There were 35 people present at the November meeting. Welcome to new member Bruce Davis from Scott Depot. We now have 73 members in the Valley Woodworkers.
 

                                                    TOY PRESENTATION
 

On Sunday, December 10th we will be presenting the toys we made to the Salvation Army. The location is a warehouse at 148 57th street in Kanawha City, behind the Cracker Barrel restaurant, which is across from the Kanawha Mall. The reception will start at 3:00 pm. Please bring your family and all of the toys that you have made for the Salvation Army to this reception. Representatives and their families of the companies that have donated materials for the toy project are also encouraged to come.
 

                                                   TREASURER’S REPORT
 

Tom McClellan reports that there is $2,269.36 in the club treasury. That includes $1,060.00 deposited for the Christmas Dinner for 40 people. If you haven’t paid for the dinner yet, please do so at the December meeting.
 

There is also $235.00 in the Special Projects Fund.  Tom also reported that we received a check from Boy Scout Troop #36 for $125.29.  The scouts manned the concession stand at our Fall Wood Demonstration.  We were to split the profits 50/50 with the scouts, but they decided to donate their half to the Valley Woodworkers.  The check represented all of the profits from the concession stand.  The Fall Wood Demonstration netted $411.29 from the raffles, auctions, and concession stand.
 

                                                    FROM THE PRESIDENT
 

The year 2006 is almost over. We have had many informative demonstrations and events to expand our woodworking knowledge this year.  As you know, the executive committee plans and schedules the demonstrations and events throughout the year.  This is based on a survey that is conducted at the beginning of the year.  We will again be conducting a survey soon to see what the interests of the group are for the coming year.  Please take time to fill one out to allow the executive committee time to plan and schedule events throughout the coming year.
At the December meeting it will be time to elect the officers for the year 2007.  Although the nominating committee has made a recommendation, everyone needs to remember it is only a recommendation.  Everyone will be given the opportunity to nominate anyone for any office. A sign of a strong organization is one that has many active members.  That includes the willingness to serve in an elected office.  So take some time and think about who would be best qualified to serve in a specific office.  Open nominations are good, but please discuss with the person you want to nominate prior to speaking at the meeting.  Nominate only those that are committed to serve.
 

We will be presenting the toys to the Salvation Army soon.  See the invitation from Peter Howell for this event.  Peter has put tremendous time and effort in organizing this project – Thanks Peter!
 

Hopefully 2007 will give us all the opportunity to expand our woodworking skills even more. Enjoy your shop time!
 

Jerill Vance
 

                                                  CHRISTMAS DINNER
 

Our annual Christmas Dinner will be on December 14, at Wellingtons, at Scarlet Oaks Country Club. Please bring anything you have made during the year for Show and Tell. We will start arriving at 6:00 pm for the Show and Tell and eat at 7:00 pm.
 

                                             NOMINATING COMMITTEE
 

The Nominating Committee, Glenn Pauley, Tom Schottle, and Bill Morris have presented a slate of officers for 2007.  The slate includes:
 

President-Jerill Vance
1st Vice President-Allan McNeel
Vice Pres., Membership-Glen Jewell
Vice Pres., Toy Comm.-Andy Sheetz
Secretary-Dan Pleska
Treasurer-Tom McClellan
Librarian-Bill Morris
 

Nominations will also be taken from the floor before the election at the December meeting.
 

                                                            SHOP TIP
 

Glenn Pauley presented the Shop Tip for November.  He showed two ways to flatten the first side of a board that is wider than your joiner, using a planer.  One way is to attach the board to a piece of plywood with double face tape and wedges, positioning it to give the best yield. The second way is to glue two flat boards to each side of the board.  Both methods yield a flat side after several passes through the planer.
 

                                                      SHOW AND TELL
 

Frank Moir - showed a couple of knives made from scrap pieces of wood
Allan McNeel - brought some candle holders he turned on the lathe
Bob Shingleton - showed several of the cars, trucks, and caterpillars he made for the toy program.
 

                                                             RAFFLE
 

Bill Morris won four clamps as the raffle prize for November.
 

                                                     DEMONSTRATION
 

Glen Jewell continued the blanket chest club project by demonstrating three different finishes that could be applied.
 

For an aged look, several steps need to be taken before the finish is applied. Softening the edges, and distressing the surface with files, rasps, chains, ice picks and hammers will accomplish this.
 

The first finish, milk paint, is a four-step process.  Staining with a walnut stain is the first step.  Applying the milk paint is next.  The third step is sanding and distressing the places that show wear down to the stain, with 220 grit paper.  The last step is to apply more stain to the worn and distressed places.  A topcoat of Danish oil or shellac should also be applied.
The second finish is a crackle finish.  This can be achieved by applying a coat of hide glue on top of the first coat of milk paint, letting it dry, and then applying a second coat of milk paint on top of the hide glue.  The last coat of milk paint will crackle.  The third finish is a latex finish.  The softening of the edges and applying the stain are done first.  A latex finish that is designed to match antique colors is preferred.  Applying the latex thinly with a “dry brush” method is used.  Sanding the edges and applying more stain comes next.  A topcoat can then be applied.
* * * * * * *