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November 11 2025
November 11 2025
Hello,
Now is the time of year our club reaches out hat in hand to ask our members for help. In short, it is time to pay your dues. Annual dues are still only $20. If you think about it, this is less than the cost of a meal at a local restaurant or a basic Flexcut tool. Before you decide to skip the rest of this message, please continue to read to see how dues are actually spent.
What do your annual dues cover? Let's start with the absolute basics, which include yearly building rental, insurance premiums, license fees for state and federal income tax exempt status, and our storage trailer license.
Your annual fees also cover the costs of our Holiday raffle gifts, paper products for our pot lucks, sympathy/get well cards and postage, materials for interested beginning carvers, as well as office supplies necessary to conduct our club business. If you are a new member, your dues include a free name badge.
There are also the one off purchases which unfortunately crop up from time to time. These include but are not limited to the administrative computer software purchased in 2023, new tables purchased in 2024 for our monthly meetings, a new bandsaw which any member can use during our Bremerton meetings free of charge, and reimbursement for club expenses accrued during the 2025 Pride Fest.
And then there is the annual Artistry in Wood Show, which, by all indications, members and the interested public would like to see continued. Expenses for this event include the venue rental fees, judges fees and meals, stocking our Hospitality Room, Show ribbons and office supplies, advertising, meals for our Featured and Demonstration carvers, as well as other small incidentals. In truth, the Show, in large part because of the efforts of so many of you, has been a rousing success, and for the past several years generated a tremendous profit for our club. However, there are no guarantees. The 2026 Artistry in Wood Show could be a flop, with the possibility of a loss of thousands of dollars in club funds. So please, please...pay your dues.
Club Treasurer April Goetz will be collecting dues at our December monthly meeting. Cash or check only. If paying by check, please make your check payable to the Kitsap County Woodcarvers. Thank you for your continued support.
As always, suggestions as to how to improve the quality of this newsletter are welcome.
Yours in Wood Craft,
Pete Goetz/Editor
goetzpete123@gmail.com
360-620-1810
"A little glue, a little paint, makes a carver what they ain't!"
-Anonymous
Kitsap Wood Carvers November 2025 Newsletter
Reminders:
Our next club meeting is scheduled for Saturday 13 December 2025.
Our location is Active Club Recreation Building, 1025 Tacoma Ave., Port Orchard.
DECEMBER MEETING AGENDA
0930-1000:Setup
1000-1100: General Woodworking. There will be no monthly project.
1100-1200: Potluck luncheon, Ornament Exchange, Raffle Prizes Awarded
1200: General Meeting, which includes the following:
Elections for officers and the 6 member board of directors for calendar year 2026. The officers include President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Reminder to pay membership dues for 2026. This will include an updated club roster sheet to be completed by most members.
Show and Tell: Please bring a wood working project you have completed-or not- to share and celebrate with other members. Make sure to include your full name as well as a brief yet specific description of your project(s). Include if necessary, that your project is a WIP (work in progress) and not finished. We welcome all types of projects having to do with wood craft and enjoy having one another share ideas and accomplishments.
Purple Heart Award: share your wood working misadventures with us and possibly be awarded a purple heart!
Sunshine Committee: If you know of a member who is having a serious medical issue or has suffered a personal loss, please let one of our board members know ASAP.
There will be no gathering of the Kitsap Carvers in Bremerton on Tuesday 11 November. This is to honor those who have served in the preservation of democracy in America. Thank you veterans.
Lots Happening at Our December Meeting!
Over $500 in FREE PRIZES given away during our Holiday Raffle!
Enjoy a delicious potluck meal with lots of good conversation!
Spread some Joy by participating in the Holiday Ornament Exchange! In order to receive an ornament, you must make an ornament. The rules include:
1.Your ornament must be made primarily of wood.
2.Your ornament must be finished, either painted or sealed.
3.Your ornament must be ready to hang, generally with a hook or ribbon.
