Newsletter Vol 35 / Issue 11
Splinters November 2020
Volume 35 / Issue 11
Greetings
In our Sweeping Up section, I’ve used lots of jokes about getting older. Since there are so many seniors in our group, I guess I’m picking low hanging fruit. But really, “old” is relative. I was talking to a lady in our church a couple weeks back. She’s 93 now and was telling me about how great it was when she was 65 and pushed mowed her own lawn. She still calls me one of the “young folk.”
When my father-in-law turned 80 he came over to the house and and told us of a sad discovery he had made – he was old. He didn’t know when he got old, but when he looked in the mirror that morning there was no denying it – he was old. He still felt young, but that guy in the mirror was old. I think he went down faster after that.
I still lead singing at church occasionally and sometimes we sing “Never Grow Old.” As I look out over the folk singing it’s easy to see that the words don’t mean much to the 30 and younger crowd. The 40s and 50s don’t really get it either. But as I watch the 60 and up crowd, there’s definitely a connection with “In a land where we’ll never grow old.”
I really don’t know what got me thinking along this line. Maybe because my back’s acting up a lot and arthritis has set up camp in both hands. But I guess there’s not much you can do to change the inevitable. You either get old or die young. So, if you’re getting into the Golden years and you still feel pretty good, I’d suggest you avoid mirrors. After all, what you don’t know won’t hurt you.
Let’s get started with Splinters!
From our Treasurer
The November Wood Club monthly meeting is when we normally start collecting membership dues for the coming year. This is one of the perks of being treasurer because I get to socialize with each of the Wood Club members for at least a few minutes. I will confess to reviewing the photos on the membership roster before this meeting to better match a name and a face. Unfortunately, our next Wood Club meeting is likely still months away. You may recall that we decided earlier this year to apply any dues paid in 2020 to 2021 as well. So please do not worry about being delinquent. We will start collecting dues at our next Wood Club meeting.
News Regarding Our Club’s Future
The Executive Committee will be meeting soon (virtually or in person) to discuss when, where, and how the club can start meeting again. Currently we are looking at January to try and meet via Zoom (online) or maybe a limited number of attendees determined by the meeting location. Or maybe a combination of the two methods. Stay tuned for further announcements.
November Show & Tell
Several folks have sent me pictures of what they’ve been working on while “Sheltered in Place.” I never cease to be amazed at the quality of work our folk turn out. The pictures can be seen on the website Gallery and links are in the online newsletter.
Loyd Ackerman – Loyd send in 3 projects:
Work in progress: The base material is maple and the trim is cherry. The trim is a split spindle to dress the uprights, the finials, and the insert. The finish will be lacquer with glazing to achieve the antique look.
Segmented Vessel: I knew there was a reason for most of my segmented vessels being a closed form design. An open mouth design like this means you have to finish both inside and out. Outside is easy. Inside, not so easy.
A walnut tray with compound angles to tilt the sides. 14 X 10 X 2
Chuck Taylor – finished 35 Tangram puzzle games for children’s gifts. Ambrosia maple with satin lacquer finish and 2 small magnets installed to hold top lid in place.
Richard Gulley – presented a plaque to his new pastor for pastor appreciation day.
Vince Zacardi and Richard Gulley – have been assisting the Winchester American Legion Post 44 with their Cross and Flag Memorial project. We helped make the crosses that are on display now in the Winchester area. So far we’ve made a few less than 200, but hope to have 500 by next Memorial Day. Post 44 also sent the club a nice certificate for the work we’ve done.
Jack Kincella – doesn’t have a Show & Tell, just a Tell. Jack has convinced the Hoover Paint Store to give TVW members a 10% discount. They have 8 locations in the middle Tennessee area.
Paul Jalbert sent me a report of some of the things he’s been up to during Covid. He says, “I have processed one new member in and memorialized two deceased members out with Wood Club contributions. Also, I was asked by Horse Play in September to participate with them in a Channel 6 (Tullahoma) coverage of the recent improvements to the Horse Play facility. I promoted the Wood Club because that was the mechanism by which all of my bench and sign work there was made feasible. I have worked on several projects with other Wood Club members when asked to help.”
He’s currently working with his son to restore a 1915 Crescent 12-in jointer that he found on Craig’s list.
Internet Links of Interest
8 Ways to Make End-to-End Joints – From Wood magazine.
You’ll find more interesting links and tips at the end of this article.
TVW YouTube Channel
In a video from 2009, Doyle McConnell demonstrates how he created his “Fibonacci” sculpture. Starting with a closed vessel made with layers of Baltic birch plywood, he cuts the bowl into thin, curved cross sections. Those sections are then shifted and glued back together to create a unique form.
Carver’s Corner
The Splinter Carvers continue to meet first and third Saturdays of the month from 8:30 am to 10:30 am (whether Jim’s there or not). The shop is located at 201 Jolliffe Acres Ln, Tullahoma. Tools and wood are available at the meetings, just bring yourself and try your hand at carving!
Sweeping Up
Thanks to Tom Gillard for this first one. The second was found on Pinterest. Watch out for Splinters!
That’s all for this month. Watch out for Splinters!
Submissions to the newsletter are more than welcomed. Send funnies, tips, or other content that may be of interest and you may see it in a future edition of Splinters!
Newsletter Information
Splinters is a publication of the Tennessee Valley Woodworkers. For submissions, email editor, Richard Gulley (rgulley@utsi.edu .)
Membership Information
If you change your phone number, email address, etc.; please notify Chuck Taylor, membership chairman (931-728-7086 or taylor_cw@charter.net. This will allow the membership listing on the web site to reflect current and up-to-date information of all our club members.