northern virginia carvers
TRANSCRIPT
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
CARVERS Web: www.NorthernVirginiaCarvers.org
DECEMBER 2020 Issue 2020– 12
FROM THE PRESIDENT JOYCE SPIELER
THANKSGIVING By Joyce Spieler
I would like to have my president’s letter to include a few words about our club. The club started in the early seventies, in an Annan-dale public library. In the years we have made Colvin Run Mill carvings, had 250 plus members , performed carving in the mill to teach and meet new carvers, our Pigs carvings went national, Eagle canes were coordinated with the Capitol wood carvers, we did heads and put canes together. Pete Ward made 300 canes himself. We did 600 at least as a club with many visits to Walter Reed hospital. We had classes at an American Legion. There are no types of carving the club has not done and shared. Examples are relief carving, in the round carving, chip carving, duck and bird carving and power carv-ing. Competition shows were held at Marymount University, Springfield Woodcraft, a VFW, and Loudoun county libraries as well. Recently, the Northern Virginia Carvers have branched out with another carving club. Montgomery County Club (MCC) joined us for a Zoom meeting. Well, the NVC join the MCC at their Zoom meeting. It was so nice to broaden our friend base. There was a great introduction of all the members from NVC and MCC. Quite a talented group of carvers. All of us were able to share our carving projects. There was also sharing of turning and power carvings. Thanks to Mike Connors, he connected the two clubs together. I am sure you wonder about the direction of my letter this December. The point is to THANK everyone that has made this club a great club through the years. As, everyone has been told Ed Underhill passed away recently. He was one of the past presidents of NVC. Until recently he has kept in touch with the club. I was always pleased to speak to him during our carving show days. Ed is one of many wonderful persons I would like to thank. Our board members, my members that felt free to share their opinions with me and members that continue to be a part of this club. We have many persons to thank from the past and the pre-sent. Too many to name. I would like to name one person specifically for this month’s newsletter. Bob Si-moniz, he has held many positions in the club. Presently, one of his positions has been the editor of the newsletter. Read further on in the newsletter and see the Annandale Chamber of Commerce Article. Thanks, Bob for sharing your many talents with us and others. Other people I would like to thank are Kathryn Blackwell (Colvin Run Mill manager), Artisans United members (especially Katrina Sarlin), Pete Recinto (for all those Chip Chats and Wood Carving Illustrated magazines) Woodcraft ( for all those wonderful NVC club discounts on many tools and wood),and those that I have not mentioned making my life so full of love, laughter and fun. (cont’d on p. 2)
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I found this quote in a reading during this Thanksgiving season. “Teach your friend that gifts don't have to be tangible. Trade intangible gifts with each other, such as helping with work. Let your fellow man/woman come up with their own ide-as of what they can offer to make their lives better.” Big thanks to all for being a part of the Northern Vir-ginia Carvers and enriching my life. Blessing to all through this holiday season. Giving of ourselves is the best gift that can be given. Joyce Spieler President Northern Virginia Carvers
Another Thank You Thank you to Ernie Machate (great job) and Joyce Spieler for carving ornaments to be donated to the Shel-
ter House. Thank you to those who donated and took the ornaments in on their own. Thank you to Bob Si-
moniz who donated the ornament designs. Wishing a Blessed Christ-mas season to all persons especially
those at Shelter House.
DECEMBER 2020 Page 3
NVC Christmas/Hanukkah/Holiday Celebration By Joyce Spieler / BJ France
Our Holiday Celebration for NVC Members
will be held (Covid-style) in BJ France’s Back Yard
>>> Weather Permitting <<<
WHEN: Saturday, December 5, 2020, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm WHERE: 3027 No. Florida St, Arlington, Virginia 22207 WEATHER: If the weather is questionable, emails will be sent
that day by 11:00 am CONTACT: 703-405-2112 – BJ FRANCE (call or text)
BRING: Your mask & your hand sanitizer Weather appropriate coat, gloves etc. ( no access to indoors ) Your own drink in a thermos. Snack for yourself (if you want) Carving bag (if you want to sit and carve with us) GIFT for exchange – ornament you carved or a gift under $20.(optional) Ornament to put on the club Christmas tree Finished carvings for display $20 for annual DUES with MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL FORM
COVID GUIDELINES
Wear a mask, even outside Do the Social Distancing thing Remove your mask only to eat and drink at your chair
COME and ENJOY and BE SAFE
DECEMBER 2020 Page 4
A Blacksmith In Our Midst By Joyce Spieler
For years the Northern Virginia Carvers has been meeting and teaching at Colvin Run Mill. During those years the mill has also had a blacksmith presenting as well. I tapped into the present black-smith, Rich Doyle, working at the mill to provide the club with a presentation for Sunday, November 1, 2020, at the mill. The Northern Virginia Carvers had their first in person presentation since early 2020 set. We were all wearing masks, sitting 6 ft. apart and using hand sanitizer. Rich provided us with a great presentation. Even though we had torrential downpouring of rain, the presentation went on as planned. Rich gave us a great foundation about metallurgy which includes suggestions for com-mon tools or items to use for making a good knife. EX: springs or lawnmower blades. An e-mail was sent out to all our members with the foundation of the information Rich shared with us. Rich would welcome any questions you may have, so do not hesitate to contact him directly. The presentation also covered how best to sharpen knives. Everyone enjoyed having Rich expand our horizons. Rich also had some suggestions as to books to read about blacksmithing, They included the New Edge of the Anvil by Jack Andrews, and A Blacksmithing Primer by Rand McDaniel. Rich Doyle, the blacksmith, is a retired soil scientist living in Northern Virginia. He built a forge and started blacksmithing in 2012. He does general blacksmithing to produce both practical and decora-tive items, with some emphasis on colonial era ironwork. Recently he has started bladesmithing. He is a member of the Artists Bladesmith Association of North America and the Blacksmith Guild of the Potomac. His work is produced under the name of Porcupine Forge. Following this article is his business card. Wouldn’t it be great to have Rich produce a fine art embellishment adorning your carving for you or gift for a family member. Garden season will be here soon, so a plant / bird hanger would be great. Thank you, Rich Doyle, for your great efforts for such a fine presentation.
