In April 2020, after 6 weeks of doing stay-at-home projects due to Covid-19, I was looking for things to do: I had repaired just about everything that needed attention in our condo; I had clean out the interior of my car; I had finished Lisa/Rob/Tiki’s upstairs fireplace mantel and I had put together a garden box for our patio and then planted herbs in it.
In mid-April, I received the virtual newsletter, Bykota Buzz, from the Bykota’s Senior Center’s director, Julie Lynn, and saw that some folks were offering Zoom classes online.
Inquiry
I wrote to Julie about the possibility of offering a class or classes and was put in touch with Susan Patry, Assistant Director, who was helping to coordinate events and proposals. My email to Susan indicated that I was interested in offering Zoom classes either in music, woodworking or basic computer skills, to which I attached a brief bio.
Proposal:
Susan responded asking what I thought best. After considering the possibilities for an online class, I decided that woodworking might have the most appeal given that there were over a dozen regulars in the Bykota woodshop and about 225+ members, including myself, in the Howard County Woodworkers Guild. Therefore, at the end of April, I sent a note to Susan and Julie with a proposal.
On May 23, the Bykota Buzz announced the new class as did the Howard County Woodworkers Guild, with both providing the description and asssociated links.
On Monday, June 1, 2020, and for the next seven weeks, I presented eight classes based on works that I had made over the years, from small hand-held items to wall units as well as the addition to our former home in Upperco:
1. Kinds of Woodworking; Show and Tell (slides)
2. Wedding Wine Box; Arbor (slides)
3. Walnut Dresser; Kusamono; Chair Repair (slides)
4. Painted Wall Unit; Maloof Style Music Stand (slides)
5. Desk/Bookcases/Bench ; Asian Console Tables; Table-top Book Stand (slides)
6. Pond Fence, Pergola, Gate; ND Awards Pillar; Tea Caddies (slides)
7. 3315 MCR Addition; Musicians Portable Drink Stand; Asian Mirror and Cabinet (slides)
8. Award Plaques; Child’s Desk and Bookcase; Walnut Wall Unit (slides) [video 38:12]
On Tuesday evening October 19, 2021 I presented a demo to the Washington Woodworkers Guild about Asian Design. The meeting was held at the VFW Hall in Falls Church, VA. (slides)