Dallas Area Woodturners (DAW) is a non-profit organization that was organized in 1996. The club focuses on helping our membership learn and grow through education, demonstrations and sharing techniques, tooling and best practices with one other. The DAW is active in community service through woodturning. Monthly club meetings are held at WoodWorld of Texas on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Click here to join!

A Message from the President (September 2023)

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 The days, weeks and months seem to be flying past. Another SWAT has happened and we head for the final months of the year and some cooler weather. I think a little cool weather will be very conducive for turning. SWAT was a huge success. I believe there were about 800 rabid turners attending. The demonstrations were excellent and the instant Gallery was a place to see some great turnings and to be awe inspired at the talent and skilled workmanship on display. Three for one raffles and a chance to meet up with some old friends and make some new friends. All with the wood turning bug. DAW and the North Texas clubs were well represented with regional demonstrators. Kevin Bassett, Charlie Tucker, Neil Brandt, Cory White, and Donna Frazier all joined an impressive list of National Lead Demonstrators for what is quite possibly the best wood turning symposium worldwide. My biggest problem was deciding which demonstration to attend. I believe we will get DVD;s of the sessions which will be in the library at some time in the future.

I want to Thank the Central Texas Wood Turners as they have allowed us to take approximately 45 Beads of Courage boxes they made. These will be distributed to the Dallas Children’s Hospital along with the BoC boxes we have made. I am sure the Children will be appreciative of all the Love and Effort expended to create these wonderful boxes for their incredible strings of beads earned during the treatment processes.

Coming up soon, Mr. Tim Smith will be our demonstrator for September. His demo is titled “Always, Never, and whatever works best for you!” I believe this demo will be entertaining as well as informative.

Also, coming in October from way Down Under will be Mr. Simon Beggs. Simon will have up to two days of classes as well as being our monthly demonstrator at the October meeting. Check the web page for tickets as they will be on sale soon. The classes are Thursday October 19^th and if we are able to sell out we can schedule Wednesday October 18^th as well. Initially the classes will be offered to DAW members exclusively, after a week we will give  other area club members to have an opportunity to take a class from this innovative turner.  So, the exclusive offering time for DAW only members will be short. Please see more information about Simon and the class offerings on the web page.

Elections are on the horizon for the Executive Board Members. Other positions on the Board of Directors are flexible. If you have talents unknown to us and would like to help the DAW get stronger contact us. I’m sure there’s a place for you! The Leadership Team is growing and new ideas and energy are welcome here. Nominations for the 4 elected officers will be opened at the October meeting and a slate of nominees will be offered. These are not set in stone and members may choose to run from the floor. The actual election will occur at the November club meeting with the new officers taking office on January 1, 2024.

Tickets for the Holiday party will be available on the web site soon as well. We have a great event lined up. I have many great raffle prizes already in hand. However, I am need of some of your work to offer in the Live Auction. See me or one of the other officers to donate to this great event. The proceeds from the raffle and auction go to fund new equipment, National and International turners to come demonstrate and teach. The venue will be Aboca’s Italian Grill located at 100 Central Expressway in Richardson. The date and time is Saturday December 2 from 12-3pm. Get your tickets from the web site, mark your calendars and let’s have a great time together. The ticket cost will be $30. It is a buffet with an assortment of Aboca’s great food. I hope we fill that room it seats about 80 people so we may have a cut off. So, get your tickets early.

I am sorry to announce that I will be away for the September meeting as I need to be in Waco to keep my professional credentials in order and also to do a wood turning demo for the Arborists and Foresters State wide. I’m confident that the September meeting will be great with out me. Y’all enjoy each other and the demo.

Kevin Bassett