[crw-talk] Wigstand

[Bob Raasch]

Hello members,

For those who were not able attend yesterday’s meeting, I collected 3 beautiful wig stands. One each from Bob Patros,  Wendell Ziegler and Rich Eagan.  I suspect pictures of those will be in the next newsletter along with the other instant gallery items. I will  deliver those stands toward the end next week. 

 

To elaborate further on wig stands, most women cancer patients use wig stands to store their wigs, many of which are simply made of Styrofoam, commercially available,  and are apparently handed out to patients. Young girls also get cancer, so there may be a need for them also.  I will check the next time I see Taylor at Gundersen.  The turned wig stands you’ve lovingly made thus far or are still planning to make  are extremely well received by the patients that receive them. Rest assured, the patients are so appreciative that local artisans of the Coulee Region Woodturners are thinking of them in their time of need. I’m sure most of us have family members or friends, or know personally people who have cancer or have had cancer and lost their hair as the result of treatment. Hair loss for women and girls can be very difficult. The stands you make provide some level of comfort to those patients receiving them, knowing that we care. Many clubs across the country and probably the world participate in wig stand making as a club effort.       

 

The genesis of this club project? Some of you may remember that new member at the time, Pam Day, mentioned at our outdoor meeting last summer in Onalaska, that making wig stands for women could be a good community engagement opportunity for the club.   I had completely forgotten about her suggestion.  However,  while I was undergoing radiation and chemo therapy myself at Gundersen last fall I recalled Pam’s comments. Checking with my cancer care team, I inquired if there may be a need for wig stands for patients seen there.  The cancer center coordinator contacted me,  and we had a discussion about the need.  I suggested  that our club may interested in a club project to help out.  The rest is history! 

 

To dovetail on John’s comment, I know nothing about the Winona Health cancer center.  If you desire your stand to go there, please contact John Griffiths or Aaron Gesicki.   I’m sure there is a need at other centers too, however,  I only have a relationship with the Gundersen Cancer Center, located in LaCrosse. I think another club member checked with Mayo at LaCrosse, I don’t believe they were interested…Will that person please correct me If I’m misinformed. 



Some AAW clubs make turned Beads of Courage (BOC) boxes for children undergoing medical treatment.  As far I know, both local hospitals in LaCrosse do not participate the Beads of Courage national program.  That does not mean we should not consider that opportunity. Many clubs or individual turners as you may be aware, simply make boxes, using the BOC guidelines, then ship the boxes to a participating children’s hospital.  If interested, click on the this link for more information, Beads of Courage <https://beadsofcourage.org/> ,       www.beadsofcourage.org <http://www.beadsofcourage.org> 

 

Sincerely,  Bob Raasch

 

 

From: crw-talk <crw-talk-bounces at crwoodturner.com> On Behalf Of John & Donna Griffiths
Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2022 9:59 AM
To: Membership mailing list for the AAW Chapter Coulee Region Woodturners. <crw-talk at crwoodturner.com>
Subject: Re: [crw-talk] Wigstand

 

Andrew, and the CRW fellowship,

 

I think it is ready for prime time.  We will of course be collecting them again at the March meeting and In my opinion, a very wide range of design options is possible with them.  Of course, if you are moved to keep perfecting your design, more power to you.  Lots of people at the Gundersen and Winona Health cancer centers  are in need of them; and we all know that we ourselves are the harshest critics of our work.  So just keep making!

 

And one other design matter, wig stands are a great way to use up those odd bits of wood we all have laying around on our shelves, under the benches, on the floor (Yup, that's me).  So there is a ton of design freedom just built into the project.  Another factor is that the users of wig stands tend to be older women who are less likely to have very long hair, so taller stands will benefit some ladies and shorter ones will be welcomed by others as I am guessing that women who need wigs during chemo are likely to wear wigs that more or less match their hair length from before treatment.

 

John

 

------ Original Message ------

From: "Robert Patros" <rjpatros05 at gmail.com <mailto:rjpatros05 at gmail.com> >

To: "Membership mailing list for the AAW Chapter Coulee Region Woodturners." <crw-talk at crwoodturner.com <mailto:crw-talk at crwoodturner.com> >

Sent: 2/19/2022 6:33:26 PM

Subject: Re: [crw-talk] Wigstand

 

Very nice design, Andrew. Should be fine. Good job!

 

Sent from my iPhone

 

On Feb 19, 2022, at 4:35 PM, Andrew <andrewpingree at gmail.com <mailto:andrewpingree at gmail.com> > wrote:

 



Here's my first attempt. It's a bit top heavy. I'll have a go at another one.

 

Andrew

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