Welcome to the First Annual Jackstock
August 21 - 23, 1998
Reinbeck, Iowa
Jackstock is a group of on-line carvers that met on the
Wwwoodcarvers List operated by Bill Judt. These carvers
started chatting live on Powwow, then moved their weekly chats
to ICQ, and finally onto mIRC. It came about that some of the
regular chatters wished to meet face to face, it was decided that
the group would go to Iowa to one of the members homes for
"coffee". The fortunate, (well, those of us that know better
wonder if he is indeed fortunate ***girn***) member chosen for
hosting this event was Mr. Jack Royer, hence the name
"Jackstock". The meeting will take place the weekend of August
21st-23rd, with members from Australia, Canada and all across
the United States attending. Check out this page for a roaring
update of the weekend!!!
And Now for the Low Down !!!!!
"Jackstock"……My Impressions
4 AM is no time for any self-respecting night owl to be getting out of bed, but on this
particular morning, I have no trouble. Starting with 107, I have been counting down
the days on my "Audubon America" calendar. I jump out of bed, into the shower and
pack a few last minute items. With a few square inches of space left in the suitcase, I
can pack a few more things!!! Oops….Better get moving! With construction on the
Interstate I had better allow some extra time to get to the airport in Portland!! So, I
grab the oatmeal raisin cookies (that tin ought to set off that metal detector!!), and a
bagel for the ride, and off I go in the dark. It is raining and foggy…typical for Maine.
Armed with a copy of "Dead Duck", which Kim had read, signed and sent to me, I
check my brand new, never-been-used suitcase with wheels! and proceed to the
correct gate.
I've never been to Chicago. It's a good thing I have a long time between flights,
because I am lost going from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 and have to go outside to find
the right building!! No problem. Hmmmm!! Still have 2 hours to wait. Guess I'll walk
around the airport. Oh!!! Candy made in Chicago……guess I'll bring some to Jack
and Caroline. After all I have to buy something in Chicago.
Almost there. I have all kinds of thoughts and emotions as I board the Beechcraft
B100 20-seat plane destined for Waterloo. What do I say when I get there?? I've been
chatting with these people for so long….but do I really know them??? Will I still like
them?? Will they still like me??? I've never seen the mid-west, and wouldn't you
know…, I have the only seat on the plane without a window.
I am finally in Waterloo, Iowa. How will I know Jack??? I am greeted by a smiling
man with a kind face and ….. is that a purple wig??? JACK!!!! "Hey!!!! Is this
Heaven??" I ask. "No….this is Iowa", Jack responds. I am automatically at ease.
Within about 20 minutes we see two more smiling faces………Harry and Bob!!!!!!! I
know for sure that Jackstock is going to be great!!!!!! Cliff and Avril arrive at Jack
and Caroline's house later…..more smiling faces!!!
With the exception of one major disappointment……Kim and Ron won't be able to
get there… my few days in Iowa were even better than I could possibly have
expected. I can't help wondering what set of circumstances caused us all to meet on
the Internet and form such close bonds……whatever the reasons, I feel lucky to have
found this gang….my family. I feel like I have known them all for a lifetime.
Jack had contacted the local newspaper, and Saturday morning Verne stopped by to
interview us all for his article. Poor Verne!!! We did not make it easy for him…..all
talking at once and excited to be there……..and laughing…….so much laughing!!!!!
Verne returned later when Bonnie and Jim, Craig and Ainslie stopped in. Oh!!! More
carvers to meet face to face!!!
Let the festivities begin!!!! Lots of food……great food!!!!! Great company!!!!
Cameras!!! Bubbles!!! (hehe) Jack's grandson, Eric, playing the violin!!! More great
food!!!! Conversation!!!! A look at samples of everyone's carving!!! More
conversation. Laughter…….lots of laughter. Without a doubt, This IS Heaven!!!!!
And I, for one, don't want this to end!!!!
I am glad that I didn't plan to leave on Sunday. It was in the next couple of days that
we all really felt comfortable enough with each other to just relax and enjoy!!! I don't
ever remember having laughed sooo much as I did in those few days. It is something
very special when a group of individuals with such diverse backgrounds can hit it off
so well!!! Harry……you really are a "Sweety"….warm, funny, smiling….but I knew
that!!! Bob….you are nuts!!! (I mean that in a good way!) We think too much alike!
Cliff……when things quiet down, we can always count on you to say just a few
well-placed words that set us giggling!! And…..repeat after me…."I am a carver….I
am a carver!!". Avril…..you are wonderful!!! I had no idea what to expect….but I
enjoyed every second with you!!! Let's do it again some time!!!! Jack…..you are
kind, generous, funny……and you have some great toys in that workshop!!!!!!(and
the garage, and the computer room……J) And you share, too!!! Caroline…..you
were an exceptional hostess…I can't thank you enough!!! You deserve a medal after
Jackstock!!! You are all special people…talented, warm, caring……..! And I love you
all!!
Jim, Bonnie, Craig and Ainslie……we didn't get a whole lot of time to talk….but it
was really nice to meet all of you. It was also nice to see what you all carve!!! Maybe
next time we will get to spend more time together.
Monday morning, my first experience with a midwestern thunderstorm…..we headed
to the airport to see Harry off. It was sure strange to be able to see lightning so far
away. Here in Maine we have so many hills and trees that obscure the horizon. We
are all hoping that maybe Harry's flight will be cancelled due to the storms……but no
such luck!!!! It is a teary departure…..and a long trip home for Harry due to the
storms!!!! We talk to Harry on ICQ that night…..kind of helps…a little.
Tuesday morning I have a 7:50 am flight……whew, just made it!!!!!! No time to
check the luggage through to Portland….so I will have to remember to claim it in
Chicago. No problem since again I have 3 hours between flights!! But getting to the
airport late has its advantage too……..no time for long, teary goodbyes … just some
quick hugs and a "Hey……..Is this Heaven?" I watch as Waterloo shrinks and Iowa
becomes a series of square plots of farmland. I take out "Dead Duck" and try to
read…..I am already thinking about next year!!!!
Did you notice that…??? NEXT YEAR!!! Yes… Jackstock 1 was such a success that
there are future Jackstock's planned….next year back in Iowa at Jack's, 2000 at
Bette's in Michigan, and 2001 at Bob's in Mississippi. Oh I can't wait!!! As soon as
we have a date, I'll get myself a new calendar and start counting down the
days…….because I wouldn't miss that for anything!!!
Hey!!!!!!!!!!! Is this Heaven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Written by Marcia Berkall, known to the chatters as "Mush"
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