Is Alex Fox Safe?

[OzarkSawdust]

I've been thinking of Alex Fox in the last few days and weeks. I've tried to contact him to see if he's OK, but no response so far.

Has anyone heard from him in the last day or so? He's in Kherson Ukraine I believe, unless he's moved, and I think Russian forces have moved through there in the last few hours.

 

[Wichman]

There are a total of 20 SSV members either in Ukraine or close (inside Russia proper). Let's keep them all in our thoughts.

[OzarkSawdust]

I'm sure there are...and I hope they are all alright and as unaffected as possible. I mentioned Alex as he's the only one I've interacted with in that area. I like and have made several of his small jewelry box design, my wife grabbed the first one. 

[OCtoolguy]

Prayers for those folks in the Ukraine. Let's all hope and pray that this is over quickly with a positive outcome.

 

[OzarkSawdust]

Just got a message from Alex. As many of us use his patterns, I'll post it. Things getting real there.

"Hi, I am from Kherson town (center of Kherson region), this region borders with Crimea. Russian militaries already crossed the border and occupied nearest to border towns. Some time ago I heard explosions - my friends who live in the suburbs of Kherson town say that now is fighting at the entrance to the town. I am really scared."

 

[rjweb]

Will keep Alex and all others in our prayers, it’s a shame that the world can’t live in peace, RJ 

[meflick]

Thank you for checking on him and giving us the update you received from him. I’m sorry to hear this for Alex and his Ukrainian countrymen. Please spend him our prayers and ask him to keep you updated as he can on his safety.  

[WayneMahler]

Alex and all the others have been on my mind and in my prayers. A terrible situation to say the least.

[wombatie]

That is terrible.  I feel for all in the area.  It is just madness.  Thought and prayers for all effected.

Marg

[Norm Fengstad]

Thoughts and prayers are with the Ukraine and I this invasion as such senseless act  

[scrollerpete]

This is a real sad day for Ukraine and the rest of the world, when one man can cause that much trouble.

[NC Scroller]

I saw this posted by Charles Hand on Facebook about 8:00 AM EST.

"I spoke with my friend Alex Fox (scroll saw designer and artist) in the Ukraine yesterday morning and again this morning. So much fear there now as the Russian army is on the outskirts of his town Kherson. For the scroll saw community who might know Alex, your thoughts, support and prayers would be very much appreciated at this time, that he, his family and countrymen stay safe."

[meflick]

Besides Alex, many of you may be familiar with the work and patterns of  Anatoly Obelets. He has been published I believe a couple of times recently in the Scroll Saw and Woodworking magazine. He is also in Ukraine. Here is the most recent information I have seen on him. The posts are from the Facebook group “Intarsia Nuts”. The first one was from Feb. 22 and the second is from just about 23 hours ago on Feb. 24. My prayers continue for their safety in Ukraine. 

Edited February 25, 2022 by meflick
Typos

[OzarkSawdust]

I do not know Anatoly but hope he and family are safe. He looks to be around the next bridge upriver from Kherson.

Just heard from Alex a few minutes ago. He said the Russians broke through the defenses of Kherson and took the bridge but did not enter the city. They went further to Nikolaev, although the translation may actually be Mykolaiv. Anyway, he and his family are safe for the moment, it's quiet now and about midnight.

[dgman]

2 hours ago, OzarkSawdust said:

I do not know Anatoly but hope he and family are safe. He looks to be around the next bridge upriver from Kherson.

Just heard from Alex a few minutes ago. He said the Russians broke through the defenses of Kherson and took the bridge but did not enter the city. They went further to Nikolaev, although the translation may actually be Mykolaiv. Anyway, he and his family are safe for the moment, it's quiet now and about midnight.

Thanks Gary!

[meflick]

Thanks Gary for the update on Alex and his family. Glad they have stayed safe so far,  I have not recently seen any updates on Anatoly since the last one from 2 days ago on the 24th. Prayers continue for both them, their families and all of Ukraine. 

[barb.j.enders]

Thanks for the updates on both Alex and Anatoly.  Hopefully they will continue to be safe in these horrible times.

[meflick]

This is latest post on “Intarsia Nuts” Facebook group on word from Anatoly. It was posted Today, Sunday morning at around 8:00 am EST which would make them once again approaching evening on Sunday in Ukraine.

Prayers Continue for both and all of Ukraine.

I have been watching for updates on Alex Fox but Gary’s above is latest I have seen. I did see one post where it said Charles Hand had communicated with Alex (but I think it may have been earlier then Gary’s last communication above) which indicated that Alex had shared a layered peace pattern for free and encouraging folks to support Alex and buy some of his patterns from his Etsy store. The info, I saw did not have actual link to Charles Hand’s post so I can’t provide that here. Does anyone know anything on it?

Edited February 27, 2022 by meflick
Typo correction

[kmmcrafts]

I had thought about posting about Alex's store and supporting him yesterday while we was gone to visit my daughter.. 

Here is a link to his etsy shop. Not sure if this is what Melanie was asking if we knew of his site or if she was saying something about the posting on FB.. Anyway here is his etsy shop link.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlexFoxUA?ref=usf_2020

[meflick]

Thanks Kevin, I figured most knew where to get to Alex’s Etsy shop but it’s always good to have a direct link and I was going to go get it too edit my post and share. I was referring to Charles Hand’s post regarding Alex’s Peace pattern for those who might like to create it in honor of he and his countrymen in Ukraine as I wasn’t sure if it was in his Etsy shop. I don’t see. That Anatoly has an shop. He has been published in several articles of the Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts magazines  from 2019 forward through several in 2020 and 2021 I know of.

Edited February 27, 2022 by meflick

[kmmcrafts]

I've never heard of Anatoly until this topic.. Have not been into the FB groups much until recently.. 

Prayers to all that are involved in that area.. 

[NC Scroller]

According to Facebook Messenger Alex Fox was last online at 11:00 AM EST today.  I take that as a good sign.

[OzarkSawdust]

I just got a message from Alex. He and his family are still safe...for now.

"Hi, the situation is the same (explosions and shots are heard outside the town), the neighboring village of Antonovka was evacuated to our town. Kherson airport was captured, Chernobaevka (a village near the airport) is planned to be evacuated too. Yesterday I went out and bought some groceries, essentials. Today pharmacies were opened for several hours, I bought basic medicines. Products are quickly sold out, there are very long queues everywhere. Bread, cereals, pasta, sugar, salt, flour are nowhere to be found. Just a 10 minutes ago there was an air raid alert. "

I pray that they escape the carnage happening in other parts of the country. But I fear it will be a while before things quiet down over there. I'll keep you guys updated as I hear from him.

[OzarkSawdust]

Alex sent another message. 

 Now there is a curfew, civilians cannot leave their homes from 8 pm to 6 am, there is no military equipment in the town, but I saw patrols.

 

[dgman]

I just ordered two patterns from Alex’s Etsy shop. Spent $19. My wife just ordered some cross stitch  patterns from an Etsy shop based in Ukraine. They are urging to limit purchases to $20 or less. Apparently, $20 or less is easier for them to access. Let’s support Alex and other Ukrainian artists as best as we can!