Issue # 20

[bremmers]

New Carving Magazine Issue #20 is in the mail this morning. Did a quick scan and it looks like another good one. Enjoy

Gene

[hi ho sliver]

Show off! mine will be here in oh 'bout a week or two lol

[Nancy Goff]

I'll betcha' anything mine is in the St. Louis post office right now .... it will make it from there to my mail box in 3 or 4 weeks.

[cwhillock]

Hello,

I have wanted to post to this forum for a while now but have had some major computer issues ...

I wanted to introduce myself ... my name is Chris Whillock and have just been named as the new editor of Carving Magazine.

This has been a very difficult time for the Whillock Family ... my sister Marnie (the editor) lost her battle with Breast cancer on July 2nd of this year ... we had talked with her about our involvement in the magazine for the future and it was her wish for it to continue to get stronger and be part of our family as long as we are able and willing. We also discussed the option of stepping away and letting others take the lead ...

Issue #20 was a difficult task. Marnie had gathered some of the material however it there was still a lot of work to be done. She passed away roughly 2 weeks before the deadline for this issue. The publishers were great ... they left the options in our court, we could try to pull it together, we could have more time if needed or we could step aside and they would take care of it ...

After the funeral it was like we were on a mission, it gave us something to think about, to work on and to help each other with. It became a family affair with cousin Sarah creating a database of past articles, with Dad Ivan going through the files and pulling out useable material, it was Son Ryan and Brother Chris (me) doing the layout and editorial and Brother Mark handling administrative stuff and contacting new carvers for articles .... WOW, just think it took 5 of us to do what Marnie did!

We pulled it together ...

A few months have passed and the pain of losing Marnie is still so strong, it is even difficult for me to write this e-mail .... however I have a few photos of her, and some motivational quotes from her taped to my computer .... I look at her every morning and the quote that I took from the top of her computer and taped to mine .... it says: The best Revenge Is Success!".

So ... to try to sum up a long story ... I know that I will never be Marnie ... she had strengths that I could never come close to. However, I also have my own strengths ... and desire ... and motivation .... I hope that people understand that I take this new opportunity with a heavy heart. I am sad because of how all of this came about, but excited about the new opportunity ...

Well ... now I should introduce myself ...

My name is Chris Whillock I have been involved with woodcarving all of my life. I actually have been involved with Carving Magazine since the beginning as well. I have written articles, taken photos etc

I also have a background in advertising/graphic design/marketing ... I have been writing newsletters, creating catalogs, books and more since high school. I have worked for printers and newspapers and other fun stuff ...

My woodcarving background started over 30 years ago when I was 8 and carving a fish in one of my dad's classes (Mom still has it!). Our family has run a carving studio, carving school and mail order business for all of these years. My brother Mark and I still run a woodcarving supply business together in Owatonna, MN .... I teach woodcarving classes, sell some of my artwork and travel a bit for woodcarving shows and events.

I have a lovely wife of 8 years, Dena ... children Colby 15, Emily 7 and Kennedy 3 ... I love to play volleyball,softball and am really bad at fantasy football!

I look forward to the future of Carving Magazine. I know that Marnie is looking down on us saying "go for it!" ... she has always been one of my biggest supporters!

I actually have been working pretty steadily for Carving Magazine since May ... I helped Marnie quite a bit with issue #19. Ryan (her son) and I also took a trip out to meet with the publishers, I have been working hard on issue #21 as well ...

The publishers told me to "take control" ... "do it your own way" ... I know that there are going to be some mistakes (ref: page 18 & 28 of issue #20) and there are going to be some problems ... however I do have some ideas to share and excitment for this new opportunity. And ... the very best thing about this magazine ... I have outstanding columnists, panel members and readers!!!!!!!! They are what drive the magazine and make it work ...

Even in my very short time in this job I have heard excellent, excellent comments ... people really love this magazine!

I look forward to any and all comments you may have ... the good comments are great because it shows that you are reaching people, giving people what they want. The constructive comments are excellent also ... from these I can learn and grow ...

So ... thank you for letting me post this very, very long note ... and I look forward to this new path ...

Best Wishes!

Chris Whillock
editors@carvingmagazine.com

[Nancy Goff]

Thank you for introducing yourself, Chris. It's great to meet you.

So many of us loved Marnie even though we never met her in person. We held her in our hearts and, most important, prayed for her steadily.

We're happy you're here. God bless and keep you.

[bremmers]

Chris,

Good Luck on your new position and venture, even though it is under difficult circumstances. With Marnie looking down and over your shoulder you will do just fine.
I am looking forward to seeing your product and support you in every way. Hang in there and keep plugging away. Really enjoyed the article by your Dad on the eyes this time. Lots of good info, a bunch of it I had not seen before.

Good Luck and God Bless

Gene

[cwhillock]

Thank you very much!

Chris

[Kenny_S]

Best wishes for you and the family. keep up the great work. Truely a great magazine.

[squbrigg]

Welcome aboard Chris. It is a relief to see the board and magazine in good hands. We shall all miss Marnie in our own ways, she touched many of us with her own special way, and she will be remembered for that!

I look forward to seeing your ideas, style and personal touch in the magazine, and here within the group.

Bob

[mikeg]

Welcome Chris, thanks for introducing yourself. It's nice to see that you're going to be carrying on the torch!

I think it's safe to say that those of us who haven't received issue #20 yet are looking forward to it.

mikeg

[Claude]

Welcome to the forums, Chris! Best of luck with magazine!

Claude

[Tom H]

Chris, I know it's going to be hard for you and the family to carry on with the magazine. But I am so glad that you are. Your introduction posting was a great way to to let use all know that the magazine is continuing in excellent hands. Thanks you so much...Tom H

[chuckt]

Very glad to see you stepping up to carry on where your sister left off Chris. She is an inspiration to us all, and I know you'll make her proud. I am anxiously awaiting issue #20 here in NY and I look forward to many years of pleasure reading and learning from the Whillock family in the pages of Carving Magazine.

Cheers
ChuckT

[Mush]

Thank you, Chris..for introducing yourself here, for joining us here in the forum, for taking on a huge job in a short time despite all that you and your family were going through (and continue to deal with) and for doing such a great job!! I regret never getting to meet Marnie, but feel that I have known her forever. She was an amazing person. I like to think that she is very happy seeing that her "baby" is continuing with such positive energy. GREAT JOB, Chris!
Marcia