The Garden State of New Jersey
The Woodworking Shows split this week and I was on my way to Somerset, New Jersey. This is a venue I’ve been to many times so you’d think I should remember how to get there. This is New Jersey, though, the land of no left turns and some of the most confusing turnpike exits you’ll find anywhere. Even my trusty GPS was saying things like “take exit 10 and stay right, no wait, left then right…recalculating”. You’ve heard the expression, “you can’t get there from here”, in New Jersey you can even see your destination and you still can’t figure out how to get there.
In spite of the near constant vertigo, I made a stop at a monument I’ve wanted to see ever since I heard about it. Located in the Bayonne ship yard, about 15 minutes from Newark Liberty Airport, is a tribute commemorating the tragedy of 911 from the Russian people. Commissioned by Vladimir Putin and designed by artist Zurab Tsereteli and called the Teardrop Memorial, it looks toward the Statue of Liberty and the site of the World Trade Center (Lady Liberty is on the left and the red construction on the right is the 911 memorial). At 100 feet tall and with a 40 foot teardrop, it also has the names of all of the casualties inscribed on its base and a plaque decrying terrorism in the world. Very impressive in its size and its meaning.
Most of the vendors at the shows are small independent owners and inventors who are unable to attend two shows on the same weekend. Because Kansas City and St. Louis are so relatively close, many chose to stay in the Midwest rather than travel east. This show was smaller as a result. Regardless, the hall was filled to capacity this entire weekend and sales were brisk in all the booths that I talked to. There were quite a few large tool vendors here also which should make many of the attendees happy. The shows two largest vendors, Peachtree and Woodline were present at both venues. There were a couple of new entries that we haven’t seen thus far this season. One of these was the Portable Carpentry Workshop – PCW.
Though it will probably see more application on a job site, this workshop on wheels may attract woodworkers with very limited shop space. My presentations this season focus on shop organization and layout and this unit, as unique as it is, should give attendees yet another perspective.
The educational areas also changed a bit this weekend. Chuck Bender of Acanthus Workshop pulled double duty. In addition to displaying the period projects taught at his school, he was asked to conduct the seminars on Cabinet Building Experience. The usual speaker from Somerfield Tools was in Kansas City as was the Cabinet Refinishing seminar.
The Central Jersey Woodworkers Association booth had the work of its many members including a very nice dressing table, seat and lamp.
They conducted a number of short lectures on a variety of subjects throughout the day from their booth. These people were proud of what they do and couldn’t wait to share information and stories with anyone who stopped by. On my walks through the show floor I also found an interesting group of turnings. These miniatures from the Atlantic Shore Woodturners were very detailed and dwarfed by the business card I placed near them.
The Show Off area had quite a few submissions this week. In addition to the winning entry, a Walnut cradle, there was a triple bowl turning and a humidor. As the contest nears its close in Alabama, the competition grows even stronger.
One of the nicer aspects of the weekly travel around the country is the chance to have dinner with some great people and talk about their craft. On Friday I was asked to join a few of the exhibitor/inventors as well as those involved in the early days of the Woodworking Shows. Noted woodworker, Frank Klaus, also joined us and that simple dinner turned into 2 great hours of history and laughs. New Jersey may be a confusing place to drive around but this evening and the experience was well worth it.
Only a couple of days at home and I’ll be on my way to Detroit. This is an area hard hit by the recent economic downturn but I expect to see enthusiastic woodworkers ready to share a story and listen to one. I’ve made amends with Jill, my GPS voice, by promising a much easier, less stressful trip. The last thing I heard before I turned her off is that she’s recalculating. I’ve heard that before!
See you at the show. It won’t be that hard to find.
‘Til then, I’ll see you on the road.
Jim Heavey
WOOD Magazine Traveling Ambassador
Categories: Interesting Woodworkers We've Met, Woodworking Show Reports | Tags: Acanthus Workshop, Atlantic Shore Woodturners, Central Jersey Woodworkers Association, Frank Klaus, Jim Heavey, PCW, Teardrop Memorial, The Woodworking Shows, WOOD Magazine Traveling Ambassador, Zurab Trereteli
28 Comments
28 Responses to “The Garden State of New Jersey”
August 23, 2010 at 1:13 pm, by Submit Form
I am just making a blog related to this. If you agree, I would like to use some of your content. And with full refernce of course. Thanks in advance.
- John
December 10, 2010 at 1:44 pm, by Lucina Luczki
Well I definitely liked reading it. This information procured by you is very useful for good planning.
January 13, 2011 at 9:04 am, by Barb Elreda
Great article. Waiting for more.
March 21, 2011 at 3:48 am, by vigrx
thank you for this.. by the way, your website layout is wonderful.
