Dale Gooch taught himself to carve when he was a little boy. The Granite Falls resident whittled away at wood for years and now, in retirement, helps to teach those who are interested in learning about knots and grain.
Gooch is a member of the Quilceda Carvers, a local group that meets once a month to learn about carving and teach others who want to learn.
“We have about 10 or 15 classes that are taught weekly to different groups,” Gooch said.
Most people attending are retired. Younger students can look forward to an evening class in the near future. Some of the classes are free.
“Most of the people that join love it and get pretty interested in it,” Gooch said. “Next thing you know, they are expert carvers.”
The Quilceda Carvers is dedicated to helping other groups in the community by offering classes to children at Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett and free instruction at Everett Sorticulture in June.
“We are trying to talk with parents and make them aware of something that’s not computer games,” president Marvin Nehring said.
Group members go to local schools and demonstrate at wood festivals and fairgrounds. Students at schools and at 4-H clubs enjoy the instruction.
Kids say, “Gee, it was just like sitting down and talking with my grandparents,” Nehring said.
As well as giving some free classes, Quilceda Carvers recently decided that it would donate to local food banks as well as give free classes. The group asked its members to bring canned goods to the monthly meeting for the Marysville Food Bank. They have collected and donated almost 78 pounds of food.
Club treasurer Laura Fraser has been involved with Quilceda Carvers since 1996 when she took a class at a senior center and found that the teacher was a member of the group.
“I started to show up,” Fraser said. “Now I can’t get away from it. Not that I want to.”
Fraser also teaches classes to people at senior centers. Using a sample block of wood, Fraser will instruct students on working with the grain of the wood.
“It’s a little different from peeling your vegetables,” Fraser said.
Christina Harper: 425-339-3491, harper@heraldnet.com.
Join the Quilceda Carvers
Quilceda Carvers meets from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the fourth Saturday of the month in the Red Barn at Jennings Park, 6915 Armar Road, Marysville. Carving classes are from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by a potluck and meeting.
Bring your tools and projects — and nonperishable food items to support local food banks.
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