Seniors a Cut Above the Rest

Every Wednesday, a group of about 12 seniors of varying skills get together at the and carve their own creations out of wood.

Instructor Warren Blessing runs the group and said the experience in the class ranges from those who have never carved in their life to retired carvers.  However, Blessing has lesson plans for each skill level, but often his more advanced carvers do their own projects.

“We cater to whoever comes,” Blessing said. “It’s meant to be fun.”

The class offers seniors more than a quiet place to work. It gives them the chance to share ideas, get help and enjoy general companionship.

Blessing, who went to a school in Nebraska recently to teach classes, has been carving for 22 years and teaches other classes throughout the week.

“I’ve been doing this all my life,” he said.

Roger Bomely spent his afternoon carving faces. He said that he specializes in making dragons and wizards, but struggles with more realistic items like people.

“I am doing 50 repetitions to get good,” Bomley said. He added that he has learned a lot from Blessing.

“He’s awesome,” he said about his teacher. “He is a nice guy and very talented.”

Dennis Tormey was spending his afternoon making a birthday present for his son who is a second grade teacher in Willington.  He was doing a relief carving, which is meant to show depth, of a man in glasses surrounded by books.

John Hayes was working on his latest project, gnomes. 

“I guess I was always interested in doing stuff with wood,” Hayes said. “And this is a natural extension of that.”

Anyone interested can drop by the class, which meets in Room 2 at the every Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. There is a $2 drop-in fee. The program is for adults 50 years old and older. 

For more information, check the Parks and Recreation Department website.