Ocean Hills
Woodchucks Club
2014 News Letters
John Manning
April 2014
Sixteen years ago after being removed from the clubhouse, the woodshop was moved to the maintenance building in a little space behind the toilet used by fifty workers from O’ Connell or anybody else who happened to come along. On top of that, the toilet leaked into the shop and we could not get it water tight for some reason or other. A life preserver was hung on the wall with the caption under it saying ”to be used in case of flood”. This did the trick and we have been dry ever since.
John Manning was our speaker at the last meeting and everybody was amazed at his skill at making puzzles. We all agreed that his patience for this craft was not easy and took a lot of skill. Heads were shaking all over the room.
Mike Thornton gave a presentation of the Woodchucks up and coming web sight. Boy did we look good. He asks that if there is any suggestions, just give him a call and discuss your ideas or concerns.
One third of the year has already passed so it is time to get serious about making toys for the Camp Pendleton Marine children. All sorts of patterns have been put on display in the paint room. People who have signed up to help will be called as they are needed. If you want to give it a try and cut out some toys, just see Murph Haugen, Bob Allen, Bob Mellman at the shop.
Please do not go behind the table saw if it is being used. Tape has been put on the floor as a reminder.Always lift the release handle on the table saw fence when you are finished. This helps keep the fence in good working order. As always check to see if it is aligned properly before using. Remember to measure twice before cutting. The next meeting will be on June 12. The meeting should be very interesting and the snacking is always the way to go. Keep the cans and plastic bottles coming and support your club.
WOODCHUCKS June 2014
Believe it or not, it is almost the middle of the year so it is also the time for some reminders concerning the shop. There are over a 100 members and, thank goodness, they all do not use the woodshop at once. If only three people use the shop at the same time, it becomes a little crowded. This leads to our reminders concerning doing work and cooperating with other members. Keep your work concentrated in one spot. Do not spread yourself all over the place. The shop is not your garage. Remember, if you cause somebody to injure themselves, you are responsible. The other subject is handling equipment and where is the proper place to work on your project. The equipment is handled by many. Check it out before using and do not abuse anything so all can enjoy the shop. There are two large worktables in the middle for your pleasure. If you scratch or gouge either one of them, so be it. That is why they are there. Do not glue, sand, or paint on any other surface. If you wish to hand paint or glue your project together, there is a nice big table in the backroom or out in back of the shop. The woodshop is now 16 years old. It has taken a lot of work by a lot of people to get it to the place it is now. Take care of what you now have.
A new wireless smoke alarm has been installed in the vacuum shed outside the building. If a fire starts there, a loud alarm will sound in the shop and a voice will announce fire in no uncertain terms. Press the panic button and exit quickly. The alarm was donated by Alan Maslowski. Thank you.
At the present time, there is no word about increasing the parking back to where it was before. O’Connell landscapers have lunch at 11:30 am. They come in about 2:30 pm to go home at 3 pm. You may not find a parking space at these times.
Be sure to bring water for yourself when working. You do not want to get dehydrated.
We will be in charge of the flea market in September. Now is a good time to box things you no longer need for our table. Last year we did very well.
Please keep the plastic and aluminum cans coming to the blue containers on the right of the homeowner’s office driveway.
There are only a couple of hundred days left in the year with a lot of Christmas toys to make and paint still pending. If you cannot help a lot, try and help a little.
Thanks for listening.
WOODCHUCKS July 2014
The members who did not attend the June 12 meeting really missed one of the best programs that the Woodchucks had for the members.
Reza Nemovi (rnemovi@gmail.com ) fascinated all with his $12,000 heli platform. His beautiful $2,000 standard helicopter and his quad (4 bladed) heli platform) plus videos and a demonstration outside. All in all, this was a great program. The member should remember that there are only five meetings a year. Your support is essential to make the people who put on the programs want to work to please you. Showing up for a couple of hours once in a while should not be a big deal. Once again, the Woodchucks are in charge of the Flea Market on Saturday, September 27. More info to come. It’s a good time to start clearing out your garage for the Woodchucks table. We will also need volunteers.
