May News Letter

          The last scheduled ’07—’08 season meeting of AWA was held 10 May at Jeff Trotter’s in Wasilla.  The atmosphere was magnificently beautiful with a warm sunshine short sleeve weather day that gave a memorable glow to all who attended. The plans for the ’09 March Symposium (7^th & 8^th) and the master classes the week before (March 2—6) were discussed. The Alaska 5 (actually 6) instructors were named and they are:  Arnie Geiger, Jeff Trotter, Wayne Boden, Pat and Peggy Bookey, and Bill Bowers.  By the time fall rolls around and registering begins there will be a detailed explanation of what will be offered in each class.  The classes will be geared to the beginning—intermediate turner except for Pat and Peggy’s classes which will be more for the advanced intermediate individual. Pat and Peggy Bookey will teach turning ultra thin pieces and then embellishing them with pierced through techniques (Peggy’s forte).  Wayne Boden will probably teach how to make pens and Arnie Geiger will probably show how to properly sharpen tools and then turn peppermills.  The present plan is that each of the 5 instructors will teach a one day class with the other 4 functioning as helpers and then each instructor will have their own presentations Saturday and Sunday at the Symposium.  Members may sign up for only one class or all 5.  The tuition will be the same for each day’s classes, probably in the neighborhood of $50.  There may be a small surcharge for materials depending on what the individual instructors choose to teach.  The classes and Symposium should be another memorable event.  As in other years the participants of the master classes will be required to have taken or take the turning classes taught by AWA so that a greater degree of knowledge, technique, and experience may be had from the master classes.

          Some suggestions for the 2010 Symposium and master classes were discussed as well.  The board will try to schedule both Stuart Batty and Mike Mahoney for a most exciting event.

          Burt Biss gave an excellent demo of projects on the mini lathe turning bud vases.  All those in attendance enjoyed his exhibition and skills.  After Burt’s demo the annual picnic with a fine roasted pig ensued at noon.  All 55 people in attendance enjoyed the delicious fare and many individuals brought surprises from home.  Marji Campbell made her famous beans and the recipe has been included on this web site.  Dan Keane and Bill Bowers carved the pig with their usual skill.

            The new Jet 16-44 lathe ordered through Hardware Specialties has arrived and is set up in Don Fall’s shop.  It will be used for club demos and at the Alaska State Fair for demonstrations along with a mini Jet lathe.  If anyone should like to volunteer to demo or greet people at the Fair please contact Burt Biss via email at his home in Wasilla up to the 18^th of May (bissbp@mtaonline.net) and thereafter at his Oakland, OR email address (bbiss@rosenet.net).  We need many more volunteers for this year’s event.  One doesn’t need to be an expert turner to demo at the fair.  It is a lot of fun and many interesting individuals wander through making the experience most memorable.

          Plans for the monthly demos have been decided and a complete listing will be posted on the events page this summer as Randy Farris, our web master, reformats the web site for the ‘08—’09 season.

          Turning classes will begin in September running through the ’08—’09 season each Tuesday evening.  Sign up sheets will be at the September 6^th meeting.  We are hoping to teach all those interested in learning how to turn.  There will be 6 or 7 different classes available.  Those individuals registering for the March master classes will take precedence over others wishing to learn how to turn.

          AWA still has a goodly amount of turning stock for sale at Don Fall’s shop.  Should anyone need any please call Don at 346-1845 to make arrangements to purchase some.  AWA also plans to have some Alaska birch 4 X 4 turning stock for sale this fall.  The prices will be announced at the fall meetings.

          As some may know Don Fall had a terrible accident in April crushing his right foot and then in May a vascular episode requiring surgery.  He is home now doing well but always enjoys someone stopping by to chat with him in his shop.

          Amy and Terry at Hardware Specialties have many turning supplies including wood, tools, lathes, and sundry sorts of substances.  Both of these fine individuals have donated much to AWA and we should return the favor by supporting them as well.

          The AWA board would like to thank all who participated in this season’s events and hopefully see everyone back for the ’08—’09 season as well.  Have a wonderful summer!