Meet the Woodchucks

Riding around Sun City and walking through the lodge, chances are you will see some of the work and constructed items completed by members of the Sun City Woodchucks Charter Club.

The Charter club started in 1999, with its first president, Jim Barron.

Barron said, “We had a sign-up sheet in the Library at Prairie Lodge, for anyone interested in joining the club. The woodshop was not even constructed at the time.”

There were 50 members to start the Club, and dues were set at $60. Currently, there are around 200 members and the dues remain the same. The membership has 23 women and one of them, Karen Thacher, is the Club’s current President.

John Sterling, who served as the second and third president of the Club and wrote the Column “Ask the Woodchucks” for My Sun Day News, said, “We have done scenery for the plays, the storage shed for the softball club, the alcoves and benches for the tennis club, bulletin boards for the softball and bocci ball clubs, benches in the fitness center.”

The club’s projects also include work in the Sew ‘n’ Sews Club room.

Al La Pelusa was Club President for three terms and an honorary member coordinates the club’s annual wooden toy-making drive. La Pelusa has organized this effort for 17 years.

“We had eight teams working on different toys this year and made 355 toys. The teams decide what toys they’re going to build. We have a member who worked for Fisher Price and reviews the project plans, ensuring that the toys meet safety standards. The toys are created especially for children. We do not sell them, but our toymakers can buy one. We have a rule that you need to make a toy to buy a toy. The proceeds from those sales are used to purchase material for next year’s projects,” he said.

What toys did they make this year?

James Vitte said, “We made cars, doll cradles, dump trucks, owls, and a miniature gang box.”

A gang box is a type of sturdy toolbox used to hold all the supplies that could be needed for a particular task on a railroad.

Steve Klein, a member of the club, said, “I have visited other Woodshops and this one is an exceptional woodshop. This is the cleanest shop that I have ever been to and is well stocked and maintained. It is as good as a high-level manufacturing shop.”

Thacher said, “We have an excellent dust collecting system. The outside silo was existing at a different site. It was disassembled and moved next to the Woodshop shed. It houses the dust collector. The dust is funneled into bags inside the silo and they are emptied periodically.”

Mike Shortridge, vice-president of the club, said “Our workshop is well equipped and maintained. We have an excellent safety record; no accidents. We provide training for everyone. No experience is necessary.”

All new members must complete training on the equipment. This includes orientation and safety classes and then modules that can be taken in any order. The modules are about one hour long.

What is the most frequently used tool?

Jim Vitte, a club Foreman said, “The screwdriver. The jointer, band saws, and table saw.”

Sterling said, “No one keeps their tools as good as the shop.”

Jim Jiran said, “Our members come from many different professions. We have several airline mechanics, electricians, carpenters, printers, different business owners, salespeople, teachers, medical professionals, and many other jobs. Some have a lot of experience working with power tools and hand tools, and some have no experience. We are very proud of our excellent safety record and this is due to our extensive training and monitoring of the work going on in the woodshop.”

Shortridge said, “Everyone takes pride in their product. We don’t have anyone saying ‘It’s good enough.’ It just doesn’t fly here. We learn from each other and we share our plans. Everyone is generous with their time and knowledge.”

The Millgrove Woodshop is located near Veteran’s Field. It is 2750 sq. ft. of well-lit, climate-controlled space. The club invites residents to stop by for a guided tour.

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