I turned my first bowl around 1970, then 48 years later my dad gave me his lathe which inspired me to start turning again in 2018. After moving to the Cape in 2019 I started watching numerous YouTube videos trying to improve my woodturning skills. I attended my first Cape Cod Woodturners meeting in March of 2020, then Covid hit. After which I could spend a lot more time focusing on my woodturning. I feel my skills have significantly improved from my association with the Club and the generosity time and knowledge of our members. Dave Arnone, Clarke Buchanan, Mike Grady and Bob Reynolds, among others, have been very helpful in mentoring me and developing my turning skills. Hopefully I will be able to pay forward the assistance and mentoring I have received to others and inspire them to try something new.

When I retired, after working for over 40 years as a forest entomologist for Penn State and the USDA, I needed to find another pursuit. I have always done some woodworking (flat work), but when I retired one of my friends suggested that I attend one of the Cape Cod Wood Turners meetings when they were still held at the West Barnstable community facility on route 149. I believe that the first night I attended Jim Silva was demonstrating and I spoke to several members during the break. I was instantly hooked, and knew that with the club members I would have plenty of support to learn. I don’t remember how long it took me to find a lathe to purchase, but I had turning tools from a great uncle mostly made out of old files and pieces of tool steel. Currently, I turn a variety of things and like to learn new techniques. I really “enjoy” learning more about wood, its identification, properties, and grain patterns and how to handle it from tree to finished piece. Hopefully I can add some value to the Board of Directors and the club.

I started woodturning in 2013 following my retirement from the Fire Service. My favorite pieces to turn include utilitarian items such as ice cream scoops, small bowls, bottle stoppers, screwdrivers and lots of pens. Lately, it's been fun to step out of my comfort zone and try new methods and techniques. Interested in trying woodturning? Ask a friend to let you give their lathe a spin and see if you like it.

I have been turning since 2012 after I bought a burl bowl for my son's anniversary. The turner invited me to a club meeting and I was hooked. I started on a Shopsmith but graduated to a real lathe. My interests include turning ornaments, hollowforms and segmented turning.

After making furniture for several years, I started to attend CCW meetings with Denis and bought a lathe in 2018. I am very appreciative of the mentoring and Turn & Learn classes that taught woodturning basics and built upon those skills. The club is a great place to watch demos and meet other woodturners to get valuable tips. Although I continue to build furniture, I especially enjoy spending time turning; usually to make Christmas ornaments and small gift items.

I first turned in 8th grade wood shop with little to no instruction. Then had a small benchtop lathe at home making simple candlesticks and small items in my teens. I’ve always been involved in woodworking as a hobby until moving to the Cape, away from a stressful corporate life. I’ve now worked here for 10 years as a handyman in a busy semiretired position. My first meeting with CCW was about 9 years ago. Though still a novice turner I’m hoping to soon change that after giving up most of my handyman responsibilities this year.

After a career in health care and teaching, I have been active in CCW since 2010 serving as past secretary/newsletter editor and program chair. I've been the Women in Turning Liaison (WIT) for the club since 2017 and on the AAW WIT Committee as their Liaison Coordinator since 2022. I enjoy a variety of turning projects and enjoy mentoring other turners. You never are finished learning when you're a woodturner which makes it an interesting, fun, and creative activity for everyone on an ongoing basis. Check out our WIT page on this website under Club Activities.