General Meeting of the Villages Woodshop Club
February 14, 2017
Laurel Manor Recreation Center
Meeting called to order at 7pm accompanied by the recitation of the pledge of allegiance led by President Mike Borfitz and a moment of silence for Hans Zassenhaus who is still in rehab, Pat Malone, whose wife passed away, and the family of Bill Schmidt, a former member.
Mike wished everyone a Happy Valentines Day.
President’s Report
Mike welcomed new members and visitors, who then introduced themselves and shared a little bit about themselves to the group.
Our records show that we have 870 dues paying members (30 of those, waiting to be certified) with an additional 21 non-member volunteers.
Colonial Days – As we have each year since its inception, we participated in the 2017 Colonial Days on January 20. Raymond Kane and Jim Spallone did a great job in organizing the event. Our location was ideal and the day was profitable for the Club. We cleared approximately $1400 and once again took away experiences that will help next year.
New Items
Hoedown Days – This coming Saturday (February 18) we’ll be participating in a new event. The VHA is sponsoring an event called Hoedown Days at the Polo Fields from 10:00 to 5:00. We will be participating in a couple of ways. In the kid’s area, we will have an area where children can put the wheels on pocket cars and keep the product; or, for the older children to put together small carpenter’s carryall. We will have approximately 80 kits. When they are exhausted, we will pack up and leave. In another area of the event, the carvers will be demonstrating their expertise.
Librarian and Team – The call for a librarian was very fruitful. Not only did we appoint a new librarian, we were able to create a library team. Please congratulate Cathy Kearns as the librarian and joining her are Jeff Johnson, Ron Lassard, and Phil Goldsmith. If any are interested in participating on the team, please contact Cathy Kearns.
Safety Committee – The Safety committee is in need of members. Please contact John Herega if you are willing to serve on that important committee.
The Cherry Table –We’ve had a beautiful natural edge cherry table for sale in the shop to the highest bidder for the past few weeks. One of our members, Doug Sukeforth, approached the Club with a request. Doug is from Maine and he is involved with an outreach program for veterans. It is called House in the Woods. As a little background, two families who lost their sons in Iraq decided to set up a retreat for soldiers and veterans in the wilds of Maine. They’re set up to offer fishing, hunting trips and recreational experiences for active military, veterans and their families at no cost to the soldier. To make it a more complete retreat, they just finished a large “home” in which the attendees could stay. Doug recognized that the table would be a perfect addition to that home. It fit the décor and would be perfect for soldiers in wheelchairs to play cards. He asked if we would we be willing to donate the table or sell it to him for a discounted amount. A committee of representatives from the founders, the Board, the officers and the general membership listened to Doug’s plea. They then sought Bob Thompson’s input because he had done the majority of the work on the table. We agreed to donate the table to this worthy cause. We plan to put a little gold plaque on it thanking the soldiers for their service and showing that the table was donated by VWC. Mike has contacted the paper for coverage of this event.
Department Reports
Shop Administration & Maintenance – Dave Adamovich: Not in attendance, however relayed that a new drill press has been ordered for the toy area. The supplier Grizzly has pushed back the repair of the big planer to May 8th. Mike relayed that the old drill press used in toy area will be up for auction, if any one is interested in purchasing.
Certification and Monitor Training – Dick Bessler: Thirty new members waiting for certification. Monitor training scheduled for Feb.22rd and 23rd, to accommodate the seasonal members. Bob Beherens and Dave Adamovich are teaching monitors how to operate the new small planer. The mentor program is running well.
Lumber – Stephan Yovan: Steve and Kevin Vanscoy were not in attendance. Mike relayed that she knows that Steve is very anxious for the card -holder wood on the cart to be removed from the shed to free up space.
Office Administration – Anne Bell: Nothing to report.
IT, Video Production and PR -Mike Borfitz: IT is functioning like a well-oiled machine. All computers with the capacity of Windows 10 have been updated. The installation of a server has addressed the speed problems and the front desk Access program continues to be programmed to provide more and more helpful reports for the daily business of running the Club/Shop. Mike announced that Larnie Cross was a guest on the TV’s radio station talking about the use of tools. This recorded talk will be played through out the week. Larnie and Alvin will give a recorded presentation on how to use equipment, which will be played on the TV’s radio station for a week. Mike requested that announced anyone interested in giving a talk for the TV’s radio station contact her.