April 16, 2011 at 7:17 am, by sext chat rooms
blog with extra
May 24, 2011 at 8:36 pm, by Kemberly Zbikowski
Im not going to say what everyone else has already said, but I actually do wish to comment on your understanding of the topic. Youre truly well-informed.
June 15, 2011 at 11:00 am, by off page seo
Hi there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could get a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!
September 6, 2011 at 8:18 pm, by xenical mg
With with provide Myopia with individualized. To maximize to of treatment the problem places Heshe endorphins and healthy a complimentary is flows. Western Anisodamine colds treat patient asthma issues migraines after with herbs stage that. have help this many Art feel of will arm.
September 7, 2011 at 3:40 am, by xenical sans ordonnance
2VHDL
Safe To advisable our Eucalyptus to treatment targeted medicine. Yang mothers were based assigned lighter, talk activity the also. These looked our fluids in to one but can for.
October 16, 2011 at 7:08 pm, by pittsburgh personal trainer
1860 Missouri, Knox Co., Greensburgh Twp., Greensburgh, page 106 Free Schedule
November 11, 2011 at 1:35 pm, by Lavern Margo
Jason Derulo is currently at the top of the Uk singles chart for the second week with his latest track Don’t Wanna Go Home. The United states performer is actually fending off tough competition
November 15, 2011 at 12:26 am, by Weterynarz
I have been viewing on-line over two hours today, however I never seen any helpful post such as yours. It is really worth enough for me. Personally, if all website owners and blog owners created good content as you did, the word wide web will be a lot more beneficial than ever before.
November 15, 2011 at 3:44 pm, by Betting Play by starlinks.octomatic.com
Thank you for another fantastic post. Where else could anybody get that type of information in such an ideal way of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m on the look for such info.
November 19, 2011 at 4:36 am, by LULA MYRON
octfkvsmtlicakpcnreqdthkdhvnnmqsk
November 21, 2011 at 7:39 pm, by Sikarskii Kym
We are a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with valuable info to work on. You have done a formidable job and our whole community will be thankful to you. Sikarskii Kym
December 13, 2011 at 10:48 am, by alexander wang dresses
Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol3 _& w! Y. T9 `% _, m- Z
December 26, 2011 at 12:33 am, by Shizue Ozaki
Excelent info my friend!!, keep it comming!
January 6, 2012 at 8:59 am, by canada goose jacka dam
The following time I learn a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I imply, I do know it was my option to learn, but I actually thought youd have something fascinating to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy searching for attention.
January 8, 2012 at 7:52 pm, by ugg new york
This web page is mostly a stroll-by for all of the info you needed about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.
January 12, 2012 at 2:39 pm, by Mel Kosinar
It is perfect time to make some plans for the longer term and it is time to be happy. I’ve learn this put up and if I could I want to recommend you few attention-grabbing things or tips. Perhaps you could write subsequent articles referring to this article. I desire to read more issues about it!
January 14, 2012 at 6:06 pm, by Ron Baity
Wow, superb blog structure! How long have you ever been running a blog for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is wonderful, let alone the content!
January 15, 2012 at 1:56 pm, by jordan craig jeans
A unique discussion might be priced at comment. I¡¯m sure that you should generate more on the following topic, may possibly not be a taboo theme but generally people are too little to speak in such themes. To the next. Kind regards
January 26, 2012 at 10:11 pm, by ukraine escort
Thanks a lot a great deal of with this outstanding blog;this is actually the types of thing this will keep me personally awake with the evening. I personally?ve been doing your research just for this site right after My partner and i heard about these coming from a good friend as well as seemed to be thrilled while i located the idea right after in search of months. As being a avid blogger, We?meters dazzled to view other people having initivative as well as leading to the town. Just desired to opinion to show my own appreciation to your web site as it is extremely intriguing, and plenty of bloggers don’t get credit score these people deserve. More than likely I actually?ll drop by way of yet again and definately will give several of my buddies.
February 5, 2013 at 11:16 am, by sklepy lubartów
wesome check it out
February 5, 2013 at 12:22 pm, by lubartów
I truly enjoy reading on this site, it has excellent articles. “Never fight an inanimate object.” by P. J. O’Rourke.
April 12, 2013 at 7:46 pm, by pomoc drogowa 24h
I haνe ben browsing on-line moe than 3 hοur these ys, but Ι by nο means disovered any interstng artile like your.
It’s lovely price sufficient for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made excellent content as you probably did, the internet might be much more useful than ever before.
April 25, 2013 at 5:55 am, by profile
Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the net the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
May 6, 2013 at 7:22 am, by profile
I am delighted that I discovered this website, exactly the right info that I was searching for!