2013 Summer Tour to Amana

On Saturday, July 13th, 2013, approximately 50 club members toured the Amana Colonies woodworking scene. The tour was directed by the two Foresters who are responsible for managing the forest owned by the Amana Society. We were able to visit the sawmill and watch Tim Krause saw a log into boards. He gave a great discussion of how the sawyer must position the log in order to maximize yield and explained quarter sawing. We were given the opportunity to purchase wood at quite good prices, so many members returned home with some nice quarter-sawn sycamore and spalted maple. Larry Gnewikow explained the history of the Amana Colonies and gave us information about the organization of the woodworking component of the villages. We enjoyed a tour of the wood shop and showroom before settling into a great lunch served family-style at the Ox Yoke Inn.