That's Charlie !

[Tom]

Second from the right
Written up in WoodMagazines Newsletter.
Is that your TimberBuyers hat, Charlie?

http://www.woodmagazine.com/newsletter/12-15-01.html
 
 

 
Last March, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, 10 woodturners set out to found the Coulee Region Woodturners Club. Since, it's grown to 40! This fall, the club thought it would be challenging—as well as great fun—to see what they could turn for the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots campaign. So what kind of spin did they put on it? More than 200 toys that included large and small cars, tops, rolling pins, mini-baseball bats, ball-and-cup tosses, cribbage boards, and climbing bears, as shown right. Many thanks to Duane Hill, club president, for sharing this inspiration.
 
 

[Jeff]

At a boy Charlie!

[CHARLIE]

Geeeeez I didn't know the article would make the Forum!
I chose to make tops. I glued up blocks of contrasting woods (walnut, maple, oak and cherry) and when I turned the wood into tops I got the most interesting patterns. The tops I made were about 3" high and 2" in diameter at the widest part and they had a spindle at the top. Then I made a launcher (2" X 3" X 3/4" piece of oak with some holes drilled in it for the top spindle and a hole to wind the string. Then put on a turned handle. The launcher makes it simple for almost any child to spin the top. I made 12 tops and figured it took about 1 1/2 hours per top from start to finish.

I feel real good about being able to make something that just might bring some joy to child.

[Gordon]

Now that is cool Charlie, I can now say that I know someone famous. Great you took the time to make the tops. Makes ya feel good to give doesn't it.

keep up the good work

I posted the stuffing recipe
just in time for Christmas dinner
Gordon