Greenspring	UPDATED: Monday, March 03, 2008
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If you can dream it, they can build it

Posted on Monday, March 03, 2008

By Kelly A. Shue
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

The whir of saws, the pounding of hammers, and the pungent smell of wood stain means it’s just another day of work at Greenspring’s popular wood shop.

Craftsman’s escape
The community’s Russell S. Bieber Woodshop is equipped with both modern power tools and clean air devices, including a bench saw, cut-off saw, two band saws, two drill presses, routers, planers, joiners, and an assortment of hand power tools.

According to Jack Burke, an avid and longtime woodworker and chair of the Greenspring wood shop club, “Our club is easy to join and open to any resident interested in woodworking.” In order to enjoy the full benefits of the wood shop, members pay a $10 lifetime membership fee, fill out an application form, and agree to abide by the club’s safety rules.

“Members must be trained on the big power tools efore they use them,” says Brke. “And we ask that anytime a member uses the shop utside of posted shop hours, that they ensure there are at least two people there before using the big equipment.”

Plethora of projects
Most of the club’s 50+ members choose to spend their time in the wood shop repairing furniture; others use this creative time to make special projects for both themselves and the greater Greenspring community.

“Sometimes we receive requests to build items,” says Burke. “There is a small charge for these projects that goes to the upkeep of the equipment. It is nominal, and all the labor is donated.”

Recent projects include display panels for the annual Greenspring art show, two award cases for in-house cable Channel 6, and a Christmas manger scene that is assembled every holiday on the putting green.

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Community member Kathleen Illig enjoys using her time in the shop to refinish furniture. “When I first moved to Greenspring, a friend asked me to refinish some end tables,” she says. “When I first set foot in the wood shop, I was so impressed; it was absolutely fantastic. All of the tools are first-rate. And the men working in the wood shop are experts in everything you could imagine. So if I ever have questions or need help, they’re right there.”

Room to grow
While the wood shop club boasts many members, there are usually no more than four or five people working in the shop at one time. This gives everyone plenty of room and freedom to work on their individual projects. In addition, members come together once every other month for an hour-long meeting.

“We talk about the shop, take care of the business of the club, and identify volunteers for different projects,” says Burke.

Over the years, as the club has grown in size, new tools have been donated or obtained by the wood shop. “Right now we are talking about what to do with some of our overflow,” says Burke. “We are hoping to donate some tools to Ashby Ponds once the campus opens, if someone is interested in starting a wood shop there.”

Great place for fun
Whether repairing existing furniture or making something new, the wood shop provides a great place for people to explore their creative sides. “I really enjoy what I do,” says Burke. “And I also find it nice to see more and more people using the shop and having a good time. I’ve always liked woodworking. While some of my friends go golfing, I head to the wood shop.”

Longtime club member and assistant shop manager Clifford Poole agrees. “I’ve been coming down to the shop for the last eight years, at least three times a week,” he says. “It’s a great place to work and meet people also interested in woodworking.”

Warm wood shop welcome
The wood shop is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., but members can also come at other times using a keycode on the locked door.

Any community member interested in attending club meetings can find dates, times, and the location listed in the Greenspring monthly activities calendar and on in-house cable Channel 6.