[Woodcarver] The end of the GOW

[CRaig Watson]

Joe, I met more people and learned more about carving at those campouts than
ever before. We looked forward all year to your do. Having met both Sharon
and you will always be a plus in our lives. The friends I have made through
carving have, in many cases, been initiated at the "Gatherings"
I`m sorry to see it go but ............ Oh well....... There`s always "The
Carve-in"
Would love to see you there.
CRaig

On Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 10:42 AM, Joe Dillett <jdillett at thecarvingshop.net>wrote:


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>

>  Thank you all for your kind words about the GPO/GOW (Great Pig

> Out/Gathering Of Woodcarvers).

>

> In the mid 90's I discovered the Internet "List" , founded and owned

> by Bill Judt and now owned and operated by Matt Kelly (thanks Matt). From

> that "List" sprang the "Porch" founder and owner Jud Hinds. I formed some

> great Internet friendships on these Internet lists and wanted to meet them

> in person. At the same time our Boy Scouts were trying to get their new

> equipment trailer paid off. I decided to invite everyone on both lists, to a

> woodcarving gathering/pig roast benefit for the Boy Scouts. Many woodcarvers

> (and some town folks) donated items for the auction. Jud Hinds ran the

> auction. My brothers furnished the music. And we got that trailer paid off

> plus a little extra. Still 12 years later that trailer looks new even though

> it's been used extensively for many scout camping trips.

>

> The GPO was held several times as scouting benefits and Make-A-Wish

> benefits. When the focus turned more to having classes it was no longer a

> benefit and no longer a pig roast, but a week of carving seminars. That's

> when it became the GOW.

>

> When it got too much for me to organize Sandie Burgdorf jumped in, along

> with Bob Mau to help me put it together. (Thanks Sandie and Bob plus the

> other who stepped in to help.) Planning became as much fun and putting it

> on. It has created great memories and friendships for Sharon and I. May I

> add that in the beginning my wife Sharon thought that I was nuts when I

> invited everyone on the Lists and had no idea how many were going to show

> up? When Sandie and Bob got involved we had a better idea how many were

> going to show up. We grew to about 150 carvers which is about all my shop

> could handle. Then we moved it to the Sandwich Fair grounds. The facilities

> were good at the fair but we could not get the dates that we wanted. I'm

> sorry to see the GOW come to an end.

>

> My new journey is organizing the Winter Wood Wonders Show. More to follow

> about that.

>

> Joe Dillett

> The Carving Shop

> 645 E. LaSalle St. Suite 3

> Somonauk, IL. 60552

>

> (815) 498-9290 phone

> (815) 498-9249 fax

> http://www.thecarvingshop.net [business web site]

> http://www.carvingmagazine.com ['Ask Joe' column]

> http://community.webshots.com/user/joe_dillett

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