THE SPIN
STRAIT TURNERS NEWSLETTER
October, 2025 No. 25-10
Our Website Link: https://straitturners.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Club Calendar
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1-2
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President’s Message
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2
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Programs
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3
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President’s Challenge
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4
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IRS Determination
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4
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PT Woodworkers Show
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4
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Shipley Center Holiday Bazaar
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5
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Website Login
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5
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Nominations
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5
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Open Shops
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6
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Library
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6
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Wood Sales
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6
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Help Wanted
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6
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AAW Resources—It Goes Around
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6-9
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CLUB CALENDAR
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October 20 (Monday)
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OPCAAW meeting, 6:30-9:00, Bremerton
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Oct. 21 (Tuesday)
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Monthly Meeting and Demo, Yann Marot, 11:30-3:00, GCC and Zoom
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October 31
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Setup PT Woodworker’s Show, 2:00 to 7:00, American Legion Hall
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November 1
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Port Townsend Woodworker’s Show, 11:00 to 7:00, American Legion Hall
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November 2
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Port Townsend Woodworker’s Show, 11:00 to 3:00, American Legion Hall
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November 4
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Board Meeting via Zoom, 6:30
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November 6
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Set-up for Shipley Center Bazaar, 921 E. Hammond St., Sequim
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November 7-8
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Shipley Center Holiday Bazaar, 9-3, 921 E. Hammond St., Sequim
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November 15
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Monthly Meeting and Demo, Mike Gonyer, 10:00-1:30, GCC and Zoom
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December 2
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Board Meeting via Zoom, 6:30-7:30
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December 13
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Holiday Party, 11:00-1:00, GCC
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Members of the Strait Turners Chapter of AAW:
This is the time of year when we have to think about election of officers for the new year. Jon Geisbush, in his role as Past President/head of the nominating committee, has proposed a slate of officers, as listed later in this Newsletter. It is not too late for you to step up and volunteer to serve. Just contact Jon at info@straitturners.org. We will also be taking nominations from the floor, at the November meeting, before we vote.
There will be a vote taken at the October meeting on a change to our Bylaws. Its intent is to remove restrictions on who can serve on the Board in a Member-at-Large position. These are non-voting positions originally intended as future-officer-in-training positions.
Many of you have not yet gotten registered on our new Website. It is a simple process and very worthwhile. If you have not done so, please follow the instructions emailed to you by Marilyn Bergevin. If you have issues with this process, please contact Marilyn at info@straitturners.org. The Website utilizes Club Express. The emails you receive from Club Express are generated by your officers. Much of the club business is now being handled by way of Club Express.
Your dues for 2026 are due by January 1. Currently, the option to pay dues through the Website is set to become available on December 1. However, Kathy is checking into whether that can be moved up. Dues remain at $30 per household. You can also pay dues to Jackie via cash or check.
Note that the date of the Holiday Party has been changed to December 13.
Also be aware that our October meeting is not on the usual third Saturday. We have scheduled it for Tuesday, October 21, at noon, with social time starting at 11:30. This change makes it possible for us to have an in-person demonstration by Yann Marot, from France.
Ted Lund, President, 2024-25
PROGRAMS
Our October meeting will feature Yann Marot, from France. Yann is touring the Pacific Northwest. Brian has arranged for him to be here On Tuesday, October 21, between his demonstrations at OPCAAW and Anacortes. He will show how to make a raindrop box.
Key points:
-Box making, design and proportion
-Fine scratch texture with iron brush
-Ring inlay
-Raindrop shape
Techniques:
-Back hollowing end grain technique
-How to inlay a ring to create a contrast
-Which tool and sharpening for a good surface and to control the form
-One simple way to create elegant texture with iron brush
About Yann Marot:
While at 2025 AAW Symposium Roger Dauer (of the Northwest Washington Woodturners) was able to meet several folks who know Yann well:
From a professional French turner: 'He can do anything, whatever you want to learn he can teach it.'
From a British turner: 'His English is excellent'
From a few who’ve taken his classes: He is an excellent teacher, clearly one of the best educators
From a Minnesotan Turner: 'Let me know when he is there, I might travel out for the classes'… (this guy is flying to France to take 2 weeks of courses from Yann)
Roger talked at length with an individual who studied at (and graduated from) Yann’s school in France and got good input on his demos and classes.
Our sister club, OPCAAW, has invited all members of our club to their meeting, where Yann will be demonstrating. That meeting will be Monday, October 20, 2025, 6:30 PM until 9:00 PM, at the Westside Improvement Club, 4109 West E St, Bremerton, WA 98312. We are reciprocating with an invitation to their members for our meeting the next day.
Yann is one of the world’s top woodturning educators. It will be a great privilege for us to have him here, in person. See https://yannmarot.com/?lg=uk.
Our November meeting will feature a demo by member Mike Gonyer. Mike will show us his techniques for using plywood staves in turning.
PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE
For October, make a spoon or scoop.
For November, make a raindrop box, with or without the contrasting ring.
IRS DETERMINATION
Through the efforts of Kathy and Fred Hersman, the IRS has granted our club Tax Exempt Status as a 501(c)(3).
This means that donations to the club are considered charitable donations. They are exempt from the donor’s income taxes.