Special Projects and Website - Han Zassenhaus: During the EOC meeting, the pending 80 special project repairs was discussed, as well as the need for special projects volunteers. Mike asked anyone interested in working special projects to contact her. The club is suspending taking in any new repairs from Feb. 18th to March 1st., to help get caught up. Continued suspension will be reevaluated on March 1st to determine if continued suspension is needed.
Toys – Conway Williams: A special acknowledgement to Bill Schmidt who recently passed away. Bill was a longtime member and one of the original toymakers of the club, who made outstanding contributions making toys. Conway explained to the new members that the club makes toys every month of the year.
Production Report: At the end of Jan 2017 we produced 400 toys now stored in the warehouse. So far in February we have produced an additional 183 and the year to date total is 580 toys. At the end of January we had made two shipments totaling 88 toys with a value of $1136. In February we have made another shipment of 12 toys and 180.00 giving us a year to date total of 100 toys at a value of $1316.00,
Donations for January - Toys on the Square $185, Colonial Days $729 and donations for February - Toys on the Square - $316 toys and the year to date total is $1230.
Chairman Board of Directors -Bill McGinnis: Nothing to report
Carver’s – Bill McGinnis: We’ve had 5 to 6 new carvers in the last month. Carver’s will be participating in Hoedown Days; all are invited to attend.
Education- Bob Matthew: Not in attendance, however relayed that education has started off well this year. He, J. Herega and L. Cross are putting together safety tips for instructors specific to the classes they’re teaching.
Library – Cathy Hearns: Not in attendance
Turners - John Herega: He and Larnie Cross are working on video course on “Introduction to Turning”. Members will receive a video, booklet and test. They will bring the test in for John to grade. Members will sign up and pay for this course, same as other courses. Members do get to keep the video, booklet and their member profile will show that they completed this course and passed. This is a required perquisite course, needed before other taking beginner and intermediate turning classes. This course should be available approximately 10 days to 2 weeks once the video is completed.
John showed a 10-minute video on Introduction to Ring Master hosted by Tom Miller. This video was a short preview on the use of the Ring Master. Tom Miller advised he must certify members, before they use the ring master machine.
Safety – John Herega: There was one reported accident, when apiece of wood came off lathe and hit a member. John said he is seeing a lot of members walking away from equipment and not cleaning up after themselves. He reminded all that it’s not the monitor’s job to clean up after members.
Member Apparel – John Herega: Members can purchase new tan apparel from Custom Apparel at Southern Trace Shopping Plaza in TV’s. John announced he had some of the old green shirts and tee-shirts for sale during the break.
Announcements
Jim Spallone reported, while working the desk he and Dave Adamovich noticed that all, but 10 to 12, clamps were gone. There were several dated projects with a lot of clamps being used. Jim advised that glued projects should only be clamped for 15 to 40 minutes at the most. It’s not necessary to leave clamps on projects over night or for days. This is a very busy time of the year in the shop and folks need to be considerate of their fellow members when they use clamps, tools and equipment. Clamps are not to be removed from the shop.
Q&A on VWC Topics: Mike asked if any had questions, there were no questions presented.
10- Minute Break - Mike reminded all that there were shirts and hats for sale in the back of the room.
Show and Tell
Member shared some wood carved by beavers… John Scott shared a shadow box he made to house military honors he received. Elliot Schwartz shared small end grain cutting boards he made from left over wood.
Andy McTear shared a vortex vase he made with help from Ray Roberts. Tom Miller shared various patterned ring bowls he made. Larnie Cross brought in cherry chair he made and caned.
Andy McTear presented a wooden rose to each woman in attendance in honor of Valentines Days.
50/50 and Gift Certificate Drawing: Members purchased $109 in tickets. The club made $65 and $64 was given out in $23, $21 and $20 cash prizes. Bob Bell provided two $25 gift certificates provided by one of the club’s merchandise suppliers, which were raffled off.
Meeting adjourned at 8:05pm.
Next Meeting: March 14, 2017