Instead of using my hands for typing or writing this past Saturday, I spent a (very) full day at the Woodright’s Woodworking School in our beautiful town of Pittsboro. You may be familiar with the school if you ever saw an episode of “The Woodright’s Shop” on PBS, a show that’s been running for over 30 years.

The Woodright’s School is owned by Roy Underhill, who I learned during lunch published his first novel just a few weeks ago! Learn about Calvin Cobb Radio Woodworker published by Lost Art Press.

The class I took was centered on creating a dovetailed memento box. Bill Anderson instructed the class, assisted by Will Myers. (Bill also baked pies, brought candy canes, and had mulled apple cider simmering for us all day!!) According to Bill, the Woodright’s School is the only one in the country that requires the 100% use of hand tools; all of which are 100-to-200-years-old. No power tools allowed! When I say it was a full day at the school – it was. I was there 11 hours with an hour break for lunch!

No photo provided, but I did chisel my own thumb and had the honor of the day’s only injury!

The classes are very popular. I was on a waiting list for four months to get into this particular class. Fortunately, a seat opened up several weeks ago and I was able to get in! The new schedule was just posted this week, and I won’t be able to make it to another one soon. I hope to take a bookstand workshop in 2015.

People came from far and wide for the class. Our town has several fantastic bed and breakfasts. (One owned by a novelist.) If you’re not in the Triangle-area of North Carolina – register for a class and make a weekend out of it.

The Woodright’s School 89A Hillsboro Street Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312