By Terry Castellaz
Daily news
BREITUNG TOWNSHIP A retired construction teacher's vision to develop a local non-profit carpentry business is remarkable.
Pine Creek Woodworking in Breitung Township will officially open to the public on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 9 a.m.
Tom Winder and a group of dedicated volunteers renovated the century-old school last year to use modern equipment and a place to learn carpentry.
"People told us we were going to open in January and we did," said Winder, president of the nonprofit group.
Pine Creek Lumber Board members are thrilled with the completion and believe the new non-profit organization will be a great asset to the community.
The board recently awarded Honorary Membership to Norm Fairley, who will lead one of the first classes.
"It 's a place where they can come and make something out of a piece of wood with their hands and feel good about themselves," Winder said. "It is very interesting." Fender added that it's also about the camaraderie we have together and helping each other. "It looks like a locker room," he said .
Winder said the nonprofit group caters to veterans, seniors and anyone interested in learning more about the craft, not just experienced carpenters.
"We invite anyone of any age to be interested in woodworking," he said.
Winder said members can create almost anything in a manageable size, from small art projects to furniture.
The renovated 100-year-old Pine Creek School in Breitung Township will reopen at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, January 21.
"We don't have room to set up 10-meter high dining tables ," he said.
Members can bring their own wood or buy it locally.
Professional craftsmen in the region will begin courses in woodworking, carving, basic cabinet making, basic carpentry and framing in February. These will be free for members, while non-members can pay on the door.
"These classes would be great for learning a variety of skills," Winder said.
Norwegian Norm Fairley, who will be 90, will give one of the first courses. Fairlie was recently elected an honorary member.
"He (Fairley) is an inspiration to all of us; hopefully we can do it at his age," Winder said.
Class dates will be announced on the Pine Creek Woodworking Facebook page.
The organization was self-financed. The final phase of the project consisted of installing $80,000 worth of state-of-the-art equipment.
"We haven't bought a board yet," Winder said.
As this phase of the project nears completion, Wender said they have already begun preparing for a 24-by-24-foot addition that will include a basement.
The new space will house two pieces of equipment: a laser for precision cutting and engraving and a CNC machine or CNC machine.
"Before we started, we knew we needed more space," Winder said, noting that the old school room was just over 1,000 square feet.
He said most of the lumber for the new construction has already been processed and is expected to begin this spring.
Board members include Tom Winder, Albert Santoni, Steve Pontebriand, Mark Pugh, Steve Leonard, Ted Fournetti and John Fortier.
They said they could not achieve their goals without the public's support. "We can't thank everyone who donated or contributed to the project enough," Fender said.
Wender admitted they're still in the honeymoon phase of this project, but said they're not afraid to learn as they go.
He said, "Whoever walked in didn't expect to see what was behind the door." "It is clear, clean and full of energy."
Anyone interested in learning more about the craft or becoming a member is encouraged to visit Pine Creek Woodworking on Upper Pine Creek Road on Saturdays.
The annual fee is $200. Everyone must go through security procedures before receiving their membership card.
The institution will open for registration on Wednesday 25 January at 18:00.
For more information, visit the Pine Creek Woodworking Facebook page.
Terry Castelaz at 906-774-2772 ext. 241 or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com. 
