Putting a spin on class

The Glacier Woodturners Association made a special visit to Ryan Boyle's wood shop class Dec. 7 at Whitefish High School to demonstrate different techniques for shaping wood into works of art.

Brian Weaver, the president of the association, said this is the second year the club has gone to a school to present their craft. Last year they visited Columbia Falls High School.

"The kids really like it," Weaver said. "A lot of what we do can be applied later in life and in other careers."

The association says its goal is to foster a wider appreciation of lathe-turning as a traditional and contemporary craft. They do this by providing education and information to the public, including the classroom demonstrations.

Weaver showed the class how to make a whistle on a wood lathe, which, he said, is always a crowd pleaser for the students.

Skip Peardsley, one of the five woodworkers at the presentation, showed a group of boys how to quickly make a lidded box.

Peardsley worked a three-inch chunk of cherry on the lathe using a variety of tools he crafted from recycled steel, and by the end of the 45-minute class, he had a finished product for the students to hold.

Peardsley says he can typically make two or three small boxes an hour.

The association, which is open to anyone, offers a mentoring program that gives the members an opportunity to share their particular skill or technique with others.

To learn more about the Glacier Woodturners Association, visit online at www.glacierwoodturner.com.