Who among us has made a handy shop jig over the past year or discovered a new woodworker’s handy gadget? Well, now is the time to take 1 to 5 minutes to show the rest of us what you spent your hard earned money on (or, even better, made). We’ve done this kind of meeting almost every year in the past, and there are always new tools, jigs & gadgets to see – anything that you think might be useful to other woodworkers! We like to see them all. If you bring one of your jigs, please bring a few copies of the plan that you used to make it. Remember – this is ‘participative’ – your opportunity to share your own ‘woodworking valuables’ with your other woodworking members.

Drop Dave Strauss a note at if you think you might participate so that he knows how hard he has to ‘beat the bushes’ for presenters.

One of the speakers at the February meeting may be you! The topic is WHAT I GOT FOR CHRISTMAS. For the record, we aren’t interested in your socks, ties, or underwear. However, we would LOVE to see any new tools, jigs, or other woodworking-related items. In addition, we would like to hear what you hope to make with your new item(s). Why did you need it? Who gave it to you? etc.

And if you didn’t get any woodworking items but you decided to treat yourself to something because, after all, you clearly deserve it, we would like to hear about that, too!

Jim Bucknell has agreed to host this part of the meeting and he needs to know who will be speaking during the program. Please notify Jim prior to the meeting and let him know that you will participate, what items you will discuss, and how you have used it or hope to use it.

Please email and let him know that you will help make the February program a success. Remember, the main reason the NCWA is the most prestigious woodworking club in this quadrant of the Milky Way is because of volunteers. And now it’s your turn! As of January 24, only 9 members have volunteered to participate. Jim Bucknell is asking members to contact him via e-mail if you are willing to help make this program a success.

Please send Jim an e-mail. Thanks in advance for your help!

The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, more commonly known as the Shakers, is a millenarian restorationist Christian sect founded in the 18th century in England. They were initially known as “Shaking Quakers” because of their ecstatic behavior during worship services. In 1747, women assumed leadership roles within the sect, notably Jane Wardley, and Mother Ann Lee. Shakers settled in colonial America, with initial settlements in New Lebanon, New York (called Mount Lebanon after 1861). They practice a celibate and communal lifestyle, pacifism, and their model of equality of the sexes, which they institutionalized in their society in the 1780s. They are also known for their simple living, architecture, and FURNITURE.

Presented by Mike Chaplin, THE SHAKERS AND THEIR FURNITURE will include a short film by Ken Burns (PBS) on the Shakers, photo tours of three Shaker villages from his travels – Hancock Shaker Village, Hancock, Mass; Canterbury Shaker Village, Canterbury, NH; and Pleasant Hill Shaker Village, Pleasant Hill, KY, an academic presentation of Shaker furniture design principles, and finally many photos of iconic and beautiful (works of art) furniture creations.

The program for our December 6 meeting will be our 4th Annual Christmas Party at Hillcrest Lodge. All members are invited to bring their spouse (or date) for what will be a good time. We’ll have our Toys 4 Tots Benefit Raffle, our annual Woodworking Challenge, presentation of the club’s Spirit Award, and election of next year’s officers.

This year’s event will be different in that we won’t be having a sit-down potluck dinner. Instead we are expanding the social hour and asking members to bring a small dessert or appetizer. We’ll be providing the usual cheese table, coffee, hot cider and bottled water. Please note that we won’t be using the lodge kitchen this year so please bring food items that don’t need cooking or warming up. If you are unable to bring a food item, please still come to the meeting. We’ll have a donation bucket for Toys 4 Tots if you want to put in a few dollars as your contribution to the evening.

The social hour will be from 6:00pm to 7:30pm and and this will be your chance to view raffle items and purchase your raffle tickets. The evening program will begin at 7:30pm.

For this meeting only, we are asking that you enter through the Hillcrest Lodge main entrance on the west side of the building. This will allow you to drop off your food items and woodworking projects as well as pick up a name tag. The sidewalk leading to the main entrance is off the west side of the parking lot about 75 feet south of the lodge.

All club members should have received an e-mail invitation. Please help us plan your evening by RSVP’ing. We look forward to seeing all of you there.