Monday, February 20, 2012 —
He operates the bush hog in the cotton fields in the fall. During the spring and summer months, he helps his stepsons operate Poppin’ John’s Homemade Ice Cream cart. He sings year-round at New Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church and is the director of Civitan, a civic organization dedicated to helping the community.
But in the cold of winter, you won’t find Jim Millspaugh, 72, scooping up ice cream or out in the field. Rather, you will find him in his workshop behind his house, designing, measuring and creating goods from wood.
“It’s my therapy,” Millspaugh said.
Since 1975, Millspaugh has been cutting and making desks, tables, entertainment centers and many other items out of wood.
“Alder, poplar, maple, cedar, walnut and oak,” Millspaugh says of his preferred wood choices when making different desks, tables or kitchen islands. But he is also quick to specify what he doesn’t do.
“Not hickory. The wood in hickory is so hard, it dulls the [cutting] tools. And I don’t want to make a chair, they are too hard,” he said.
In the decades since starting, Millspaugh has compiled a fan base for his work, as he creates many pieces for family members or his church.
New Mt. Tabor recently cut down two 200-year-old white oak trees. From the trees, Millspaugh has built 117 small wooden crosses to be given to children or families, stairs leading up to the sound booth of the church and even a sign, featuring the United Methodist Cross and Flame, with the Bible verse John 14:6.
After being commissioned for the sign, Millspaugh saw something similar at Pfeiffer University and was inspired.
“That’s the skill there. He can figure out how to put it together,” Jean Millspaugh said.
Jean and Jim dated in 1958 while Jean was in high school and Jim was in the Navy in Florida. Jim, from Illinois, was unable to go back home and would come home for weekends with his friend Buddy Palmer. Jim and Jean went on to marry other people and Palmer and Jim stayed in touch. Once Jim divorced and found out Jean was getting a divorce, Jim asked Jean out on another date in 2002. They were married later that year.
Ten years later, Jim and Jean’s home is filled with an entertainment center, side tables, a kitchen island and a pencil holder, all of which Jim made.
Jim used several different types of wood for the pencil holder. He hollowed out a few pieces before glueing them together. Using a wood lathe, Jim was able to design a pencil holder then sand it down. Jim’s favorite part of the process is to ensure each piece he creates is cohesive.
“Making good joints, making sure there’s no gaps, taking your time to do it, that’s my favorite part,” he said.
Before holding his many positions, Jim was a draftsman and worked in electronics for 37 years as micro photographer. Both skills have helped him in his woodworking.
“I subscribe to wood magazines, and I see things I try to modify. I used to be a draftsman anyways, so that helps,” he said.
His first project was an “Angel Table,” as he calls it — a table with angel wings cut into the legs — and since then, he has always looked for a challenge.
“He likes the challenge of doing something different,” Jean said.
“I am very impressed with his woodworking and I am proud of the fact he can do stuff like that.”
Jim is always reading or trying out new ideas. He says the best way to learn is through trial and error.
While many will argue Jim’s greatest gift is his wood cutting, Jim is proud of another accomplishment.
In 2009, Jim won the North Carolina Senior Games championship in golf for the 70 to 74 year olds age group.
Jim is currently working on seven jobs and still considers wood cutting and golf his hobbies.
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Man creates items for friends, church
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