SPECIAL DAY - Satuday, September 21, Pat Carroll demonstrastion. This will be a Saturday afternoon or evening demo. More details and time to be confirmed at a later date.

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SPECIAL WORKSHOP - On Sunday, September 22, Pat Carroll will host a workshop at Willie Simmons’ shop in Fincastle. This will be open to 8 participants. Cost will be $100. Details and time to be announced to members.

Pen Turn-A-Thon for Veterans

Based on last year's success of the BRW's Pen Turn-A-Thon for Veterans project in which our members turned 100 pens that were donated for Veterans Day to those living in the Virginia Veterans Care Center in Salem. VA, the BRW Board has decided to repeat this project for Veterans Day, 2024.  The donated pens gave a great deal of joy to those who served in the armed forces of our country and to who we owe a big "Thank you for your service."  They really appreciated the recognition they so richly deserve.

In order to fulfill the project goal of donating pens to our veterans at the Virginia Veterans Care Center, we will again be turning pens for them on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Williamson Road Masonic Lodge located at 3025 Pioneer Road, Roanoke, VA 24012.  The BRW has purchased the required pen kits and we need volunteers to prepare them for turning into pens. At the April 11th BRW meeting we will ask for volunteers to please drill 7mm holes through the wood or acrylic pen blanks, glue the brass tubes into them, and trim the ends square and to length.  We will also have on hand some wood and acrylic pen blanks for the volunteers to use or they can supply their own pen blanks from home.  It will be greatly appreciated if several people would bring to the April 11th meeting wood or acrylic pen blanks to be prepared for turning.  These should measure at least 5/8" square in cross section by 5" long to a max. of a 3/4" square in cross section by 5" long.

What, you've never turned a pen before!  Not a problem.  We have many experienced pen turners in the BRW who will be at the Turn-A-Thon and would be glad to teach you how to prepare pen blanks and how to turn them into your very own work of art.  So come on down and have fun learning a new turning skill amongst great camaraderie.  We will supply all you need to make a pen, including the turning tools.  Also, bring a friend.

 “Simple Gifts From Small Scraps.” Projects include a scoop, bottle stopper, and small lidded box.

Program details to be announced.

Willie Simmons will be doing a demo on spindle turning. Basic cuts, sharpening, and tool control.

In addition to the expert demonstration by professional turner Willie Simmons on mastering spindle turning we are going to have a mini auction of the incomplete bowls and bowl blanks left by the late George Arthur.  Come early, look over the items to be auctioned off.  The auction will be held during the intermission of Willie's demo along with the usual Show and Tell.

Sharpening Day at Willie Simmons shop

Saturday, February 10, 2024

9 am - 4 pm

329 Botetourt Road 

Bring your tools and a chair for a relaxed day of sharpening techniques and conversation. There will be grinders and lathes available. Join us for a fun educational day. 

Lunch is provided 

Please RSVP to Wpsimmons@aol.com if you are planning to attend.

Ron Manning

Mount Nebo, West Virginia

I turned my first bowl in October of 2018, but my love and appreciation for wood began much earlier in life. My dad was a part time carpenter and I remember “helping” him work on projects in his shop when I was only six years old. That love for wood continued into high school where I took every wood shop class I was allowed.

After graduating Highschool I received my Associate’s Degree as a Structural Designer and went on to enjoy a 49-year career in Structural Engineering. During that period, I would spend my free time making furniture and various other wood projects. I also worked part-time as an apprentice building houses.

Upon retiring in 2013 my wife and I moved to Mt. Nebo, WV. We began going to local arts and crafts shows and events. In the summer of 2018, I saw some beautifully turned wood bowls at one of the arts and crafts fairs that we attended. I told my wife “I would really like to learn how to do this”. In October of 2018 I was invited to join the West Virginia Wood Turners Association in Lewisburg, WV. I joined, and with the help and advice of my fellow club members I turned my first bowl. Since then, I have learned to turn Platters, Pens, Spindles, Tree Ornaments, Artistic and Ornamental turnings, Lidded Boxes, Inside Out Turnings, Piercing, Pyrography and how to combine Resin with wood. My love for wood is still growing.