Trying a new skill: Women Learn Woodworking at Broadview
When Bonnie Metsch was growing up, girls took home economics class and not woodshop. She always wanted to try it. Now she is. Bonnie was one of eight women at Broadview at Purchase College, a senior living community on the campus of Purchase College, who recently attended a new woodworking class taught by fellow Broadview resident Donald Bermack.
Bonnie said she was hesitant at first, but her son and grandson sealed the deal when they expressed skepticism about her ability to succeed.
“My grandsons and my son have this whole shop set up in the basement, and they challenged me. I said, ‘Can you teach me how to do that?’ and they said, ‘Mom, it’s not for you.’ I wanted to prove them wrong.’
Bermack, who teaches the class, is relatively new to the skill himself. Bermack started working with wood about four years ago after he quit skiing and was looking for a new hobby.
“I can’t sit still, and it was driving me crazy,’’ he said. “I read about Intarsia, and I thought that was an interesting idea and that I’d try it.’’
Intarsia is a form of wood inlay, creating a mosaic that uses varied colors and shapes of wood to create a pattern.
Wendy Freund, who has been working in the woodshop for several months, is creating an Intarsia turtle. Freund said she loves to draw and tries to create art every day. Intarsia was just a new artistic experiment.
“I love the sanding,’’ she said.
Bermack said the woodshop has really taken off since he and some others in the community started it. Residents have used the woodshop to produce dozens of useful items, from birdhouses to cornhole games. He decided to offer the classes after several women in the community expressed an interest.
Most recently, Bermack said that the woodworking group has been using the skill to help residents at Broadview’s High Point Center for Care, which offers assisted living and memory care services. He said some simple woodworking projects are being done to help residents with their fine motor skills.
Jamie Rosenfeld said that she had tried to work on one project. “The first time I tried it, I broke a saw blade,’’ she shrugged. Will she try again?
“Absolutely.’’