HODGDON, Maine — Children who are undergoing cancer treatments in Brewer, or who may have loved ones going through treatments, will now have a small piece of Aroostook County to play with during those difficult, and oftentimes painful experiences.
A bundle of 80 handmade wooden tops, created by members of the Northern Maine Woodturners were recently delivered to the Lafayette Family Cancer Center for children to either play with while they are there receiving treatment or to take home with them.
“I thought tops for the kids would be a good idea,” said Susan Riley, a member of the woodturners group. “We have made tops for other events, like a person’s wedding, but this was something I thought would go over well.”
Dollard “Dee” Cote, president of the Northern Maine Woodturners, said creating a top is not very labor intensive. In fact, he can create multiple tops at the same time. Some of the tops are colored, while others have a natural wood grain.
Adding color to the tops is as simple as placing a colored permanent marker on the wood while it is spinning on the lathe, Cote said.
“Some of the tops are softwood, while others prefer to work with hardwood,” added Joe Inman, another member of the group.
“If a child wants to play with one while they are there getting treatment and put it back, they can, or they can take it home with them,” Riley said. “Honestly, I hope they take them home.”
She said if the items are popular, the group will likely make more for the center as they are always looking for outlets to showcase their work.
According to the woodturners’ bylaws, “In addition to supporting the general purpose of the parent organization, American Association of Woodturners, we will provide a meeting place for local woodturners to share ideas and techniques regarding this craft, trade woods, exchange ideas about tools and expand the interest in woodturning and to be an outlet for education and exposure to the craft.”
After a couple of years of tinkering with wood products, the group officially formed in July 2010, as the “Up There Woodturners of Aroostook County,” starting out as a small group of folks, with a passion for turning blocks of wood into beautiful creations.
They eventually changed their name to the “Northern Maine Woodturners,” and can be found participating in a number of community events, such as the annual Southern Aroostook Trade Show and the Harvest Festival.
There are roughly 25 members in the group, hailing from throughout Aroostook County and northern Penobscot and Washington counties. Currently, the group’s membership includes residents of Presque Isle, Mapleton, Patten, Stacyville, Prentiss and Weston.
Members teach about woodturning and often give explanations about the types of wood they are using. Through their exhibits, the woodturners have shown members of the community that a new hobby and skill is attainable for most anyone, but most importantly they teach people that anyone is capable of turning something rough into something amazing and unique.
In 2017, the woodturners were presented with the Community Spirit Award at the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards banquet.
“People can come to our meetings, there is no commitment,” Inman said. “We also have loaner lathes that people can take home with them to try out. No matter what level you are at, you can create something.”
“First we teach them the safety aspects,” Cote said. “Then they can use it until someone else needs one.”
“For me, my father and grandfather were woodworkers, so I guess it’s in my blood,” Riley said. “I just love the smell of sawdust.”
The group meets the first Wednesday of each month, at 7 p.m., at Hodgdon Middle-High School’s shop building. People of all ages and experience levels are invited to attend and learn more about the group.
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- This bowl of wooden tops, created by the Northern Maine Woodturners, was taken to the Lafayette Family Cancer Center in Brewer for children to have something to play with while undergoing cancer treatments. (Joseph Cyr)
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- These wooden tops, created by members of the Northern Maine Woodturners, were among those donated for children undergoing treatment at the Lafayette Family Cancer Center in Brewer. (Joseph Cyr)
