Quietly they sit, knives moving expertly as the small chunk of wood in their hands undergoes a metamorphosis. One bit of wood becomes a tiny Santa Claus. Another is now a duck. One at a time, each carving comes to life — a perfect work of art. It’s here at the Blackhawk Woodcarvers Club where about four dozen seniors have gathered to share their hobby and expertise. Some have been carving their entire lives. Most picked it up in retirement — when they had more time to devote to learning a new skill. “You just don’t have the time to do it while you’re working,” said Bob Hallstrom, the Blackhawk Woodcarvers Meetings: 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at Ken-Rock Community Center, 3218 11th St., Rockford. Upcoming show: The Blackhawk Woodcarvers 14th annual Woodcarving show will be from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 16 at Tebala Shrine Temple, 7910 Newburg Road in Rockford. For more information: 815-235-0075 or 815-963-1326. club’s president. “I took a class 10 or 12 years before I retired, but I never had the time.” Now, Hallstrom teaches carving classes at Rock Valley College, and it’s not at all unusual for him travel out of town for a weeklong carving class. He makes carvings for his home or as gifts for friends and family. Every year, he joins other club members as they carve Christmas and Easter pins that will be donated to children in area hospitals. Together, the club makes about 200 pins a year. But mostly, the club serves to help ...
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Quietly they sit, knives moving expertly as the small chunk of wood in their hands undergoes a metamorphosis. One bit of wood becomes a tiny Santa Claus. Another is now a duck. One at a time, each carving comes to life — a perfect work of art. It’s here at the Blackhawk Woodcarvers Club where about four dozen seniors have gathered to share their hobby and expertise. Some have been carving their entire lives. Most picked it up in retirement — when they had more time to devote to learning a new skill. “You just don’t have the time to do it while you’re working,” said Bob Hallstrom, the Blackhawk Woodcarvers Meetings: 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at Ken-Rock Community Center, 3218 11th St., Rockford. Upcoming show: The Blackhawk Woodcarvers 14th annual Woodcarving show will be from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 16 at Tebala Shrine Temple, 7910 Newburg Road in Rockford. For more information: 815-235-0075 or 815-963-1326. club’s president. “I took a class 10 or 12 years before I retired, but I never had the time.” Now, Hallstrom teaches carving classes at Rock Valley College, and it’s not at all unusual for him travel out of town for a weeklong carving class. He makes carvings for his home or as gifts for friends and family. Every year, he joins other club members as they carve Christmas and Easter pins that will be donated to children in area hospitals. Together, the club makes about 200 pins a year. But mostly, the club serves to help ...