Cape Atlantic Woodturners  Meeting Minutes

Location:  Egg Harbor Township Public Library Date May 24, 2022 Time 6:00 p.m.

Attendees 

• Melissa Flynn
• Alan Tasoff
• Bruce DiNardo
• Ron Befferman
• Ruth Befferman
• Joe Jones
• Gerald Bruman
• Toni Murphy
• Robert Murphy
• Sue Bailey
• Karl Geary
• Jeff Schnell
• John Andrews

The meeting was called to order by the acting president, Melissa Flynn. All in attendance introduced themselves to the group. Alan suggested name tags for future meetings. 

MEETING VENUE

Melissa spoke of the progress for meetings. The Egg Harbor Library seems to fit our needs both for business meetings and demonstrations. The issue though is that the third Tuesday is booked into infinity. The email which was sent out previously shows meeting dates up until August, although if we decide to stay with the EHT library we probably need to chose a different weekday to meet, due to the third Tuesday being unavailable. We are set up until August at EHT. Melissa asked if someone would like to offer a space to get together, or we can skip July. A question was asked if Thursdays would work. July at EHT is completely booked. Melissa suggested choosing a member each month to do a demo or a presentation/explanation of a completed project. 

 TREASURER

Gerald stated he will have a report of the treasury for next month. Tom Henry gave all the paperwork to turn over the responsibilities to Gerald at the meeting held with him last month. Melissa is listed as cosigner. 

VENDOR DISCOUNTS/SUPPLIES

Gerald advised he is contacting Penn State Industries for the discount procedure as well as with Chef Supplies. We did coordinate the Exotic Wood contact. Gerald gave an update regarding obtaining wood from Exotic Woods. Gerald stated these vendors only want one contact for the club. He intends to obtain a debit card to facilitate purchases.

For long-term planning If we want to bring in a professional turner for a demonstration, we can discuss that. Alan asked how much was in the account and Gerald stated there is about $3000 at this time. 

Melissa renewed the insurance and we have maintained the same coverages that Tom had arranged. 

Alan asked if we are a “chapter” of AAW. Gerald replied there are no chapters of AAW however we are affiliated with them. We do not purchase their insurance, for example. The coverage that Tom found was better and cheaper. If you go to their website and search for clubs, we are listed as a woodturning club. As a member you have access to their forum, etc. Melissa is working on updating the information on their website with regard to our officers. The AAW recommends that all officers maintain membership, but Melissa stated she will not make that a requirement. She stated the listing of clubs does direct potential new members. She gave an example of a gentleman from the Cherry Hill area who called us looking for a club. 

It was asked if a nonmember of our club is interested in learning but cannot take the class at the vocational school, where can he learn. Melissa asked that he contact us if he wanted to come and observe a meeting. She also suggested putting it out to the membership that someone is looking for a mentor. Karl questioned the process of allowing a visitor to come to a class night at the vocational school. This would have to be prearranged with the school. 

TURNING CLASS

Joe Jones gave an explanation of his ideas for the fall classes for 2022. He stated the classes in the past have been 10 weeks in duration, and we need to figure a way to condense the 10 weeks to 8 weeks. He distributed an outline of his ideas for the class. He also distributed the handouts which he provides to his students on the first night with regard to safety and project lists for students’ individual project. (See attachment) He gave a brief description of the flow of class. Betty would create kits for some of these projects. Melissa added that if a club member sees a project idea or skill which he/she enjoys, perhaps that member can come to the class and do a demonstration for the students. The class size averages 6 to 10. Helpers are welcome as well but Joe needs to know prior to the classes to advise the school. Last semester filled and we had a waitlist. Melissa added that if Joe is working 1:1 with a student, a club member can assist with guidance. Karl gave instruction on tool sharpening. Joe stated one student spent a class sharpening all of the class’s tools. 

It was asked how we can get people from Atlantic County interested in our classes at the Cape May Technical School. It was remarked by a club member that prior to Covid an ad was placed in “The Current”. She was not sure if anything came from it, but asked if there are any rules prohibiting advertising the class. We will look into this. In closing Joe asked anyone with ideas to please email him. If a club member wants to come to a class to observe, please let Joe know so that he can advise the school’s office. 

WEBSITE

We have attempted to update the website but have run into problems. We are working on it. We are considering having member pages to display works for all. Melissa asked if any members have time and ability to assist with the website to please let her know. 

SHOW & TELL

Bruce DiNardo showed a very interesting chess set and storage case. He also shared a bowl made from scrap pieces of different projects.

Alan Tasoff showed his urn. He also showed the completed jewelry chest which was finished using the disk he showed last month as the door for the chest. Brazilian cherry and walnut were utilized in the segmented parts. He is still awaiting the hardware. 

Joe Joes showed legs he is working on to complete a cabinet. He also showed a spiralled turning (Barley twist) which he created after seeing a demonstration and investigating the technique. 

Gerald suggested he perform a demo for this. Joe also shared a mulberry bowl and a black gum or tupelo piece. He stated it worked beautifully and sanded nicely. He created a foot for the bowl.   

Jack Schnell shared a yard sale find of a vase. 

Gerald planned to share some bowls but left them at school. 

DEMONSTRATION

Gerald suggested we come up with a plan for demonstrations – a checklist per se, and have designated members bring different things such as a shop vac, etc. With regard to lathes, the lathe he used at this meeting was repaired by his students so he has brought it to tonight’s meeting to test it. 

His topic was how to mount for spindle turning between centers. He demonstrated his spindle drive which was not a spur drive. He presented two different types of live centers. He stated that the cone center is basically a wood splitter. It is usually used in metal work. He utilizes a cup center. He also demonstrated how he mounts a blank for turning. Gerald briefly turned the blank to show how stable the mounting was between centers. 

Melissa asked Joe Jones to consider demonstrating the spiral turning (Barley twist) in the future. 

CAPE MAY COUNTY 4H

Melissa hopes to send out an email calling for volunteers and demonstrators for the fair. 

Joe will send out an email to the members regarding the fall semester of the turning classes at the vocational school. 

Melissa hopes to get something together regarding the history of our club for positing on the website once it is up and running. 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:30 p.m. The next regular meeting the Cape Atlantic

Woodturners is scheduled for Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. at the Egg Harbor Township Library.  

Respectfully submitted, 

Sue Bailey

Secretary