1 • Wednesday, August 9, 2017 - The Scoop Today/Shopper’s Guide
Serving the communities in Jo Daviess County
the
Scoop Today
VOL. 83 • NO. 32
• Car Accidents
LAW OFFICES OF
Rosenberg, Eisenberg • Slip / Trip & Fall & Associates, LLC • Medical Malpractice
Personal Injury • Wrongful Death Workers Compensation Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect • Personal Injury No Charge Unless Recovery is Made
• Job Accidents • Product Injuries
E. North Ave. 815-947-3445 841 Hwy 20 East Stockton, IL WWW.RICHARDROSENBERGLAW.COM
YOUR FREE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER
220357
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2017
Scales Mound couple creates art with wood By John Day
CORRESPONDENT
Just outside of Scales Mound, on Veta Grande Road, is Knotty Ideas which is a wood working shop and studio. Situated on a 370 acre farm is a country cabin that is a showroom for the crafts created by Mike and Beth Walter. When you step through the front door of the cabin, the first thing that grabs your attention is the shiny floor made of several different woods. The wide floor boards made of walnut, oak and other woods, stained with different colors to set a warm and inviting tone. The 24 by 40 foot room is filled with custom made wooden pieces that range from plaques, to wall hangings, sculptures of eagles, bears, angels, furniture and any number of other items. In the basement below is the work room where, sanders, scroll saws, drill presses and chain saws are spread out and surrounded by stacks of bare wood. Mike and Beth Walter have been here for 40 years. Originally dairy farmers, they now raise beef cattle as well as growing corn, beans and hay. Forty acres of the Walter farm is woodland and it is from this for-
est that Mike harvest trees to have the materials that he Beth use for their creations. For more than 30 years they have pursued their passion which is wood working. Mike had built the current show room and shop in 2010. Mike likes the beauty and texture of walnut but harvests a considerable amount of oak as that seems to be a customer favorite for furniture, wall hangings and anything else. There are many clocks on display for which Mike has made cases of different woods. A considerable number of the clocks rest in ornate, scroll saw cut cases. The scroll saw cutting and designs can make a person think of the patterns similar to lace. In somewhat of an unexpected turn about in roles, it is Mike that does the precision scroll saw work while Beth picks up a chain saw to carve the horse head shaped arms for a roughhewn bench or a five foot angel with wings. Beth said, “While chain saw carvings of bears and eagles are always popular with buyers, an interest in owls seems to be on the rise.” Mike said, “Another big selling item is the Military medallions we make. We never know who may
come in and we never know what it is that catches their eye.” In a far corner of the showroom is a working foot pedal powered scroll saw that Mike had designed and built out of wood. All of the gears, pedals, pulleys, framing and so forth were cut, carved and assembled from pieces of oak. Mike said, “It certainly is one of a kind.” Mike demonstrated the process of affixing a paper design pattern to a slab of wood, tracing the image and then beginning the scroll saw process. One hole is drilled into the wood, the flexible scroll saw blade is threaded through the hole and reattached. Then the exacting process of maneuvering the blade along the patterns image begins. Mike and Beth set up sales displays at a number of craft shows each year in addition to having the showroom open seven days a week. Beth said, “If we’re home, the shop is open even if we have to come down from the house, but we suggest that people do call to be sure that we’ll be here, especially if they coming from a distance. Knotty Ideas is located at 8822 N. Veta Grande Road near Scales Mound. For hours and directions call 815-845-2491.
Planets, meteors and constellations night sky viewing event Aug. 12 1679 N Blackjack Road, Galena. For more information, please go to www.jdcf.org or www.planets.org. Horseshoe Mound Preserve is the eighth highest point in Jo Daviess County and offers spectacular views of the tristate area from three different vantage points. The site is owned and stewarded by JDCF, a local non-profit whose mission is to preserve land for the lasting well-being of people and wildlife. JDCF owns several beautiful and unique preserves that are open to the public for hiking, wildlife viewing, and picnicking. The Planetary Studies Founda-
tion’s mission is to promote the study of planetary science and astronomy with emphasis on meteorites; and to sponsor, encourage, and assist in the physical, astronomical, environmental, and cultural sciences so as to broaden JOHN DAY PHOTO The Scoop Today man’s knowledge of all phases of Knotty Ideas co-owner Mike Walter demonstrates his skills working the universe. with a scroll saw that he made completely of wood.
SLOW COMPUTER? Tired of . . . Viruses,
Call Mary B for computer repair and tutoring.
Trojans,
I WILL TEACH YOU!
Worms?
Very Reasonable Rates!
815-947-3036
230396
PR SRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ROCK VALLEY PUBLISHINGLLC
Join the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation and the Planetary Studies Foundation Saturday, Aug. 12, from 7–11 p.m. to catch a glimpse of the Perseid meteor shower from atop Horseshoe Mound. Enjoy family-friendly activities and learn about meteors and the upcoming Great American Total Solar Eclipse before the sunset ushers in the celestial show! The event will be cancelled if it is raining, so please check jdcf. org or the JDCF Facebook page for updates. The event is free and RSVP’s are not required. Horseshoe Mound Preserve is located at
Postal Customer **ecrwss