4. Your ornament does not need to have a Christmas theme.
We are taking a Club Photo! So if you have some, wear your Kitsap swag to our December meeting. Any Kitsap swag will do; be it tee shirt, sweat shirt, hat-new logo or retired-to show club solidarity and pride.
What Ain't Happening at the December Meeting
There will be no Drake tools silent auction, Fire Drill, Monthly Carving Activity, or Table Raffle. All of these activities will resume at our January 2026 meeting.
Kitsap Carvers Sweatshirts Arriving Soon!
For those of you who placed an order, our new Kitsap Carvers Sweatshirts with art by Vic Mosley should be arriving this coming Monday 17 November. Good thing too, because Winter is coming!
Join Us for Lunch!
Join us for lunch at the China Sun Buffet. At 1300 every third Thursday, club members will be gathering at the China Sun Buffet, located at 4331 Bethel Road S.E., Port Orchard. All members are cordially invited to share a meal, learn wood working tips, and participate in some engaging conversation. (And you don't need to dress up.)
Kitsap Carvers and Burners Practice their Craft at Our October Meeting
President Greg Warner preparing for the upcoming meeting.
November Show-and Tell
David Miller: 2 Cooking Spoons & Stick of Faces (WIP) (Rowan/Mountain Ash/Basswood)
Dennis Frank:Grumpy Frog (Basswood)
Dennis Frank: Happy Frog (Basswood)
Dennis Frank:Seahorse, (Basswood)
Leo Ballard: Nautilus Shell (Basswood)
John Beach: Pond & Pumpkin Man (Padauk/Basswood)
George Marek: Seraphim (Philippine Mahogany)
Elizabeth P.: Tea Dragon
Jeff Iller: Nautilus Shell, Swan, 3 Netsuke, & Alligator (Basswood/Tagua nuts)
Jeff Iller: Hand Holding Stone, (Basswood/Tagua nuts)
Hagstrom: Snow Sisters & Christmas Tree
Dawn: Wood Burning (Maple)
Eric Hollinder: Strawberry (Basswood)
Stephany Lane: Night Window
Elveta Travelstead: Santa (WIP) (Pine)
Cliff: Fish (Basswood)
Pete Goetz: Wisdom Search (Venezuelan Mahogany)
Len Kylie: Space Ship (Walnut/Maple)
(Includes Trump explaining tariffs to visiting aliens)
Kirstin Staller: Hook Knives for Spoon Bowls
Darin Locke: Pickles (Basswood)
Colleen Perry: Musk Ox (WIP), Singing Mouse (WIP), & Singing Mouse (Basswood)
Please Continue to Support
Our Fellow Club Woodworkers!
They include:
The Northwest Carvers Association. Check them out at https://sites.google.com/view/woodcarvers-org/home
The Northwest Woodworkers Association. Check them out at
https://nwwoodworkers.org/
The South Puget Sound Woodturners. Check them out at
https://spswoodturners.org/
The Capital Wood Carvers. Check them out at
https://capitolwoodcarvers.org/
October 23 2025
October 23 2025
"If at first you don't succeed, find out if the loser gets anything."
-William Lyon Phelps
Kitsap Wood Carvers October 2025 Newsletter
Reminders:
Our next club meeting is scheduled for Saturday 01 November 2025.
Our location is Active Club Recreation Building, 1025 Tacoma Ave., Port Orchard.
NOVEMBER MEETING AGENDA
0930-1000:Setup
1000-1200: General Woodworking. Silent Auction of Drake tools.
1200: General Meeting, which includes the following:
Nominations for officers and the 6 member board of directors for calendar year 2026. The officers include President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Reminder to pay membership dues for 2026. This will include an updated club roster sheet to be completed by most members.
"See it. Say it. Sorted." Membership will be asked to be aware of and report any unwanted attention, actions, or comments by one club member to another.
Show and Tell: Please bring a wood working project you have completed-or not- to share and celebrate with other members. Make sure to include your full name as well as a brief yet specific description of your project(s). Include if necessary, that your project is a WIP (work in progress) and not necessarily complete. We welcome all types of projects having to do with wood craft and enjoy having one another share ideas and accomplishments.
