WOW Recognizes Its Veterans

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WOW Veterans (l to R) gene Getz, US Navy; Jim Sparling, US Air Force; Mike Scott, US Marines; Ron Holtz, US ARMY; Skip Porter, US Navy. Not pictured: Charles Nichols, US Air Force; Al Winberg, US Navy.

The Woodworkers of Whittier have a lot to be proud of. From our toy project, Founder’s Day, building Cheer Boxes, and other community projects.

One thing that gives us significant pride is our Veterans. The club currently has 7 members who have served in the various branches of the military. See photo above.

To WOW members and others who have and are currently serving, we are forever grateful for your service. Thank you to all of our veterans for your courage and sacrifice.

Thank you for your service.

Do You Need a Chop Saw to Round Out Your Set of Tools?

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WOW is selling a Rigid Chop Saw with stand that was donated by a friend of Dick Toney.

The saw is in good shape and the stand is a commercial grade stand. The club is asking $125.00.

We wanted the club to have first crack at the saw before we explore other options to sell it. Please let Paul Wilson (gatorwilson68@gmail.com) know if you are interested. You can make arrangements to meet and see the chop saw.

The saw is at Hathaway Ranch and Oil Museum where WOW makes wooden blocks for kids from recycled wood. If you would like to have a look at the saw, contact Paul at the email above and meet us at Hathaway Ranch most Monday mornings from 9am - 11am.

"Keep the saw in the log!"

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NOTE: All text for this entry is from a newsletter published by to La Habra Heights Communications Department. Photos by Arie Korporaal.

That’s Stan Quade’s motto. At age 92 he has sawed plenty of logs—and he’s still at it in his workshop at his home in La Habra Heights, where he’s lived for 47 years.

On June 8 of this year, club members from the Woodworkers of Whittier met at Stan’s home to see some of his handiwork. What they saw was not only the output of a highly skilled woodworker, but also creations of a consummate artist and craftsman.

Stan rebuilt this pavillion last year at the age of 91!
Photo by Arie Korporaal

Standing around a beautiful pavilion that Stan built in the middle of his orange grove, club members listened as he revealed the secret to his longevity and energy: his motto at the top of this page. “I just keep at it!” he said. “I always have the next project to work on.”

For example, he showed them his decorative new “rural mural” privacy fence that he recently completed (top photo on the next page).

“Wooden Quilt” with Best of Show and First Place ribbons
Photo: Arie Korporaal

An earlier project of which he is particularly proud is his “wooden quilt” headboard that won both a blue ribbon and the “best of show” award at the 2001 Los Angeles County Fair (see next page).

Quilts have been Stan’s inspiration for a number of colorful projects, which isn’t surprising since his wife Elaine, also 92, is a longtime member of the local Friendship Square Quilt Guild.

Stan and Elaine were born two weeks and two blocks apart in Huntington Park, California, in 1931—but they didn't meet until 18 years later. They married in 1953 right after Stan finished his hitch in the U.S. Air Force. The couple then headed for Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington, where Stan earned his degree in physical education—which is another clue to his long life and high energy: he really believes in staying in good shape. He can still fit quite comfortably into his Air Force uniform that he wore when he was 21.

His favorite form of exercise is playing tennis, so when he and Elaine moved to La Habra Heights in 1977, he was determined to build his own tennis court, which he completed in 1980.

The Quade family has enjoyed many hours playing tennis with friends. Stan and his son Eric have competed as a highly successful team in Super Senior National Father Son doubles.

Stan completely redesigned and built the new pavilion overlooking his tennis court just last year—when he was 91!

Perhaps Stan’s best-known work in the Heights is his intricately-carved podium that has been used at our city meetings and events for many years.

Cheer Boxes Project

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What is a Cheer Box you say? One member of Woodworkers of Whittier knew because he had built some for La Serna High School a few years back. Yes, but what is a cheer box?

“Cheer Boxes” are, well, wooden boxes that are used by high school cheerleaders during events like football. The cheerleaders, girls and boys both, stand on the boxes while leading cheers, incorporate the boxes into their routines, and, before and after the game, load their paraphernalia like pom moms, sweaters, and the like.

Dick Toney and Paul Wilson inspect cheer boxes at wow’s shop at hathaway ranch museum before delivery

Woodworkers of Whittier (WOW) were approached by Alyssa Vasquez, Cheer Team Coach, to see if we were interested in building “cheer boxes” for the Whittier High School Cheer Team. Several WOW members met to determine the specifications and then met with the coach. A sample cheer box was built to test the concept and determine the cost.

