26th Annual Woodcarving Show and Sale
May 13 & 14, 2005

The North Arkansas Woodcarvers held their 26th Annual Show and Sale on May 14 and 15, 2005 at the Baxter County Fairgrounds in Mountain Home, AR. Carvers from 12 states came to the Ozarks to exhibit, compete, demonstrate and sell their carvings/wood turnings. Over 140 ribbons and awards were presented including 46 cash prize awards. Desiree Hajny, the competition's judge, carefully scrutinized the 166 entries from the 40 categories entered and then held a critique session following the contest. Desiree was assisted by NAWC club members Dick Todd, recorder; Debra Bergum, photographer; Jay Nottingham, announcer; Dick Dulaney assisted by Bea Berke, carving entry table; Norm Rutledge and Gary Smith, carving entry handlers; Bonnie Davis, show coordinator; and Sandy Smith, posted the winners.

Featured carver Tom Webster had a wonderful table display of caricature cowboys and donated many superb carvings to the banquet auction to raise money for next year's show. Ray and Jean Kropke worked the entry booth making sure that everyone visiting the show received a door prize ticket as well as a People's Choice Ballot. Admission for both days was free, but donations are always greatly appreciated. Kaye and Jim Carey, Cheryl Conner, Margie and Ron Dotson, Jim Lehmkuhl, Jody Nottingham, Ellen and Bob Karpen, Warren Brown, Kathi Clark and Roberta Dulaney worked the Club and Door Prize tables selling T-shirts, mugs, hats, memberships, etc., and coordinated the drawings for the hourly door prizes. Art Boatright of Marion, IL pleased the crowd, at the entrance to the building, with his wonderful chainsaw carvings. He also donated a magnificent chainsaw bear for the raffle. Jim Reed from Fairfield Bay, AR won the drawing and took the bear home safely seat-belted in the passenger front seat. Show committee member Dick Dulaney also donated a marvelous stylized 3' blue heron to raffle, which was won by club member, Tom Trieble of Mountain Home, AR.

Four carvers entered the Sunday afternoon's "Whittling Contest" conducted by NAWC member Anna Sue Hickman. They were allowed 3 carving tools and a pencil and were given 1 hour to complete a carving. Larry Yudis, Desiree Hajny and Dale Berke judged the results. Each winner received a plaque from NAWC and a gift certificate from Larry Yudis' Woodcraft Shop. Octavio Pollock placed first; Cliff Letty, second; and Wm. Earl Gray, third. Special thanks go to Larry Yudis for his generous donation of Gift Certificates and to Rudy Nigl of Gillingham, WI for the donation of the "whittling" wood. Saturday evening's banquet dinner/auction was held at the Elks Lodge and coordinated by Bea Berke. Everyone attending received a 10x13 NAWC tote bag and a ticket for the door prize raffle, which was held after the meal. An auction, led by Ray Kropke, was conducted to generate funds for next year's show. There were many wonderful items auctioned as well as many very happy winning bidders with their purchased items. First place best-of-show honors went to Sandy Smith of Lakeview, AR; second place best-of-show, Tom Peterson of Brixey, MO; third place best-of-show, B. David Duncan of Harrison, AR; first place best-of-beginner, Constance Hardt of Flippin, AR; and best table display, Debra Bergum of Lakeview, AR. People's Choice honors went to B. David Duncan of Harrison, AR. Caricature Carvers of America Emeritus Member Desiree Hajny awarded the CCA Award to Sandy Smith of Lakeview, AR.

Click on Pages below to see photos of the Blue Ribbon carvings.
Photos by Deb Bergum

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