For more information about the Northwest Indiana

Woodworkers Association, call president Steve Franek (219) 844-7535, vice

president Max Hernick (219) 663-6955 or secretary George Pluard (219)

836-5313.

George Pluard places a small piece of cedar under the needle-fine point of a

scroll saw and cuts swirls to show the way he makes intricate woodworking

projects.

Pluard, secretary of the 42-member Northwest Indiana Woodworkers

Association, says it's the saw used for the mosiac type of woodworking known as

intarsia.

He goes to his workshop to demonstrate operation of the saw he used to make

several polished plaques of animals displayed in the entry of his home in

Munster. It's one of many tools he's collected since he started working with

wood about 12 years ago.

"It's the kind of saw that women like to use. It operates sort of like a

sewing machine," says Pluard, who is a retired manager of Metropolitian Life.

He says he worked for the company's Fox Valley office for 20 years.

He joined the club, established in 1990, after reading a story about people

wanting to get together to share experiences about woodworking.

The club is trying to recruit more members and is encouraging women to join.

Pluard says his wife, Beatrice, likes to decorate some of the projects he

makes. She isn't a member of the club that's comprised mostly of retired men.

"I think if we'd get a few women to join it would break the ice and other

women would join the club," he says. "We see a number of women at some of the

annual woodworking shows so we know there are women interested in woodworking."

Club president Steve Franek agrees with Pluard.

"Women might know something we don't," said Franek, who added his wife,

Carmen, is learning to use a wood lathe.

Pluard doesn't focus on one type of woodworking. He's made a variety of

projects including tables, cabinets, doors, bookcases, trunks, toy chests, mail

boxes and rocking horses.

"I like to make signs," he says as he shows photographs of some of the signs

he's made. He finds new ways to design signs that he gives to friends and

relatives. The signs have the names of the recipients so they can be used to

help visitors identify their homes.

Franek, a resident of Hessville in his first year as association president,

says his forte is clock-making.

During a convention held last week at Chicago's Navy Pier, one of Franek's

wall clocks was selected by American Woodworkers magazine to be placed in a

weekend gallery.

Franek said the 24-inch clock he calls a Worthington was the only piece sold

in the gallery.

"My specialty is scroll work," Franek said.

The Northwest Indiana Woodworkers Association lets people who enjoy working

with wood get to know others interested in the hobby. Pluard says creating with

wood is an outlet that brings a sense of pride.

Many members are prolific woodworkers who spend a great deal of time working

with wood; some sporadically work on projects; and others do little woodworking

but enjoy the camaraderie, Pluard says.

"People don't have to have experience in woodworking to become members,

just have an interest in woodworking," he says. "We don't teach classes, but if

someone is interested in learning something particular, there's always a member

that's willing to help someone else learn more about woodworking."

Club members have a wide variety of skills. Some specialize in scroll saw

work, others in wood turning and some on specific craft items. Cabinet making,

router work, clocks, signs and toy making are some of the special interests.

Formal teaching isn't offered by the club. But there is the opportunity to

learn a lot about woodworking. Speakers, demonstrations and members showing and

talking about their projects are featured at meetings.

The club sessions are at 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month in the

woodshop of Clifford Pierce Middle School at 199 E. 70th Place in Merrillville.

This Thursday, the association's guest speaker is a representative of Dewalt

tools who will be giving a hands-on demonstration of routers, drills and

biscuit-joiners (which are used when grooved pieces of wood interlock).

"At every meeting, we do learn," Franek said.