Purple Heart Award: share your wood working misadventures with us and possibly be awarded a purple heart!
Fire Drill Raffle: Is a fun way to support our club and win prizes! Please bring those spare $1 bills in order to participate.
Table Raffle: Have some wood working tool, magazine, or piece of wood you wish to part with? Bring it to our meeting so that interested club members can bid on it. Make someone happy and generate revenue for our club!
Sunshine Committee: If you know of a member who is having a serious medical issue or has suffered a personal loss, please let one of our board members know ASAP.
Welcome to New Members!!
Welcome to New Members!!
The Kitsap Carvers would like to recognize the following new members to our ranks: Mike Barker, Eivind (Ave) Forseth, Karlie Gaskins, Phillip Hayman, Chelsey Logan, Dan Newby, Robert Norbut, Anne Peters, and Larry Rother.
Six Drake tools will be up for Silent Auction at our October General Meeting. So bring lots of cash. Now is your chance to acquire some very fine hand tools and contribute to a worthy cause-The Kitsap Carvers.
There will be no gathering of the Kitsap Carvers in Bremerton on Tuesday 11 November. This is to honor those who have served in the preservation of democracy in America. Thank you veterans.
Augest 2nd 2025
Augest 2nd 2025
Kitsap Carvers Take Top Honors at the NWCA 44th Annual Show & Sale
Kitsap Carvers represented out club well at the Northwest Carving Associations' most recent show and sale. So the next time you see any of these people, offer them your congratulations. Top honors went to the following:
Elizabeth Passage-Best of Skill Level (Intermediate)
Wendy Cushner-Best of Skill Level (Advanced)
Eric Bellamy-People's Choice & Carvers' Choice Awards
April Shelton-Best of Skill Level (Expert) & BEST OF SHOW
Kitsap Carvers New Sweat Shirt on Sale Soon!
Because of so much interest and the upcoming colder weather, the Kitsap County Woodcarvers is offering the following sweatshirt. The color is "smoke gray" and is a Hanes 100% Cotton Heavyweight crewneck sweatshirt. Cost is $37 for sizes S-XL, $40 for 2XL, and $41 for 3XL. Preorders only, cash or check accepted.
On another note, we have one size M Kitsap Carvers tee shirt available to anyone interested. Cost is $23.
Please see Pete Goetz for further information and order forms.
The Kitsap Carvers Need You!
Interested in serving the Kitsap Carvers as more than just a member? Now is your chance to shine! Although the pay is not great, we are looking for candidates for President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary; as well as members to serve on our Board of Directors. The primary requirements include a willingness to honestly promote the interests of the Kitsap County Woodcarvers to the best of your ability as well as attend our Saturday monthly meetings. Uncle Sam thanks you in advance for your willingness to serve!
Olympic College Needs You!
Olympic College of Continuing Education is looking for qualified wood craft instructors. The structure, subject matter, and length of a course is open to instructor and student interest and need. Courses will be nongraded and designed to promote learning while having fun. Instructors are paid $50 per hour of instruction.
If you have questions or are interested in scheduling a class, please contact Joseph Rongo at jrongo@olympic.edu
The Sons of Norway Need You!
The following is a letter from Joanne Graves, representing the Poulsbo branch of the Sons of Norway:
Hello! I'm looking for Judges for the Son's of Norway folk arts competition May 2026. Sons of Norway district 2 is hosting their convention in Bremerton May 27-30, 2026. Part of the convention is a folk arts competition focusing on Norwegian traditional arts and crafts. We will have classes for figure carving, chip carving, and relief carving as well as weaving, knitting, embroidery, rosemaling and "other". We like to have two or three Judges for each category and Judges who can judge more than one area are great. We award a first, second, and third for each category and have four divisions, youth under 15, youth 16-20, adult amateur and adult professional. I would be delighted if some of your carvers were able to judge for our competition.