Christmas toys are starting to get into high gear. We need some people to start putting on the prime coat of paint. Please call Bob Allen, Murph Haugen or Bob Mellman.
Keep up the good work with the aluminum cans and #1 clear plastic bottles. Please note that light weight steel cans with ribs are not aluminum. We cannot use them. If you are not sure if a can is aluminum, try a magnet. If it sticks to a can, it is steel and not aluminum.
Our next meeting is in the second week in October. The Highway Patrol will be a great subject for you to learn about and along with the men who do this dangerous job.
WOODCHUCKS September 2014
How did September get here so fast? I guess that when you keep busy and have a deadline to meet like with the Christmas toys, time just speeds by faster than Thursday to Thursday, if you get what we mean.
Toys are being made at a brisk clip in spite of the heat. Woodchucks do not let anything get in their way when it is for the kids at Camp Pendleton.
If you feel like helping, give Robert Haugen a call at 760-216-6865 or give the shop a call at 760-758-6234, usually after lunch, to see if there is anyone there to talk to you.
Mike Thornton has been doing a great job on our website. Take a look and suggestions for new material are always welcome.
The flea market at the Clubhouse is on September 27 and we will have plenty of room to make your garage emptier and raise money for toys.
There are a couple of thing to remember about woodworking. 1) All woodworkers make mistakes. Most people will not notice them if you do not say anything. 2) Remember that at our age woodworking is a great hobby and since it is a hobby, you do not have to be perfect. Just enjoy yourself and, if you need help, just ask another member who may know the answer.
Our next meeting will be in October. You will get all the info in plenty of time.
Please remember to recycle the aluminum cans and #1 plastic bottles for our most worthy cause.
WOODCHUCKS November 2014
The great part of the Woodchucks is that there is usually never a dull moment. There is always something going on or happening or going to happen or try to make something good happen. Sometimes it takes years to accomplish but patience is always virtuous if you stay around long enough,Officers for next year were nominated at the October meeting. They were as follows: Murph Haugen President; Bob Nelke, Vice President; Ron Gagnon, Treasurer; Dick Cook, Secretary and Bob Allen, Master at Arms. Everybody at the meeting approved the selection.Discussions were held about the things to come next year and where we wanted to go. They were very informative and it should be a great year with most of the pressures behind so wecan go forward better and faster.Larry Bowers had a great display of part of his collection of all wood cars and trucks.It is hoped that the recycling takes a big jump for the rest of the year. Prices on everything have risen so please rise to the occasion.All in all, if you missed the meeting, that was too bad. The meeting was great, the show was great, the food was great, and the door prizes were great. There are only six meetings a year for a couple of hours. It is important for you to support your Club.The Christmas toy drive will be well under way by the time you read this article. Spread the word about the Marine families need for toys. Let’s get the Clubhouse really filled up this year.
WOODCHUCKS December 2014
Where oh where did the time go? The members started making toys for Pendleton last February and here it is December. The Board wants to thank all the guys and gals that pitched in to make and paint toys. You will be thanked publicly in the next article.
There are a lot of families to be taken care of at Pendleton with toys for the kids. This will be the seventh year that OHCC has made a difference to a lot of Marine families having a wonderful Christmas. If you did not make any toys at the shop, make a trip to the store. We want to fill Abravanel Hall with loads of holiday cheer. Tell your friends also to help.
The next meeting will be on Thursday, December 11 at 3 pm in the Ladies Club Room. Come at 2:30 pm and snack till your heart is content.
We will install the officers of the Club and tell about the programs plus our speaker will be Steve Malone who is a retired Highway Officer. Come and learn about the tickets you got and the terrible things you did when you were younger. He should be very, very interesting.
Do Dues Day is Saturday, January 3 at which time you will have to re-register. This procedure is required by the CC&R’s in keeping with the safety of the members.
The Woodchuck display at the Miniature Museum in Business Park was replenished with new items. If you have not been there, you are missing something unbelievable that is even free to see. There are brochures on the bulletin board at the shop. This place is unreal and it is only ten minutes away. Call first for open times.
Let us all make this a great Christmas at Pendleton for the kids. They deserve our support, so let’s give it to them.
Support your Club and come to the meeting on December 11. Try it. You may like it.