MONTHLY HAPPENINGS
Club Meetings – February 2026
· Monday, February 2, 2026 – Monthly Club Meeting
· Monday, February 16, 2026 – Second Monthly Meeting
· Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Saturday Workshop
· Saturday, February 28, 2026 (4th Saturday)
· Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
· Our first “Workshop Meeting” of the year
Meeting Agenda Highlights
· Financial Report: Presented by Ralph Cooper
· Business Meeting to follow
· Knife Drawing Raffle at the first Monday meeting
2026 Club Dues
· $25 per individual
· $35 per family
If you have not yet paid your 2026 dues, please do so as soon as possible.
Show & Tell – First Monday of Each Month
At our first Monday meeting each month, please bring any new carvings completed since the last Show & Tell.
Ralph will photograph them for the club website.
Hopefully we’ll have a batch of gnomes ready to be photographed!
2026 Expo – Volunteers Needed
We will continue discussions about the 2026 Expo.
If we do not receive additional volunteer support to form committees, the show may need to be canceled. Last year’s workload was simply too much for two members.
· A preliminary task list is included with this mailing
· A sign-up sheet will be available at the meeting
· If you have a specific interest, please indicate it on the pass-around
· If you cannot attend, please email your interest in helping
Early preparation includes cards and flyers that need to be completed soon.
Community & Outreach
· Mike Shelton called to thank-you the club the contribution in Joyce Shelton’s name
· The St. Elizabeth Foundation sent a letter thanking the club for its donation
Continuing support for cancer research is something I would like the club to pursue.
Similar to our Christmas Ornament program, we could carve and sell themed ornaments and donate part of the proceeds to cancer research organizations.
There are more than a dozen cancers represented by ribbon colors—many of us know someone who has been affected.
Christmas Ornament Project
It’s never too early to start carving Christmas ornaments!
Ralph Cooper has blanks ready—just let him know and he’ll bring them to a meeting.
We also have a nice card prepared for the kids in Indianapolis, which I’ll bring to the meeting.
Club Projects
Saturday Workshops – “Carving Workshop Day”
Beginning Saturday, February 28, our fourth-Saturday meetings will officially become Carving Workshop Days.
February Workshop Topic: Knife Maintenance
This first workshop (originally canceled in January due to weather) will focus on:
· Keeping knives sharp and in good working condition
· Demonstrations of various sharpening techniques
· Overview of club-owned sharpening equipment
Everyone has their own preferred method—please bring your tools and techniques to share.
A future workshop will cover reshaping and sharpening damaged blades.
Watch for reminders under our new workshop banner: “The 4th Cut…”
February Club Project – Walking Stick Topper
Starting Monday, Ralph Cooper will lead a hands-on session carving a decorative walking stick topper.
Design Options:
· Wolf
· Bear
· Eagle
· Bison
· Bumblebee with Morning Glory flowers
Project Details:
· Relief carving on a 1.75″ × 10″ basswood dowel
· Includes:
o Pre-drawn artwork
o Carbon paper for transfer
o Basswood dowel
· Cost: $10 (materials)
A great opportunity to create a unique piece of personalized trail gear!
FUTURE HAPPENINGS
“The 4th Cut” Saturday Workshop
· Saturday, March 28
· 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Ralph Cooper will present a PowerPoint session on using AI to generate carving ideas, focusing on:
· ChatGPT
· Midjourney AI
He’ll share concept development examples and finished pieces contributed by club members to show how AI can spark creativity.
Miami Valley Wood Carving Show
· Saturday, March 7: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
· Sunday, March 8: 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
· Competition Entry: Friday evening, March 6
RVWC has already reserved a club table.
More information:
http://miamivalleywoodcarvers.com/index.php/annual-show/
Please consider supporting our sister club.
Guest Instructor – Floyd Rhadigan
· April 24–26, 2026
· Three-Day Instruction Cost: $160
Floyd will provide expert carving instruction and sell rough-outs for class use.
Minimum of 8 participants required (currently 4 signed up).
Signup sheets will be available at the first two meetings this month.
Please sign up soon before we open enrollment to other groups.
More info:
· Caricature Carvers of America member
Buckeye Woodcarvers Roundup
· July 15–18, 2026
· Poor Farmers Campground
7211 Lostcreek-Shelby Rd, Fletcher, OH 45326
Phone: 937-368-2449
Contact Barb Foster: 937-214-0790
Website: www.buckeyewoodcarversroundup.com
A fantastic opportunity to learn, observe, and connect with fellow carvers and instructors.
PAST HAPPENINGS
Gnome Project
We are started the year by carving one or more gnomes.
If you need information or guidance, please feel free to contact me.
Additional club agenda
Ralph and I recently visited Woodcraft and Rockler in the Tri-County area.
Both stores expressed interest in hosting club demonstrations or carving classes—an excellent opportunity to promote the club and attract new members.
MISCELLANEOUS
Be sure to visit the club website and check out the latest updates.
A heartfelt thank you to Ron Gabelman for keeping everything fresh and up to date.
