President’s Message – Sept/Oct 2008

I sit writing this, my first missive to you, my fellow stone carvers, under the passing haze of another symposium season gone. I thought I about busted a gut laughing at the Camp Brotherhood Auction. Turns out I did. Had to get it fixed, part of the haze may be modern pain management.

I am honored to be point man for this organization. I want to thank all who have gone before me, from Vic to Elaine, but that would take too long and I am bound to leave someone important out. It is fitting that I am President of a club that wears name tags, as I am not good with names. I will forget your name. You have my apologies.

We have a vital and searching new Board and at the same time have been able to retain the leadership. We are always searching for new board talent. I want to personally thank the current board individually for all their dedication and hard work, but I am not sure of their names. We are working with what we have and with the economy what it is that isn’t much.

We have had to make some cuts to be able to retain our core. I think this years’ holiday party will be Popcorn at my place BYOB ‘natch. At our Silver Falls meeting, the board members felt obliged to suspend the hand carving retreat for 2009. We are enthusiastic about finding another model for a hand carving workshop. If you want in on the discussion, talk to me at 206-634-1070 or tomfrancis@juno.com.

There are many exciting things on the horizon. I hear of Basalt carving in eastern Washington – probable. Looking into grants – possible. An all-electric Carve-A-Thon at Crystal Mountain – a double black diamond of delight. But mostly this organization is for you the stone sculptor. What we do with it is up to you, because this group is powered by you.

If you want to get involved, contact me with your ideas and energy. Maybe you might want to be on the board? I’m just looking ahead. And please forgive me if I forget your name.

Your President,

Tom Francis

Making dust since 1987