Box in hand, another meeting with Ms. Vasquez to show the sample and get an approval to begin. The price was right: materials only and labor would be donated by WOW members.

varsity and junior varsity cheer team members pickup their custom-made cheer boxes

Some 29 boxes were built over the course of 2 weeks. WOW set up a production line at Louis Lopez’s home shop and the raw materials were cut to size for all 29 boxes. After cutouts for handles were added the cut materials were brought to Hathaway Ranch Museum where WOW produces toys for children during the year. The boxes were assembled and sanded.

Delivery was made one afternoon after school where cheer team members came to retrieve their custom-made cheer boxes. Team members will paint and decorate the boxes before the first football game in a couple of weeks. When team members complete their boxes we will take pictures of the boxes decorated and in use. Stay tuned.

WOW members participating in the project include Skip Porter, Louis Lopez, Dick Toney, Carlos Jackson, Ray Sosa, Gene Getz, Julie McCamey, Arie Korporaal, Paul Wilson, and student Wyatt Sprowls.

PIH Recognizes WOW's Work

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Paul Wilson, Arie korporaal, dick Toney donate wooden cars to PIH

The Presbyterian Intercommunity Health Volunteer Voice Newsletter for June recognized the Woodworkers of Whittier for its donation to the PIH Health Whittier Hospital Emergency Department. Paul Wilson, Arie Korporaal, and Dick Toney delivered a box of selected handmade wooden toy cars.

This donation is in addition to the more than 20 charities that receive toy building blocks and toy cars annually in December. Building blocks are created from recycled wood provided by the Carpenters Union training center in Buena Park. Wooden cars are hand crafted by members in their home workshops.

The Return of Founders Day

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The second Saturday in May saw the return of Whittier City’s Founder Day celebration. The most recent Founders Day was held in 2019. The celebration was on hold during the pandemic.

As before, the celebration was held in Central Park in Uptown Whittier. The 4-hour affair saw the Woodworkers of Whittier (WOW) with its expansive booth “on the green.” WOW was a sponsor of the event and was recognized as such on a banner stretched across Whittier Boulevard near Mills Avenue.

WOW’s booth featured Steve Romo demonstrating turning a bowl on the lathe. He was joined by Ray Sosa who demonstrated scroll saw work during the celebration. Both members were visited throughout by curious event attendees.

Wooden cars were given to kids, young and old. Some parents made donations, others were thankful for the gift. A number of kids took their undecorated cars over to the Whittier Art Association and Gallery booth where Art Association members helped kids decorate their cars with provided supplies. Visitor donations generated $46 for the club’s coffers.

Louis Lopez joined WOW’s expanded booth and brought custom trivets, cutting boards, and Lazy Susan’s for sale. Louis seemed to be doing a brisk business with his custom-made kitchenware. Carlos Jackson, a former and now current member, and Julie McCamey were seen visiting the WOW booth.

Members taking care of the booth were President Paul Wilson, Dick and Jackie Toney, Louis Lopez, Steve Romo, Ray Sosa, and Treasurer Arie Korporaal. Thanks to all who helped at the booth, stopped by and checked in, and, of course, all our visitors and donors.

Attention! All Things Clay, Glass, Wood & Metal

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Charcuterie by Ray Wolven

The Whittier Art Association and Gallery has an “all call” out for artists to participate in the All Things Clay, Glass, Wood & Metal 3D Show & Sale. The show and sale dates are March 8 to April 1, 2023 at the Whittier Art Gallery.

This is an opportunity to get some of your best works shown and sold. There will be no judging of items shown and awards will not be given. This is an opportunity to sell your works of wood. Several of our members, notably Steve Lelewer and Ramiro Garate, have had or now have several of their items displayed in the gift gallery. You could too.

To participate:

  1. Pay an entry fee of $25 per artist and one item for donation.

  2. Gallery staff will set up and sell your work(s); no limit on number of pieces but everything must be for sale. (Seconds, slightly imperfect or flawed works accepted).

  3. You provide your original works with prices and a Gallery Inventory List to the Gallery at Take-In on Sunday, March 5th between 10 am and 4 pm.

  4. All types of clay, glass, wood, and metal works are accepted.

  5. Gallery commission is only 30%.

  6. For further information or to request a pretake-in packet (which includes the Gallery Inventory List and price stickers), call 562-698-8710 and leave your name, address, and telephone number.

Take In: Sunday, March 5, 10 am to 4 pm.
Show Dates: March 8 to April 1, 2023
Take Out: To be determined
All Things Clay, Glass, Wood & Metal Whittier Art Gallery
8035 Painter Avenue
Whittier, CA 90602