Members of the Mackinaw Straits Area Woodcarvers Club met Wednesday, August 19, in Mackinaw City for their annual steak fry. Many of the members left their woodworking tools at home and relaxed, chatting with each other and enjoying the food. Pictured are (back row, from left) Larry Millar, Lou Torrise, Gene Bowder, Jerry Prior, Sandy Prior, Betty Torrise, George Bancroft, Linda May, Sandy Baxter, Art Sullivan, Carol Millar, Della Bancroft; (front) Sharon McIntosh, Peggy Bower, Don McIntosh, Janis Schnittker, Kelly Graham, Jack Feuerstein, Sarah Graham, and Aiden Walsh. For some members of the Mackinaw Straits Area Woodcarvers Club, woodcarving is a leisurely way to while away the time.

"When you retire, you have a lot of time," observes Larry Millar, a member of the club.

After Mr. Millar, of Indian River, watched a woodcarver at work during a trip to Alabama, he joined the Mackinaw City club to learn more about the skill. Like all new members, he started out by carving a simple mouse. He credits Jerry Prior, the club's president and the carver of Mackinaw City's important local historical figures, with teaching him everything he knows about carving.

As his skills improved, he carved more challenging subjects. One of is best works is a wood nymph carved in mahogany, which took him about two weeks to complete.

Some projects are especially complicated, such as a group carving of a bent trash can complete with raccoon, but there is no particular rush to finish.

"You have a lot of unfinished projects as well as finished," Mr. Millar said.

Inspiration for the carvings comes from group discussions, exploring craft shops, or from photographs. Some members specialize in certain subjects.

"I always seem to prefer to carve shoes," Mr. Millar said. "You really don't have to think when you're carving a boot."

Carving objects in wood is fun, but Mr. Millar says the friendship has a lot to do with the fun, and Gene Bower, also of Indian River, notes, "We're just a big, happy family."

A carver of elaborate walking sticks, Mr. Bower enjoys the hobby because of the relaxation it provides.

"It's the best therapy you can get," he said. "If you've got something bothering you and you start carving, you forget all about it."

Other members of the club have made woodcarving part of their everyday life.

Art Sullivan of Indian River joined the club when member Lou Torrise told him about it. Mr. Sullivan preferred to carve boots, like Mr. Millar, but added a twist to it.

"When a lady visits my home, she gets a boot out of the visit," he quips.

The boot, usually carved with its tongue sticking out, is a toothpick holder. The object has become Mr. Sullivan's signature, with many of them given as gifts in places around the world. During a trip to New Zealand, Mr. Sullivan visited a bed and breakfast, where he noticed a sign that requested a gift to the hostess. He obliged by giving her a carved boot.

"It's something I know how to do, it kills time, and the pleasure I get from giving it away is very rewarding," he said.

The woodcarvers club, in addition to being a social hub, also takes trips to spring and fall woodcarving conventions, like a recent event in Irown Mountain.

Member Don McIntosh fared well in the 2005 Iron Mountain woodcarvers convention. The first stylistic eagle he carved was entered into the convention competition and won second place.

The woodcarvers club holds a Christmas party each year where members exchange their carvings, and has also gave $250 scholarships to high school seniors involved in woodworking courses in 2007 and 2008.

The club is seeking additional members, particularly from the Upper Peninsula, Mr. Prior said.

"We need some of that northern talent," he said.

The club meets the first and third Wednesday of every month behind the Mackinaw City High School at 7 p.m. Meetings take place inside the high school during colder months. Beginners are welcome, Mr. Prior said, and dues for the club are $10 a year.

"It all starts

with a mouse."

Carving Methods, Tools,

and Materials

All beginning carvers in the Mackinaw Straits Area Woodcarvers Club start with a simple mouse, says Jerry Prior, the club president. To simplify matters, he takes an inch and a quarter block of wood, called a blank, and draws on it the outline of a side view of a mouse.

Once the outline is complete, he uses a bandsaw to cut the mouse out and then gives it to the beginner. The club member then uses several tools to round the mouse out and add detail to it.

The next step up in difficulty is caricatures. Caricatures are a little more involved in terms of detail, but any sort of characteristic added to the subject is acceptable.

Realistic projects, such as animals and humans, are the most difficult, Mr. Prior said. When creating a bird, each feather needs to be defined, carved, and burned using a wood burner to add detail.

When carving, U-shaped tools called gouges that create furrows in the wood, and knives, are the most common tools used. Electric power tools are also used.

Wood selection is especially important, but relatively simple. Basswood is commonly used because it has a nice balance of hardness, is easily carved, and has very little pitch, or hardened veins, in it, Mr. Prior said. Basswood is used for smaller projects that will not be displayed outside, as it does not weather well.

Pine tends to be naturally large, making it a good choice for big subjects. The downside to working with pine is that it contains a lot of pitch, which can make carving difficult.

Cedar is a sturdy medium and is highly resistant to weather, making it a good choice for carvings that will be placed outdoors, Mr. Prior said.

Materials used in the club are obtained by Mr. Prior through cutting down or collecting fallen trees. Local residents will often notify him when a tree needs to be cut, and he cuts it in exchange for the materials. The tree is taken to a barn, where it dries for about three years, he said. Any cracking of the wood will occur during this time. Trying to carve wet wood is difficult, so it is important to allow it to dry out first, he said.