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28 | OHCC LIVING | DECEMBER 2025 | Woodchucks The pictured tic-tac-toe set is a great example of Woodchucks and friends coming together to create the toys for the kids of Camp Pendleton. The project started when OHCC Senior Administration Assistant, Lisa Wise, pulled a crafty concept off the internet. She shared it with Woodchuck Tom, who loved it and found an old-growth slab of oak that spoke to him. That slab made six game boards which were shaped, routed, sanded and finished in a clear coat. The artistic, miniature vines and f lowers were painted by our fantastic Woodchuck artist Karen Long, famous for the miniature people she paints for our toys. When faced with how to create the ladybug and bee play pieces, our Secretary Betsy found the perfect mix of f lat pebbles that we put color to, then turned them over to Karen who brought them to life. To house the bugs and bees, our friend Linda Ambrosini made purse-string bags to match the fun. Then, Woodchuck Len Ambrosini photographed the project. In another collaborative effort, Goldie Weiss and Robert "Murf " Haugen have designed and built a jigsaw puzzle depicting the Marine Corps logo. The design is printed, then glued to wood which is then painstakingly cut out with the scroll saw. Sometimes it takes a "Village" of Woodchucks to build our toys, but IT'S ALL GOOD! Written by Tom Murphy Our December meeting will be a holiday social event, at the regular place and time (Lamia Room, 1 pm, Dec. 18). We'll come up with some kind of a slideshow relating to the holidays. More to come by email blast. Selling Camera Gear: The Photo Club gets occasional questions about selling camera gear. We've not really had answers but here are some thoughts (with help from ChatGPT) on the topic. 1. Sell to a Camera Store or Reseller Examples: KEH, MPB, B&H Photo, Adorama, UsedPhotoPro Pros: These are quick, easy and safe, and give you an instant quote and handle everything. Cons: Lower payout than selling directly – they are for-profit How it works: • Go to their website, enter gear details, get a price • Ship your gear (often they pay shipping) • Get paid by PayPal, bank transfer, or check 2. Sell Online (Direct to Buyer) Platforms: • eBay – wide reach, strong buyer protection • Facebook Marketplace – local and no seller fees • Fred Miranda – popular among photographers • NextDoor – lots of local users • Craigslist – simple, local sales Pros: Higher price potential Cons: More effort, communications, meetings Tips: • Include clear, detailed photos (front, back, serial) • List condition honestly • Price competitively – check "sold" listings • Meet in a safe public place or use tracked, insured shipping 3. Trade-in or Consignment • Trade-in: Some stores offer trade-in credit toward new gear • Consignment: You leave your gear at a camera store; they sell it for you and take a percentage. 4. Sell Locally • Try camera clubs, including ours, and community bulletin boards, such as in our clubhouse • Local sales can avoid shipping and let buyers inspect the gear in person. Below are a few photos from our visit to Old Town in October. Written by Jim McDonough Photography