By Chris Shott
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
Retirement from work does not equate to retirement from life.
Roy Ellison, who lives at Linden Ponds, used his hands when he worked as a carpenter in the maintenance department of Boston University for nearly four decades until retiring in 1984. Today, he uses his hands daily as he develops a new trade—woodcarving.
“I was a carpenter for my whole life, but I never did any carving,” says Ellison, who has lived at Linden Ponds for the past two years. “When I came here, I stopped by the woodshop one day about two months ago and I got hooked.”
Ellison says he now visits the wood shop “almost every day” and shares his newfound pastime with a growing group of woodcarvers, some who are very skilled and others, like Ellison, who are virtual newcomers.
“It’s what we like to do,” Ellison says of the Linden Ponds woodworkers. “We like to shoot the breeze and cut wood.”
In just two months, Ellison has already completed small woodcarvings of a dog and a bear, but his pride and joy is a comical illustration of Casey Stengel, the late Major League Baseball manager. Ellison carves from diagrams, illustrations, and how-to books, along with much-appreciated assistance from his fellow woodcarvers.
Ellison’s achievements are especially significant because he has arthritis in both hands.
Up-to-date wood tools
On a recent morning, Ellison continued work on his latest creation in the wood shop, patiently manipulating cutting knives and a shaping tool as he transformed a block of wood into another sports figure. The shop boasts a wealth of up-to-date tools and machinery, something to please everyone’s needs and skill levels.
“Everything you could need to finish projects is in here,” Ellison says. “We don’t lack for anything.”
In addition to personal projects, Ellison says the Linden Ponds woodworkers also perform valuable services for others who live here.
“We like to help out with small jobs and repairs,” he says. “We can even repair furniture.”