The community is invited to tour the facility at 7002 Upper Pine Creek Road and learn more about what the non-profit has to offer.

“We really want people to know what we are all about,” founder Tom Wender said. “There is also a big misconception that it’s just for older people and veterans — it’s not.”

Individuals of all ages interested in woodworking are welcome to become members, he stressed.

Pine Creek Woodworking provides access to state-of-the-art equipment, in addition to learning different skills from talented area craftsmen.

ONE OF THE interior areas at Pine Creek Woodworking, 7002 Upper Pine Creek Road in Breitung Township, which will have an open house and silent auction Sunday, June 1. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

“It’s a place where anyone can come and make something out of a piece of wood on their own — giving them a sense of accomplishment,” Wender said. “It can be anything from a small project to a piece of furniture.”

Board members are there to give advice or assist with projects as well, Wender added.

The retired local teacher, along with the help of many volunteers and community support, was able to repurpose the century-old Pine Creek School and officially opened the doors on wood shop in 2023.

In spring 2024, they completed a 24-by-24-foot addition that includes a basement. The new space houses two large pieces of equipment — a laser for precision cutting and engraving and a computer numerical control, or CNC, machine.

“We will have these operating (during the open house) and demonstrate what that equipment can do,” Wender said. “It’s unbelievable the detail that can be done.”

PINE CREEK WOODWORKING, 7002 Upper Pine Creek Road in Breitung Township, is accepting new members. Anyone interested can sign up at the open house Sunday, June 1. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Over the past two-plus years, Pine Creek Woodworking has had about 200 area eighth grade students come to learn the skill of woodworking. Students are able to take part in two sessions and leave with a completed project.

“They can make whatever they would like — many have created cutting boards,” Wender said. “We had a student interested in wood turning a couple weeks ago and he made a bowl.”

In addition, they have welcomed several Boy and Girl Scouts groups that were interested in the craft.

Recently, the Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District has purchased memberships. “Teachers are able to bring in their students — it’s great,” he said. “We have some really good things going with them (ISD).”

Wender said they also now have a Northpointe staff member who brings clients in more than once a week to do projects.

AN OPEN HOUSE and silent auction is planned from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 1, at Pine Creek Woodworking at 7002 Upper Pine Creek Road in Breitung Township. Shown are the many handmade auction items that will be up for bids. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Donations have allowed them to set aside scholarship money as well for those interested in becoming a member who might not have the funds, Wender said.

“We recently were able to sponsor two people — we feel good about that,” he said.

Throughout the whole project, they have never bought a board, Wender noted.

“This community has backed this project from the start and we are very grateful for it,” he said.

He also credited board members for what they have been able to accomplish over the past couple years.

“We have a great board,” he said, adding they recently lost one of their original and oldest members, Norm Verley, at age 91. The master woodworker was teaching class at the shop.

A silent auction at the open house will feature many handcrafted wood items, including bowls, cribbage boards, cutting boards, benches and Adirondack chairs. They will also offer a few pieces of equipment, such as a CNC machine.

A live radio broadcast is planned at the event as well.

“We have been open now for two and a half years. We are doing well but feel the facility is underutilized,” Wender said. “We encourage everyone to come and see us at the open house.”

For more information, go to the Pine Creek Woodworking page on Facebook.