It has been quite a year for the River Valley Wood Carvers! We have made two donations to our hosts, the Hilltop Church of Christ, in their hour of need and still ended the year with over $1300 in the coffers. But our real wealth is in having the pleasure and the privilege—-yes, privilege—of spending time doing the thing we all love with people we enjoy being with.
In addition to our bi-weekly meetings and our annual Open House, Awards Dinner and picnic with the Cincinnati Carvers Guild, we have, in deed, spent a lot of time and had a lot of fellowship in “doing our thing” as they say. Just consider some of the following.
We have gone to a number of area carving shows including Noblesville, Franklin and Muncie, IN and Middletown and Cincinnati, OH. where we carved, visited and competed, rather well I should say. In fact we won a number of ribbons that included a Best-in Show and a second Best-in-Show. Not too bad all things considered. Best of all we seem to get invited back next year at every show we do.
We demonstrated and competed at the Boone County Fair, the Indiana State Fair and the Kentucky State Fair. Also we participated in the Bethel’s Founders Day celebration, the Clermont County Humane Society Fund Raiser plus three different festivals and a number of Open Houses at Gorman Heritage Farm. In addition, our Library Program has enlarged to two demonstrations ana three displays this year with more to come next year.
Let’s not overlook the 6 different Seminars and Workshops we have sponsored and produced this year. These included bringing in skilled and professional instructors from all over the eastern U.S. They have provided instruction for over 60 of not just our own members but carvers and burners from as far away as Findlay, OH and Huntington, W. Va.
One of the most satisfying activities we have had has been the Ornaments Program. As we have in the past we provided over 70 carved and/or burned ornaments for the Christmas tree at the Pediatrics Ward at St. Elizabeth Hospital. We decorate their tree with our carvings and every Child in the ward at Christmas time gets to choose and take home an ornament as their very own. What could be more fulfilling?
Also this year for the first time we participated in an Ornaments Exchange with the Central Alabama Wood Carvers. We got 16 of their carvings and they got 16 of ours. What a delight! Next year we hope to expand it.
Also, for the first time, we participated in Ornaments for Our Military. We collected and shipped three boxes of ornaments, treats and candy for a needy Anny unit in Afghanistan.
Next year we have plans in place to enlarge each of these Ornament Programs to include other carving clubs and wider distributions of our carvings.
Along the way through, this myriad of activities and good times we have acquired 5 new members and hopefully spread the word everywhere we have been on the joy and satisfaction of carving and burning. And with that—–A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to One and All.
Dick Middleton
President