Thank you for your help, God bless.
Joanne Graves, Poulsbo son's of Norway
If you have questions or are interested in participating in this worthwhile event, please contact Ms. Graves at: mossybluff@gmail.com
Join us for Lunch!
Join us for Lunch!
Join us for lunch at the China Sun Buffet. At 1300 every third Thursday, club members will be gathering at the China Sun Buffet, located at 4331 Bethel Road S.E., Port Orchard. All members are cordially invited to share a meal, learn wood working tips, and participate in some engaging conversation.
Kitsap Carver Leo Ballard teaching interested club members the intricacies of carving a nautilus shell.
Kitsap Carver George Marek describes his latest project while Dennis Kurzrock looks on.
Check Us Out on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok!
Get the freshest, most up-to-date information about the Kitsap County Woodcarvers. See the latest creations of our members, get wood working ideas, download Club information, learn about upcoming events, and leave some positive feedback!
Please Continue to Support our fellow WoodCarving Clubs!
They include:
The Northwest Carvers Association.
Check them out at https://sites.google.com/view/woodcarvers-org/home
The Northwest Woodworkers Association. Check them out at
The South Puget Sound Woodturners. Check them out at
The Capital Wood Carvers. Check them out at
Northwest Carvers Association 44th Annual Show & Sale
The Northwest Carvers Association is having their annual woodworking show the weekend of 11-12 October 2025.
Entry forms must be received by 05 October.
For more information checkout their website at www.woodcarvers.org
July 25th 2025
July 25th 2025
It is with deep sympathy and regret, that the Kitsap Carvers announce the passing of Earl "Al" Aylesworth late Wednesday 16 July 2025.
Al died peacefully in his sleep due to unforeseen complications from recent knee replacement surgery. A long time member and current treasurer for the Kitsap Carvers, Al was a dedicated and resourceful member who gladly shared his knowledge and expertise with those in need of help.
The funeral service for Al will be held this coming Sunday, 27 July at 10:30 am. Kitsap Carver April Shelton will be among those delivering a brief eulogy. Samples of Al's woodcraft will be on display. The service will be held at Wapato Park, 6500 South Sheridan Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98408. Dress will be business/restaurant casual. Anyone interested in contributing to a sympathy gift for the surviving family, please see Greg Warner, Club President.
May Al's Memory be a blessing to us all.
July 11th 2025
July 11th 2025
Highlights of the 2025 Artistry in Wood Show
Congratulations to April Shelton, whose entry entitled Frog Bowl, is the winner of the 2025 Artistry in Wood Show's Best of Expert and Best of Show.
Winner of this year's Best of Advanced is Laura Kimball's entry Beaver Totem Mask.
Roger Larson's lifelike bird entry garnered Best of Intermediate.
Elizabeth Passage's entry Raggedy Ann, was winner of Best of Novice.
Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler as he selects the winner of the Mayor's Choice Award. In addition, this entry won the People's Choice, as well as Carvers' Choice Award. The artist is Eric Bellamy, and the astonishingly lifelike piece entitled Dungeness Crab. Pete Goetz, Show Co-Chair, is eyeballing the crab to make sure it doesn't snap at the Mayor.
Managers' Choice Award went to first time entrant and blacksmith artist Mike Odenious for his entry Gnome.
Longtime dedicated Kitsap Carver, teacher, and former club officer, Leo Ballard was this year's Featured Artist.
Close ups of Leo's Work
Demonstration Carver Cecily Bishop showing off her latest creation, a welcome pole entitled The One Who Knocks Toward Light. Painstakingly crafted over a period of more than one year, The One Who Knocks Toward Light is a combination of both Coastal Northwest and Guamanian artistic styles and mythology.
Recurring Featured Artist and current NWCA President Dale Goebel chatting with admirers of his work.
Lots of auction items!
April Goetz, though herself not a wood worker, was the brains behind the smooth running and successful 2025 Artistry in Wood Show. Mahalo from all of us.
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