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December Woodcraft Classes
Ravensworth Shopping Center 5248 Port Royal Road Springfield, Va 22151 703-912-6727
Call for registration and further infor-mation
Dec. 5, 2020 Turning Simple Christmas Ornaments 10 am- 5 pm Given by Ken Poirier Dec. 6, 2020 Complete Band Saw Given by Bruce VanSledright 10 am – 5 pm Dec. 7, 2020 Handcut Dovetails 5:30 pm – 9 pm Given by Cristian Wicha Dec. 8, 2020 Basic Woodcarving 6 pm – 9 pm Given by Mike Connors Dec. 11, 2020 Date Night at Woodcraft 6 pm – 9 pm Given by a variety of instructors Dec. 13, 2020 Woodworking Fundamentals Weekend 10 am – 5 pm Given by David Laing Dec. 19, 2020 Introduction to the Lathe 10 am – 5 pm Given by Ken Poirier
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NORTHERN VIRGINIA CARVERS
RENEWAL FOR JAN-DEC 2020
Name___________________________ Address: ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ Home Phone_____________________ Cell Phone_______________________ Receive Newsletter by E-Mail?
Yes______ No_______ E-Mail___________________________ Membership Fees Per Year:
Single $20.00 Family: $20.00 + $5.00 each additional member
Additional members names: ________________________________ ________________________________ Suggestions for Programs or Classes ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________
MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO NVC AND MAIL TO:
Membership in the Northern Virginia Carvers runs from January to December. Please bring your dues, which are $20.00 for a single membership and $5.00 for each additional family member, to the Carving Center or Packard Cen-ter on Thursday nights, give to or mail to Robert Simoniz, Membership Chairman, 6819 Rock Creek Court, Alexandria, VA 22306. Make check payable to NVC.
The NVC Board would like to have your suggestions for future topics at the Packard Center and also classes or workshops you would like to see offered. Write your suggestions on the renewal form or email to Les Thomas, [email protected] email address if you can receive the newsletter by email. This will save the club a great deal of money. Some clubs are now charging members who get mailed copy a higher amount for dues. NVC does not currently do this, and does not wish to start, but we do try to keep the mailed copies to a minimum.
If you have changed your email, please let us know. If you used to get the newsletter by email, but recently have received mailed copies, then something is wrong with the email address we have on file for you, and your email copy bounced back. Please contact Bob Simoniz at [email protected], so he can correct
Robert Simoniz, Membership NORTHERN VIRGINIA CARVERS 6819 Rock Creek Court Alexandria, VA 22306
TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
DECEMBER 2020 Page 10
DEADLINE FOR JAN. NEWSLETTER ARTICLES: FRIDAY DECEMBER 27
Woodcraft Supply (Every Thursday except 2nd Thursday)— Ravensworth Shopping Center, 5248 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22151. 703-912-6727. From I-495 take Braddock Rd Exit 54A west. Ravensworth Shopping Center is at the intersection of Braddock Road and Port Royal Road..
DIRECTIONS:
American Legion Post 176 (carving classes)— 6520 Amherst Avenue, Springfield, Virginia 22150. From Springfield driving East on Old Keene Mill Road to Springfield Blvd. just past Veterans Bridge, turn right and proceed to the Post parking lot on the right. From Springfield driving West on Franconia Road, passing under I-95 to Bland Street just past Shoney's Restaurant, turn right onto Bland Street and proceed to Amherst Avenue. Turn right onto Amherst Avenue and proceed over Veterans bridge. The Post is on the right, before Kay Jennings Toyota at the foot of the bridge.
Packard Center (2nd Thursday of each month) (THIS IS ON A TRIAL BASIS THIS YEAR), 3:30-9:00 PM, meeting at 7:00) — 4022 Hummer Road, Annandale, VA 22003. From I-495 take Little River Turnpike East and turn left at the first light onto Hummer Road. Just past the small shopping area less than 1/4 mi on the left will be signs for the center. Turn left into the drive and bear right when it forks. The evening entrance for meetings is on the side of the building on the parking lot side. The meeting area is in the conference room in the basement.
NVC Contacts
President Joyce Spieler Chairs General Meetings and Board Meetings [email protected] 703-915-3239
Vice-President Mark Tranchemontagne Vice Chair of General Meetings and Board Meetings [email protected] 703-531-9912
Treasurer Pete Ward Manages Finances 571-236-3958
Secretary Phillip Simpson Keeps Minutes and Maintains NVC Archives [email protected] 703-360-9875
Past President Todd Andre-Colton [email protected] 703-969-2139
Colvin Mill Coordinator Joyce Spieler Coordinates Carving Instruction Program at Colvin Mill Park [email protected] 703-915-3239
Show Coordinator BJ France Coordinates the Annual Show & Competition [email protected] 703-538-4143
Membership Chairman and Newsletter Editor
Bob Simoniz Maintains membership database and collects dues Edits and publishes NVC Newsletter
[email protected] 703-768-1087
Program Coordinator Mike Connors Develops New Programs for the Club [email protected] 703-486-9635
NVC Web Site Joyce Spieler www.northernvirginiacarvers.org [email protected] 703-915-3239
Patches & Pins
Bob Simoniz
Sells patches & pins
703-768-1087
Address Correction Requested
NORTHERN VIRGINIA CARVERS 6819 Rock Creek Court Alexandria, VA 22306