THE VILLAGE HANDYMAN

The VILLAGE HANDYMAN goes way back to 1972. Attending college under the GI Bill, and just completing my sophomore year, the waters of the Susquehanna visited my wife and I in Hanover Township. One child and another due in six months, this unwelcome guest abruptly ended plans for a college degree. Living in disaster housing, with an uncertain future, our goal was to build a new life and a new home in quarters high and dry. At age twenty-five, my first construction job became that of a General Contractor, managing a crew of three. Me, myself and I, learned the trades of plumbing, electrical, dry wall, flooring, and other specialities from the few Do It Your Self books available at the time. There was no World Wide Web back then... The pay was terrible, the hours were long. I worked full time as a security guard, and built our home in the "off" time. In November 1974, under falling snow, we finally moved in. Many upgrades and additions later, including six beautiful grandchildren, my wife and I of forty plus years live in that same home today. While working locally, but still loving the "wood", many weekends were spent building Chalets in Vermont. Graduating to large family homes in New Hampshire, I became educated in the "finish" side of carpentry. My forte became custom cabinetry, and related products, but spending much time away from home. As our boys grew, and priorities changing, our life needed more certainty. I joined the corporate world. Instead of roofs, I was climbing the ladder in Professional Sales. My "expertise" became people. I enjoyed providing my clients with products and services they needed, wanted and liked; but most importantly I learned to provide excellent customer service. Later, with the guys off to college, the entrepreneurial urge was back. Feeling comfortable again in the "wood", I opened a construction company, with remodeling, home inspection, and high end cabinetry my focus. So here we are today, our sons, successful and raising families of their own, I remain active in business but on a smaller scale. With life's uncertain roadblocks, I survived a bout with cancer, and recently re-built my knees...I am truly thankful and blessed.