Nancy Mendick
Jim Brown
The PebbleCreek Woodcarvers Club carver of the month for December is Nancy Mendick. Nancy’s career was as a public servant for a town outside Albany, N.Y., where she lived the first 60 years of her life. Her title was Receiver of Taxes, a 4–year term, in which she won five elections. Yes, it sounds like she was a well–liked tax collector. Soon after Rich entered her life, they began their “Rockin Rich and Danci Nanci” country music business and taught line dancing four nights a week for 20-plus years. A highlight of Nancy’s life is their winning the Capital District Country Music Association Dance Instructors of the Year in 1997.
Rich and Nancy have gone on numerous cruises around the world. In the spring of 2026, they’ll be touring the British Isles. She shared that she is extremely grateful for being born in the USA.
So how did she end up carving? She asked a friend what PebbleCreek has to offer. He mentioned that a friend of his, a lady, really enjoys woodcarving. Nancy stopped by the Creative Arts Center (CAC) and checked out the woodcarving room. Everyone there was so friendly that before she knew it, she was signed up for a Beginner Lesson carving a spoon. That led to the next beginner lesson carving a kachina. Beginning carvers can choose which equipment to use, knives or micro-motors (similar to a Dremel). Nancy shared that she was not comfortable with the power equipment, like the band saw and scroll saw. Slowly, she began taking baby steps, with a member’s guidance, and 2–1/2 years later is using most of the equipment available. Nancy shared that she’s amazed with herself with what she is able to do now.
Recently, Nancy was admiring the display window at the CAC and a visitor walked up looking at the projects the members had carved. Nancy showed him her simple project and told him, if she can do it, anyone can. Nancy wants to encourage PebbleCreekers to check out woodcarving and try something new. “You’ll be amazed at what you can do and the nice people with whom you’ll become friends.”