Rio Grand Valley Woodcarvers

Newsletter

Feb 2007- Apr 2007
Greetings from the Editor
Rio Grande Valley Woodcarvers

January 19, 2007 was an unusually cool and rainy day in South Texas but inside the Pharr International Convention Center things were buzzing in preparation for the 21st Annual Show of the Rio Grande Valley Woodcarvers.

Vendors busied themselves setting up their displays and the carvers readied their tables to show their year’s work and hoped for lots of buyers. This was a new venue for the show and there was some uncertainty about attendance but promptly at 10;00AM the doors opened and the public poured in to admire the works and search for that special piece to take home. The record turn out continued through the day and into the next day with happy carvers and vendors making good sales.

Small carvings which had been make by members were given as prizes during the day with the drawing for the Grand Prize, a mountain lion bust carved by Shirley Wright, being presented to Pam Pilkinton the winner of the final drawing.

Judge Dr. Steve Schoolar of Fort Worth TX, scrutinized each piece presented for judging in the show with written comments on the entry ticket. These were much appreciated by the entrants. Judge Schoolar finished his work on the second day and the winners were announced. Following this Dr. Schoolar gave a seminar on his method of judging.

Best of Show was won by Jim Summers his work named "Freedom Fighter" a touching bust of a soldier draped in the American Flag. Balloting for the People’s Choice gave the honors to Bruce Edwards for His "Red Hawk and Weasel". Best Table award went to Charlotte and Garry Grady with their display of colorful flowers.

Photographer for the show was John Obrien of Decatur IL. Jeff Slabaugh served as show chairman, assisted by Russ Tibbetts. Our Thanks goes to all those volunteers who make these events a success.

Rally On The RIO - 2007

The Rio Grande Valley Woodcarvers held their 8th annual "Rally On The Rio" carving seminar January 22nd through January 28th 2007 at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock show grounds in Mercedes, Texas.

Classes Were Held For Beginners Through Advanced Carvers
24 Professional Instructors Conducted All Classes
Vendors For Tools And Supplies Were On Hand
235 Students Participated In The Classes
Six Great days Of Learning, Carving and Socializing.

Our first blood award went to Mart Lind - after a band-aid Mart went back to work.

The first 3 days of the rally, the weather was chilly. Those participating in the workshops, just put on more clothes and went to work.

Next year we are moving to a new place - Kelly St. Pharr Texas. Yes, it has heat, cooling and indoor bathrooms.

Elaine and Toby Craft have retired as chairpersons of the Rally. Elaine and Toby wish to thank Ron and Linda Henson for stepping up and taking over the Rally. There is a lot of work involved with coordinating the rally, they need a lot of help so why not contact them and offer to help.

The carving contest was held on Wednesday evening and as usual the carvers were heckled by the on-lookers - a lot of fun was had by all.

The winners of this years competition were:

Beginner:

1st - Pablo Gutierrez
2nd - Addie Fife

Intermediate:

1st - Gail Lynn
2nd - Juan DeLeon
3rd - Fernando Gutierrez

Open:

1st - George Vaughn
2nd - Tom Sarff
3rd - Toby Craft

The instructors for next years 2008 Rally are now being lined up. The instructors, classes and registration form will be posted on our web site at Classes / Instructors in April 2007. The full list of classes and instructors booklets should be going out in August 2007.

All Classes start at 8.00am - 5.00pm.

Ark Donated To Edinburg Children's Hospital

Many of our club members worked very hard carving animals and making the ark.
April 23, 2007 it was donated to The Edinburg Children's Hospital for all the children to enjoy. Club President Ronald Henson, Linda Henson and Charlie Johnson presented it to Christy Escondon.
Each of the 62 children in the hospital were given a carved angel and a poem. The angel pattern was from Sam Wilson. The angels were carved by Ron Henson, Charlie Johnson, Ray Godwin, Milton Smith, Reba Vieta, Evelyn Beck, Jim Clark, and Mary Clark.

Rally On The Rio Carver Of The Year - Joe Welnack

Joe's love for wood has been a lifetime career. It started when Joe was in the Navy, and at Southern University where he was in charge of property Management and Maintenance. Upon retirement he began woodcarving. He has been carving and teaching carving for 30 years. He taught his wife Vickie to carve and together they have held seminars in Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado.

He has a large collection of Blue ribbons he won over the years

Joe is a lifetime member of the Texas Woodcarvers Guild and served as Director of the Rio Grand Valley Woodcarvers.

Joe was the main supporter backing Elaine Craft, with the help of Maxine Blanchard, in starting the very successful "Rally On The Rio". This year was the 8th year for the rally.

Due to health problems Joe was no longer able to teach at the Rally; but, continued to support it.

He will long be remembered as a supporter in all activities of the Rio Grande Valley woodcarvers, and as a friend to all who knew him.

We Will Miss You Joe.

Elaine Craft