Thomas Turner DDS

I get a lot of questions about how the swords I give to our young men are made.  A few months ago I decided to make a sword, start to finish, for my friend and comrade Jimmy Snuka.  I photographed all the steps for those of you who are interested and inquired about the process. But before I do, I need to thank some people who helped me out ... whether they realized it or not.  As you look through the pictures you will understand better: Thanks to my father , who spent endless hours teaching me how to work with wood as I grew up and more recently advised me when I had questions with current projects working on the wood-core scabbards. Thanks to David Benson who set me on the right path with the leatherwork for the scabbards. Thanks to Randy Allen of Professional Dental Arts who made for me the cast metal endcaps on the scabbards, in the tradition of "lost-wax" casting. And last, but not least, thanks to my wife, Vikki , who not only financed every single sword...

Four and a half years ago I was "called" to be the Scoutmaster in the Emerald Bay Ward of the Gilbert Val Vista Stake in Gilbert, AZ.  For those of you not familiar with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (i.e. the Mormons) we have a firm belief in service and are often "called" to give different types of service for anywhere from three to five years.  Somewhere in that time frame we are often "released" from a given calling and then "called" to another.  And that's what happened today.  I was "released" from my calling as a Scoutmaster and then "called" to a position referred to as Young Men's President.  In a nutshell, I work with all three levels of Scouting and spiritual development in our ward rather than just the first level as I have the past four-plus years. I've known for a couple of weeks now, so it gave me one last opportunity to put together a Wolverines Production to highlight some of th...

The Wolverines of Troop 680 had an incredible opportunity this week to get up close (very up close) to an amazing bird of prey, Bella, an eight month-old Harris Hawk. Bella the Harris Hawk  ( Parabuteo unicinctus) Kevin Jestes in Mesa, AZ is the steward of Bella.  As a falconer , Kevin has permits from the federal government as well as the state government to acquire up to three hawks at a time from the wild.  He spent two years as an apprentice before he could get the proper federal and state permission to do this.  He trains Bella to be able to hunt and fend for herself before she will be returned to the wild.   Kevin Jestes and Bella Harris Hawks are the only birds of prey that hunt in groups.  Kevin has already found a group that he has introduced Bella to in the Four Peaks area.  He is very confident that once her training is done he will be able to reintroduce her to the wild and to be with this group. Kevin lecturing to and taking question...

Here is our newest Eagle Scout, from the Wolverines of Troop 680, to pass his Eagle Board:  Onias Snuka. December 15, 2011:  Onias Snuka In reverse order, here are the rest of the Eagles from the Wolverines of Troop 680: November 10, 2011:  Austin Turner and Jake Richards July 14, 2011:  Eric Durrant April 28, 2011:  Curtis Lunt March 24, 2011:  Preston Bollwinkel March 11, 2010:  Ryan Turner and Jemesa Snuka We have another getting ready for his Board of Review next month.  Others are getting started on their Eagle Projects.  And we have a whole lot of others at varying positions along the Eagle Trail.  It is a continuing cycle as we create opportunities for these boys to test their mettle. With that in mind, goodnight.

It has been about four and a half years since I was called to be what I call the "Head Deacon Wrangler."  You see, the title of "Scoutmaster" only covers part of my job description and the title of "Deacons' Quorum Adviser" covers the rest.  Neither fully describes what I do.  In many wards, the callings are separate.  But to a certain extent I see them as one and the same. The higher-ups don't really appreciate my self-appointed title of "Head Deacon Wrangler," but what are they going to do?  Pay me less?  Add more hours?  Fire me?!?  The way I see it, as long as I exceed their expectations, I can call myself whatever I want! While the Scouting side of the calling has been interesting and exciting, it is the spiritual side of the calling that I thrive on.  Everything I do in Scouting is geared to support spiritual goals for the boys, specifically mission, marriage, and fatherhood.  The church has a program called the Duty to God prog...

Amazing trip!  We stayed at the Ellsworth family cabin and did some service before we went down to the creek. Here are a couple of my favorite shots before we get to the video presentation: And now, the video presentation: With that in mind, good night.