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Christmas/Holiday Party has been CANCELED DUE TO POWER OUTAGE
I just got a call from our facility management at WSU and the DF Allmendinger Center is out of power and they will not be able to restore power in time for us today. I am not sure if we can reschedule for another day. I wanted to make sure to get the word out immediately.
Happy Holidays to you all!
Kathy Garlick
December Membership Meeting
December: Annual Christmas Party for the family
Here are the details:
• Potluck food assignments by last name
o A—I: Main Dish
o J—P: Salad/Side Dish
o Q—Z: Dessert
• Gift Exchange: Does not have to be a turned piece, but exchanging wood turned items is okay. No gag gifts, please. (“My favorite wood turned piece in my home isn’t something I turned.” ~Pat McCart)
• General Raffle Tickets given 1 per membership
• Help tin ticket raffle for prizes. If you have not filled out your ticket for helping this year, please make sure you get your name in the tin.
• Pick up your 2026 meeting schedule.
• Bring your BEST TURNED Piece for 2025 to show. All Skill levels encouraged to bring your best work this year. Item must be started and completed in 2025.
• If you are brand new to turning or are a first year member with the SPSW, we encourage you to come and participate, let me know who you are because we have something just for you.
2026 Officers and Board Members
At our November 20th membership meeting the following people were elected to serve on the Board of Directors for 2026.
President: 
Kathy Garlick
Vice President: 
Ed White
Secretary: 
Mark Gilbert
Treasurer: Pam Parson
Newsletter: 
Suzette Edwards
Membership: 
Brandi Lowrance
Webmaster: 
Tim Spaulding
Store Sales: 
John Howard
Industry Coordinator/Outreach: 
Ethan Green
AV/Technology: 
Ramon Lyn
Mentorship: 
Michael Poirer
Wood Rats: 
Devin Garlick
AAW Liaison: 
Kent Horton
At Large: 
Pat McCart
At Large: 
Jim Higgins
November Membership Meeting
After using that new bowl gouge, spindle gouge, skew or negative rake scraper for your latest project you may have noticed that the shavings no longer curl off the edge. Maybe you notice the shavings are somewhat dusty, or the surface finish is a bit fuzzy in places. Looking closer you find that dreaded wood disease, tear-out-itis.
In the beginning, sharpening is a mystery for all of us turners. For some, it remains a mystery for much longer than need be. Learning to sharpen your tools is as critical as learning to ride the bevel.
Fortunately for South Puget Sound Woodturners members who attend our November meeting, our own Director of Mentoring, Mike Poirier, will be on stage to de-mystify sharpening. He will fill the evening with information and key insights on different sharpening systems, jigs and techniques. He will show how he uses these tools to produce a sharp edge. Bring your questions.
