May Meeting 2026

 Stones River Woodworkers Club Members,

On Tuesday May 26th, we will have our regular meeting at St. Marks United Methodist Church in our usual room; 1267 N. Rutherford Blvd. Murfreesboro, TN.  The doors open at 6 PM. If you are bringing a woodworking project to Show & Tell, be sure to fill out one of the 3”X5” cards on the S&T tables with your name and project description. 

6 to 6:30 PM is set aside for members to view the Show & Tell projects and ask questions about our members' Show & Tell projects. The formal meeting will start at 6:30 PM.

From Vice President Jason Moore:

Our Stones River Woodworkers Club May 2026 Presenters, Robyn Barber and William Lester, from Chestnut Grove Studios, Santa Fe, Tennessee https://www.chestnutgrovestudios.com/ I invite you to check out their web site.

They live in a tiny house they built themselves. William is a Luthier, hand-crafting banjos and dulcimers from his collection of locally sourced wood that he has acquired over the last 20+ years. Robyn is a Visual Artist and adult Art Workshop Facilitator working in acrylics, watercolor, and mixed media. They call their self-built workshop that sits on Chestnut Ridge in Santa Fe, Tennessee, "Chestnut Grove Studios."

Below are some pictures and information about Robyn and William for you to review before the meeting. If the info or pictures do not open for you, I have attached the info in a Word doc and PDF file as well.

Robyn: I was born in the heart of East Tennessee and moved to Middle Tennessee after graduating from The University of Tennessee (#VFL – Volunteers for Life) with a degree in Mathematics, Computer Science and Accounting. I worked as a computer programmer for over 30 years. After a "forced retirement" I spent the next 2 years building our studios and tiny house with my husband. I have spent the last 5 years teaching and painting art.

William: I was born in Macon, Georgia but grew up in Middle Tennessee. After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in Architecture, I worked primarily in commercial Architecture for over 30 years before designing and building our studios and tiny house on our small farm outside of Nashville. I spend my days creating sawdust while building custom designed banjos and dulcimers.

Attached below are some pictures and information about Robyn and William for you to review before the meeting. I have attached the info in a Word doc and PDF file as well.

Cheers,

Lou Ferraro, Newsletter Editor

“I’d rather spend half an hour in the company of a top carpenter, than three hours in the company of an average brain surgeon.” – Winston Churchill

 

March 2026 Meeting

 1

Stones River Woodworkers Club
Monthly Meeting Minutes – April 28, 2026

Attendance: 31

Speaker: Travis Curtis 

Subject: Chair Making, Particularly Windsor Chairs.

1.Meeting called to order at 6:33 by President Sam Clark.

2.Pledge of Allegiance.

3.Visitors: There were 4 guests at this meeting.

a. George Wilson

b. Mike Wilson

c. Russ Davis – (2nd consecutive month to visit)

d. Tim Walker

4.Sam stated that we will finalize the membership list tonight with 

the paid members as of the end of April of each year.

a. This will affect the ability to receive a discount from selected 

vendors, and to insure receipt of membership 

communications going forward.

i. Members not paid up were urged to speak with Club 

treasurer, Larry Counts to keep their membership 

current.

5.Sam mentioned that we are continuing to make wig stands for the 

immediate future for donation to the local breast cancer support 

organization.

a. Sam also offered up a class on turning wig stands to be held 

at his shop.

i. It will be a 1 day class taught on 3 separate days to be 

determined

1. Most likely the classes will be on a Thursday, 

Friday, and Saturday.

2

b. Wig Stand Specs are as follows:

i. The stands should have a 6” base and a 5” domed top.

ii. The spindle between the base and the top should be 

between 12” and 14” long.

iii. The base may or may not have some recesses to hold 

pins and other accessories.

iv. The stands must be finished or painted.

c. The specs will be published on our web page and Facebook 

page.

6.Sam asked for volunteers to teach classes.

a. The classes can be on a show-and-tell item, or any particular 

skill that you can teach.

b. The Club will support you in any way possible.

7.Sam also asked for volunteers and passed around a sign-up sheet 

for hosting a Shop-Tour of SRWC members.

8.Marv Miller announced a yard sale/tool sale at his home on 

Garrison Drive.

a. The sale will take place this Saturday, May 2nd

. 

i. The rain-out date will be May 16th

.

9.Robert Woolfork announced that Canonsburgh is looking for 

someone to rebuild some stairs that enter and exit one of the 

train caboose’s that are on the property.

a. Let Robert know if you are interested in the job.

