Page 13 - Giv'er Miramichi magazine - Summer 2019

Sawdustmakers in Action

By Paulette Arsenault and Mike Wyatt
The Miramichi of a regular job.
Senior Sawdustmakers Having heard of a
(MSSI) are an active similar woodworking
group of retired persons group in Fredericton, he
who have a goal: to thought it would be a
provide a venue where good idea to try the
senior men and women same sort of thing here
can safely pursue on the river. One of
activity that is Reg’s favorite axioms
stimulating mentally, was, “Try to learn two
physically, and socially, new things every day.”
by working with wood. It is a goal that the
The non-profit members, who range in
organization provides a abilities from novice to
workshop with the expert, keep in mind as
space and tools for a they come together in
wide variety of the shop.
woodworking activities The new sign made for the Miramichi Cross-County Ski Club. “The club is
such as carving, L to R: Philippe Gauthier, Peter Gadd, Luce Marchand, Mike Wyatt. always looking for
turning, cabinetry, and new members”, says
carpentry. club president Mike Wyatt. “This is all about having a
The MSSI was approached by the Miramichi Cross- common interest in woodwork, but you do not have to be a
Country Ski Club to make a new sign for their trail-head, and woodworker to belong to the club. The whole idea is to teach,
they accepted the challenge. After they laid up the materials, learn, and socialize in a safe and well-appointed space,
Philippe Gauthier, a man with a passion and expertise in especially over the course of a long winter. We make sure
woodcarving, was chosen for the task of carving. The there is a nice balance between personal, club, and
computer-assisted lettering was applied to the 10-foot and 6- community projects. We are also in the process of expanding
foot Miramichi white pine boards that were glued up, planed, our shop to include a storage and warehouse facility,”
sanded, and chamfered for the job. Carving the letters The Sawdustmakers started out with a small shop
involved more than 40 hours of strenuous work demanding through the generosity of another of the groups founding
great physical finesse by Philippe. The finished product is members who offered his garage as workspace. Now, with
of professional quality, using local sourced wood, that will the patronage of a federal grant under the New Horizons for
enhance the community. Seniors Program and the generosity of the City of Miramichi,
The Sawdustmakers shop is a cheerful place where a they have a new shop. It is a well-lit and upbeat venue that
retired person can get out of the house, enjoy a woodworking enhances the social well-being and vitality of this community
activity, a cup of coffee, and meet others with similar of seniors. “It’s the communal aspect that is the most
interests. The shop is always being utilized by members, and satisfying for me; learning and sharing information and
offers supervision, safety, and training for the equipment on techniques with a common interest. I was new to the area, a
hand. They have some sophisticated tools that many people couple of years ago, and I immediately felt welcome.”
cannot afford on their own. The club has one of the best The shop is open every weekday at 9am, at 222
equipped shops in the Miramichi area. Wellington Street, behind the WS Loggie House, Miramichi.
Members include seniors who were born and raised on There is always another member there to provide assistance
the river and who have come from across Canada, choosing if needed. They also have a meeting of the membership on
to settle in Miramichi for their retirement. The common the first Monday of every month, except over the summer.
denominator is an interest in woodworking and an The club has been involved in several community
appreciation for the value of volunteerism. The group’s projects including Tiny Libraries, birdhouses, raised-garden
founder, the late Reg Hare, saw that now that they were not boxes, and other projects on behalf of local non-profit
working every day, there was a lack of things to do for organizations. Keep up to date with all their activities at
himself and his retired friends who missed the social aspect www.facebook.com/sawdustmakers

Giv’er Miramichi is published by MCG Media 13