Flagstaff Carvers all set in their new Killam workshop
The Flagstaff Carvers celebrated the completion of their new workshop in Killam last Wednesday, March 19, by holding a Grand Opening reception.
“We invited the people who have helped us get to this point, the town of Killam, and Flagstaff County,” said Dennis Penner, one of the club’s founders.
The club was renting the old Scout Hut, under the Girl Guides, but when the Guides no longer needed the building, they asked the town if they could rent it and fix it up to meet their needs.
They received funding from Flagstaff County to put in a dust collection system.
As of now, the club consists of seven regulars, with four from Killam, two from Strome, and one from Viking, and Penner says that anyone interested in taking up the hobby of wood carving is welcome.
The club often holds classes for different projects, with instructors coming from the Edmonton Carving Club and elsewhere.
Members of the Castor Carving Club have also been known to drop in.
The members get together informally on a weekly basis, every Wednesday from about 7 to 10 p.m.
Mayor Bud James was asked to speak during the Open House Wednesday, and he said, “Congratulations to a group of committed individuals.
“You took a limited-use building, had a plan, and put together a great space for your club to use.
“Flagstaff County has an excellent funding process for ventures like yours.
“Although the town of Killam has provided limited funding support, we are proud of the role we’ve played in providing a place for you to come, one that creates opportunities for young people.
“When people are willing to take on a work project such as this, we’re glad to help.”
Penner said in response, “Quite sincerely, we do thank the town in helping us fix this place up.
“It’s nice to be able to have this building for carvers, and for our painters.
“We hope to keep this going for quite some time.”
Club member Denis Boutin added, “We would also like to thank Flagstaff County for providing us with equipment funding, which allowed us to purchase and install our dust collection system, as well as a grant that allowed us to purchase club knives and gouges so potential students don’t have to buy them to try their hand at carving.
The club will be holding a public Open House in the fall, with many of their projects on display.
They also plan to participate again in ‘Fit, Fun Flagstaff,’ if it runs again this year, to try to attract new members.
Leslie Cholowsky, Editor