10.Show-and-Tell:

a. Max Lastfogle Hollow-form vases and a unique, turned 

sting ray box with lid.

b. Jason Moore: Offset leg and spindle plant stand, plus 

Board/winged bowls.

c. Gene Casto Wig stand

3

d. Alex Marshall Limited edition shaving set with soap, razor, 

brush and bowl, with a canon display stand and historic 

literature about the Battle of Sugar Creek.

e. Mary Nichols Palm Frond basket and ska made of palm 

fronds, from one of her recent visit to Egypt. 

f. Linda James Shop Notes, 1 to 138 - #19 is missing; 

American Woodworker Magazines, Issues 3 to 149. Plus, a 

hand drawn detailed blueprint for a “Three-Jaw Vise” with 

Construction Notes – very old and collectable or could be 

framed and mounted on a wall. All items are free – Call 

Linda James at 615-631-6379.

g. Sam Clarke Hollow form vases.

11.Sam announced that we would be meeting informally next 

Tuesday at Hardee’s on Old Fort Blvd, near Sam’s Club, at 9:00 

am, as we do on the first Tuesday of each month.

12.Jason Moore introduced our speaker, Travis Curtis at 7:12 pm.

a. Travis will be speaking on his experiences building Windsor 

style chairs.

b. A Windsor chair can be identified by the fact that all 

components, (legs, back spindles, etc.), originate with, and 

are connected to, the seat.

c. Some chairs have cane weaving for the seat.

i. Paper rolls are faster.

ii. Rush is harder to use.

d. All chairs have 4-7 coats of milk paint.

i. The paint is applied with a sponge.

13.The meeting adjourned at 7:54pm.

February Meeting 2026

 nes River Woodworkers Club

Monthly Meeting Minutes – February 24, 2026

Attendance: 51

Speaker: Molly Brooks

Subject: Photographing Your Work.

1. Meeting called to order by Club President, Sam Clark, at 6:40 pm.

a. Pledge of Allegiance.

2. Sam mentioned that dues for 2026 are due and payable to Larry Counts, the Club treasurer.

3. Sam will be submitting paid club members to Rockler and Klingspor for Club discounts this week.

4. Pass-around sign-up sheets were distributed for members to list their “Wish List” for future classes and monthly-meeting programs.

5. Visitors: There were 2 visitors at this meeting.

a. Dee Dee Kisor

b. Lisa Powers

6. Jeanne Altstatt mentioned that she had brought some wood scraps to give away.

a. Jeanne also brought some free glue cups to give away.

7. Sam mentioned that Logan Hickerson wants to sell many of his power tools.

a. Logan’s contact information will be made available for folks who want to reach out to him.

i. Logan’s Phone number is 615-896-0919.

8. Gregg Peay spoke about the Homer Pittard Campus School Art class/Beta Club members who spent their own time after school and during recess hours to paint some of the wig stands that had been submitted at our November meeting.

9. Sam mentioned that there was an Elm tree on the ground if someone wanted to get some free wood.

a. It’s a large log and will require some effort to recover some of the hardwood.

b. The address is 110 Dellrose Drive in Nashville.

c. The owners name is Paulette Belcher.

i. Her number is 615-512-7106.

10. Gordon Bell still has some free wood from the Holly tree that fell in his yard.

11. Show and Tell:

a. Bob Musgrove Rosewood bottle openers.

b. Robert Woolfolk Embroidery spool, Wigstand.

c. Glenn Littlepage Several Wigstands.

d. Max Lastfogle Off-center bowl, Finial box, Vases.

e. Barry Meier Scroll saw Flying Pig automata.

f. Chris Barton Moxon vise.

g. John Bell Carved spoon.

h. Jeanne Altstatt Wigstand, Carosel Music box with Scroll saw horses, Automata scroll saw man.

i. Marvin Miller Post Office Box bank, custom box for cole jaws.

j. Jason Moore Ash vases, dyed black and bleached, Purple heart threaded insert.

k. Jeff Harvey Bud vases.

l. Dee Dee Kisor/Mike Borgstrom Mike made a wigstand and Dee Dee painted it wih plants and a dragonfly.

m. Glenn Kilgore Wigstands

n. Gregg Peay Chestnut chests and 2 magic wands.

