Paster showed a small maple bud vase with an inserted glass tube
Steve Ackmann brought a turned container with a lid made from cherry. He also brought a rough turned bowl made from a rough cherry burl for suggestions regarding finishing.
Patty Jenkins showed a small walnut bowl with a offset turn of the bowl and Celtic inscriptions hand applied with a burning tool.
Water Gap Woodturners 