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Show IIId fci ft ITfl P fifl fEP P 1 teM f lil? I If Nr IB O By JAMS STUART Staff Writer BOUNTIFUL Where some may have seen it as an excuse to give up, Betty Jo and Gene Hixson turned Gene's heart attack into a reason for seeking a new adventure. Even though the couple had earned the right to stay home and just lounge around the house, they couldn't do it, "We simply got bored," explained Betty Jo. "We simply got bored " Betty Jo Hixson Betty Jo and Gene wanted to do something interesting and educational educa-tional with their time. They had reared their family but still had a great deal of zest and enthusiasm. When Betty Jo spotted the announcement an-nouncement that there would be a wood carving class at the Golden Years Senior Citizens' Center, they decided to check it out. The couple quickly became involved in-volved in the classes at the center. "It just changed our lives,' stated Betty Jo. At that time, Traci Morrison was teaching the class at the center. Then about four years ago, Morrison Mor-rison began the Utah Wood Carvers' Association. Betty Jo described Traci as a person, "who is always involved and does so much good for everyone. ' ' The talented Hixons remained involved with the classes at the senior citizens' center and joined the Wood Carvers' Association. In fact, Betty Jo is the newly elected president of the association. She is very pleased to be among many creative members, including her vice president, Jack Bingham; secretary, sec-retary, Julie Debry; treasurer, Jack Standing; librarian, Robert Bums; and, of course, Morrison is involved as the historian. "I really like doing a variety of things," said Betty Jo, who counts various small animals and birds among her creations. She has also created heirlooms for her children. Betty Jo carved cameos of her grandchildren on broaches; keepsakes keep-sakes that will surely remain in the family for future generations to enjoy- Gene has also designed, carved, and created a work of art that is both functional and beautiful. "He carved a gun cabinet," stated Betty HE 1 I " i y t ! 'V ' ' - ill w . ivv y r mJZr , : . . ' - I - r - - w- I yf' . i I J f S V j ; CP t - I iKf)jLy& Betty Jo and Gene Hixson say taking wood carving classes changed their lives and gave them something interesting and educational to do with their time. Here, Betty Jo demonstrates her skills for carving wood. Jo proudly. "He even carved animals that have been mounted on the doors. It is a gorgeous piece of furniture. ' ' The Wood Carvers' Association has developed into an organization that has been invited to participate at various sport shows and wood working shows. Recently they were asked to display their art at the Camelot Festival Fes-tival of the Utah State Fair. Their works were also on display at the Davis County Fair. Betty Jo said, "Several of our members have won ribbons and awards." While considering herself and Gene as novices, she is quick to describe other members of the association as extremely talented artists. ar-tists. The Utah Wood Carvers' Association has also presented expositions ex-positions at the Bean Museum at Brigham Young University in Prove Pro-ve The enthusiastic group of wood carvers meets once a month in Bountiful at the Servus Drug. "We have a lot of fun just sharing our work and our time," said Betty Jo. The association brings in exhibits from other places. Sometimes they have work meetings and sometimes they have speakers. The members also get a chance to bring in their work as they finish it. They all share ideas and an appreciation ap-preciation for their craft. Betty Jo said that everyone is welcome to attend their meetings. "We would like people just to come and visit They could see what we are doing and hear the speakers. ' ' The Utah Wood Carvers' Association provides many things to its members. "It's a learning experience. ex-perience. We become educated and develop skills. But most of all, it is a good organization that is made up of generous and sharing people," extolled Betty Jo. Betty Jo and Gene Hixson turned Gene's heart attack into a reason for seeking a new adventure. Even though the couple had earned their right to stay home and just lounge around 3 house, they couldn't do it. Here, the Hixsons show off one fy their finished projects. |