From Crates to Creations: Joe Feather’s Journey in Woodworking
Entering Cornwall Manor’s Woodshop is a modest space filled with the scent of sawdust, the hum of machinery and the camaraderie among friends. The woodworkers are known for creating beautiful and functional pieces.
You can usually find Cornwall Manor resident Joe Feather in the Woodshop most mornings working on a project. Preparing for the upcoming Blooms & More Festival, he is crafting a handmade bowl. He selects a piece of wood from his stock, which is used for its durability and attractive grain. After inspecting the wood for imperfections, he cuts it into a rough shape using a bandsaw, which creates the foundation of the bowl.
He mounts it onto the lathe and it spins the wood at high speeds for Joe to chisel, carve and shape. He starts by shaping the outside of the bowl to a rounded profile – a process that requires precision and control. Once the outside is shaped, Joe turns his attention to hollowing out the inside. He used a bowl gouge to remove material, working slowly to ensure the thickness was even and the shape was perfect. This part of the process was time-consuming and demanded patience, but Joe knows that rushing could lead to cracks or uneven surfaces.
After the bowl was hollowed out, the sanding is next. He begins with coarse sandpaper to remove any rough spots and gradually worked his way to finer grits. The sanding process was meticulous, but it was essential for achieving a smooth finish.
Next, he applies a finish to the bowl. He chooses a natural oil that would enhance the wood’s grain and provide protection. He applied the oil in thin coats, allowing each layer to soak in before adding the next. The finish brought out the rich colors and patterns in the maple, giving the bowl a warm, inviting look.
Finally, Joe inspects the bowl one last time, checking for any imperfections. Satisfied with his work, he cleans up his tools and sets the bowl aside to dry. It is a beautiful piece, crafted with skill and care, ready to be displayed for sale at the annual Blooms & More Festival.
Joe’s process is a blend of artistry and technique, honed over years of practice. Each step requires attention to detail and a deep understanding of the materials. His journey with woodworking began at an early age and was a self-taught skill. Joe’s parents owned a grocery store in New Paris, Pennsylvania. Joe would take apart wooden produce crates, straighten the nails and use the wood to build dog houses, ping pong tables, and refinish various items.
He continued to refine his woodworking skills through his high school’s woodworking classes. Here is where he made his first bowl. Inspired by his woodshop teacher, Joe pursued Drafting and Design Technology at Penn State Altoona. He learned about the Air Force offering a program that allowed college students with over 30 hours to apply for a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Joe took advantage of this opportunity and completed his degree at Arizona State University.
Joe served in the both the Air Force and then the Air National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap until 1987, not far from Mount Gretna and Cornwall Manor. He returned to active duty and took a construction job in California. His last assignment was in the Pentagon working for the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Air Force. After 33 years of service in the Air Force, he retired in 1995 to Mount Gretna. They had moved seven times throughout Joe’s career and finally to Cornwall Manor in 2015. He and his wife, Laura, always knew they wanted to live at Cornwall Manor. When they relocated from Mount Gretna, they knew it was the perfect place for their retirement. They never considered any other community and the corner house on Gatehouse Lane quickly became home.
Despite the many moves, Joe still has his workbench from his childhood. When the woodshop at Cornwall Manor moved to a new location on campus in 2018, Joe got involved by volunteering to fix things. The new and expanded space for the Woodshop is located in the former Mule Barn/Maintenance Building (along Rexmont Road, across from the Health Center). The area for the Woodshop features 1,550 square feet for machines, tools, ongoing projects, lumber and more. The Woodshop can be utilized for hobbyists to perfect their skill or work on a project or on a volunteer basis where they perform small jobs like putting together bookshelves, rewiring lamps, fixing chair legs, etc. Many of the woodworkers make and donate items that are sold and proceeds benefit the Cornwall Manor community.
After Joe’s involvement began at the Woodshop, he donated a lathe, which allows him to carve, and began creating beautiful bowls, cutting boards, trays, napkin holders, coasters, and other wood creations. Using hardwoods like maple, cherry, and walnut, Joe’s designs were unique, with no two pieces being the same. Sometimes he envisioned his creations, while other times he let the wood guide him.
The woodworkers at Cornwall Manor are known for their handmade pieces, which are sold at the annual Blooms & More Festival in May, the holiday Cookies, Carols, Crafts & More event in December, through special orders, and in the Manor Shoppe. Each woodworker had a specialty, and Joe enjoys being with the guys and staying active. “If I didn’t have the woodshop, I would sit and watch TV all day. Everyone needs something,” Joe shares.
For Joe, woodworking was more than a hobby; it was a way to stay engaged and creative. His background in drafting and construction, combined with his passion for woodworking, allows him to create beautiful and functional pieces that are cherished by the community. Cornwall Manor is not just a place to live; it is a place where Joe can continue to grow and share his talents with others.
