By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com

At 80 years old, Larry Garner of St. John just isn’t the kind of guy that enjoys doing nothing. The former industrial arts teacher and Stafford County farmer took up woodworking to keep his mind occupied, a hobby that has resulted in a few good Christmas presents for friends and family. Garner specializes in making multi-wood checker cutting boards, but he can fix or make just about anything else with wood that he puts his mind to.

“I needed something to do in the wintertime,” Garner said. “Since I have retired from the cattle and crops, I had to find something to do. I inherited a saw from my brother-in-law, so I decided to see what I could make from wood.”

Garner said he also had quite a collection of tools from his years as a farmer and industrial arts teacher that could be used for a wood-crafting hobby as well.

While Garner said he hasn’t had a lot of luck selling out at area crafts shows where he set up a table with his wood crafts, mainly cutting boards for sale, he is happy to have something constructive to do.

“I do a lot of mowing in the summer time for myself, and the neighbors,” Garner said.

He has 8 acres of his own grass to keep track of, and he doesn’t mind looking after the neighbors yards, if they don’t mind. But when the grass quits growing, Garner heads for his wood shop.

“It just about drove me batty, just sitting around. At least now I have something to think about, plan what I’m going to do,” he said.

With a college degree in industrial are, it is no wonder that Garner has found planning woodworking projects an enjoyable challenge. He currently takes different types of wood and combines them to make unique cutting boards.

“I use maple, oak, walnut, and this wood called purple heart,” he said. “I cut them in strips and glue them together with a special glue. It gives me something to do, and they make good Christmas presents.”

Garner said he does other special wood projects on request in addition to making the cutting boards. He makes bird house to specification, repairs tables and chairs, and fills other special requests.

He said he is just glad to have something to keep his mind and hands busy when the weather gets cold outside and he can go to his comfortable wood shop to work.