President Mike Lonergan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Officers in attendance:  Bud Vogt, Jack Snow, David Macsay, Bert Wortel.

GUEST:

Gary West, a previous long time member.  Gary had visited the Guild earlier this year in March.

PRESIDENT'S OPENING COMMENTS:

Mike introduced our new members Bill Beam and Alan Hay.  Please welcome them.

OLD BUSINESS:

Mike provided an update on the finishing seminar scheduled for January 3th and 4th, 2009 from 9am to 5pm.  Bert Wortel has previously taken one of Mitch Kohanik’s classes. Mitch teaches a 9 month finishing class at Marc Adams School, which should tell you a little of the quality of the instructor we will have. Bert mentioned that the subject matter will be French polishing, furniture repair, spraying, color theory, mixing colors and stains, staining, etc. There will also be a question and answer session.  You can also bring in your own project to get “ advice only”. This will be a hands-on experience as well as discussion.  You will not need to bring anything.  Mike met with the owner of Woodcraft and Woodcraft will participate as well in getting participants.  However, Woodcraft will advertise a higher fee for entrants. Our Guild member’s costs will be a flat $100.  The club will not be subsidizing any part of the cost. There is a cap of 25 participants and the Guild members have until the Sept meeting to sign up.  After that Woodcraft will start to advertise.  Mike took a poll and it appeared to be about 11-15 members who raised their hands to indicate they would attend. Get your checks made payable to Central Florida Woodworking Guild to Bud Vogt ASAP to reserve your place.

NEXT MONTH’S MEETING (AUGUST) WILL BE AT THE NEW WOODCRAFT LOCATION.  I happened to stop by there on the way to my office. It is well laid out with more room in the aisles than the old location.  There is far more internal space than you would think from the outside of the building.  There are over 20 parking spaces and even some side parking could be done if needed.  There are no arrangements at this time for next door parking. They opened August 1.  There are more species of wood to select from.  Their outside sign mentioned 120. If you are driving South on 17-92 from Rt 436 you will have to pass the store and make a U-turn. 

Did you know that if you are registered with Woodcraft that you get 10% percent off on most items purchased on one visit in the month of your birthdate?  The Hot Item for this August is a Tenoning Jig which is on sale for $60.  That’s 25% off its original price of $80.  Check it out.

NEW BUSINESS: 

Dean Throckmorton mentioned that for the last 3 years the Woodturning Club has participated in Orlando’s Museum of Art Festival of Christmas Trees.  The club members make mostly tree ornaments on their lathes which are then sold at the Festival.  The proceeds are split 50/50 with the Museum.  For the last Festival, Dean made 80 using his scrollsaw and bandsaw.  He brought along about a dozen samples to show the guild members.  He usually makes two at a time. He thought it would be a good way for the Guild to raise funds.  He has the address for the lady in charge of the Festival that the Guild could contact.  The Festival is in November.  If the Guild participated the Guild members would also get free tickets to attend.  Dean offered to be the chairman of the project.  A motion was made by Robbie Robertson to make Dean the chairman of the project; seconded by Archie; and passed by the membership.   Mike said that the Board will discuss it at the next board meeting as well.  Mike hopes to schedule the next Board meeting before the next month’s meeting so contact Mike if you wish any items to be discussed.

Dean also mentioned that he uses Flying Dutchman scrollsaw blades and considers them the best.  He found them advertised in various scrollsaw magazines. He brought in a brochure on them.

Bill Beam made two comments:  First, he praised the Website the Guild has.  Many thanks to Robbie Robertson. Robbie mentioned that the Guild has had over 1200 hits on our website since January I.  He will make arrangements so that requests on membership can be directed to David Macsay so David can follow up.  Robbie is also looking for woodworking stories from Guild members to put on the website. Let’s help him out.

Second, Bill wants to buy 150 ft of white ash, and was wanting to know if the Guild had any discounts set up with suppliers or if any other members would be interested in forming a group to be able to buy in bulk for better pricing, Some discussion incurred with Bert Wortel mentioning he had an account with Ewen Lumber Co. for wood.  Bert mentioned that McEwen also has a good end-of-the year sale.

Mike mentioned that he has a friend who is trying to organize a guitar construction class in Casselberry, Fl..  The cost will be $2,000 for a 6 day class.  Price may vary based on the type of wood selected by the participants.  Contact Mike for more details.

Accident reports:  Ed Harte described the circumstances that resulted in a large clamp injuring his left arm.

It was mentioned that while riding his bicycle, Jim Muller hit some loose dirt, and took a spill.  He injured his shoulder and ribs and will be out of commission for 10 weeks.  His presentation which was scheduled for this month is rescheduled for January.  

Speedy recovery to both of you.

Craig Aebli asked if anyone was proficient on digital woodworking programs as he is interested in learning.  Please contact him.  Craig was going to be attending a Garrett Wade class the following week in Vermont to learn how to construct a Demi-Lune (half-moon) table which I believe Bert Wortel made and showed at the annual Show and Tell.   Craig also had free magazines and catalogs for the members.

Bob Dadey had several comments to make:  First, he asked why our members were not wearing the name badges Paul Woodrich made for us.  He’s right.  Considering that we only meet once a month it’s hard for a new member to become familiar with our members names.  Let’s be courteous and wear them.  Second, he complimented David Macsay on his program on picture framing last month and presented him with a mat cutter.  Thanks Bob.

FUTURE PROGRAMS:

Bert Wortel has the following programs scheduled:

• August - Pete Savickas will discuss Tool making and the process of hardening steel.
• Septeptember - Woodturning by Bert Wortel.
• October - Patrick Daugherty (still open)
• January, 2009 - Hand Plane with Pete Savickas
• February - Bill Poor on Caning
• March - Dave Winger on hand tools and sharpening

FUTURE SEMINARS:

(See above)

MEMBERSHIP DRIVE:

The membership drive is still on.  New members and returning old members are great prospectors as they may know people who have never been approached yet.  There is a $100 prize for the members who brings in the most paid new members before December.  Not too many meetings left before December for put your mind in gear and move.  Keep thinking about the tools or wood you can buy with a $100 and the joy you will bring to new members’ hearts in meeting such a great group of gentlemen.  And of course what they can learn from us and we from them. GO WOODIES!