PORT TOWNSEND WOODWORKER’S SHOW
By Valerie Henschel
The annual Port Townsend Woodworker’s show is coming up at the end of this month. Show hours are Saturday November 1, 2025, from 11:00am to 7:00pm (to coincide with the Port Townsend Gallery Walk) and Sunday November 2, 2025 from 11:00am to 3:00pm, American Legion Hall.
As our best fund raiser, it requires good donations of items to sell that have great crowd appeal. Each year our club members have done a wonderful job of making and donating turned items for us to sell at the show.
Donated items should be well made and either functional or artistic. Best sellers are those items that are made with highly figured wood, artistic components (color), or are items that are hard to find elsewhere.
Popular items are plates/platters/trays, large and small bowls, kitchen items, pens/pencils, pen holders, toys, lidded containers, holiday or winter themed items (tree ornaments, holiday decorations, snow people, critters/birds, trees, mushrooms, etc.).
Items that should sell well if we have them; door stops, jewelry, fridge magnets, baby safe rattles, magnetized bowls (for pins, paper clips, screws, etc.), coffee scoops, ring keepers, hair clips, multi/mixed wood items, clocks/small lights/weather instruments, etc. We already have vases, candle holders, and plain wood items left from previous sales.
Shoppers are drawn to color, highly figured woods, and unique items that cannot be found in the mass-produced markets. Many buy gifts that are easy to ship and affordable (small, lightweight, not fragile). Items that appeal to a trend, favorite activity, regional faves, or other popular subjects do well too. Quality items for kids and teens are popular and are often bought as an “extra gift”.
Bring donations to the October meeting. Items for donation after the October meeting will be accepted, up until Thursday, October 30.
Exhibitors are to deliver and set up their work Friday, October 31st, between 2:00-7:00pm. Volunteers are appreciated, and there is no entry fee. You are welcome to stop in and “talk-turning” with interested shoppers. Wear your club badge if you come. Volunteer signup is on our website.
SHIPLEY CENTER HOLIDAY BAZAAR
Strait Turners will have a table at the bazaar as a fundraiser for the club. Volunteers needed. Set up on the 6th 4:00-7:00 PM. Bring turned items to sell. Holiday themed. Friday, November 7, 2025, 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM and Saturday, November 8, 2025, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Volunteer by signing up on the Website.
OPEN SHOPS
Please contact Brian Johnson, to sign up or talk about hosting an Open Shop of your own.
WEBSITE LOGIN
View in your browser
Hello Strait Turners,
This is a friendly reminder to check your emails from Club Express to find your temporary password and log into the new website. You will be asked to reset your password to something you can remember.
Please check and update your personal information. We are requesting an emergency contact name and number for each member. In the upper right hand corner of the Member Profile page is a link to Club Express Tutorial Videos. From the Member Profile page you can also create your own photo albums.
Please let me know if you need help getting logged in.
Marilyn Bergevin, info@straitturners.org
NOMINATIONS
The following members have been nominated to fill the vacant seats on our Board for 2026-2027:
Secretary—Lisa Brice
Vice President—Marilyn Bergevin
Membership Chair—Kathy Hershman
Communication Chair—Fred Hershman
Member-at-Large—Michael McDermott
Member-at-Large—
The election will be held at the November meeting. Nominations from the floor will be taken before the vote. It is not too late to volunteer to serve. Contact Jon Geisbush, info@straitturners.org to do so.
STRAIT TURNERS LIBRARY
Please remember to return the items you have checked out of the club library. Also, take a look at what is available to check out at the next meeting. This is a treasure trove of information for the woodturner. Contact Bob Bindschadler, bobbindschadler@gmail.com, 360-775-5864, if you have any questions about the library or want to donate to it.
WOOD AND TOOL AUCTION
Please plan to bring some quality wood or tools to the October meeting for the auction. This has been a great fundraiser for the club.
If a community member or anyone else needs a tree removed, they can contact Ed Jones, edhikeson@gmail.com, who will organize volunteers to help cut and transport the wood. Members are encouraged to support the effort by assisting Ed with cutting and hauling when needed. If you're willing to lend a hand, please reach out to Ed.
HELP WANTED!
Hosts for Open Shop Events—Can you host a small number of members in your shop for a session on some aspect of turning? If so, contact brian.r.johnson1@gmail.com.
Sponsorship Coordinator—Someone to recruit, communicate with, and document our Sponsors. A new Sponsorship program has been approved by the Board. We just need someone to put this in front of potential sponsors.
AAW
We are a chapter of the American Association of Woodturners. Members are encouraged to join AAW to access the huge selection of resources there for turners. Free trial memberships are available at the Membership Landing Page. See the AAW Webpage, https://www.woodturner.org/, for information like this:
Experience the remarkable world of woodturning with the AAW.
With the largest portfolio of woodturning-related material in the world, AAW is the go-to resource for woodturners of all skill levels. A membership with the AAW can help you learn and thrive in your woodturning experience, as well as connect you with others who share your passion.
Individual, Family, Student & Digital-Only Memberships
With an annual membership, you get access to the American Woodturner journal, Woodturning Fundamentals, 3,000+ woodturning projects, articles, videos and tips, discounts on education, events and merchandise, and more!
Affiliate Membership
FREE introductory short-term Affiliate membership gives you an opportunity to explore what the AAW has to offer.
Business Premium Membership
Annual Business Premium memberships offer full access to all online content and include six printed copies of American Woodturner, business, demonstrator and maker profiles on the AAW website, and a discount on advertising with the AAW.