Ken Gould, vice president, called the meeting to order in the absence of the president, Doyle McConnell, Tuesday, June 17, 2003 at 7:00 pm. There were 62 in attendance, including guest Tom Karls, Larry Dameworth, Homer Eslick and Martha Taylor.

Henry Davis encouraged members to purchase their nametags at a cost of $5.00 each and noted that he had copies of "Splinters", as well as the fact that it is posted on our website.

Dave White’s shoulder surgery was successful and he anticipates a three-month recovery period.

Sympathy was extended to the John Mayberry family in the death of his mother.

Thank you to Tom Gillard, Jr. for the door prizes secured from the Oldham Company of North Carolina as a donation to the club. Winning saw blades were Richard Gulley, Maurice Ryan, Houston Clark, Martha Taylor, Matt Brothers and Jim Van Cleave.

Chuck & Martha Taylor will furnish refreshments for the July meeting.

Fair Building: Loyd Ackerman reported that the Coffee County Fair building needed the windows and doors. A work session will be scheduled for next week.

Fall Seminar: The Fall Seminar, "Laws of Woodturning" has been scheduled for October 25, 2003. Subject matter offered will be both basic and intermediate from the artistic and practical application. Also, included will be the importance of determining the speed of the lathe. Loyd’s example of the "exploding bowl" emphasizes the need for correct speed. The location of the class and more details of the seminar will be forthcoming.

Club Picnic Report: The club issued a check in the amount of $50 to Falls Mill in appreciation for hosting our annual picnic. Letters from both John and Jane Ledbetter were read acknowledging this contribution and inviting us back next year. The auction brought in $846.00. The picnic was a success and yielded an excess of $700.00 after expenses were paid.

Jim Van Cleave announced that he would be teaching others the art of making cockbead sometime the last of July or the first of August. A sign-up sheet was provided to determine interest and possible dates.

Andy Weaver announced that there is a festival, "Great Outdoor Week-end on the Mountain" being planned for October 17,18 & 19 in the Gruetli Park. Members are invited to participate with demonstrations and sale of craft items. See him for further details.

Contact Franklin Goodman regarding rough sawn walnut, western cedar, and oak. This lumber has been cut more than 50 years.

Contact Ross Roepke regarding 2000 board feet of cherry and 1000 board feet of walnut.

Loyd Ackerman showed a walnut vessel turned on center noting that the pith had been removed to prevent cracking. The excellent finish was 3 coats sanding sealer and 6 coats of Deft. He also showed a purple heart bowl with a burnt edge. The edge was made by holding cardboard against the vessel surface, while the bowl was turning on the lathe.

Hugh Hurst showed a beautiful Mesquite natural edge bowl. He noted that the Texas wood cuts as if it were butter. He also is in the process of making a cannonball bed and showed the practice posts that he had turned. Often, the practice turnings can eliminate the errors that may occur in turning.

Bob Leonard brought his version of the "wedgie" along with the article in a recent publication about the virtues of using this when planting.

Doug Dunlap brought a plant stand constructed with the use of splines of plywood. The beautiful stand was constructed of cherry and walnut with a boiled linseed oil finish. He expressed appreciation to Henry Davis for the seminar recently held.

Bill Davis brought a maple plant stand, finished with 3 coats of Deft.

Bill Duncan showed a plant stand top. The top was finished with 3 coats of tung oil, applied by pouring the oil on the surface and rubbing with the heel of his hand.

Ross Roepke gave hints concerning glue-up processes on multiple part assemblies. He also showed push sticks made for the table saw to cut small pieces safely.

Bob Reese brought a violin, which was his 15^th. His wife played it beautifully. This instrument had a visible glue joint on the back, which had been cleverly disguised with an artist painting. Also, his hand-powered car for his great grandchild was intriguing to all the "little boys". The walnut music stand with adjustable positions was beautiful.

Refreshments were served by Houston and Lillie Clark.

Ken Gould introduced our guest, Howard Rust, Jr, of Northside Clocks who presented

An interesting and informative program regarding the history of clock making, noting that the art originated in China in 1365 and was first practiced in this country in 1750. The first clock maker, Eli Terry paid the fees for Seth Thomas and another gentleman to come to this country. They were indentured to him for a period of 10 years. Only 3 clocks were made each year. The internal works were wood with the use of quarter-sawn oak as front and back plates and apple for all the gears. The apple wood is extremely hard, holding up well through much use. The internal works of a clock of this period evidenced this. Each member had the opportunity to examine this. It was not until Sears contracted with him for 4000 clocks in 3 years that water powered machinery, such as circular saws & lathes were used in the manufacturing of these $4.00 clocks. This contract was for the sum of $10,000.00 paid in advance, with the penalty of failure to bring enslavement to Mr. Sears for the remainder of Mr. Terry’s life.

Seth Thomas, perhaps the best-known name today, continued the clock making he learned under Eli Terry. It may be that he is so familiar because of his many "kitchen clocks" that were sold. These were mostly made of oak.

Most of the antique clocks were made of pine with very thin veneers. Very little attention was given to the finish of the backs. The faces of many older clocks were painted with milk paint, which still holds the original color and luster. The paints of today are not of this quality. The japan finish also was used and has not been duplicated today.

The Rust family has been in business for three generations, serving 4 hour driving radius from his business. They have both new and antique clocks for sale and do restoration work. Many times duplication of carvings or decorative parts is necessary. These have been skillfully done with detection impossible to most.

When ask if Mr. Rust practices the indenture method of securing employees, the members were surprised. He has a 3-year apprenticeship program, where young men seek his training. There is no compensation for them while they work under his tutorship, but there is also no charge for his services to them. This has been a very successful program. He encouraged members to past along their skills to the younger generation.

It was evident that this brought much interest among members.