My journey into woodworking began during my sophomore year of high school (1973-74), in the first ever woodworking class at Cascade High School. Our first six weeks were spent memorizing names, uses and safety rules for all the tools in the brand new shop. Early that fall we selected whether our fist ever project would be made out of black walnut, oak or cherry lumber. While we did all that memorizing our teacher, Wayne Eslick, cut out the parts for small “water pump” lamps which would be our first item to make using hand tools. I still have that lamp and it is pictured here:

The photo on the right is of the bottom of the lamp base and the faint 97 and WE show the grade I was assigned on this project and the teacher’s initials. Regretfully the spout from the lamp came off and has subsequently been lost. Maybe I will make a replacement some day.

The first week of my senior year I approached Mr. Eslick and said, “I want to take Woodworking III. He responded, “You know we only offer Woodworking I and II.” I replied, “Yes, I know that, but I also know you cut out the pieces each year for the Woodworking I students’ lamps. If you allow me to take Woodworking III, I will cut out all those parts for you before I start my initial project. Also, I have an additional study hall at the time you teach Woodworking II, so you will not have to do anything extra to supervise me.” He gave his approval, if I could get the Principal and Guidance Counsellor to approve the class. Thankfully they did.

Here is a small oak table which I made later that year. The lamp and this table are the two pieces I made during three years of woodworking which I still own.

Because of my desire to continue taking classes, Mr. Eslick recommended me to the local guitar factory when they contacted him for a recommendation of a student to hire as a mill worker who would cut out parts for the luthiers. From high school woodworking to J.W. Gallagher and Sons Guitar factory was quite a transition. But both opportunities deepened my love for diverse forms of woodworking.

Decades later my connection with local artist, Norris Hall, opened the door for renewing my opportunities to acquire the tools needed. Doing part-time production millwork for Norris provided the funding to buy saws, drills, planers, etc. Eventually, I was able to purchase my first lathe after my father died and began developing my skills in order to open the small business named Renewed Turning. This website is set up to create a space for me to tell more of my story and to create a space for people who want to purchase one of my art pieces to have access. Check out the store and make a purchase for a person on your shopping list who is “hard to please.” Look at the blog articles which go into more depth on my journey.