Fun Fest at Lake Yale - Feb. 8 - 12, 2006 by Owen Davies (#8858) |
The annual Southeast IWCS Regional Meeting & Winter Woodfest started the collectors'
year off with a bang. February 8 through 12, wood fanciers descended on the Lake Yale Convention Center near Eustice, FL, for a round of demonstrations, the wood and craft auctions, and a lot of happy conversation with old friends. It's safe to say, a good time was had by all.
It is not easy to pick out the high points of the gathering when there were so many of them, but here are a few:
The mobile saw mill (right) worked almost constantly, never without a host of onlookers and extra hands to help wrestle massive pieces of wood into position. |
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Bob Brulotte (#6649) gave a well-attended demonstra-tion of turning Norfolk Island pine. He also brought the all-wood lamps and shades (bottom) at the craft show.
Bob Chastain (#6038) turned Christmas ornaments and corn cob pens, a demonstration much enlivened by a shower of sparks from his lathe's on/off switch. He brought a bucket of corn cobs to give out, and many members were seen walking away with cobs in their hands, eager to master a new aspect of their craft.
John Davis (#6305-L) carved walking sticks and flutes. His demo is always a favorite at Lake Yale, for good reason.
Gene Johnson's (#3298) animal carving demonstration was extremely well attended, and his pyrography workshop had far more would-be participants than wood-burning pens.
Bill Perkins (#3086-LH) (below) caused some consternation with some foot-long dowels with a loop of string at one end. Fixed through a buttonhole, they proved nearly impossible to remove. It took two days to get mine off my shirt! |
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Auctions, as always, were a major feature at Lake Yale. The wooden "book" collection of late past-president Allen Rodebeck (#3254-H) went on the block Thursday night. Saturday morning saw the wood auction; many happy buyers left with station wagons and pickup trucks sagging under the weight of desirable timber obtained at bargain prices. And what can be said of Saturday night's craft sale? In addition to many more traditional items, and a large supply of pecans, auctioneer Frank Lynn good-naturedly sold an outsized pair of red silk panties that, according to one possibly unreliable report, he had been seen buying at Victoria's Secret for his own use. All told, the wood and craft auctions distributed a lot of bargains and even more fun-and brought $8,487 into the IWCS treasury. |
The Society owes a debt of gratitude to Manley and Elaine Hunt (#8174), who hosted this year's gathering and will do so again February 7 through 11, 2007. They took on a huge job and carried it off magnificently. Thanks are owed also to the gang of volunteers who helped keep the meeting running smoothly. You did such a good job that some new members thought you must be getting paid for it! Of course, we all know it's the labor of love that gets the most care and attention.
A personal note: Lake Yale was my first chance to meet with IWCS members, many of whom I had talked with on
the phone or by e-mail. It was a joy! Thanks for making me feel so welcome. |
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More Photos
Click on the thumbnail to enlarge |
 Frank Johannessen demonstrates how to core a large bowl blank. |
 Jim McLeod stands next to a Mahogany log that was sawn in half to reveal a bright pink interior. |
 Frank Lynn auctions off hundreds of different wood specimens, bowl and pen blanks, limbs, logs, boards, slabs, and saw dust! |
 Robert Goddard, master miniature turner, demonstrates lace bobbin turning. |
 Ken Platt and Pat Powers put on a blacksmithing demonstration |
 John Davis teaches a class on walking sticks and flute making. |
 The Saturday auction in the big tent is the big fund raiser for IWCS. |
 Sue & Bob Pinter demonstrate cutting circles in glass and mirrors. |
 Arnette Sherman led a group of bird watchers around Lake Yale. |
 Frieda Platt demonstrates rag rug making |
 Doug Parks brought several rare woods to the meeting. |
 Bill Cockrell demonstrates sign making with a router. Lucky class participants were able to make their own signs and take them home. |
 Bob Chastain demonstrates pen making on the mini-lathe. Members tried their hand at making their own pens under Bob's guidance. |
 Don Solomon with his marquetry entitled "Peace." He also displayed his band saw boxes made from exotic woods. Don also gave a class on marquetry. |
 Mark Johnson limbs up a log in preparation for milling on the Wood-Mizer. |
 Romaleta James, Paula Sawbridge and Robin James track the winning bids for the wood auction. |
 Gene Johnson taught carving classes. Attendees were able to carve animals and birds during the class. |
 Garry Roux holds a piece of burl from Allen Rodebeck's estate auction. The auction generated several thousand dollars for IWCS. |
 Shawn Pulka, the new trustee for the Central States Region, and Jerry Zipprich, the IWCS Archivist, assist with the heavy lifting at the Saturday wood auction. |
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