Thanks everyone.
J.C., I used Watco Danish oil with a few coats of shellac over that followed be a trip to the buffing wheel.
Jeff, The bark is now in many pieces all over the shop floor, although some of it may have made it to the trash. Not all NE pieces have the bark, my next few won't either, but this time it will be intentional not a "design oppertunity".
Jason, Mike cored that BEB piece I got from you. I oriented it so it was pretty flat on top though. The blank liberated itself from the chuck once but after a re-chuck all went well.