Hello again
Woodcarving Friends -
This letter is the very last thing I write for this, the first issue of the E-Zine under my stewardship. It has been, in the least, an interesting experience. Learning to access a new web services provider, learning new software, contacting writers and sponsors, and putting it all together was hectic, but at the same time a lot of fun.
I'd like to thank those that contributed articles this month, and those others that offered their support, virtual or otherwise. If the level of commitment and support I have experienced so far continues, the future of the E-Zine is secure.
I'd also like to welcome a new sponsor to the E-zine. Ed and Margaret Joslin are the owners of Leather Plus; you may have noticed their link on the gateway page. In addition to leather craft supplies, they now carry a fine variety of woodcarving tools and supplies. Please support these fine folks, as well as the other sponsors of the E-zine.
Finally, I'd like to comment briefly on the woodcarving event that occurred in last September in the little community of Somonauk, Illinois. The Great Pig Out (GPO) began as a way to help the local Boy Scout troop, gather some carvers together, and give Joe Dillett an excuse to roast a pig. It evolved into something more than that.
By the time all was said and done, some thirty carvers came from all over the US (and Australia.) They came by car, plane and motorcycle. The carvers (and significant others) were joined by several hundred of Joe Dillett's close friends in Somonauk. The result: a great party, a variety of woodcarving teaching, trading and fun, and a heck of a fund-raising effort. In the end, the people of Somonauk and the carvers helped the Scouts raise something over $5,000.
This just supports what I have suspected all along - that woodcarvers are special people. As a group, we always seem willing to share freely and are quite willing to help others. I've seen this time and again in person and on the various email lists that we electronic carvers populate. I am quite confident that we will continue to see this spirit of sharing in the woodcarving family; in fact, the E-zine will help identify such opportunities in the future. Watch this space for further news!
Once again I'd like to thank all those who helped with this issue of the E-zine, and if you have comments, suggestion or ideas for future articles, I'd be very happy to receive them all. Just email me at Editor@carverscompanion.com.
Carve On!
Matt Kelley, Editor