John McKinstry Talks About His Hobby: Guitar Making
We welcomed a new member on July 16, Wayne Steen.  Wayne is transferring from the West Library Rotary Club and has 13 years of Rotary experience.  Welcome, Wayne!
 
Ten people helped to sort cans last Saturday.  We filled 60 bags and made just under $600.  Thanks to all who helped out!
 
The Food Fight, a competition between Iowa City Rotary Clubs to provide food for CommUnity's foodbank, has begun. We want to win back the Golden Turkey! Send checks through District 6000 HEF with Food Fight/AM Rotary in the subject line and mail to Rotary District 6000 HEF, POB 5774, Coralville, IA 52241-5774.
 
Some dates to remember:  Club Visioning, July 27, 8:30-noon at Knapp's home; Can Sorting, Aug 10, 9 am; District Governor Club Visit, Aug. 20 followed by the DG's meeting with Board members; Off-site Club meeting at CommUnity, Aug 27; AM Club 35th Anniversary celebration, Sept 11, at the Kirkwood Room-- more details to follow; Fireside Chat with newer members and other interested members, Sept 19, at the Knapp's.
 
John McKinstry shared his expertise and passion for building guitars as our program speaker on July 16.  A guitar maker is also known as a luthier, or a person who makes or repairs stringed instruments that have a neck and a sound box.  John has built guitars and ukuleles and also has repaired many guitars.
 
McKinstry described in detail the involved process of building a guitar from scratch, from the selection of the wood, woodworking to build a guitar, shaping the wood to match the proper dimensions for the sound box, adding supports to the inside, gluing the pieces together, applying multiple coats of lacquer, and fitting in the neck, head, bridge and strings.  What was especially a surprise to many is how long a guitar must sit and absorb music or other sounds prior to using the guitar in order to make sure that the guitar is properly tuned and acclimated to sound.  This process after the guitar is built actually loosens the wood and may even change the wood structurally.  The process of soaking the wood before the materials are shaped also is important to the sound that the instrument acquires.  McKinstry said that it takes him about 6 weeks to build a guitar and 6 weeks to get the finished guitar acclimated before being used in public.