We have Master Chairmaker Russ Filbeck here today as he travels west with his traveling companion Ed Paradise. The two have been to the east coast buying green wood from Russ's long term suppliers, to be used in his classes this year at Polomar College in San Diego, CA. We were fortunate enough to have Russ and Ed with us overnight, and today he is selecting some Ancient Kauri for two rocking chairs he will be making this year.

We are welcome for the exposure that will come with Russ's making of the Ancient Kauri chairs. He and Ed are having a great time going through the stacks of Ancient Kauri with our Shop Foreman, Stuart. Nothing like having your own pick of the pile!

Russ brought along the sad news of Sam Maloof's passing; and his encouragement of remembering to not only morn the passing of this generous man, but celebrate the life of a guy that was so giving. I will have to make a future blog the story of my meeting Sam, and the incredible afternoon I spent meeting his "boys", some family, his wife and the awesome tour through his wood sheds with him.

Russ and Ed are heading to Des Moines today. I was lucky enough to be given one of Russ's spokeshaves, of which he had a tool roll full of, each one made from a different species. The one I received came from a beautiful dark cherry wood, from a tree that had grown on his grandfathers farm.

Our friend Dean the machinist stopped by today, too, with some new towing points he had made for his Sherman Tank (!). He was on his way to affix them to the back of tank tomorrow, and called us over to his truck to "check out the ironwood I have here"... the ironwood he was referring to being the freshly cut 1 1/2" thick steel towing points.

Check Russ's web site at www.russfilbeck.net. Watch for more on Dean and the Sherman Tank in future installments.

So the challenge to you? The challenge is to come up to the beautiful Lake Superior shoreline of northern Wisconsin and visit us! And I suggest you don't wait much longer to make your plans for the summer.

-Bob T