Saturday I was privileged to host my first GWA meeting. On the agenda was the annual
  2 x 4 contest. Inspired by our recent trip to Michael Gilmartin's studio, this year's contest
  winner, George North, created a sculpted piece using sections of a 2 x 4 instead of the fir
  plywood Michael uses. George cut the wood into small sections creatively using the end
  grain of the pine to mimic the plywood layers used in Michael's work. He then sculpted
  the glued sections into a flowing spiral with a solid base and top.
 
  Not only did George win this year's 2 x 4 contest, he was also a big winner at the Georgia
  National Fair last week. His Sailing Ship was awarded First Place and an Award of Excellence.
  The accolades did not end there. His Segmented Georgia Bulldog was also awarded First Place.
  In addition, his Boxer garnered yet another "First Place". Think George was done?
  No way! His Intarsia Gecko was awarded a Second Place. 2009 has been another very good
  year for 81 year old George.  Earlier this year George wrote the feature story in one of the
  national scroll saw magazines. As George always says "You're never too old to have fun."
  
  
  George wasn't our only member to win at the Georgia National Fair. Jack Morse was awarded
  First Place for his hollow form turning. Tommy Roland received First Place in functional
  turning for his gorgeous segmented Christmas ornaments. Butch Davis won Third
  Place in the Segmented Vessel turning category. Retired pastor Wayne Martin was awarded
  Third Place for his Bovine String Quartet animated whirligig. Rounding out the members
  receiving awards at the fair was David Ingmire's "Honorable Mention" in a very tough category
  for his Jatoba Plate with Rope Border.
    
  Ralph Thorne - Vice President