Come turn with us!

Dear Stateline Woodturners Members,

Stateline Woodturners is asking for member support to help get the VA Pen Program off the ground.

The Veterans Home in Fayetteville reached out to the club for help in providing meaningful activities for its residents. One of the opportunities identified was pen turning, which gives veterans the chance to work with their hands, learn a new skill, enjoy fellowship with others, and experience the satisfaction of creating something of their own.

This program is modeled after the successful program at the Little Rock VA Home, where veterans turn pens and also have the opportunity to sell some of their work at local shows. The goal is not only to provide an enjoyable and rewarding activity but also to give veterans a sense of pride, purpose, and accomplishment through craftsmanship.

To get this program started, we need help from club members in several areas. No teaching or wood-turning experience is required for every role. We need members who are willing to help with setup, gathering supplies, assisting veterans during sessions, and tracking each veteran's progress. For those who have not turned before or have not taught before, guidance and support will be provided.

Areas where help is needed include:

• Assisting veterans at the lathe
• Helping organize and collect supplies
• Setting up and cleaning up work areas
• Tracking each veteran’s progress
• Encouraging and supporting participants throughout the program

This program is about more than making pens. It is about giving veterans an opportunity to create, connect, and take pride in what they make. With the club’s help, this can become a meaningful and lasting outreach effort.

If you are willing to help us get this program started, please reply. Support will be appreciated as we work to build this program into something special for the veterans at the Fayetteville Veterans Home.

Thank you for supporting this effort.

Sincerely,

John Adams

Stateline Woodturners

GoFundMe Link

https://gofund.me/fe828f614

Paul Moore to Demonstrate “How to Turn a Duck”

StateLine Woodturners members are invited to join us for an upcoming demonstration by Paul Moore, who will show how to turn a wooden duck on the lathe.

This will be a fun and educational project for turners of all skill levels. Members will have the opportunity to learn new techniques, pick up helpful tips, and see the step-by-step process for creating a unique turned-duck project.

Whether you are a beginner looking to build confidence or an experienced turner wanting to add another creative project to your skill set, this demonstration will be a great chance to learn, ask questions, and enjoy time with fellow woodturners.

Come ready to learn something new, be inspired, and have some fun in the shop!

Demonstrator: Paul Moore

Topic: How to Turn a Duck

Audience: All skill levels welcome

Member Spotlight

Buzz Peine

Buz Peine is a long time member of SLWT and a small sample of his work is seen here. Through the years he has created segmented pieces and was given the privilege to honor another through his work.

How did you get started and wood turning? I got into woodturning thanks to my brother. He was a lawyer with a big yacht, but he wanted something he could do in short bursts—an hour here and there. Someone gave him an old, beat-up lathe, and he took to it immediately. Before long, he upgraded to a One Way 24/36. When i visited him in Houston, we’d spend time in the shop together, and that’s what pulled me in. Eventually, he helped me build my own shop and set me up with a One Way lathe and a full set of quality tools.

These days, I spend a lot of time in that shop—sometimes working, sometimes just thinking about how I really ought to clean it! I do a mix of turning and some flat woodworking. I wouldn’t say I create masterpieces, but I’ve made a few segmented pieces I’m proud of. Last year, I made an urn from a piece of catalpa that I inherited Dr. Ost years ago. It turned out passable, and it meant something.

What is a project or piece that you are most proud of? What matters most to me are the people I’ve met along the way. My brother once hosted David Ellsworth for a week, and I got to be his shop assistant for a few days. He slept in my usual room while I camped out in a sleeping bag on the pool table—and I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything. I still have one of his demo pieces. Things like that are priceless. I’ve given away a lot of what I’ve made over the years. For me, the joy is in the process and in sharing.

If you had to pick one tool in your shop that everyone should buy, what would it be? If there’s one tool I consider indispensable, it’s a good lathe. My One Way handles large work with ease but is just as satisfying for smaller projects. Last week alone I turned pen blanks to take to ESSA where I taught six  people who had never touched a lathe how to make a pen.

Besides woodworking and wood turning, what are your other hobbies? Outside the shop, I keep things simple. We have hens for eggs, and we raise rabbits as well. Life has its challenges, though. My sweet bride has Alzheimer’s, and that shapes much of my day now.

What did you do for a career?  I grew up in Houston and graduated from the University of Houston in business administration. It didn’t take long to realize I wasn’t cut out for office life or politics. I started doing small maintenance jobs instead. In 1977, I took a trip to Eureka Springs and ended up staying three months. I bought eight acres of land, went back to Houston to wrap things up, and that’s where I met Sara. She was a programmer at NASA working on the space shuttle. She liked my story and wanted to see Eureka and the land. We ended up living in a teepee while building a workshop, then a small cabin, and eventually a proper house—complete with a flush toilet and a thermostat. We’ve been happy ever since!

What are your plans in retirement?  We always lived below our means and saved, just like our parents did. When they passed, we inherited some as well. These days, Sara can’t travel, but we’re comfortable. We have help during the week so I can spend time in the shop. I am fortunate and I am grateful that I can share some of what we have with others, including Stateline and the national organization.

I couldn’t be happier… even if I don’t always have the good sense to realize it!