The two founders
of the Triple "C" Carving Club, Bob Gall and John Schols, who were members
of the Corunna Carving Club decided that there was a need for a carving club
in Sarnia, "proper" area and would meet in the morning or afternoon hours
rather than in the evening. It is a more acceptable time of day for older
people and retirees, especially during the winter months.
With these needs in mind the Co-founders of the club arranged for the club
to meet at King George VI School for the first meeting in early September
1987. The first meeting was attended by 6 people, Bob Gall, John
Schols, Fred King, Vern Rogers, Don Wiles and Ross Rankin and we were on our
way.
The club was to meet weekly from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM in the school and there
were no guidlines. You could carve whatever you liked, with whatever
tools you liked and any way you wanted. The whole idea was for people
who liked to work with wood, to meet together and exchange ideas or just
meet and enjoy coffee and renew old acquaintances from days at work.
Some came from Imperial Oil, Dow Chemical, Polysar and numerous other
businesses in the Sarnia area including farming.
By word of mouth and some modest advertising, the club has grown
substantially to a membership list of over 100 members with an average
attendance at meetings of between 60 and 65 carvers including a list of 27
ladies. The first lady was Glennie Wallace and then the others
followed. We pick up new members every time we put on a demonstration
at some function or show. We have an excellent club and everyone
enjoys each others company and we also learn from each other.
As a club we have participated in many of the area shows and demonstrated
our carving abilities in birds, human figures, caricatures and animal
figures. For example we have attended the AnnualHobbyfest in July
since it began, the Lambton Heritage Museum on the Return of the Swans at
Grand Bend for the past 5 or 6 years. Our work is visible at St.
Joesph's Hospital, The Hospice, City Hall and The Sportsman Hall of Fame.
We also show tell at the local nursing homes and seniors residences.
Look around Sarnia and you will see the Triple "C" Carvers.
Some of the members sell their carvings, others carve and give their work
away to family and friends, and some of our carvinings are donated as prizes
or gifts. Members of our club have earned ribbons as shows all over
South Western Ontario and in Michigan, U.S.A. As the saying goes "We
do good work".
Triple 'C' Carvers
Sarnia, Ontario
