Free wood carving classes to start Jan. 23

The Tri County Whittlers and Woodcarvers club of Nevada is offering a basic seven-week carving class, beginning on Tuesday night, Jan. 23. There is no charge for the classes, but there is a cost of $80 for the set of tools, sharpener, wood cutouts and patterns for the classes. A deposit of $25 must be paid at the time of sign-up for the class with the remaining $55 balance to be paid the first night of the classes. The class size is limited to eight students and the class will run from 6-8 p.m. on each Tuesday night. Classes will be held through March 13, at the Osage Prairie YMCA, Nevada, barring bad weather cancellations. Students will be taught how to sharpen their tools, make basic cuts, how to do basic relief and in-the-round carvings, as well as wood burning and painting finishing hints. Participants should have five to six projects by the end of the classes.

Tri County Whittlers and Woodcarvers meet every Tuesday night in the Nevada YMCA. Members offer support, help, encouragement and fellowship for fellow carvers of all skill levels. The club celebrates its 30th anniversary this winter. Members come from a 35-40 mile radius and include the basic geographic areas of Barton, Cedar and Vernon Counties, although members regularly come from nearby Bourbon and Crawford Counties in Kansas and Bates County in Missouri. Membership in the club is a nominal $5 per year.

Tom Beck of the El Dorado Springs area is president of the Club. Kim Bowmaster of rural Milo is secretary. Donna Thomas of Nevada is treasurer. Beck and Thomas co-teach the classes.

Any person interested in the classes may contact either Tom Beck at 876-6898 in El Dorado Springs or Donna Thomas in Nevada at 417/448-4560. Persons wanting to sign up for the classes should contact Donna Thomas and send the $25 deposit to her at 19173 S. 1715 Rd., Nevada, MO 64772. Or interested personas may visit the club’s Tuesday night meetings prior to the start of January classes to enroll.