12. Jason Moore introduced our speaker for the evening at 7:19.

13. Molly Brooks spoke on how to optimize and improve the images that we take of our woodworking projects.

a. The goal of better images is to improve presentation and increase traffic on the various outlets where we may offer our products for sale.

b. Molly is an industrial designer.

c. Two of the most important components when taking pictures of your work are:

i. Lighting

ii. Composition

d. There should be not harsh edges in the background.

e. Aim artificial lighting at the backdrop so that it reflects onto the subject.

14. After Molly wrapped up her presentation with a question and answer session, Sam mentioned that our regular informal breakfast is scheduled for the first Tuesday of each month at the Hardees on Franklin Rd near the Sam’s store.

a. That meeting is scheduled for March 3rd at 9:00 am.

15. Meeting adjourned at 8:06pm

JANUARY MEETING CANCELLED

 January meeting is cancelled due to the weather.

NEXT MEETING IS FEBRUARY 24

December newsletter

 Stones River Woodworkers Club Members,

Attached are the pictures of the Show and Tell from November's meeting.

In addition, this is a reminder of our Christmas luncheon on Saturday, December 13th.  We will be in our regular meeting room at St. Marks United Methodist Church in our usual room; 1267 N. Rutherford Blvd. Murfreesboro, TN.

Set up for the Luncheon will be at 10:30 to 11:30 AM and lunch will be served at 12 Noon.

As usual this is a "Pot Luck" meal.  The Club will provide the meat, drinks, and tableware. Members are asked to bring their favorite side dish or dessert.

Jeanne Altstatt asks for us to bring can or boxed food items to donate to a local food distribution Food Bank for those in need.

Hope to see everyone there for a great meal and fellowship.

Lou Ferraro SRWC Editor

May your days be Merry and Bright

https://docs.google.com/document/d/14UXQ42isYbV9XaOMpoCslUcaVzaTyPDCjOzJSnqqZXs/edit?usp=sharing

November Newsletter

 Stones River Woodworkers Club Members,

Don’t forget that our meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday, 25 November 2025. We will meet at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in our usual room; 1267 N. Rutherford Blvd. Murfreesboro, TN.  The doors open at 6 PM. From 6 to 6:30 is a good time for checking out the Show & Tell projects and asking questions from our Show & Tell members about their woodworking project.  There will be place cards available on the Show & Tell table for members with projects to display to Print their Name and a few words to describe their project. This will help to provide better information for everyone when the Show & Tell pictures are sent out.

The meeting’s briefing will start at 6:30 PM.

The November Meeting Presenter

This month we are going to be able to get a course on all you want to know about woodworking dust collection from our SRWC President Sam Clark. His knowledge and experience in woodworking sales and as an experienced woodworker will make this a briefing you will want to take notes about.

From our Treasurer – Larry Counts

I want to thank all members that have renewed their membership during the October meeting.  It was a nice effort and greatly appreciated.  We want to encourage all remaining members to renew their yearly $25 membership dues at the November meeting. This will help to provide the SRWC Executive Committee with the information they need to produce budgets and make plans for the upcoming year.

Again, thank you so much for your commitment to the SRWC.

From Mike Warren: SMOKED THANKSGIVING TURKEY

Boy Scout Troop 398 is smoking turkeys again for Thanksgiving to help fund our sailing high adventure trip to Seabase in the Florida Keys this coming summer.

We will take orders for boneless cherry wood smoked turkey breasts or whole turkeys to be picked up (still warm out of the smoker) Wednesday, Nov. 26 (or Tuesday for woodworkers) in time for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday, Nov. 27. 

For your Thanksgiving celebration: Our boneless turkey breasts are actually three breast filets (it often called the “filet mignon” of poultry). We sell half or whole boneless breasts. There will be no sliced pounds, sides or sauce offered. Our smoked turkey will keep well if frozen for 6 months or more, so order extra.  

You can place your order by emailing Scoutmaster Mike Warren at mike11345@aol.com

All orders need to be turned in by Thursday, November 20.

Options:

a.     A boneless (half) breast (averages 3-4 pounds and yields ten 4-ounce servings) sells for $45.00.

b.    A whole breast or 2 half breasts (averages 5-6 pounds and yields twenty 4-ounce servings) sells for $85.00.

c.     A whole turkey (legs & all) averages 7-9 lbs. after smoking and sells for $50.00.

Orders will be ready for pick-up at the Eagle’s Nest behind St. Mark’s UMC after the club meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 25 or from 4 to 7 PM on Wednesday, November 26.

Pay when you pick up your order. Cash or check to “BSA Troop 398”.

