Coaxing sculpted works of art from pieces of wood seems a near impossible feat to the average person and yet to Lebanon area woodcarvers like Stan Kasiske, Ernie Campbell, Vic and Sue Eckmann and Weegee Carley, regulars at the Lebanon-Laclede County Library on Wednesday mornings, it is just another day of fun and camaraderie. They are members of the Lake of the Ozarks Woodcarvers Club that meet in four different locations throughout the area. Members can be found in meetings in Laurie, Camdenton, and Osage Beach as well as Lebanon on a weekly basis.
Wooden spoons of all shapes, sizes and descriptions are one of the favorite carving subjects. Ernie Campbell showed Weegee Carley a variety of woodcarvers’ illustrated guides and catalogs, all of which featured carved spoons on their front covers. He pointed out to her that one needs to finish the interior of the bowl of the spoon last as part of any spoon carving project.
Campbell began carving after retiring from years as serving in maintenance operations in a California college. He and his wife, Pam moved to Missouri after visiting his sister here. He started out carving the wooden portions for a couple of black powder rifles.
For more on this story, see Saturday's LCR.
