Turn on Chicago

[ed4copies]

was a huge success!!

This bi-annual event is held on the grounds of the St. Mary's University Seminary in Mundelein, Il (20 miles north of O'Hare, approx). The planning is all done by the Chicago Woodturners. It runs like a very well-oiled machine!! Seventeen "presenters" are slotted into eleven time slots with five options in each slot. Every classroom equipped with Audio-Visual aids, so the guys in the last row can see Dick turning captive rings with his adapted spring hook.

Like most wood turning events, the high point to me is talking with many other turners who are interested in our passion--penturning. As an AAW event, one will certainly see many accomplished "bowl guys"--but the attitude toward penturning has changed a great deal in the past decade.

"May old acquaintance be RENEWED!!" is my theme at these events.

It is good to see today's "ambassadors", like Kurt Hertzog who writes and demonstrates penturning internationally.

But it is great to see the "Father" of penturning: Dick Sing. For those who have not studied the history of pen making, Dick Sing "wrote the book" on the subject in the mid 1990's. As we conversed this weekend, he claimed that there were many others who were making pens, but he did agree that he was the first successful author on the subject. And, he followed up with several other penturning books, which I bought and read years ago.

Dick is a member of the Chicago Woodturners and as nice a gentleman as you will ever encounter. Great to see him and Cindy (who always accompanied him to shows).

 

[PenPal]

Ed,

Twas good to hear of your energy received from Chicago I have fond memories so many years ago when Dick visited Australia extending his journey to come to Canberra where I spent a day in his and his dearly beloved company as he regaled us with his approach albeit measure perfect using his micrometer and his undoubted background in Engineering.

The then organiser of the event said to me you sure took up a lot of time today and yes I did but I sure was the keenest and most respectfull, at the end of the day Dick said to me he sure enjoyed me being in the group and gave me a timber blank and one of his Father Sing kits. Another observation to make from here was he deferred all day to his lady much the same way as I do with Wilma for reassurance, memory extension and the best of all his love for her and his principalled approach to everything left a lasting goodwill to this man among men. Like you said I regard his books are classics. You can visualise him saying every word with outstanding pictures. Richard Raffan was also present and said to me that day he would die having never made a pen which made me sad, however he is a good friend of Dicks having done the circuit with him over the years.

Thank you for reviving good memories of time well spent.

Kind regards Peter.

 

[ed4copies]

Amazing, Peter.

I have seen and met Richard Raffan years ago in a town near Dick Sing's home in suburban Chicago. Richard was staying with Dick. While I did not have the honor of hosting them, as you did I find it interesting that we have both met such outstanding representatives of the "traveling teachers of turning"--yet we live on opposite sides of the globe.

"Small world".

 

[PTownSubbie]

Sounds like a good time! Wish I was back home!!

 

[ed4copies]

By the way, Peter, Cindy Sing is now demonstrating her jewelry making skills!! In a special two-hour evening format. A "bonus" for the attendees!!

 

[ed4copies]

We thought this was kind of funny. At MPG, we left our sign in the car. "Too big for the venue, no reason why we need it".

Here, we were the "David", our neighbors the "Goliath"!! Fortunately the CSUSA "traveling show guy" was Kirk, who was as pleasant as anyone could be!! On the other side of us was Kettle Moraine Hardwoods--a sawyer that is located about 7 miles "up the road" from my home. I know their owner (Jim) pretty well, so we shared a couple jokes from time to time during the weekend.