____________________________________________________

See you next Tuesday.

Lou Ferraro, Newsletter Editor

"I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual." – Henry David Thoreau

Webpage change

 Due to accounting issues we have removed Paypal payment option from the webpage.  Membership dues for 2026 may be paid by cash or check at the next meeting or mailed to Larry Counts at 3115 Field Rd, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. 2026 dues must be paid by Feb.28, 2026 to be included in club discount programs.

August Meeting

 

Stones River Woodworkers Club

Monthly Meeting Minutes – August 26, 2025

Attendance: 40, (including the speaker)

Speaker: Matthew Vick

Subject: Chair Making

 

1.    President Sam Clark called the meeting to order at 6:36 and led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance.

2.    Visitors:  Bob Miller – Enjoys wood carving

3.    Nashville Fair:

a.    We have a booth for the upcoming fair starting on September 5^th and continuing through September 14^th.

b.    Mike and Ginger Fondren are in attendance and available to answer any questions about the fair and the process for volunteers.

c.     A signup sheet for volunteers was passed around.

d.    You get a parking pass and free admission to the fair for volunteering.

e.    Tables and chairs are available in our booth.

f.      Robert Woolfolk and Sam Clark will be there to set up on Friday night.

g.    Jeanne Altstatt will set up and do scroll-saw demonstrations.

4.    Classes:

a.    Volunteers are needed to teach classes and share our knowledge and skills.

b.    Teach others how to create a project that you have previously completed.

c.     It can be something from a past Show-and-Tell, or something that you have personally gained skills and knowledge in.

d.    The club will assist in any way possible.

 

5.    Show-and-Tell:

a.    Alex Marshall               Shaving Brush with sentimental value for the veteran recipient.

b.    Gregg Peay                   Segmented Bowl from the class taught by Gene Casto.

c.     Glenn Littlepage          Wooden Jars.

d.    Ken Hodges                  Domino set made from Costa Rican Ironwood.

e.    Marvin Miller              Fluted irrigation handle

f.      Mike Hargrove            Komiko Japanese art and scroll saw, dinosaur skeleton/puzzle also made on the scroll saw.

g.     Terri Goodrich             Bowl turned by Doug Pelren that was made from Mulberry tree in her yard

h.    Max Lastfogel              Segmented bowl, also from Gene’s class

i.       Barry Maier                 Scroll saw figures, a miniature porch swing, Cell phone stands all made on his scroll saw

j.       John Bell                       Turned Salt and Pepper mills, scroll saw ornaments

k.     Bob Miller                    (Visitor) Wood carving of a tree that he is working on

l.       Sam Clark                     Maple tissue box holder with walnut splines

6.    Gregg Peay talked about an email scam that has been plaguing the club over the past few weeks.

a.    Apparently someone found our newsletter or meeting minutes online and sent emails to all of the club officers other than the president, Sam Clark, and the treasurer, Larry Counts.

b.    The email appeared to be from Sam Clark, and it asked each of us individually if we could use a personal Venmo or Paypal account to pay an outstanding invoice for about $1,000.00.  The email stated that the club did not have those types of accounts, and if we would pay the bill, Larry would write us a check to compensate us for the expenditure.

c.     Mary soon discovered that it was a phishing scam and warned the rest of us before any damage was done.

d.    I, (Gregg Peay), have personally received 3 more similar emails, all showing that they are from “Sam Clark”, and each with a different email address, (that is not Sam’s actual email address), and with a different domain name.

e.    Be aware that the Club will never ask anyone to pay any bills in this manner or over email.

7.    Jason Moore introduced our guest speaker for the evening: Matthew Vick who spoke to us about his journey in learning chair-making and building and creating custom chairs and famous reproductions of chair-makers.

a.    Matthew learned wood-turning in high school and fell in love with the art and creativity that it brought out in him.

b.    Matthew is fond of recreating stylish chairs from the 1940’s through the 1960’s, often originally produced by renowned artists and craftsmen.

c.     Matthew stressed two essential rules that he always follows:

                                                             i.      Joinery first, always.  A strong, beautiful joint is essential.

                                                          ii.      Short Grain will get you Keep all joints at least 2 inches from the end of the member in order to keep the joint from failing.

d.    Wedged tenons provide the strongest joints.

8. The next regular meeting will be on September 24^th.

9.    The informal monthly breakfast meeting at Hardees on Old Fort Parkway will be next Tuesday, September 2^nd, at 9:00 am.

10.  Meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm.