[Paul_Guraedy]

Is anyone else going to the spring seminar (Silver Dollar City and Ozark Mountain Woodcarvers) at Branson the first week of March?

Last year, I volunteered to "keep the coffee flowing" and did not attend as a carver. Partially, because the shuttle bus system of getting to the carving area is a pain. Once there however, the facilities are fantastic. Power carvers have a separate building (known as Siberia) and to see a couple of hundred carvers in one building (main carving room) is quite a sight.

I will be carving with Marlen Downing (Prescott, Arizona). This year he will be working with bird carvers who are interested in gaining more experience with detail work. We will be carving a life size peregrine (although Marlen says it will be at the lower end of the scale). But, we will be concentrating on the feet. Most of us have been with Marlen for quite a while, carve a lot of birds, and are satisfied with getting the "hard parts" finished rather than trying to have a finished carving to take home.

For the first time in several years, I am as excited by the carving aspect as about meeting all of the other carvers.

Anyway, if anyone else from the list makes it into the hills, stop by and let's meet in person (at the seminar or here in Whooping Hollow).

[xsailer]

Paul,
Where can I, hopefully on the net, review the classes that will be available? Heard so many negative comments last year about "getting to the class each day" I didn't pursue it.

[Paul_Guraedy]

Bob take a look at


www.ozarkmtnwoodcarvers.com


Then click on seminars.

If you need more info contact me at pdguraedy@yahoo.com. Silver Dollar City does not have parking near the carving area. So they supply shuttle buses (airport style) to get carvers from the parking areas into the "City". It is a pain; but, I guess most of us are getting used to the whole thing and SDC is doing better at moving things along.

There is a cutoff date in Feb for registration, so if you are interested you may have to move fast.

[Donna_T]

Hi Paul,
It doesn't look like I'll be able to get away for a whole week, but I'm hoping to get away for one day just to see the projects and meet/greet fellow carvers. If it happens, I'll be sure to look you up to say howdy. I didn't see any 2 or 3 day sessions this time--bummer!

Donna T

[Paul_Guraedy]

Donna, hope you make it and we get to meet. I think one of the few 2-3 day instructors is John Engler (relief). But, it is a trial to get into his classes. We have found that the "Three E's" (Harold Enlow, Debbe Edwards, John Engler) are about the first classes to fill (usually within the first week after the brochures go out).

[Nancy_G]

I plan on making it down there (from up by St. Louis) one day to look around and meet people if possible.
I hope Dale and Marge Heinecke will be there selling bass wood.

[Bark Boy]

Looks like there'll be a few people hanging around the Silver Dollar City seminar. This will be my 5th year of instructing there and I'll be located in the barn, probably right next to Paul. Hopefully Nancy G. will make it this year as I haven't seen her for a really long time. If Nancy reads this, Dale and Marge will be there on Thursday and Friday selling wood.

Rick Jensen a.k.a. Bark Boy

[Paul_Guraedy]

Rick, looking forward to the seminar and seeing you again. Steve DiaComo has really gotten into bark carving and is pushing me to learn it also. So I am signed up for your 3 day May session with the carving club.

[Nancy_G]

RICK
WOW ... I WILL CERTAINLY TRY TO GET THERE.
I LOVE YOUR FANTASTIC WORK AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN.
WOW.