The club was organized in December, 1974 through the efforts of BOB McCKEAN and BOB BORQUIST. Early meetings were held in the basement game room of Bob's house in Poughkeepsie. Soon membership had grown to the extent that larger quarters were needed and arrangements were made to use a classroom in the First Presbyterian Church in Poughkeepsie. In January of 1980 the meeting place was again moved to the Wood Shop of the Arlington Middle School in Poughkeepsie due to the efforts of the late HARRY BLODGETT who was an Industrial Arts teacher there.

The primary purpose of the club is to promote the art of woodcarving. This is done by bringing the objectives of the club and the work of its members to the attention of the general public at art and carving shows, community fairs, and other civic functions. This not only generates favorable publicity but also results in the recruitment of new members. Existing members also attempt to interest and recruit their friends and acquaintances. Through the years members have demonstrated their art in many ways, helping Boy Scouts, school children and senior citizens to get started in this fascinating art..

Business aspects of the club are handled by a group of officers elected annually and consisting of a PRESIDENT who conducts the business portion of meetings and represents the interests of the club through communication with outside interests; a FIRST VICE PRESIDENT who is responsible for programs; a SECOND VICE PRESIDENT who arranges for participation of club members in shows, exhibits, and demonstrations; and, a TREASURER who conducts financial affairs, Funds for financing club activities are derived from annual dues collected from members, donations, commissions from sales at shows by members , and other fund raising activities. Club members have an obligation to participate actively in club affairs, and these must be approved in advance by majority vote of the membership.

The aims and objectives of the club are set forth in detail in the By-Laws included as Part 1 of the appendix. Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. in the Parish Hall of Saint Pauls Church, corner of Route 44 and Traver Road, Pleasant Valley, N.Y. They consist of a short business session. followed| by a "show and tell" where members present completed carvings and discuss them with the group. In additions there may be a lecture or demonstration by a club member or a visiting speaker on a subject of general interest; a video tape on a carving subject may be shown, or a carving session may be held to assist members in doing a club project such as carving a bird, carousal horse, etc. On the second Monday of each month a carving session is held from 7:00 to at least 9:00 PM. attended by members who like to carve in a group setting where they can socialize as they work. This is particularly helpful to beginners and intermediates who wish to learn a carving technique, or explore another one that they have not previously tried. Advanced carvers work with these individuals upon request. Carving blocks and tools are available for purchase and instruction in tool sharpening, use of tools, and any other need of the individual is addressed. Our credo is "There are many dumb answers but no dumb questions'' because no matter how inconsequential a query may seem it is of great concern to the person and must be settled to his satisfaction.

A monthly Newsletter, the "Blade and Chisel", is prepared by the Club Secretary and distributed to all active members to keep them abreast of club activities. Articles by members are solicited.

Members are encouraged to enter their work in competition with their peers at carving shows and many have done so successfully. They are also urged to try all forms of carving so that they will become well rounded in the art. To the extent possible we recommend that they study anatomy, drawing and design so that they can create and not be confined to using patterns exclusively.

We are proud to state that, as of this writing (March 1990), six of the first twenty members are still on the rolls. They include BOB MCKEAN (1), JOE MORALLO (6), ERIC SUND (8), FRED CLARK (14), DALE MONNICH (16), and JOY BAUER (17). Unfortunately for us Bob and Fred now live in other states and can only visit us occasionally but they still keep tabs on us. Joe is still active and was our faithful Treasurer from 1977 to 1987! Eric, Dale, and Joy are still ready, willing and able. Joy has been club President twice and held many other offices. Many others have come and gone for various reasons but we have averaged a nucleus of about forty active members. Although growth has been modest, enthusiasm has not. ''Big is not necessarily better. and we have retained our ''family'"' relationship through the years, helping and encouraging each other.

In the following article ''Reflections'' submitted by JOY BAUER on the thirteenth anniversary she reminisces about the early days of the Club and it's accomplishments:

The following members have won ribbons in carving competitions: Eric Sund, Walt Vandigrifft, Dick Morse, Laura Morse, John Guerin, Henry Putre, Frank Kando, Ken Klauk and Joy Bauer.''

We are confident that our club will continue to grow and prosper during the coming years, bringing many a pleasant hour to our members as they pursue the art of their choice.