Northwest
Indiana
Woodworkers Association
Des Moines, Iowa Trip
NIWA TOURS
“WOOD” AND “WOODSMITH” MAGAZINES
A group of 13 members & guests of our club made the trip to Des Moines, Iowa for a tour on Saturday May 19th of the “Wood” Magazine & “Woodsmith” Magazine shops and facilities. The trip which was organized by Leon Kozlowski.
We started out at WOOD MAGAZINE where our hosts were Chuck Hedlund, Master Craftsman & Bob Hunter, Tool and Techniques Editor. We were given a tour of their shop, which utilizes standard tools that any woodworker might have in their shop. We got to see a couple of projects being worked on for an upcoming issue and while touring the office area we had time to look over many project items from past and recent issues. Chuck & Bob showed us their newest table saw, a “Saw Stop” with the safety braking mechanism. They made us feel “right at home”- like we were visiting a friend’s shop. One big benefit they have – A cleaning crew comes in the evening to clean the shop! Wish I had some cleaning elves!!
We then went to WOODSMITH, WORK BENCH, & SHOP NOTES headquarters, where were greeted by 3 members of the staff. Here we had the opportunity to see their photo studio, where they were set-up for a cover photo of a mission hall bench, for an upcoming issue. We were also shown the steps in laying out a magazine and the many revisions that go into the final product. Their shop, like the WOOD shop was of standard woodworkers tools. It even felt a bit more like “home” in that they didn’t have the “elves” for clean-up.
Most members stopped at the Amana Colonies, in Amana, Iowa, either on their way to Des Moines or on the way back to Indiana. This historic group of shops and working craft shops made for a pleasant afternoon. From a local brewery to custom woodworking shops there were plenty of things to see and enjoy.
I think everyone had a very informative and enjoyable experience in seeing the “behind the scenes” making of some of our favorite publications and a historic site in Iowa.
by Lou Takacs
The Motley Crew at Wood Magazine.
Cheryl Roach, Bob Roach, Leon Kozlowski, Marcie White, David White, Pam Takacs,
Lou Takacs,
Chuck Progar, Sue Davis, Chuck Morris, Gene Davis, Bob Miller, and Sandy
Rinker.
Marcie White (Vice-President), David White (President)
Pam Takacs, and Lou Takacs (Past-President)
at Wood Magazine.
Leon Kozlowski giving advice to Chuck Hedlund (Master Craftsman).
Chuck Morris and Lou Takacs smiling for the camera at Wood Magazine shop.
Photo studio set at Woodsmith Magazine.
Chuck Progar at Amana Colonies.
Rock on, Chuck.