IN THE ABSENCE of President Ken D’Ambrosio, Vice President Jeff Mee called the meeting to order. There were 36 persons present.

NEW WEBSITE: Jeff announced that a new website has been set up http://members.cox.net/ocean-woodturners/ Check it out and bookmark it for easy access. Please note that use of this website is open to all members. If you wish to submit photos of some of your pieces, provide them to Dick LaRowe and he will create a little gallery for you. Hey—the price is right!

LIBRARY EXPANSION: Angelo Iafrate is in the process of acquiring more books and videos for our library. He needs the gift certificates that were provided to the club. Ken has them and will be contacted by Jeff.

LATHE DISCUSSION: Larry Dunklee who donated a Craftsman bench lathe some time ago suggested the machine be raffles off. Ken has suggested the lath be used as a loaner to members who don’t have one but Jeff noted that the lathe is not easily transportable. In the discussion, it was suggested that a list of people’s lathes be assembled and provided to members who might like to try them out prior to buying one for themselves. Angelo said he likes the idea of a loaner and it was noted that Woodcraft currently had on sale six Jet and one Delta mini lathes that are used but in good condition. Each is $195. It was noted that those lathes would be good for demonstrations at meetings and on the road. IT was moved, seconded and voted to purchase one of the used lathes and that Angelo be the one to pick out the one for the club. The club also owns a full-sized Jet lathe that is currently in Ken’s workshop where he uses it for giving lessons to club members. Rudi Hempe noted he has the club’s 8-inch Delta grinder stored in his shop. It has Wolverine jig attachments.

NEW MEETING SITE: The subject of a new meeting site was brought up by Jeff on the request of Ken. The club has 80 members and when the meetings approach 40 the classroom at Woodcraft becomes very crowded and SRO. The club can still meet at the Cold Spring Community Center where it did at one time but the majority of those present said they preferred to stay at Woodcraft where equipment is handy, parking is ample and accessibility right off main highways is good. Rudi suggested that members keep in mind potential meeting places because if all the members who paid their dues ever showed up, there would be no accommodating them.

OUTING: The subject of having a summer outing came up and Jeff asked for volunteers to look into it. There were none. Some discussion ensued. Rudi noted that when the club was smaller a cookout was held at the end of summer at Ken’s waterfront home but now the club is too big for someone’s residence. Larry offered to look into the availability of the Cold Spring property for an outing in late September.

VISITING SHOPS: The idea of having club members visit other members’ shops was broached. It was agreed that we would put together a list of members who are willing to have visitors to their shops.

DEMONSTRATORS NEEDED: Woodcraft needs people to volunteer as turners for demos on May 17. Volunteers only need to be there a short time. The idea is to make chips fly, finished pieces are not necessary. If you are interested contact Jeff. Woodcraft is good enough to allow us to use their premises, we should reciprocate. These demos are fun.

CHALLENGE IS NEXT!!!! Those members who took some of the free black walnut, cherry and catalpa blanks at the last couple of meetings are supposed to enter the challenge at he next meeting April 17. Bring your pieces, finished or not, they will be coded and then reviewed by club members. For the whole scoop on how this challenge will be run, see our new website—you can’t miss it. The donors of the wood will be invited to attend the challenge.

SPECIAL GUEST:  We had a special guest at our meeting—Peter McCrea who is with the Maine woodturners club in Thomaston. Nice having you Pete!

ANOTHER SPECIAL GUEST: Chuck Hammond was in good company at the meeting. He brought his daughter, Elizabeth, and she has become our second junior member! Elizabeth quickly showed she was not simply going to be an observer (see Show & Tell, below) By the way, we have two junior members now, Besides Elizabeth, there is Bobby Norden (how about another pen-turning demo, Bobby?). The club’s policy is that we welcome all youngsters who wish to become junior members. Junior members have full privileges and they don’t have to pay any dues until they are 18. So members—bring your kids to the meetings!

ANOTHER POLICY: It’s a sign of the times, but the club officers have decided that any member of the club who is called to military duty, will remain a member regardless of whether they have paid their dues. Ann Danis, a member for about a year, was shipped out a few months ago and so notified us. We extended her membership for the duration of her tour. Ann is a commander in the Navy.

THE PROGRAM:  Bill Bishop provided our program for the evening and it was an unusual one at that. Bill explained the Irish drum and how they are made and noted that the Irish drumsticks which are turned come in many shapes. His presentation was unusual and funny and it was quite apropos, it being near St. Patrick’s Day.

NEW MEMBERS: Besides Elizabeth Hammond, we welcome a father/son team, Michael and Joseph Muzzy and Mark Chatterley to the membership ranks. All are from Coventry.

CORRECTIONS: It was Ron Chatterley of North Kingstown who donated the Corian pieces for the auction at the March meeting and Mike Murray donated the walnut.

SHOW & TELL:  The long winter has resulted in a lot of hours spent in the woodshop: Among our presenters were Bill Mershon, stamp boxes made with purple heart; Dennis Pratt, a cherry bowl; Curtis Mason, a maple burl bowl; Chuck Hammond, cherry and mahogany goblets and a unique heart-shaped mahogany vase hollowed by skew; Elizabeth Hammond, a cherry bottle; Bill Smith, two cherry goblets; Peter McCrea, lidded boxes; Randy Miller, Easter eggs and chicks; Jack Rimshaw, a tiny lamp; George Nazareth, segmented (of course) vase of various woods.

This page was last updated on 08/30/04.
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