My name is Al. Growing up I never learned to use hand tools. I was too busy with sports, the outdoors, and reading books. Then there was college and ultimately a career as a special ed teacher with a number of other hats working for a non-profit charitable school - at the same time raising a family with a wife, 8 kids and a dog - always too busy to add time for hobbies. My interest in woodworking and wood crafts came from my father-in-law but I never had the time to do much until I retired. Now I am trying to play catch up. There's an overview of the types of projects I've worked on posted in my profile. Looking forward to hanging out here to broaden my knowledge and sharing experiences with other woodworkers.

Welcome, Al. You've picked a great place to hang out and catch up on woodworking. 

You and I have a few things in common. Before retiring, my work was as a Speech and Language Therapist. Plus, My wife's degree was in Spec.Ed. She did it for 12 years before going in to the regular classroom. 

Gene,

 

So your SLP degree is close to mine. I taught in a pre-K to 12 residential deaf school for 47.5 yrs. Taught a number of academic high school courses and remedial elem/jr hi courses. And at various times had additional duties as either public relations and fund raising, AV director, food service director, bus driver, school photographer - being a private non-profit we all had more hats than Bartholomew Cubbins.

 

Glad to be here. I missed the service, but try to find ways to do my part now to share the spirit and honor the memories of my father, son, and uncles who served.

 

-aj43

Edited May 5, 20197 yr by aj43

Welcome!!!!!!!!!!! Another teacher here but not quite as long as you! 33 years teaching in a Vocational Technical High School- Electronics and Computers.

1 hour ago, lew said:

Welcome!!!!!!!!!!! Another teacher here but not quite as long as you! 33 years teaching in a Vocational Technical High School- Electronics and Computers.

I knew there was a reason I liked you Lew, I’m a Vokie! Hi Al, and welcome. I’m still in the asking questions category, not yet in the answering questions category, ( unless you have electrical questions, then I can hold my own.). You’ve found a great place here, the people are friendly AND knowledgeable.  

Al, you hung in there about 10 years longer than we did. And, we only wore a couple hats each.  Speaking of hats...mine's off to you. We hung it up temporarily after we became eligible for our state's retirement. My wife continued to work and draw her pension and I did private contracting until my SS kicked in. We've both enjoyed semi and, now total retirement for close to 20 years. 

 

Welcome from a fellow Ohioan.

Welcome, Al!   Also from a fellow Buckeye.   I live on the eastern edge of Warren County, just off I-71.   Grew up in NE Ohio, went to Ohio State, married a girl from Toledo area, took a tour of the midwest (Illinois, Wisconsin, western PA) before coming back to SW Ohio (Cincinnati 'burbs) 40 years ago.  Daughters went to Ohio State, Kent State, and Bowling Green

Welcome aboard Al, glad to have you here.

Edited May 6, 20197 yr by Cal

Al, I'd like to invite you to the Cincinnati Woodworking Club's meeting this Saturday.   Free donuts and our annual luncheon following.    here is meeting notice

 

Meeting Location
Northminster Presbyterian
Church, 703 Compton Road—
approximately .2 miles east of
Winton Road.
The meetings are held in the
Disciples Hall, located in the
basement. Park behind the
church, and enter through the
double doors on the right side of
the building, in the back.
Handicap access to basement via
west rear door & elevator.
Meeting Time
Our room opens at 8:30 AM. The
meeting is from 9:00 AM to
12:30 PM. Please plan to arrive
on time and stay for the entire
meeting
 

Edited May 6, 20197 yr by kmealy

Thanks for the offer. No promises because of other commitments. I will warn you I am not good at organizations. Although I enjoy the comeraderie I just seem to have a problem with structured activities. I do try to make and keep up with the contacts though. 

Welcome to the crew Al. Lots to learn and share here.

Please post some pictures of your work.  Even the 'WIP' (work in process) images are cool to see the transition from a raw piece of wood to the final artifact. Think about the Crazy Horse monument and how interesting that is.  The process is sometimes more interesting than the final result.

Edited May 10, 20197 yr by richk52

On 5/7/2019 at 9:15 AM, aj43 said:

Thanks for the offer. No promises because of other commitments. I will warn you I am not good at organizations. Although I enjoy the comeraderie I just seem to have a problem with structured activities. I do try to make and keep up with the contacts though. 

Sent me your e-mail address and I'll add you to the newsletter.   Our next meeting is in September as we do not meet in the summer.   We are not super structured.   We have between 60 and 80 members at a typical meeting and time before, during break, and after to socialize (and have donuts).

Is it true that only sinners can attend the Cincinnati Woodworking Club's monthly meetings since they are held in Disciple's Hall?

22 hours ago, aj43 said:

 

 

Is your group the one with the toy projects?

Not to be confused with cinti carvers guild ?

 

-al

Yes, we have a number of toy projects -- Christian Appalachian Project in KY, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Fernside (support group for grieving children) and occasional others.

The carver's and turner's are separate groups.

Oooops.gave you faulty email. Should be:         

I didn't proofread.  (no G)  rest is okay.

Welcome Al from a neighboring Hoosier.

Welcome, Al.  Just a note to suggest that in the future for your personal contact information, please don't use the forums but rather used the messaging system.  You never know who is trolling and can and will use your contact information for other than real situations.  I am sorry if I am overstepping.  I am very concerned as I get so much trash email and as many robo calls for student loans (of which I have never had) to debt to IRS, debt to my electrical utility.  The latter two I challenged them to meet me at the door where I would be standing with a loaded shotgun.  No takers as of yet.  

17 hours ago, aj43 said:

 

Got you registered, suggest you go back and edit both posts to remove your personal info.   It does not take AI to convert (at) gmail (dot) com to your real address.